Den Library Poll Needed

[Tray Burge]

POLL: be honest, are the motorcycles tacky?
I'm about to finish up this project in my new den, I built everything myself, but took a short cut and ordered the doors (that you don't see on the bottom cabinets) instead of building myself and they just came in.
Still need to install the LED lighting in the shelves then it'll be all wrapped up.
The biggest PITA was the rolling library ladder, believe it or not.
The ladder is an antique and was solid green, around 12' long when I bought it, but it had the "beat-up" character I was looking for so I stripped it and re-did the finish like you see it here, black with natural wood showing through. Turned out nice I think.
The furniture/décor will be "cigar lounge" type, (no smoking though) with 4 nice leather club chairs and some tables, etc.
I already have a 65" 4K flat screen to go on the wall to the right. Black-out drapes will be covering the windows also.
I'm standing in a large walk-in closet to take the picture, but it will soon be converted into a walk-in humidor with a glass door. This rooms' about twice as large as you see here.
The wife's not too thrilled about my new found hobby, collecting 17th, 18th and 19th century leather bound novels/books and 1st editions.
Good thing, because I have about 15 more books showing up next week with about 80 more to buy. Doesn't look like it, but this is around 80+ books! lol
So, do I keep the model bikes or hide them?

 

[mxz800]

Opinions are like Assholes everyone has one, some are bigger than others.

I do, and have what I want if people don't like it I really don't care. So if you like it that is all that matters.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

That's truly awesome! I have a huge collection of books, 99% of which I have read, I'd love something like that. Bikes? That motorcycle bookend? I like it too.

 

[TWiG01]

I like it all, nice work!

 

[DaveC]

Man, great job - that looks AWESOME! While I'm not a motorcycle guy, to me, they do seem to fit into the classy lounge/smoking room/library vibe it seems you've achieved, so I'd say if you like 'em, keep 'em.

 

[Tranz Zam]

I use two Pontiac 455 pistons and connecting rods as book ends. Idk if they're tacky or not? lol

I dig the bikes. I like anything with an engine.

 

[ColoJeep]

I think the room is great, If you like it that's what is important!
The rolling ladder is cool!
I've seen photos of old libraries that the stacks were about 30' high and they used the rolling ladders to get to the high books.
Thanks for sharing your space!

 

[Chris]

Looks great to me!

 

[Zorba]

Keep the bikes until such time as they get in the way. I've got so much crap here in my Library that it isn't funny! The motorcycles can migrate in front of the books eventually as the shelves fill up. This is less than half of mine, and I just noticed the Buddha is turned sideways - the robotic vacuum must have snagged the cord.

 

[Tray Burge]

Got the doors painted and installed over vacation week and weekend, only lights left to do now. Doors really make a difference too.
Decided to ditch the bikes and found some "sitting monkeys on antique books reading" bookends, but kept the Indian bike.
Couldn't take the chrome bases on the Harleys so that was the deciding factor, lol.
Got about 20 more 19 century books due in any day now, wife's gonna be excited. Not. haha

 

[B00mb00m]

Did you get the ladder roller attachments as a kit or did you make those?

 

[jgaz]

Very nice work!
I too “cheat” and order my doors. The cutters can be expensive if you want a raised panel door. Also, even a 3hp router can struggle to make a clean cut in one pass on a red oak door frame

 

[Tray Burge]

Did you get the ladder roller attachments as a kit or did you make those?

I ordered the stainless hardware track bar, rollers and floor rollers ($260.00), but made the ladder out of an old painters ladder ($50.00 vs $250.00 for a new one? No way) and refinished it like you see here. It was solid green at first.

 

[Tray Burge]

Keep the bikes until such time as they get in the way. I've got so much crap here in my Library that it isn't funny! The motorcycles can migrate in front of the books eventually as the shelves fill up. This is less than half of mine, and I just noticed the Buddha is turned sideways - the robotic vacuum must have snagged the cord.

View attachment 253979View attachment 253978

Yes Zorba, there is a fine line between "minimalism" and "just too much."
I'm a minimalist, typically.

 

[Zorba]

Yes Zorba, there is a fine line between "minimalism" and "just too much."
I'm a minimalist, typically.

I, obviously, am not! My wife's sister says our home is "a museum". We're OK with that...

 

[jeepins]

Looks nice.. already comfy like a ceegar lounge

 

[mxz800]

I wish I could live like James Wood he lives out of a suitcase, no clutter at all he lives in a hotel can pick up and leave in a moments notice. I wouldn't do the hotel part but going from the lake house to my other house with just a suitcase would be perfect. I would just have a bed, TV, and a chair.

Looking at Zorba's photo reminds me of the mother in-laws house. When they moved to Florida she sold all the stuff, and said I'm not going to do that again. She didn't either.

 

[Zorba]

I wish I could live like James Wood he lives out of a suitcase, no clutter at all he lives in a hotel can pick up and leave in a moments notice. I wouldn't do the hotel part but going from the lake house to my other house with just a suitcase would be perfect. I would just have a bed, TV, and a chair.

Looking at Zorba's photo reminds me of the mother in-laws house. When they moved to Florida she sold all the stuff, and said I'm not going to do that again. She didn't either.

Ha! When I moved to Florida, I packed up all the crap and brought it with!

 

[Tray Burge]

The wife and I are neat and tidy kinda people.

 

[TJPurist]

I'm not into motorcycles, partly because a back injury affects my balance. This bike does grace my library, however. Built by a mechanic with pieces from his junk drawer.