Glass Houses

Talk about a room with a view!!!!!!!!!!

A home with an open atrium is such a focal statement, talk about serenity!!!


Don and Jeanine Cooksey worked with architectural designer Wallace Cunningham to conceive a house for their La Jolla, California, land—a lot that was thought to be unbuildable. The structure, which has four bedrooms and six baths and is done in white concrete, stainless steel and glass, straddles a dramatic coastal canyon. Above: The master suite’s lounge overlooks the courtyard near the center of the building. Cunningham situated it in an enclosed bridge, giving the outdoor room an open sightline to the horizon. Embedded in the courtyard-terrace floor is a line of glazed blocks that light an underground parking area.
I've always been a frustrated architect at heart and designed two homes which consisted of mostly glass but nothing like this architectural dream. I hope you enjoyed the glass house tour. This was found on the architectural digest website. Nothing less than breathtaking with a view from every room. Adopted from the Frank Lloyd Wright style of design, where every room must have a focal point and an extraordinary view, I do believe they achieved that goal in these spectacular designs.

Talk about architecture....view this slide show from Egypt!!!
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30210655/displaymode/1247/

Featured Home for April 2009

I am featuring my sister's home this month which displays her Pennsylvania style living and a few room makeover ideas which should inspire you for that spring home project.

Quaint Pennsylvania architecture defines the setting as we tour my sister's traditional style home which is surrounded by a local golf resort community. The view from the garden room patio located on the second floor of the home overlooks the golf course, which she and her husband frequents. The lower level is an exercise room/wine cellar/lap pool/guest room combination. The top level is the master suite/offices/and guest room.

 Of course the featured room in the home is the kitchen/living area, which is rich in reds, turquoise and deep tans to compliment the walnut stained cabinets.
 This is a before picture of the kitchen/dinette area before she added the beautiful red/tan stripe to the seating area. Look at the picture again before this one, WOW, now it pops!!

The garden room patio, is on the second level mentioned above, which is screened in offering a comfortable setting to relax and view the golf resort grounds and her own personal gardens. The white wicker gives the feel of a fresh spring morning throughout the year.

Her home office setting is once again decorated with the reds and turquoise complimenting the wood in her furniture. The walls are painted a lighter shade of turquoise for a defining mix of interest. Carrying the color scheme throughout your home creates a smooth transition while allowing change in decor, accent colors, wall colors and fabric which adds interest and gives the room it's own individuality. In her husband's home office for example, she painted the walls a deep mocha color adding turquoise and brown dupioni silk drapes and accents, creating a more masculine feel to the room.

The lower level encompasses, the wine cellar/exercise room/lap pool patio/eating area and sitting room. The home has over 4,000 sq. ft, needless to say showing all of the lovely rooms would make this a never ending post....trust me it is all GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!

Sis, great job, keep the home fires burning, I plan to visit soon!!!!!!!!!!!

If you would like to be a featured home of the month, feel free to email me pictures and a description of your home project. cthomasinteriors@hotmail.com

Latta Plantation

Between the period of time James Latta and William A. Sample owned the home is when my Aunt lived in the house which we referred to as the"Sample" house.

In the early 60's my family lived at the now, Latta Plantation, which has been restored to it's original state in historical history. When my family lived there it had a wrap around porch and a large kitchen that has now been removed for the restoration . It was the years of Buddy Holly , Chubby Checker and Doris Day movies, we wore poodle skirts and had wiener roast with bonfires on the lawn. And, yes, I can say we picked cotton in the local fields , which was for fun, yet in it's time it was a productive cotton farming plantation. Now this part of history displays it's natural historical heritage and is a Nature Preserve. There is equestrian center and trails for riding throughout the preserve. The Catawba river surrounds the preserve on three sides where you can walk or rest at your leisure. It is located in Charlotte NC, for more information visit their home page below.

http://www.lattaplantation.org/

Latta Plantation Nature Center serves as the gateway to the 1,343 acres of Latta Plantation Nature Preserve and is the source for educational programs and information on the preserves natural communities, flora, and fauna. The preserve, Mecklenburg County's largest, forms a green peninsula extending into Mountain Island Lake and protects a natural heritage site and several endangered plants.

History of Latta Plantation
From the Late 18th Century to the Present Day
1797 - 1799Hayes
Moses Hayes purchased and homesteaded 100 acres of land in Mecklenburg County. The property had changed hands several times previously.
Note: This time period and the lifestyle of the yeoman farmer during the early 19th century is represented in the current living history museum by a replica cabin.
1799 - 1841Latta
The Lattas owned the property and expanded it into a plantation.
In 1799, James Latta purchased Moses Hayes' 100 acres containing a log cabin. In 1800, he built the Federal style home that is now known as Latta Plantation. Latta made additional purchases of adjoining lands in 1800, 1813, 1816, and 1817, eventually owning more than 700 acres, much of which was planted in cotton.
Latta was a slave owner. He owned two slaves in 1800 and, at the height of his plantation's prosperity, owned 23 adults and 11 children. These Latta slaves contributed greatly to the success of the plantation.
In addition to raising cotton, the crops and livestock required to support the plantation community was actually produced on the property. Latta also had a mill, quarry, and part interest in a fishery called Penney's.
After Latta's death in 1837 at 82 years of age, his widow Jane (Jane's gingerbread recipe) remained at the plantation until 1839 when she moved to a small house across from one of her son-in-laws and his children.
1841 - 1853Harry
David Harry purchased the house of James Latta and 420 acres from Rufus Reid, Latta's son-in-law and executor, on March 6, 1841.
1853 - 1922Sample
William A. Sample purchased the house and land from the heirs of David Harry on July 26, 1853. He renamed the plantation "Riverside." In 1877, the property was willed to his son, Hugh Sample.
1922 - 1973 Duke Power (originally Catawba Manufacturing)
In 1922, the Samples deeded the tract of land to the Catawba Manufacturing Company, a subsidiary of Southern Power. In 1927, Duke Power merged with Southern Power, thus obtaining the property.
1973 - 1975 Latta Place, Inc.
Crescent Land and Timber Company, a subsidiary of Duke Power, donated the house and three acres of land to Latta Place, Inc., a non-profit organization.
The house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
1975 - today Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation
In 1975, Latta Place, Inc., deeded the house and land to Mecklenburg County. The county also purchased the additional acreage that makes up Latta Plantation Park. Latta Place does still run the living history museum.
Restoration work continued. The Latta Plantation big house was restored by 1976 and again in 2004.

Through the Artists Eyes

Irene Suchocki is a self-taught freelance photographer. She was born in Toronto, but moved to Montreal in 2001, and will be forever grateful to her high school French teacher.
Irene experiments with different styles and techniques, both in-camera and in her digital darkroom. Faithfully capturing a scene is less important than finding that little bit of mystery, evoking a certain mood, or telling a story. Irene creates little poems for the eyes through her explorations of the ethereal, the surreal, the whimsical, the mysterious, and the beautiful.

Her work has appeared on numerous book covers, on television, and has been exhibited at the Sundance Film Festival. Her photographic prints have found their way into private homes around the world.

The Feminine Expression

"Today's renewed desire for feminine expression is matched by the need for individuality. As styles change throughout history many fashion concepts remain the same. Seamlessly through time, High Style (reminiscent of the Carnegie's), is defined not only by the garments you wear but how you accessorize them. Even a very casual day deserves a little sparkle."

This was quoted from a new friend of mine, Michele Eddins, we met at http://zabitatz.com. A great site to hang out and share home ideas and meet some great ladies. Ok, girlfriends, as you can see her creativity reflected here in a few of her pieces....this lady has talent!! Michele contacted me about adding a few pieces of her collection to a designer showcase which I had done, however, timing did not permit it...should I do another showcase I can see many areas to use these pieces for the right setting. Michele, expresses her feminine touch to add to wedding gowns, and in the last photo, adding pearls, ribbons and flowers to a mirror...to be cherished for a lifetime. Now lets not forget about how you can use the other pieces in your home decor as well. Designers, take note, you may already have a client in mind that could use her accessories for that final touch.

The first picture shown with the tassels is my recommendation for a great accent piece as a tie back on a drapery to add a simple touch of elegance to any room, you could even add these to a special table setting around lace napkins. The second photo is a decanter which would be great placed in a guest bath or master bath.

You owe it to yourself to visit her site and discover all of her creativity and the elegance of her special touch.

http://floralcompliments.net/

Lighting Design

I have already written about the basics of buying bedroom furniture and bedroom furnishing planning. Lets have a look at a more specific issue that you need to consider when it comes to designing that special intimate place for you, your bedroom.

Lighting can make all the difference when it comes to getting the overall feel of your bedroom just right. Lighting can totally alter the ambiance of a room, change how the colors look and dictate the way you feel in your bedroom. Lighting also has a range of different uses in a bedroom, sometimes conflicting, and you need to plan your lighting to make sure all are satisfied.

For example what happens when you drop that hair clip onto the bedroom floor at night? You need good lighting to help you find it, there 's no point in crawling around the floor in low mood lighting struggling to see. Or perhaps you like to read in bed and have poor eyesight, so need good strong light to do so.

But then when you've just come home from a wonderful night out and need warm romantic lighting in the bedroom it 's not so fun if it 's lit up like an office just so that you can see the carpet for finding that hair clip or for reading.

You need to think about your lighting plan before you start putting in your lighting. Yes you need versatile lighting, but it can all be accomplished if it 's properly planned before hand. Anything is possible if designed right.

For instance you need overhead lighting, no doubt. You might not use it all the time, but there will be times when you do need it. But that doesn't mean one light fitting stuck in the middle of the ceiling, it could mean a group of low voltage down lights for example, or lights behind a sculpture. It 's all to do with your needs and likes, and you need to do your homework first. You can ultimately save money by consulting a professional to guide you, by not making costly learning mistakes.

You need a way to make sure that overhead lighting doesn't detract from the feel of your bedroom when you want warmer lower intimate light. One of the best ways to do this is to have the overhead lights on separate switches, preferably with a dimmer included. So you can turn individual lights on or off, or lower, to create the exact right feel for you.

Light color is also important. Different types of light bulbs create different light colors, and the overall effect of your bedroom is heavily affected by the color of the light. For example incandescent bulbs create a different color than fluorescent lighting, or down lighting. Learn a little about the color of the light that you want to create before purchasing, not all types of light bulb go in all types of light fittings.

Use of individual lights is also very important. There are some wonderful floor lamps and also table lamps available, just stunning designs and colors. For example if you think you would like to read while your partner sleeps then a small table lamps next to the bed on the bedside table will be very useful. Or a well chosen floor lamp.

And finally, a small tip. Make sure that light switches that allow you to switch off your bedroom lighting are all reachable from the bed, there 's nothing better than being able to snuggle in and switch off the lights without having to get out of bed once you're comfortable and warm.

So if you're setting up your bedroom and choosing bedroom furniture, or perhaps refurbishing, spend a little time planning your lighting, you'll be glad you did. This lighting design should be applied in every room in your home, your home is a sanctuary, You don't want to feel you are in an office atmosphere. Lately, I have noticed circuit city and other businesses using low lighting, someone caught on that it does create a calming affect, so I am glad to see this trend showing up which makes our shopping experience more relaxing.

Serious Real Estate

This is some serious real estate folks!!!!!!!!!! Just for your viewing pleasure!!! If you enjoy a LOT of glass and a contemporary feel this simply says, "WOW"

Our City/Charlotte NC

Charlotte NC

The Queen City, aptly named after the beautiful wife of King Edward, Queen Charlotte, is a vibrant Mecca for those seeking bigger and better things. There are more transplants than natives here, bringing more ideas and money into the city. Though it’s experiencing a boom in terms of population and commerce, Charlotte hasn’t lost its southern charm and grace. Good taste and disposable incomes means a constant turnover of decorating which in turn means Charlotte is flush with great consignment shops, too. With High Point just a couple of hours away, access to hand crafted furniture is readily available making NC a destination for design aficionados.
The city is divided in neighborhoods and assigned numerical designations. But it’s much easier to use names like NoDa, Plaza Midwood, Dilworth, Southend, Ballantyne and Pineville. Each of these areas has vibrant design and art cultures and is worth checking out. The city is catching up to its reputation with respect to restaurants, medical resources and of course the banking capital.
NODA
Short for North Davidson is home to some of the very best art galleries and Friday night art crawls which happen once a month. One of Charlotte’s older neighborhoods, it is experiencing a true renaissance, especially over the past couple of years. An onslaught of new-build lofts and condos means a constant hum of construction here; let’s hope it remains affordable. Home to some great restaurants and music venues, NoDa is a favorite both day and night.
Another historic hood experiencing a major renaissance, Southend is an epicenter of creativity with ad agencies, film and recording studios, art galleries, antique shops, design centers, specialty boutiques and media outlets (Skirt, Charlotte Magazine, Charlotte Post) as well as great places to grab some comfort food. The opening of the Light Rail Transit line will mean more burbanites can easily stop by Southend on their way into town.
HISTORIC SOUTHEND
Another historic hood experiencing a major renaissance, Southend is an epicenter of creativity with ad agencies, film and recording studios, art galleries, antique shops, design centers, specialty boutiques and media outlets (Skirt, Charlotte Magazine, Charlotte Post) as well as great places to grab some comfort food. The opening of the Light Rail Transit line will mean more burbanites can easily stop by Southend on their way into town.

• South End Exchange: this is my favorite spot to trove for antique and reproduction furniture as well as art, accessories, rugs and linens. A unique pricing system (prices drop on designated dates) lets you plan for purchases but means you have to stop by frequently.
• Olde World Reclamation: also on Camden, this shop has antiques and accessories for home and garden. A great selection of stone products give it that well-lived, old world feel, just like the name says.
• Interiors Marketplace: this store has an endless selection of new and old, with well named pedigree pieces. Be prepared to spend some money here. Exquisite accessories for refined tastes.
• Southend Fabric Design: situated inside the marketplace is an excellent place for custom draperies, oriental rugs and select furnishings.

Furniture Solutions: further down on Camden is home to a huge selection of leather sofas, chairs and office furniture. It’s not cheap, but has great quality pieces.

There’s plenty of art available. The place to start is Charlotte Art League: On the main drag where you can buy art, rent space to hang or create art, take classes or browse in this large industrial space. Renee George Gallery: Solo exhibits by emerging and established artists in the contemporary vein. On East Worthington. DoMA Gallery: Fine photography is still affordable for those looking to start a collection. Located on South Tryon. Zoe’s Elf Gift Gallery: Pottery, jewelry, glass and fine art by regional artists. Like the name says, great for gifts…from elves? Located at the back of the building on South Tryon.
Southend has great places for tasty bites including renowned fried chicken from Price’s Chicken Coop on Camden St. Also check out Phat Burrito, Pike’s Old Fashioned Soda Shop and Mr. K’s Soft Ice Cream for great eats and sweets. All spots can be found on the Historic Southend website.
PLAZA MIDWOOD
One of Charlotte’s most historic neighborhoods, Plaza Midwood is centrally located and quickly becoming a place for great food, fashion, antiques and design. The vibe is extremely cool and welcoming.

• Fifteen Ten Antiques: around the corner on Central Ave is full of amazing finds. Antique furniture, glass, china, and artwork from all eras, including a few mid century pieces. Prices are listed but can be negotiated.

No matter when you visit the city it is in continuous bloom, each season there is color everywhere around the rolling hills and communities.

Why Stage?" A Little Style Works, Just Not Yours"

There are many reasons to stage your home. For example in this photo you immediately feel the ambiance, calmness and freshness as you do when walking into a model home. It is refreshing, clean and well coordinated. We get comfortable in our homes, leaving items out that need to be put away and out of sight and only until a stranger walks into the room do we realize that Oopps, I should have ?? A prospective buyer wants to visualize their items in the room with a clean slate to look at and or how their home will or can look.

Reasons to Stage:

1. A seller listens to a Stager differently than to a Broker.
2. A Stager can help secure listings for a Broker.
3. A Stager is versed in staging techniques to enhance a property. She looks at the architecture of the property and advises how to best showcase this property.
4. A Stager can guide a seller as to how to pack , what to pack , and oversee these processes if necessary, thereby taking the strain off of the seller and ultimately the Broker.
5. According to statistics, Staged Homes sell about 50% faster than un-staged homes.
6. According to statistics, the average difference in selling price over list price is nearly 4 times higher than un-staged homes.
7. Staging costs less than a first markdown.
8. Investing in staging your residence increases the return on one of your most important investments.
9. Whatever the approach, staging homes for market appears to make a difference to buyers.
10. Stagers offer a variety of services – from assessments, rearranging the existing furnishings to creating an entirely new “look.”

Designer Showcase

Coordinate fabric designed on the pillows to accent the purple and red
Overstuffed chairs and headboard was covered in print to match bed ensemble
Accessories added the final touch using art, plants, statues and personal items
The wall was a faux using a pale yellow and white to soften the room and bring out the pastel yellows in the print and accent pillows
The green and pale yellow silk stripe was used was used for the end table covers and for lining the draperies
View from Master Bedroom into Master Sitting Room
View from Master Sitting Room into Master Bedroom

Master Suite Sitting Room/Not shown in this picture was an antique love seat across from the fireplace which was covered in the pale yellow and green silk stripe which lined the draperies and was used for the table tops. A green and yellow tassle trim added the final touch of elegance to the draperies





I recently had a request to reprint this about a Designer Showcase I did in Columbus Georgia.

I was lead designer in this showcase of homes project. My project was the master suite, consisting of the sitting room, bedroom and master bath. Proceeds went to support the local symphony.

This was quite a large bedroom, I selected this floral print which showcased 26 colors in the pattern. I then used red, green, yellow and purple as my accent colors. A small room could not handle this large pattern, this allowed the room to have a warmer feeling. First I choose a pale yellow and faux painted the walls which were originally white. I added the light fixture, replaced the carpet from a dark brown to an off white bringing out the background of the fabric. The table skirts and drapes are lined in a pale yellow and green stripe creating a garden escape feeling. There was a surrounding patio which displayed a flower garden making this room feel an extension of the garden.

The sitting room sofa was upholstered in the same yellow and green stripe and the floral pattern lined with the same stripe was then carried through on the half draperies which were displayed on a swing rod giving the room a three dimensional look allowing more view to the garden.

When working with a large room, as you can see, color and a lot of it works!!! The room has a clean fresh yet romantic feel with a softness to reflect a mellow yet fun mood.

Fun with Faux

Hard to believe this is a faux stone wall that was hand painted.....I found this over at bhg along with the instructions http://www.bhg.com/homekeeping/faux-stone-wall/. Other forms of faux stone may be found at http://fauxpanels.com/stone. Although, I feel most wallpapers are obsolete using a stone wall look would also add the look of texture to your room and can be found at http://americanblinds.com/wallpaper. Create the same affect with old newspapers found at this link www.all-homedecor.com/faux/fauxstone.htm . Whether it be stone or a painted faux wall with texture will create interest and add dimension to your decor. Remember to do this with one wall in a room, if you overdo it, it will close the room in, you are trying to achieve an accent or focal point only....like hanging a special tapestry or other works of art.

Kitchen Elegance

Many consider the kitchen to be the most important room in the house, the family hub where day to day life is spent. When designing a new kitchen it is vital to produce a space that is practical, aesthetically pleasing and comfortable. Part of this design process is to find worktops that are sympathetic to the decoration and provide a feeling of luxury. The sheer variety of worktops out there means that the choice can be extremely complex; hopefully this article will help make this decision easier. The material used for kitchen worktops is the first concern. Popular choices include granite, composite stone, hard and soft woods and the cheaper laminate. Naturally all have pros and cons whilst varying immensely in cost as well as quality. The most expensive of the materials used for worktops is solid granite. The look created however can be considered timeless and ultimately elegant. The main benefits of this material are its strength and beauty although as it is somewhat expensive, many redesigning their kitchen are put off. If price is a large issue but you want a stone look, composites can provide the perfect solution. Modern manufacturing means that all manner of colors and designs are now available in composite, including luxurious black and even worktops that sparkle in the sunlight. Wood should always be considered as the material for worktops for it natural beauty and homely appeal. The types of wood used are wide and diverse including cherry, walnut, beech, iroko and of course, oak. If designing a new kitchen yourself, wood can also be installed without professional services; further reducing the cost of the makeover. Walnut is one of the most sumptuous woods used for worktops. The grain of walnut is so distinctive that many would consider it a design feature in its own right. Along with the warm colouration, walnut should definitely be a major consideration. Cherry is such a dark and richly colored wood that some designers are put off. As an original choice however it is unrivalled, while the deep red may result in a somewhat dark kitchen, as the wood ages its elegance and beauty truly shine through. Oak has been used in kitchen design for centuries for its classical style and strength. Like cherry it will age gracefully and create a kitchen that oozes country charm and warmth. While it may be commonly used, the disparate grain patterns can make oak an original choice for worktops. Iroko is a relatively new material in the world of kitchen design, it is a dark would that offers much. Sometimes labelled the African teak, it is both strong and stylish. Dark woods however are not to everyone 's taste, if a lighter wood is preferable, beech can be considered a great solution. With light grain and an even lighter color, beech can help those who do not like the oppressiveness of dark woods create a kitchen that is light and airy. Laminate worktops, while not as high quality as either the wood or stone variants previously discussed are a far more affordable option. Modern laminates are wonderfully styled with a variety of patterns that can create an original kitchen. Requiring less maintenance than stone or wood, they are also the choice for those who want worktops without the hassles of staining or sanding. The choice of material for your worktops is ultimately your decision. While cost is always a vital constituent of the choice it is vital to remember the importance of the kitchen space in family life at all stages of the decision making process. A happy kitchen means a happy home and the choice of materials can be fundamental in creating a space that is practical and above all comfortable.

Serene Sounds

This unique fountain channels the essence of the old Greek statues to create a stunning fountain. Shown here with an Aged Limestone finish. Crafted from strong cast stone, you can rest assured that this fountain will be sure to last for years to come. Pump and connections are included. It can be found at http://www.gardenfountainoutlet.com/Cara-Classica-Fountain You can also make your own urn fountain with these instructions: An easy way to create an inexpensive fountain is to convert a garden pot--any size--into a bubbling water feature. Place it on an apartment terrace on in a nook on your patio. Find out how to construct a bubbling urn and make your own small-scale instant water garden. Or, make your own indoor tabletop fountain. At HGTV there is also a link to design your own backyard waterfall http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/gl_design_water_features/article/0,1785,HGTV_3575_1397648,00.html

Relax your mind and enjoy the quiet sounds of nature on the patio or your garden while capturing the serenity of the water in the background.

Personal Touch of Glass

Creating your own personal coffee table and end tables can be endless....begin by looking around your home for a base you may already have, ie...old books stacked and topped with round glass can create an interesting conversational piece as well as display your collectibles. Select the size for your glass, this will depend on the size of your room. Your base should be the same height of your sofa and or chairs in the room. If you collect decorative boxes and they fit with the theme and your colors, this will make another great conversational piece. If you select a large size for the glass top, make sure you place your base stacks equally for balance.

Another idea for table tops is to use a round metal deco piece. Michael's usually carries these as well as Kirkland's. Choose a piece that doesn't have large holes in the deco, imagine placing a glass on the table top, or place a glass holder large enough to cover an area where a glass may be placed.

I was given a statue of an elephant which had a flat top for example, I painted it black and topped it with a small round glass top and placed a plant on top. It wasn't high enough for and end table, however, it makes a great accent piece placed in a foyer.

I always suggest round table tops because you don't want sharp corners which could be hazardous to children or you own legs. Rectangle shapes may be used if you are making a higher table such as a buffet table. Of course you height will take care of the hazard issues. The base for a buffet may be more difficult but still attainable, such as using large decorative statues which may have a flat area to place your glass for balance. These may be found at pottery yards. Good luck on your personal creations, send me pictures of yours and I will publish them to share your creative ideas.

Bookcases

Around the world, there are people who love to collect books, besides reading them. To store these books they usually use some kind of bookcases that are specially made just for this purpose. At the moment, sophisticated and elegantly styled antique bookcases are indeed very popular. People who are fond of collecting the antique pieces mostly prefer this style because it adds glamour to your home as well as keep the books safe and well displayed. You can find bookcases in various attractive styles, sizes and colors. Normally, the woods that are being used are oak, mahogany and walnut. You will find a wide variety of antique bookcases with several attractive styles and designs according to the period. You can choose from revolving bookcases to narrow Georgian styles and from adjustable to inlaid bookcases. Antique bookcases are available in various sizes to suit to your requirements. This type of a bookcase has several shelves to provide enough space to store the books as well as collectibles. It has glass doors and metal handles and may be decorated with metal designs.
The style and functions of bookcases may differ from room to room. Keep in mind that whatever you select, it should suit your home decor and serve both decorative and practical value. A built-in bookcase is comparable to the complex as custom built units with doors or just like shelving fixed to the wall. If you build the bookcase to the ceiling, you will get more storage space. Built-in bookcases represent a long-term investment, as they become a permanent part of the home and add to the resale value. Finally, either free standing or built-in bookcases, will add a lovely focal point to your room.