Building The Built-in Shelves.....

And the Spiral Stairs.....

I had a week off from Work, Dear Readers, and I can assure you that I spent as much of it as possible reveling in my myriad mini projects and I have So much to show you that I don't quite know where to start! But I think it would be unkind if I did not show you the second set of ornate brocade curtains that I did complete for The Folly Living Room! Above you can see the panels completed, with their wires sewn in the hems and the gold braid fringe added. These are for the larger window, so they needed to be wider and show more of the blue flower pattern, which works perfectly with the colors in this room.

Here they are installed with the pelmet which has the wider design too.

I may need to make the pelmet trim go "around the corner"....

 because you can see that side from this angle.

And with more furniture... 

I think it adds to the cozy feel of this room 

and brings the blue into balance.

Without a Doubt..... 

these curtains transform this room!

But the real project I want to show you, Dear Readers, is the building of the Shelves for the Hardwick Hall Attic Reading Room! I had ordered the wood to build these shelves weeks ahead of time, but it was on back-order and did not arrive in time. I was forced to make do by cutting my own wood strips out of basswood sheets, which actually turned out to be for the best because it allowed me to build  deeper shelving units for the far wall, which would be useful for holding larger sized books. So I cut 1" strips for the back wall shelves and 3/4' strips for the side shelves. The whole process was very time consuming because the attic is not exactly square.... (you have to love these kits!....) which required cutting and testing for fit every step of the way!

 And while I was doing that I also had begun to glue the spiral stairs together... (until now they had been temporarily strung on a thin dowel... and fell apart with every shift!) This was also a complicated process of gluing one part then waiting 'til it dried thoroughly before gluing the next one!

This was especially necessary when it came to attaching the spindles to the stairs because they were wobbly and had to align exactly with the curved railing that would go on top.... but the railing couldn't be attached until all the spindles were firmly and precisely in place. And because it was a curved shape.... spiraling upward.... just supporting two ends wasn't enough.... you had to have a middle-point also supported at the same time. I managed to get the bottom two spindles glued in while the railing was balanced on the upper spindle.... but you had to add the spindles one at a time and wait for the glue to dry.... or it all would fall apart! I would add a piece every two or four hours....!

 Meanwhile I was building the bookshelves....

Starting at the back in the darkest corner of the attic....

where I had to measure and fit and test and then glue...

The gap you can see between the side of the shelves and the wall 

is to allow for the depth of the side wall shelving.... 

I made a drawing first so I could do the math 

and get the general measures worked out...

 but all the pieces needed adjusting to fit the actual space.... 

Here you can see the top shelf which

 covers the distance all the way to the side wall....

 and needed to be just the right length and angle.....

Here I am building the basic unit....

 with my cutting mat to help keep them square.....

 (except that the walls aren't square....)

And slowly adding spindles to the Spiral stairs.....

 that folded paper is being a force to push 

the spindle against the railing while it dries... 

without exerting too much force which would make the railing fall off....

 because it is not attached  but is only there for alignment purposes!

Here is the Attic with morning light.... 

showing (sort of) the back two shelf units in position.

 And Madame Durant has come to inspect the work....

there is still a long way to go!

Here you can see an overhead view of the two back units 

and the two sides also begun....

(I know.... it is dark.....)

And then I had an idea.... 

one of Those ideas that wouldn't go away.....

How could we get more light into those back corners? 

Could we add mirrors behind the shelves...?

Or perhaps some glittery silver paper????

Which I had several sheets of.... purchased long ago.....

Shouldn't we at least test it out?

At first, Dear Readers, I thought it was too much....

But the more I looked, the more I liked it...

Especially when the outside spotlight was not shining directly in!

But what about with the books in place... 

would they block too much of the paper...?

Well, we had to try a few books....

(Gosh I am going to have to make/acquire/buy a lot of books!)

Ohhh, I am liking this!!!

And even though the books will eventually cover much of the paper...

 I think it will still be lurking there... a presence... 

like a mist on a meadow at dusk....!

And in the morning light.... with no additional lighting.....

It is simply radiant!

Here you can see the side shelving also completed

 and the top edge trim has been added too.

But all the side trim and end trim has yet to be added....

especially where the shelves meet the bench alcoves.

 

Meanwhile I have completed all the spindles on the Spiral stairs...

And it is time to glue on the handrails

... a much easier task... but still best done one rail at a time!

The shelf units are getting their facing trim....

Always testing the fit of every piece.....

The units will not be glued to each other

 until they are glued into the Attic... 

because of those crooked walls!

And once they are... 

you will not be able to get close enough

 to see this top view.

The trim on the ends has been added too....

 

And Finally, Dear Readers, 

I take my courage in my hands

 and Glue the Shelf units in place!

Because only then can I start to add the trim

 around the alcoves where they meet the shelves.

I have pulled the curtains away to keep them from the glue... 

and I know you can't see it, but I have added the trim in that dark corner!

And the alcove trim on the side alcoves is also being added....

Here you can see where the shelves and the alcove have a gap....

And here you can see all the trim has been added....

Except for the near side of the alcove... 

because those shelves have not been built yet!

And let's not forget the Spiral stairs railings... 

another section attached!

And the attic Shelves are very nearly done....

 (except for those aforementioned units at the front of the attic)

And we can revel in those amazing shelves.... 

and the contemplation of all those books....

By Day and also by Night.....

Especially by Night.... 

can we admire the brilliance added by those silver papers....

And perhaps with the fireplace too.....

Yes, those back corners are going to be hard to see...

Dark and Sparkly and Mysterious!

But my Vacation is quickly winding to a close....

Even the Spiral staircase is Almost complete... 

only the finials left to add....

And I must say, Dear Readers, 

there was even more that I accomplished...

 but I will show you that another day. 

Right now all I want to do is 

Revel in that Attic with those Built-in shelves... 

and Contemplate the next parts of those Incredible Spiral Stairs!