About the service
I design and build custom built-in bookshelves and window-seat reading nooks that turn an unused alcove, bay window, or dead wall into a functional, cozy corner of the home. Every project starts with an on-site measurement and a simple sketch showing shelf spacing, seat height, and how the unit will sit against existing trim and baseboards. Cabinetry is built from furniture-grade plywood with solid-wood face frames — poplar, oak, maple, or paint-grade MDF, depending on budget and whether the piece will be painted or stained.
Window seats are built with a lift-top or drawer base underneath for blanket and toy storage, a plywood seat deck sized for a standard cushion thickness, and rounded edges so the bench is comfortable without a cushion too. Bookshelf sections get adjustable shelf pins (not fixed dado shelves) so spacing can change as the book collection grows, plus a kick space at the floor and scribe strips at the walls and ceiling so the whole unit looks like it was built into the house rather than dropped in afterward.
Finish options include painted (any color, primed and sprayed for a factory-smooth look), clear stain to show grain, or a two-tone combination — painted case with a stained wood seat or shelf tops. Cushions and cushion covers can be sourced and included on request, in a fabric you choose, or I can build the seat to a standard cushion size so you can order your own cover later.
Typical turnaround is one to two weeks from approved design to installation, depending on finish (paint needs dry time between coats) and whether cabinetry is built in my shop and installed in one day, or built on site. I bring my own tools, drop cloths, and a vacuum for dust control, and I clean up fully at the end of each work day. Portfolio of finished bookshelves, window seats, and built-in benches available on request — happy to discuss layout options over a quick video call before you commit to the job.
Window seats are built with a lift-top or drawer base underneath for blanket and toy storage, a plywood seat deck sized for a standard cushion thickness, and rounded edges so the bench is comfortable without a cushion too. Bookshelf sections get adjustable shelf pins (not fixed dado shelves) so spacing can change as the book collection grows, plus a kick space at the floor and scribe strips at the walls and ceiling so the whole unit looks like it was built into the house rather than dropped in afterward.
Finish options include painted (any color, primed and sprayed for a factory-smooth look), clear stain to show grain, or a two-tone combination — painted case with a stained wood seat or shelf tops. Cushions and cushion covers can be sourced and included on request, in a fabric you choose, or I can build the seat to a standard cushion size so you can order your own cover later.
Typical turnaround is one to two weeks from approved design to installation, depending on finish (paint needs dry time between coats) and whether cabinetry is built in my shop and installed in one day, or built on site. I bring my own tools, drop cloths, and a vacuum for dust control, and I clean up fully at the end of each work day. Portfolio of finished bookshelves, window seats, and built-in benches available on request — happy to discuss layout options over a quick video call before you commit to the job.
