Formal Library/Study
Project Description: Homeowners were looking to have a custom, formal library/study incorporated into their house. Looking for a place to store books, sit and read, entertain, and just plain relax.
Customer's thoughts and requirements: Masculine decor incorporating bookshelves, storage space and an area for high back chairs for reading and business meetings. They wanted walls to be covered with wood and finished in a dark, rich color.
Our Suggestions and construction decisions: After much discussion to really understand what the client was looking for and to accomplish with this room, we were able to suggest many great ideas for the space. We decided to use cherry as our wood of choice finished in a deep mahogany stain. One wall consisted of floor to ceiling bookshelves, divided in the middle by an existing window. The lower portions of the shelves were crafted into storage space by adding cabinet doors, creating a total of four cabinets. Another wall contained two windows and it was decided that this wall would be covered in wood paneling, the windows were trimmed with custom woodwork to show definition and depth. After further discussion with the client it was decided that a small wet bar was desired. This addition was added in a small corner, provided with a mirrored back wall, lined with glass shelves for glasses and liquors. Below an additional cabinet was created. In the ceiling we installed recessed accent lights for the shelf units and speakers were wired into the home's audio system. On the ceiling a material was applied to resemble an antique tin ceiling, completed with a bronzing agent to compliment the darker look to the room that was desired. To complete the ceiling, cabinets and paneling, multiple crown moldings were incorporated into the room, bringing all the components together. Finally, because no successful business meeting is complete without enjoying a fine cigar, we transformed two cased openings into a set of customs, French-style, doors that when open, rest unobtrusively against the wall.
Finished results: Through our constant communication with the clients, we were able to provide an elegant yet masculine setting conducive to both, relaxation and reading, as well as a place to gather during parties and business affairs that suited both the husband and wife's desires extremely well. The resulting room gave you a feeling of warmth and richness with its deep color and accent lighting.
