French Country House Library

Materials: 60 Billy / Benno Bookcases

Description: Faced with a 11m x 4m landing which had been curtained off at either end as bedrooms we wanted to create a 'built in' library / office. With a 3.3m ceiling height there was an opportunity to build an impressive floor to ceiling installation to house a large book collection and 1500 DVD's.

The house benefits from being symmetrical the landing has 4 doors - 3 to bedrooms and one from the staircase. The doorways are just over a meter wide and so there was an opportunity to use the Billy bridging units above the doors.

So, off to IKEA and ordered 60, yes 60 units to put together and install. 15 full height units each side with half height units mounted upside down on top.
6 Benno cases were cut in half, as were 4 bridging units to fill the space.

Trimmed with oak architrave, door frames extended to fill the space. Gaps filled with Numerar Worktop trim.

At one end
Desk from oak worktop with a centre table on wheeled legs to pull out to access the windows for cleaning.

At the other
Sofa bed and somewhere to curl up and read a book.

See more of the French country house library.

~ Chas Saunter, Lot et Garonne, France