Thanks, Apartment Therapy!

Here is the custom built bookcase for my studio. It came about because I posted a question last month on an open thread at Apartment Therapy:

"Anyone have any experience with the Expedit bookcase from Ikea? Quality? Appearance? It's awfully inexpensive so I'm a bit worried. There is a similar one (white - I want white) at West Elm and a big one at DWR. Anyone know any other sources for something similar? I've looked at furniture stores and nobody has it."

The responses were very helpful. I didn't realize that the Expedit bookcase was virtually a household name. I learned that it looks good but is a notorious pain to put together and will break apart if moved. I really didn't want to buy something almost guaranteed to end up in a landfill.

Expedit from Ikea - $179 plus shipping.

The Collins room divider from Pottery Barn for an astonishing $1200 plus $150 for shipping. There are two bookshelves featured side by side.

I spoke to Anna and she thought the Expedit style would be great for organizing all my art supplies, magazines and books, and that we should wallpaper the back. My thoughts exactly! I decided to ask Jimmy and Mark (my handymen) if they could build me one. They were ECSTATIC. Nothing like a woman who knows exactly what she wants, and they were itching to build something instead of lay hardwood floors. I gave them the measurements, told them how many compartments, and showed them the other bookcases featured above. I wanted it to be moveable, sturdy, and the back to be separate so I could wallpaper it (to see confused handymen tell them you want to wallpaper your bookshelf.) Nevertheless, they built it, added three coats of glossy white paint, and a week later it was mine. All for $325. In the words of Jimmy, "You ain't gonna buy nothin' this sturdy unless it has a gas tank."

There is also this bookcase from West Elm that is $549 plus shipping. It is smaller than I wanted and has casters. I could just imagine my three year old wheeling it down the stairs.

You don't have to live in an apartment to benefit from AT's great advice. Even someone like me who isn't keen on the mid-century modern aesthetic still gets a lot out of their posts. So, thanks Apartment Therapy and readers; I couldn't have done it without you (and I know you secretly love the pink room!)

One last view because I'm just so darned happy with it.

Comments

[midcenturyjo]

Nup mam you ain't never gonna find something as sturdy..... must weigh a ton. It's great and that's an amazing price for a custom piece. Can the guys come down to Australia to knock something up for me?

[Desirée]

I love it Pink!My Goodness you are so organized and you think everything through! I wish I had a itsy bitsy of that,The pink room is my favorite.I would sit in it all the time!Have a great monday!xoxo Desirée

[kiminottawa]

I always wanted an expedit - and yours looks amazing and such a great price for custom! Think of all the crap you'll be able to store in it. After the guys have visited Jo, maybe they'll come to Canada and whip me up a new basement and kitchen! ;)

[The Peak of Chic]

Pink- Good job! That looks great!

[Jennifer Mitchell]

Your bookshelves look great. I love a bargain, too. I can't understand why Pottery Barn is so expensive. A place with "Barn" in its name should have bargain prices. But that's just me. I love IKEA, too. I still have some pieces I bought back when dinosaurs roamed the earth. So I guess it depends on what you're buying there.

[casapinka]

Jennifer, you'll never hear me disrespect Ikea. It was purely the idea of the bookcase breaking when I move it. Knowing that it prob. will be moved, and that I hopefully have a long life ahead of me, I wanted something I could keep forever. I can see me, 87 years old with my knitting, going to my bookshelf (now painted black and lavender) for my trifocals. Thanks to everyone else for your sweet comments. It makes me feel proud of my new bookcase!

[julie at anothershadeofgrey]

It looks great. My neighbor works with wood and built me the west elm geometric block bookcase last year. I'll take a picture for you and share. Nothing like having something custom built! Great job pink.

[Vanessa]

I spent all day Friday looking for the perfect bookshelf. I have tons of books and didn't know what to do. Because Ikea is two hours away and all of the furniture stores have a long wait...I ended up at an office supply store. Office Depot and got a workable, decent bookcase, Office max had a terrible selection. Target had a few nice ones too...But, since I might change my mind in a few months, it needed to be economical. It was $110. I put it together in 2 hours and voila. It is a faux antique white, and has an acceptable design. Good luck in your search. I am so glad I found my way here.

[Audrey]

oh wow. this is a blog entry up my sleeve! thanks for the tips about the Expedit bookcase. I also need something that can be a room divider and plenty of storage. so now I know it's not the sturdiest of objects.

yes i also commiserate about the Pottery Barn prices. i WISH THEY WERE IN AUSTRALIA too!

yes please, send down your handymen to Australia!

[Maryam in Marrakesh]

Wow what a fab idea about wallpapering the back! Love that. Which wallpaper? Something glammy I hope.

[Rachael]

awseome bookcase. Are you sure you can move it? It must weigh a ton:)

[KiWi]

I'm chartruese with envy.

[rebecca]

I have the expedit in the huge size. I have to say I love it. It's perfectly sturdy even moving it around, but it hasn't left the house since it was put together. The only issue with putting it together (and yes I had to unbuild and re-build) is that the holes for the interior shelves were painted over, so I didn't notice I had the sides reversed. Beyond that... lovely.

Having said all of that, I'd certainly RATHER have a custom made version in real wood.

[anneharwell]

Hey, you SHOULD be pleased! Great idea to have your own constructed. Your bookcase looks great! I have the West Elm white version and it's the best piece I ever bought! I lucked out at the Pottery Barn outlet 2 years ago and got it for only $120!! Holds all my books, art supplies, etc. P.S. I love the banner on your blog! Those dolls are winsome! Glad to discover your blog....

[Beth]

That is a fantastic solution. I'm often frustrated by the price of bookcases -- as craftsmanship goes, they're not all that hard to put together for a carpenter, so why the priciness?
Good work.

[nel]

I have the expedit in my study and I love it! Yes it was a pain to put togehter but have had no problems whatsoever since. So good to store and display all your favourite things. I am going to buy the smaller versions for my daughters rooms too.