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November 26, 2013

Story of our House, Part 2 (Library Reveal)

A few months ago I shared the Story of our House with you, and now I would like to begin Part 2 of that story.  As our family grew, we slowly started outgrowing the three bedroom house that we initially built.  Our ten children needed a bit more space to spread their wings, so we decided to build an addition to our existing house which would include four new bedrooms, a large multi-purpose laundry room, and a library. Two of the bedrooms are now complete (here is the  boys' room) along with the laundry room and library. The last two bedrooms and upstairs hallway will hopefully be finished this winter.

As with the main house, Hubby and I used many recycled and salvaged items along with processing our own lumber.  We love searching for and using items that give our home a time worn look, as well as keeping the project within our budget.

I am excited to share our new library with you today.  I shared a Sneak Peek of it during the construction process this past summer, and I'm thrilled to finally have it complete, except for the window grills, which we are still waiting on.  The built in bookshelves are my favorite thing in this room.  They are slowly filling up with books, glorious books, books of all kinds, novels, references books, children's stories, and educational resources.   I am so excited to finally have one spot for all of our homeschooling supplies instead of having them stashed wherever I could find room for them. I love having our very own library.

The room is furnished almost entirely with hand-me-down furniture, items purchased from second hand shops, antique stores, and used furniture places.  I had such fun collecting things over the past year and finally putting it all together.





The farmhouse table, made from old barn boards, was once our dining table, and the wooden fold-up chairs were purchased for $15 a piece at a locally-owned, used furniture store.  I do believe they were originally used in a funeral home, but they are perfect for use at the school table.  The lamp was purchased at Goodwill for $8, and I actually found a second one, also costing $8, in a different Goodwill two hours away from the first. I was so excited when I found the first lamp; it was exactly what I was looking for, but to find a second? What are the chances? The frame hanging above the table showcases a treasure I found crammed on a shelf at Goodwill this past summer, a portion of Great Britain's Coasting Pilot, an ancient survey of the sea-coast of England.  



The little drop leaf table under the window belonged to Hubby's grandparents.  They used it for many years as their dining table at their summer camp.  I hauled it out of storage this past summer and refinished the top.  The lamps were hand-me-downs from my mom, and the two armchairs flanking the table were old library chairs purchased for $35 apiece.  The globe in the corner was my grandfather's, and the wool braided rug was hand-made by my mom from scraps of wool that she saved from coats, skirts and other articles of wool clothing no longer being worn.  I think it added just the right amount of coziness to our new library.


My office is on the other side of the room.  Do you remember my salvaged window in Sneak Peek?  I love how it adds character to an otherwise, large, uninteresting wall.  The desk and artwork above it was purchased from Goodwill, and my chair was found free on the lawn of a moving college student.   





I am so pleased with the final results of our library.  It's far from being a "designer" room, but it's highly functional, filled with things our family loves, and it is cozy and inviting.  I hope you enjoyed your little tour today because I was so excited to share it with you.  Like I have mentioned before, it is always fun sharing bargains and frugal ways of brightening up the home with those interested.  I hope you come back again.  I look forward to sharing the other rooms as the Story of our House, Part 2 continues.

Linked with A Bowl Full of LemonsNot Just a HousewifeHouse on the WayThe Blackberry VineThe Housewives of RivertonThe DIY DreamerHandy Man, Crafty WomanSomeday CraftsSew Much AdoThe Dedicated House{i love} my disorganized lifeFluster BusterCoastal CharmFrench Country CottageThe Brambleberry CottageThirty Handmade DaysShaken TogetherHuckleberry Love

14 comments:

  1. It's just beautiful!! What a wonderful blessing to have a whole room dedicated to books - especially the schoolbooks! It does get tricky keeping them together, and not all over the house!

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  2. Oh I just loooove this!! So pretty and so cozy. :) I can just imagine the fun of thrifting for this room. Someday we would love to have a built in library too. I especially like the rug...how pretty and what a great story you have to go along with it! Sounds like you have thrifting/repurposing in your genes. :)

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  3. Wonderful! I love everything in the room but especially that braided rug. Lisa @ Sweet Tea N' Salty Air

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  4. As the owner of a house that has been under some form of construction since we moved in 9 years ago, I know how wonderful it feels to see a project finally complete! Beautiful rooms - love that you are using older items and not purchasing everything new from a big box store. The rag rug looks so warm and cozy - wonderful that your mother made it.

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  5. I really look forward to reading each installment of your blog and getting to know your family. Your library is decorated just as I think a real, working library should. I went back and read Part 1 and again marveled at all that you and your husband have accomplished.

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  6. What a lovely room, so inviting : )
    especially like the chair at your desk - what a find!

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  7. Thank you for sharing the new room. It is fabulous! You did a great job of making it lovely, inviting, practical. I love that each item has a story. Very well done! Keep up the good work. Happy Thanksgiving and thanks-living!

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  8. A simply amazing room! I cannot believe what you accomplish with a large family. You must be so hard working and organized!

    Isabella

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  9. Oh! I love the retro decorations. It's a great cute little library!

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  10. It's wonderful and oh my that rug is a masterpiece : )

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  11. Emily, what a beautiful room! Thank you for sharing! You are one of the features at the Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. Pop on in and grab a feature button. Here is the link to this week's party! http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2013/12/make-it-pretty-monday-week-78.html Hope to see your prettiness again at the bash! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

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  12. Stopping by via Kathryn at The Dedicated House..Love your library room.. It great! I can imagine the children enjoying that room and you too. What a wonderful project you house has been for your family. I love that you have built it on your own with much of it salvaged....I am definitely checking out more..I am following along. Come by for a visit....Blessings!

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  13. I love the room! Thank you so much for sharing on Twirl & Take a Bow! I hope you'll join us again this week! :)

    - Brooke -

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  14. These are just the richest, loveliest pictures. I am covetous.... Blessings, k

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