I reckon that it's yours now and you can do what you'd like. I think that your Grandfather would be happy that you are keeping it and found a new use for it instead of getting rid of it.

What are the small changes you want to make? I would imagine this bookcase would work just fine as a TV stand as it. If the television is bigger than the stand, you could also wall-mount the TV and put this bookcase underneath for media storage.

I would say if you're having some hesitation about permanently altering the piece, just don't do it. Find a way to use it without needing to do any work on it. If in a year or so you still want to change the bookcase, do it then. If you think you may regret it, go with your gut!

Make the changes needed. Better to use and enjoy the pieces than to "honor" them as they are. I bet your grandparents would be happy to know that you are daily using their bookcases and loving them.

It's funny because my first instinct is to agree what some of the other commenters and say "do it!" and that I'm sure your grandfather would agree, but..
I have a desk from my great-grandmother and I have a similar problem! It doesn't fit my needs well (the drawers don't fit standard file sizes) and it isn't even my look but I can't make myself do anything to it...maybe in a few years if I still want to.
Update when you figure out what you're doing!

I was struggling with this recently myself. I am inheriting a piece from my grandmother that is not of any major pedigree however she has had it one way for years and I would like to paint the inside a different color. I was hesitating about it because since the 40's it has always been stained. I figure it will sit in storage if it doesn't meet my every need, including style or I can alter it slightly and make it an essential piece in my home. I say go for it!

Agree with others, your grandparents would be happy you're actually using them instead of selling to make a quick buck, or shoving them into some dark corner of your basement to collect dust.

Assuming you mean you need to cut holes to run wires… GO FOR IT!

If you cut the holes in the back board low, relative to the shelves, you can always hide them with books if you want to go back to using it as a bookcase. No permanent harm done whatsoever.

If you're talking about drilling holes in the tops to put a "bridge" piece of wood etc. over BOTH bookcases, I wouldn't do that. Use something that can be reversed. A heavy piece of glass with little rubber feet should provide stability without permanent damage.

Enjoy!

Do it! Better to look at it every day while the TV's on than have it semi-hidden somewhere because it's not of use to you.

Why do you need a media stand for a TV? I agree with others that wall mounting the TV and using the shelves for storage would be a better option than permanently altering a piece.

Eh--they are your pieces now! If you are going to use/love them with modifcations--no guilt! If you are just altering them to work in a pinch for your needs...why not sell them and get exactly what you want?

if it's not useful to you now, what's the point of having it? i say alter it, but as little as possible. i like eriberri's suggestions.

Do absolutely whatever you like to make them work for you. If that makes you feel bad, and you want to preserve the original design for the original purpose, perhaps give them to a relative. Keeps it in the family without making you feel guilty.

I do not think that it is a problem to alter the pieces unless it is going to ruin your memory of them. If you feel badly every time you look at them, it won't be worth it. However, if seeing the piece in use brings back happy memories of your grandfather when you see it, alter away!

If you're not 100% sure don't do it. Try possibly sitting the book cases next to eachother and mounting your TV to the wall or placing it on top.

I agree with some of the previous posts - they're yours now, do what you want. I think you should go for the changes. If you don't, every time you look at them you will wish you had and if you don't end up liking the changes, do something different. Your grandparents loved them for 60 years, now it's your turn to make them your own and love them just the same.

Flat metal caps exist ( some hinged to allow the cap to open and close...I like the bronze ones) that fit into a drilled hole and allow wires to be threaded through. If you ARE going to alter the pieces to allow for wiring, I suggest using those. That way, should you later decide to sell them or use them as bookcases again, the alteration will look a whole lot better than just a hole in the wood. And I would not permanently join the tops, just set something....stone or Caesarstone would be nice....to span the top. I think the bookcases are really beautiful, such nice proportions and a nice warm glow. Lucky you.

Are there others in your family who would love those pieces as is? I know they're yours - but if you have cousins, siblings, etc. who have some sentimental attachment to them...maybe it would be nice to discuss with them. I dunno. You or they might look back someday and wish they had been preserved.

I feel your pain, though. I have a modular MCM wall unit that I absolutely love and I grew up with it. But my TV won't fit on it...and my crap TV stand is next to it.

I completely agree. Even if they weren't your grandparents, it would be nice to preserve the tops in case you move to a new home and find that they would be more useful if separated. The wire holes are no big deal.

I say go for it; alter them to better suit your style and needs. Without trying to be insensitive: it's just furniture, it's not the memory of your grandparents themselves (I can see there being more of a dilemma if the furniture was made by a grandparent or relative, but you did say they bought it.) I happen to agree with those above who have said your grandfather would proably be honoured that you have repurposed it and are using it every day, rather than selling it or tucking it away somewhere.

I say alter it. I inherited quite a few pieces of furniture from my parents when they redecorated. There was one large dark wood wardrobe that we moved from room to room - we called it the black hole because it was so large and overpowering. I never really like it anywhere and it eventually went to the garage. When getting ready for a new baby, we "bit the bullet" and painted that wardrobe a cheery yellow - and LOVE it! It now makes me happy to look at it - and it is no longer hiding in the garage.

Bookcases that are too deep and not high enough will never get shallower or higher. As I get more and more written material on the Kindle, I find bookcases useful for only the 12 or so books we check out from the library every week. You will probably use these bookcases more as a TV stand than you would a book storage facility. They look like gorgeous pieces and you will think of your grandparents every time you use them, no matter what the use. Most grandparents were nothing if not practical, so I recommend you look at them other than bookcases.

To me, it depends on their "heirloom value." Does someone else in the family really want them as bookshelves? You can alter any thrifted piece to meet your needs, but once you've done something to these, you can't undo it - and there might be other people who will someday wish you hadn't.

I love them. I'd use them as bedside tables.

1. Is it rare or valuable? No
2. Is it your style? No
3. Is it practical or useful as is? No
4. Did a family member make it? No
5. Do these hold a huge sentimental value to other family members?

I say go for it. There is no sense in hoarding family heirlooms if you are not enjoying it or using it.

Consider using liquid starch & wall paper/cloth?

Healygirl consider liquid starch & wall paper/cloth...

Why not set them next to each other and put a piece of marble or something on top of them to tie the two tops together, then go ahead and use as a media stand. Or, as others suggested, why not just wall-mount the TV and then use them for paperbacks, DVDs, etc?

If you mean you want to paint them or poke huge holes in them or something that drastically alters them... then I'd pause for a moment to consider what's giving you pause. You're obviously concerned about altering the pieces. If doing so is going to make you feel guilty or anxious every time you see them, then the opinions of strangers online isn't really going to assuage that.

I would feel free to alter them for yourself. I think the important thing is to keep using them, not to keep them exactly as-is. If you passed some of your furniture to someone, would you rather have them alter it so they can use it, or keep it exactly as is even though it isn't really what they want, just to "honor" you, and probably end up tossing it eventually since they don't actually need it?

I say you're in the clear.

ITA with this. Generally I am not a fan of altering true heirlooms or antiques because too often what happens is we do it for a certain look at that time and then down the line regret painting/wallpapering/drilling holes in it.

If something has sentimental value or even monetary value that would be ruined by making major cosmetic changes, I personally would give them to another family member that would keep them as is and then find something to suit my needs.

Ask your grandfather.

If it's that you need to have access for wires through the back, I wonder if you can just altogether remove the back panel in such a way that if you ever decided you wanted it as a solid backed bookshelf again, you couldn't just attach it again?

What beautiful pieces! I think your grandfather would be delighted that it is being used. Your letter doesn't say if he is still around, but if he is, why not ask him if he would mind? There might be another relative who wants them the way they are, and he might prefer that.

You mention that they are too deep for normal books, but too short for big books. I am a fan of stacking big books on their side. You can group similar-sized books together, or group them by color. Stack the books so that larger ones are on the bottom. That is how I store my cookbook collection/hoard.

I think your grandfather gave theses pieces to you so that you can enjoy them. If that means altering them a little then I say go for it. Good luck!

If you think you will regret this in a few years than I wouldn't alter the pieces.
Why are you thinking about using them for the TV? Is it because they are something you have on hand to replace the TV stand you hate OR is it because they would make the perfect gorgeous TV stand you have always wanted?
If you are using them as a quick fix to replace a piece you hate and have no intention of using them like that for a long time, I wouldn't alter them. If they fit the space perfectly and look like they were meant to be there, I would use them and alter them.
Personally, I think that they look too tall to be a good TV stand, so I would use them for something else.
What did you grandparents use them for?

If your grandfather is still around, ask him. If you don't want to ask him, I guess that means you know the answer already.

not many people really read the post...she has ONE, 1 bookcase.

& do what makes you happy.

Agree with many sentiments here; like others, am faced with this dilemma myself. While I haven't fired up my drill or saw (yet), I have read a little and decided to be pragmatic, not emotional, in crystallizing my thoughts. As you indicate, most MCM furniture is of limited/novel financial value, and because much of it was mass produced, will never have the rare factor that has created so much value in the European/Early American antique markets. I also know, from my own experience, this is how I wind up with too much stuff that really isn't serving a purpose. Are we learning anything from our January exercise? ;)

Adapt it (well, as someone alluded to earlier - adapting from the back and bottom, when possible) and don't look back. And thank you for posting. The question and responses have validated my own personal decision - good luck with yours!

I am not keeping anything I don't absolutely love - inherited or not. Alter them any way that pleases you or give them to another family member.

I can understand the worry or guilt about changing or ridding something that's been INTHEFAMILY for generations. If you're certainly not interested in preserving them for your kids etc. feel free to do what's going to please you & have no regrets :-). Doesn't sound like you're going to do anything terribly drastic and you mentioned they're not worth a whole lot; the fact that you can still enjoy them with some tweaking of your own is their worth.
I have a '60s drum table belonging to my folks. Only recently I turned it over and see it's a Lane dovetail style. Found a site that sells similar & they emailed a quote that it'd be worth $300 - in Chicago; well, I'm not in Chicago. I don't care for the drum part & have been tempted to take the top off & add new legs. But, irrationally, just thinking about that brings some pangs of guilt. Bottom line; do what you want, but certainly understand that's easier said than done.

I would say ask your Grandfather what he thinks. Knowing that your actions are supported may ease guilt.

HI: What changes do you want to make for a TV stand ? Are you thinking holes in the back for wires ? If so, I would remove the current backing and put it under the bed. Then I would buy a cheap backing wood and cut holes in it. This would allow you to restore it back to original condition if you wanted. to.
I don't like to change family pieces / antiques for media. Media is changing so fast ! In five years you will have a different TV but still have holes in the book shelves. ~ C

Are these marked "American Modern" on the bottom by any chance? They look like they might be, in which case I suggest you do a bit more research. American Modern for Conant Ball was a line designed in the 30's by Russell Wright and sold exclusively by Macy's NY.It is believed Heywood Wakefield modeled much of their very popular mid century pieces off of this line.. and they are indeed rare and valuable.

http://www.russelwrightstudios.com/new_russel_wright_furniture.htm

I have my "auntie's" (grandmother's best friend) mid-C bookcase and my mom's '60s end table. They were dark, dark wood and would have sucked the life out of my airy space, but veneer was involved and I didn't want to re-finish. I painted them. Auntie is no longer with us but my mom approves wholeheartedly of my changes. As do I. :) Do what you like, they are yours now.

@rmbnn

In a case like this, where you don't even like the piece but it is somewhat valuable, for heaven's sake ... sell it! To someone who will truly appreciate it and honor the person who designed it. Then use the money to buy something that expresses your true taste and you will be able to torture your grandchildren with.

No. It doesn't sound like you'll keep the TV long. Altering what is a collectible piece of furniture for a few years seems short term. If you were going to make them into something that would last you the next 60 years, I'd say go for it. Your TV isn't going to make it very long with you...believe me. You're saying they aren't worth much...a couple of hundred bucks...so you don't mind trashing them. Then get a TV stand that works for you for a few hundred dollars if it doesn't matter.
p.s. I think those cabinets used to have sliding glass on the front of them, yes?

p.s. Jukesgrrl has a point. I think the real problem here is having issues with getting rid of your grandparents furniture when it doesn't suit you. Many people collect Conant Ball/Russell Wright in particular. We also inherited a bunch of furniture from my husbands grandmother than didn't suit us, but we felt guilty about getting rid of. So it took up our garage for two years until I finally convinced him we could get rid of all the pieces at a consignment store. All that fret...and we've never looked back. So glad to be free of the garbage that was holding us back.

I would not alter these pieces for several reasons. The biggest reason is that technology changes so much, and whatever alterations you will make for a television today, you will regret in several years when shapes and sizes change again. The most I would do to alter them is, if you must, change the color of the stain. I think these are nice, basic, classic pieces.

I suggest you use these shelves for your DVDs or CDs or books or pass them to a family member who truly cherishes them. I was heartbroken to find out pieces that I truly loved that were from family that had passed or from my childhood were severely altered. There surely is a book lover who has fond memories if your family is anything like mine, or like me. Book cases like this could be easily fit in to a home of just about anyone versus grandma's huge breakfront cabinet.

I have a Conant Ball credenza that I altered to a TV stand! Are you thinking of drilling holes in the back? If so, I'd simply pry off that back panel (try to keep it in good shape) and hang on to it. Take some measurements and have a new piece cut that you won't feel guilty about cutting up. Then if you change your mind about the use of the piece, you always have that original back and you can tack it back on. The ancestors are pleased and so are your eyes! Me, I didn't realize that Conant Ball was collectible until AFTER we performed some minor surgery on our piece. Thankfully the credenza has doors so outwardly it looks unchanged.

I have a mid-century coffee and end tables set that I got when my grandmother died. They're not name brand and not incredibly well-built. They also had discoloration on the top from water glasses sitting on them. I painted them a cheery bright white and haven't looked back. It would be nice to have them as perfect wood, but they weren't, and this way they appear to be in good shape.

I wouldn't feel guilty about modifying a piece of furniture to make it exactly as you want it to be and enjoy it!