Date: Fri, 21 Oct 2005 04:46:02 -0700 (PDT) From: Michael Nelson <nelson_mr at yahoo.com> Subject: [WSFA] Re: Book shelves and cases To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at WSFA.org> Reply-To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at WSFA.org> --- MarkLFischer at aol.com wrote: > In a message dated 10/20/2005 3:17:24 PM Eastern Daylight Time, > nelson_mr at yahoo.com writes: > > >I would go to Hardwood Artisans in Chantilly, VA (three > >other locations in Rockville, Alexandria, and Woodbridge) > >and have them build some cherry or mahogany bookcases. > > My usual solution has been: For a stable base, two pine 1X12 boards, > cut to > fit the space, separated by a decorative block every 3-4'. A good > place > for boxed magazines or oversized books. Above the base, tiers of > 1X6 planks > spaced with pairs of standard bricks, ceiling height (for me) or > lower for the > convenience of shorter folks. The bricks give shelf heights ideal > for the > most common paperback dimensions with little wasted space. Well, Madeleine asked what people would do for bookcases if they had money and space and time. If I had the money, I would let Hardwood Artisans custom-build my bookcases out of some fine hardwood like cherry. Has anyone mentioned "milk crates" to replace the very heavy concrete blocks? The Container Store in Tysons Corner has authentic dairy crates that you could use to make stacked bookcases and if you put the crates on their sides, you can use them for storage as well ($10 each). I've seen half- and quarter-sized mock dairy crates you could use to reduce the space between shelves. Staples has file storage crates for $6.28 each, which look like they could serve the same purpose. Certainly a lot lighter than bricks or concrete blocks. __________________________________ Start your day with Yahoo! - Make it your home page!