Welcome to the 859th Metamorphosis Monday! Remember this photo from a few days ago—a lot of puzzles and books! The puzzles had been stored on a long shelf at the top of the master bedroom closet. I cleared those out for future/anticipated painting in that closet. The books had been on my office bookshelves, and since I was tired of seeing the three Billy Bookcase shelves bowing under the weight of the heavy hardbacks, I brought them down to the living room, in anticipation of bringing them up to live on the bookcases here in the Ohio house, aka, the Dollhouse.
Someone recently asked why I didn’t place the books in boxes to move them. After bringing tons of stuff up to the Dollhouse over the past year, I’ve learned that boxes are bulky and take up a lot of unnecessary space. I use boxes for transporting breakables like dishware, but for puzzles and books, I have found that I can fit a lot more into my SUV by just packing them into the back. If this were a moving truck for an official move, I would for sure place everything in boxes, but this works better in this case.
Also, have you ever noticed how heavy a box gets when filled with books? When I rented a U-Haul last year to bring up a wicker table/chairs and a newly purchased dining table, I had some space left over in the truck. The guys who were helping me load everything up, hired via the UHaul website, helped me box up some books to fill the leftover space in the truck. I was amazed by how few books we could add to each box before it became too heavy to lift. We couldn’t even fill up a moving box to the top and had to look for other fluffy, lightweight stuff to fill in the remaining space. Just placing the non-boxed books into the back of my SUV worked great because once I arrived at the Dollhouse, I could carry in whatever felt manageable in each armload. Upon arriving, I always like to unload my SUV by myself because it feels so good to move and be active after sitting in a car all day for an 8-9 hour drive. I hope that better explains this packing method. lol
You may remember from a previous post that all the puzzles ended up here in the movie room, creating a puzzle “library” of sorts.
What about the books? Those ended up here in the Dollhouse living room.
I still have plenty of space left for more books. That’s a good thing since I still have more books to bring up if I do decide to move here full-time.
On this trip to the house, I brought up the rest of my gardening and cooking/recipe books. Instead of placing those on the living room shelves, I decided to separate them out. They ended up out here on the sunporch. (Photo from Christmastime.)
This cabinet was just sitting here empty, so I put it to work. The left side currently holds all my gardening books, while the right side is filled with cooking books. This cabinet may one day end up filled with the dishes that I currently have stored in the porch hutch back in Georgia. If that happens, these books may end up on the living room shelves. But for now, they have found a home here.
There are still more books scattered around here and there, like these that are atop the “hidden” filing cabinet in the Dollhouse office.
I am fortunate to have a lot of book storage/shelving in this house, like the cute shelving that’s tucked in under the eaves here in the office.
That’s where my Eyewitness Travel books have landed since they were the perfect height for this spot.
I didn’t bring up any of the books from the living room back in Georgia. The books are stored in a lot of places in this room—from the fireplace mantel to the coffee table to the secretary.
And there are more on the bookcases over in the corner of this room.
So these shelves may eventually be filled with a lot more books. If that happens, I’ll probably remove the doors that are on the far right and store those away in the basement, along with the same small doors that I removed from the shelving in the dining room. That way, the next owner of this home can add them back, if they so desire.
Pining For A Putnam Ladder! I have one major plan for the living room bookshelves if I do end up moving to the Dollhouse full-time, or maybe I’ll do it even if I don’t ever furnish this room. What am I talking about? I would love to add a Putnam rolling ladder to the living room bookshelves. Have you heard of Putnam rolling ladders? Putnam was founded in New York City in 1905. It was owned/run by the same family until just a few years ago when the son finally retired and sold the company to Custom Service Hardware, founded in 1977. CSH was already making rolling ladders, so I can see why the son felt comfortable turning his business over to them. Custom Service Hardware is located in Wisconsin, and from reading on their website, it appears they have continued to make Putnam rolling ladders with the same excellent craftsmanship Putnam has been known for all these years. Their website states:
This is the style of ladder I would like for my small library. It’s part of the “Classic” line and I believe the wood is Walnut with hardware in a satin brass finish. (Photo below is from the Putnam Rolling Ladder website.)
They have several different styles/lines of ladders, from the classic Putnam style to more industrial, modern lines. They even have one that looks like it would be perfect in a log cabin. (Photo below is from the Putnam Rolling Ladder website.)
There are a lot of great choices from which to choose for the wood and hardware. Which combination would you like? (You’ll find a lot of wonderful photos on their “Gallery” page at their website here: Putnam Rolling Ladders.)
At this point, I am leaning toward Walnut wood with the Satin Brass finish, as seen in this photo below. (Photo below is from the Putnam Rolling Ladder website.) I wonder why the Walnut choice looks so much darker in their Wood Species Chart above. I like how it looks in the photo below a lot more.
I don’t think I have enough room for the rail to be installed on that flat spot on the molding just above the shelving, so I believe the rail would probably need to go across/beneath the first shelf. And I think it would look better if the shelves where you see the arrow were raised a little. Update: After closer inspection, I think the shelves are in line with each other. I believe I will just need to have an additional wood piece added in front of the two shelves where the arrows are pointing, so that the thicker wood section will extend all the way across. Then the ladder rail would be mounted along that area. My plan is to keep the ladder parked on the far right side when not in use. There’s plenty of room there—even after I add a couple of reading chairs against that wall on the right to create a small reading nook at that end of the living room. Do you have a library, kitchen, wine cellar, or high storage area where you could use a rolling ladder? They add so much function and personality to a room! Plus, I just love how they look!
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Metamorphosis Monday: Metamorphosis Monday is a party that’s all about Before and Afters. Please link up your Before and After projects like DIY projects, room makeovers, craft projects even recipes. Please do not link up Table Settings; save those for our Tablescape Thursday party on Thursday. If you are participating in Met Monday, link your post to the party using the “permalink” to your MM post and not your general blog address. To get your permalink, click on the name of your post, then copy and paste the address (that shows in the address bar at the top of your blog) into the “url” box for InLinkz when prompted.
Wow your new home is just awesome. I mean, that vintage and adorable bathtub, the book shelves, and now the rolling ladder!
I’ve always thought rolling ladders were cool, but since we’ve moved so much I joke that I keep my books at the library. Moving is hard work.
It seems like the theater room is in the basement? Am I right? Is there a fireplace in the basement?
Wendy in Suwanee
Thanks, Wendy! Yes, there is a fireplace in that room, although I haven’t used it yet. I know what you mean, moving books is hard work!
Oh that ladder looks fabulous Susan! I’m with you – I’ve always wanted one of those, and it looks like that company is making nice ones. Love the homes you found for the books and puzzles. They look great on the shelves. Thanks for sharing the fun and throwing the party. Hope you have a great week!
Thanks, Barbara! Hope you have a fantastic week!
I love those ladders too, but my house is small. I delivered a wreath to someone who had a ladder. She was short and her upper kitchen cabinets were dark and very tall. I do not like newer homes with an open concept without walls. I love all the bookcases, nooks and crannies, and that pantry in the Dollhouse.
My favorite in the ladder photos was the white bookcase and ladder. Not a fan of green walls, but it was really attractive.
Tell me about packing books. My greatest challenge is the 16 quart bins for my floral/craft supplies. Too long for bookcase shelves. Impossible to pack with removable lids. Trying to find a box to pack multiple bins would be a challenge. Remember, your bins have to be the same size and brand to stack.
Is your bathroom ready for the reveal yet ? Can’t wait to see the wallpaper.
No, I need to call the wallpaper hanger and set up a time for him to come out, but first I have to choose the white paint for the walls and the blue for the ceiling.
Hi Susan,
Yes, I love, love, love those rolling ladders; always have. My husband and I have said if we ever built a house, we would build one with a library (and I would want the linenfold paneling like you have in your living room) and we would certainly have the rolling ladders.
In the meantime, I did get to have one. A few years back we bought a storage shed for our backyard that looks a bit like a little house. Inside, there is a deep shelf up high they called a ‘loft.’ Haha. Hardly a loft, but too high and deep to reach without a ladder. So I asked my husband if we could have a rolling ladder. He was on it. He built a rolling ladder and made it perfectly appropriate for such a shed. I love it! So, while it’s not in the house in an elegant library, I do have one that I can go see (and use) any time. It’s fun. Of course, it doesn’t have fancy brass fittings or those wings at the bottom like those ladders, but I still love having it.
Like Myrna, I’m looking forward to your guest bath reveal!
Love those paneled libraries! That is so cool that he was able to build one for the shed! Love that, Pam!
Those rolling ladders are really lovely, and I have always liked them, but more in a real library feel room….not so much in the space you are talking about. I feel like the wood and brass would look like “too much” in front of white shelves. Just my opinion….plus with the two doorways, you would have to “park” it in front of one of the shelves. I would be more in favor of a “handsome small stepstool” if there is such a thing as a “handsome step stool”. That is really all you need it appears.
I wasn’t sure how I felt about a stained wood ladder with painted shelves but after seeing so many photos on the Putnam website (and online) showing that combination, I kinda like the contrast. It really highlights the pretty ladder when it’s not the same color. Def don’t want a step stool, the ladder would fit over on the right when not in use.
Those Purnam ladders are so cool! I hope that you are able to install one in the Dollhouse – it would look great. Walnut was my favorite too of the color/stain choices. Have a great week Susan!
Thanks, Kim! I think it would add something special to that end of the room.
Putnam lol.
You are a veritable library yourself, Susan. WOW that is one heck of a lot of books. What fun to have a rolling ladder. I’ve aways loved those, too.
I know, there’s something so charming about a rolling ladder in front of a bookcase. I love the romance of it.
Thanks so much for hosting!! I really appreciate the time and effort that goes into it along with visiting all the links!! I hope you are enjoying your week and you are doing well…
Hugs,
Deb
Debbie-Dabble Blog
Thanks, Debbie! Have a great week!
XXX
Now I can’t get the image of Belle on her rolling library ladder out of my head!!
🙂 I’ve never seen that movie, but I know the one you’re talking about. I may have to watch it now, to see the rolling library ladder.
I love the rolling ladders! I had a thought about the two top shelves that you want to move up about an inch to match the other two…..how about replacing the two shelves with slightly thicker shelves that will match the other two? That’s what I would probably do.
And I LOVE the room with the wood paneled walls….so warm and inviting!
Thanks, so much, LeAnne! After talking with someone at Putnam yesterday afternoon, I realized that the two shelves that look lower are actually even with the other top shelves—they just have a thick piece of trim/wood in front of them. So, we think that I will need to have more trim added to the front of those shelves the way it has been done in front of the other two shelves. It will have to be secured really well, then the brass rail that the ladder will scoot across can be placed across that area. It will be a while before I tackle that project, though.
Please consider a different arrangement for transporting your books, or at least limiting the height to that of the rear seat. Should you be in an accident, or even a very hard stop, the loose books will become a missile launching forward in the car, or even worse in a rollover. Perhaps tying with cord a few together until a comfortable weight is reached would weight them down to avoid airborne books.
I wanted a ladder in my new kitchen renovation but with only an 8 ft ceiling, it didn’t seem possible. Great classic look though. As to color, why is the mahogany stain darker than the walnut?
Don’t worry, they weren’t over the headrest or the back of the seat, and a lot of those were puzzle boxes so not too heavy. I will say, traffic has been so much lighter on the interstate lately. I had to easiest ride up that I’ve ever had! It was great!
Funny you mention that because I asked a similar question yesterday during a phone call with a salesperson at Putnam and the reply I got was disappointing. I asked why the walnut sample/circle on the chart at their website was so dark, yet in the photos at their website showing walnut wood ladders in rooms, looked much lighter. I like the color of the ladders in the photos but not that really dark stain example on the chart.
She said that walnut wood can vary drastically in color and that they’ve had some walnut wood come in that was so red, you would think it was made of cherry wood. I asked if I had a walnut ladder made, if they could request that it made of walnut that was not red and looked more like the ladders in the photos. She said, “No.”
I expressed surprise at that and mentioned that since these are custom-made for each home/customer, it seemed like they could request that. So, I may have to find another company to make my ladder. I don’t want to spend over $3,500 on a custom-made walnut ladder and rail and end up with a red ladder.
Love the ladder idea–so classy as well as useful. And how clever are you with loose packing your books and puzzles as you did!
Thanks, Mia! The packing was a bit like doing a puzzle. Ha!