While we made over Xander’s room last summer, there was always one thing we didn’t address that didn’t function very well. Xander likes to read, and now has to nightly for school and we stored all of his books in the trundle under his bed. He’s strong enough to pull it out on his own, but if you’ve ever used a trundle you know how tricky it can be to get it put back in. Putting it back was frustrating and keeping the books organized was impossible.
My dad is a “Jack of all trades” – I definitely get my desire to learn and do new things from him. He’s too humble to share with most people, but he’s been a pharmacist, a doctor, a helicopter pilot in the military, studied business, does calculus and physics in his spare time…the list really goes on and on. Anyway, he asked if he could build X a bookshelf. Of course! He took a few measurements and off he went. If you know me, you know I’m kind of picky about things like this. Ok, you probably don’t even have to know me to know that.
The only other question my dad had was what color it should be. I never heard a peep and then one day he asked me to come to the basement to take a look. I was so impressed! And excited for Xander. My dad had really put some thought into this and added elements that made it special for our boy.
A lock box to hide his treasures like rocks and balls and stuffed animals from his sister is Xander’s favorite part.
And I love how my dad outfitted the sides with extra shelves. One of the biggest things in kids’ rooms is keeping clutter under control and these slots are perfect for all of those smaller, paperback books that aren’t as pretty.
As far as styling the shelves, I used things that Xander already had with the exception of a few collections of books. There’s a great little used book store in town, and I snagged those green children’s encyclopedias and the collection of blue classics for $15. I know he’ll love looking through the encyclopedias, and it won’t be long before he’ll be wanting to read Tom Sawyer. I always believe in pretty things in kids spaces, but when they can also encourage reading it’s a win/win.
Keeping the beautiful books on the top shelves is visually appealing and putting the current reads on bottom makes easy access for Xander to get at. Along with books there are several boxes to house his trinkets there’s a ton of them and a bowl for legos. A nice container takes legos from toy to decor instantly!
His current favorite book…oh he’s full of them.
Wall Color | Pictures | Spiderman Art | Xander’s Desk
Thanks Dad for the great piece and Mom for the paint job!
Need more help styling bookshelves? Don’t miss last week’s post here!
I can’t thank those of you who nominated me for the Better Homes & Gardens Blogger Awards enough! I have been chosen as one of the top 10 Decorating/DIY blogs with some really great friends! and you can vote to choose the top blogs here. Your continued support means so much!
rachael says
Wow – I am so impressed by that bookshelf. It is a beautiful custom piece! I especially love the locked treasure box – wonderful idea – and the storage for books along the side.
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks, Rachael. I know it’s something that will be treasured!
Alesia says
The locked cabinet is genius! Awesome job Joel.
themakerista@gmail.com says
Isn’t it fun?!
ellen from Ask Away says
OH wow i love it. super stylish yet so realistically practical!
XO Ellen from Ask Away
http://www.askawayblog.com
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks, Ellen!
cassie @ primitive & proper says
it still looks lovely! i am working on sawyer’s now and i am all about practical… he’s a 10 year old boy! 🙂
themakerista@gmail.com says
It gets harder to have your own opinions the older they get, doesn’t it?? 😉
Nadine Stinnett says
Your wall color link is not working. 🙁
And I need this color in my house STAT!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Here you go, sorry, Nadine! http://www.themakerista.com/how-to-incorporate-kids-likes-in/
Emily says
What a wonderful piece!! I love the shelving on the side for his books and, of course, that lock box! How cute!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks, Emily, yes I thought it was so clever!
painter and decorating in London says
You dad has done a brilliant job of this bookshelf! I would ask him to build me one if I new him. Superb Job DAD! 🙂
themakerista@gmail.com says
Didn’t he? Thanks! Decorating in London? I want to come join you! 😉
Dani @ Danielle and Co. says
That is so cool, and I love the built-in safe! We have the same joke book – we kept it in the car for awhile, for entertainment on the way to and from school 🙂
themakerista@gmail.com says
Isn’t it funny…and sometimes annoying? 😉
Si says
Decided to check in after a long day. The lock box made me smile 🙂 Beautiful handiwork – well done to your Dad!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks, Si! He did do a great job!
Sandra P says
What an amazing special piece. You are one lucky girl.
themakerista@gmail.com says
I am, Sandra!
Megan says
Love that bookcase! What a special treat from you Dad!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Something to treasure, for sure!
Renee says
Was your dad ever at Ft. Leavenworth? My husband and I were there for four and a half glorious years and I fell in love with the entire area – to include Aitchison, Weston, Parkville and the greater KC area. One of my favorite spots was Nell Hill’s, which, somehow, is how i stumbled across your blog a couple of years ago. Anyway, my husband is retired now and we bought a 90’s custom home with a great floor plan, but needs a lot of updating/work (which is what I wanted – something I could make my own after moving around in the military for 20 years). I think I watch too much HGTV and read too many interior design blogs, because things are not happening as fast as I want them to (like, during a 30 minute episode!). I have really enjoyed your blog and you are teaching me the value of patience; taking it room-by-room, working within a budget and waiting for the right items to come along so it is something that I will truly love. Thank you for sharing your thought process and for being real!
themakerista@gmail.com says
He wasn’t but I love that area! Thank you, I’m really glad that my transparency has meant something to you. Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither is our home! Good design takes time and thought…I have to remind myself of that often. 🙂
kelsey williams says
Wow! I love that piece…how you decorated it…and especially the lock box! Genius!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks, Kels!
Lyndsey says
What a great bookshelf! And so wonderful that your dad built it, that makes it extra special! Can you share where you got the busts from– so great! And the box with polka dots– did you cover a box in that yourself, or buy it? I’m forever looking for cute boxes to tame the overflow of endless toys!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Lyndsey, they’re actually from a thrift store, aren’t they great? I think you can get them pretty easily on eBay…they’re plastic. Thanks for reading!
Safae Farid says
Awesome. Congrats for the nomination, you so deserve it!
Great post and wonderfull piece especially that lock box. I love it. So lucky 😀
You can check out this etsy shop. It has great items that you may like https://www.etsy.com/shop/allbuttonedupbytina
Rajrang says
Oh my gosh! This is so stunning. You have decorated your son’s bookcase so beautifully. I love the view from the bedside including the gorgeous pillows. And, I am glad to know that your dad helped you in this.
Jason says
Gwen! Any idea how the lockbox was done? I want to duplicate that very thing.
Thanks for any suggestions!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Hi Jason! I believe my dad cut off a piece of piano hinge for the door and then he just used a lock that has lever. So the lever is horizontal when it’s locked and then goes vertical when it’s unlocked to allow the door to open. That’s probably confusing how I said it, so feel free to email me and I can shoot you some pictures of it if you’d like! themakerista(at)gmail(dot)com