We Built the Bookcase of My Dreams!
Ever since my little family traded in our full-time travelin’ shoes for a more stationary life back in 2020, my meager little book collection has turned into something, shall we say, robust.
In our last house, I piled sweet little book stacks onto standing desks, TV stands, windowsills, and even empty floor spaces, not quite ready to admit that I desperately wanted a bookcase just for me. But pretty quickly, those sweet little book stacks started to look like a whole lot of clutter, and no books deserve that.
So when we set out #ontheroadagain last fall in search of our next home and moved into our new home eight months later, one very specific item never left the top of my wish list — a big, beautiful bookcase for all of my books, with room to grow.
Fast-forward to today, and thanks to the magic, brilliance, and sweat equity of a very talented someone who would like to remain unnamed (not me), along with the help of a few photos and videos about the Ikea Billy Bookcase phenomenon from the interwebs, the bookcase of my dreams is securely installed in my bedroom/office, fully trimmed, molded, painted and ready for my books and then some (well, almost ready at least).
Here’s how we built the bookcase of my dreams ⤵
Step 1 — Measure, measure, measure (then measure some more)
Step 2 — Order the Billy bookshelf units (delivered rocks)
Step 3 — Buy the extra parts (trim, crown molding, etc.)
Step 4 — Install the skeleton (outer edges of Billy bookshelves)
Step 5 — Install the extra parts (trim, crown molding, etc.)
Step 6 — Measure, adjust, and install more extra parts
Step 7 — Paint, caulk, and then paint some more
Step 8 — Wait for the paint to dry fully
Step 9 — Paint, caulk, and paint even more
Step 10 — Wait for the paint to dry again
Step 11 — Keep waiting for the paint to dry/cure, to the point you think the waiting might kill you, then wait a little more
Step 12 — Add the books
Here are a few photos of the building process ⤵
And then, it was finally time to add the books! In the end, I just couldn’t wait that extra day. I woke up on Saturday morning feeling itchy, and I knew it was time.
First, I started placing books on my “Artsy” shelves and my “Favorites” shelves. I knew the rest would come to me if I started there, and it did. Three hours in, I was feeling tired and starting to realize the task was only just beginning, the end nowhere in sight, but the groupings were emerging, my excitement still high.
Around hour five, the task felt more daunting than anything, but I kept going, and the most beautiful thing began to happen — I started to encounter myself through the stories that had been shaping me over the past few decades. Tears began stinging my eyes as I was able to see the texture and depth the books were giving our new home, so much like the texture and depth they’ve given my life over the years. So much gratitude.
When I found a stack of magazines with sticky tabs and bookmarks all askew, I realized it was the small collection of publications I’ve contributed to over the past six years of writing on the internet. I took a quick break to post a little video of those articles on the ‘gram. So much gratitude again.
Nine hours later, with a bit of time spent chatting about books with various family members who wandered in to check that I hadn’t collapsed, I was done. Or at least I was done enough. I stood back to admire the view, gratitude overwhelming me in a way I can’t quite explain.
This is the bookcase of my dreams — it’s finally finished, and I have to tell you, this little nomadic-life-loving heart of mine feels more at home than it has in years, maybe ever. I don’t know what the future holds, but whatever it is, I hope it includes these shelves of books (and the new ones I just ordered to add to my collection ~ more on that next week).
Here’s a quick breakdown of how I’ve organized my dreamy bookshelves (for now) ⤵
The Artsy shelf (left) & My favorites shelf (right)⤵
The Money + Sad books + College professor + Self-published + Healthy living + Kids’ shelves⤵
The To-Donate + Faith + Maine + TBR + Daily Reader + Need-to-Finish + Magazine shelves⤵
The Classics + Travel + Home-making + Random shelves⤵
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Wherever you are this weekend, I hope this little message brings a smile to your face and adds fresh fuel to the dream that’s glowing inside your big, beautiful heart.
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Until next Friday,
Celeste
