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LA Good Question: The Perfect Bookcase?

061708NewBookcase.jpgATLA reader Anna wants to outfit her new loft apartment with just the right bookcase or cabinet. Anyone out there with suggestions?

My husband and I live in a gorgeous loft-ish apartment in Downtown LA. When we merged our worldy goods, we had almost all the furniture we needed - but after our recent marriage, we have been given many beautiful new things and have very little room to show them off! We've decided to invest in a new bookcase or cabinet (see attached photo). We'd like to get something that is good quality but not spend more than $1500. As you can see, our style is eclectic and we have all manner of finishes and materials in our other furniture. My husband thinks the new piece should be dark wood and possibly Asian-inspired - while I lean toward plywood and stainless steel. Can you help us decide?

 
 

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Good Questions, loft, bookcase, Downtown

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Comments (15)

I thought that recycled paper cube set up that was posted yesterday was pretty rad and it could add some needed color. (needed imo of course, perhaps not yours or your husbands)

posted by mscot on 2008-06-17 20:30:57
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http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/category.do?method=get&id=56&page=all

perhaps you can discover a compromise, here. i think yoshi may satisfy both of you.....

posted by maude on 2008-06-17 20:38:24
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i agree with maude's direction toward room and board — but i personally think the pisa in ebony (or whatever you prefer...i think ebony) could be really nice. it's got the dark lines which i think could be really sleek, but it's "light" on materials and won't feel monolithic and heavy.

posted by twelvethirteen on 2008-06-17 21:01:47
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I like this... but I work there, part time. I still think it's decent quality, and you can get it in seven days. There's also something called the waterbury but it's actually for bath products. It comes in a teak.

http://www.westelm.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=17001&langId=-1&catalogId=17002&viewSetCode=E&partNumber=WE-PRODf480&retainNav=true&parent_category_rn=&cmsrc=SCH&parentId=cutout book

posted by jonathon on 2008-06-17 22:32:06
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I'm leaning towards very dark and straight lines, myself, to balance the mirror. Whatever you get the back should be open so it won't be too heavy.

posted by catspajamas on 2008-06-17 22:34:43
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I wouldn't choose a tall bookcase at all - It would make your living room look cluttered and disjointed.

I'd choose a long low or medium-height modular storage solution with open and closed storage in place of your Asian cabinet and those side chairs - perhaps something like this from Bo Concept:
http://www.boconcept.us/default.aspx?id=75104&ImageID=445

posted by bepsf on 2008-06-17 23:24:19
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Sundance catalog?
http://tinyurl.com/3kv9jq

Draper, Emile or Wright all have sort of a vintage industrial look that would work well with your living room

posted by LaDonnaNichole on 2008-06-17 23:26:10
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I'm leaning towards vintage industrial as well--but with a punch of color--like a glossy light teal with grey tones or a lime green---the frame would need to mimic the clean leggy lines of the existing furniture

posted by spinelli on 2008-06-17 23:51:36
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We are very happy with the modular units from www.shelfshop.com. We get comments regularly about how much people like ours, plus they adjust to fit any space and are just modern enough, just industrial enough and just plain enough to go with any decor. We used to have them in a 1920's bungalow and now have them in a modern NYC apartment and they look great in both. I know west coast friends who have bought similar setups locally, but not sure of the vendors.

posted by Schneider on 2008-06-18 00:04:40
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Metro shelving to match the lamp and the other stainless components in the room.

posted by Palmetto on 2008-06-18 00:29:35
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No shelves ... it would become a fusty curio cabinet. Instead rotate a few items from your wedding caboodle every couple of weeks for an edited, dynamic display atop furniture like your Asian chest.

If you're leaving it on that wall, the mirror should be lowered (60" above floor at centerline) and centered over the chairs.

posted by holland on 2008-06-18 01:32:09
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I would go with something a little lighter and airy with a modern feel to it.

Please see these suggestions below:
http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=118&f=1081&viewall=1
http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=118&f=3885&viewall=1
http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/collection.do?method=get&id=4135507&cat=56

posted by Tangerine25 on 2008-06-18 11:19:35
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A tall Sapien bookcase from DWR:

http://www.dwr.com/product/categories/storage/bookcases/sapien-bookcase-short.do

It would track the horizontal lines and the stacking pattern from the brick wall behind it. Putting vertical books against a horizontally-aligned brick wall will clash.

posted by CJL on 2008-06-18 16:14:55
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One or two of these might do the trick:

http://www.lofgrens.com/Shelving/Bookcases/ProfileDisplay.html

They are taller than most which would help balance the wall and emphasize your nice high ceilings.

posted by RichardinLA on 2008-06-18 18:08:50
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I would actually use this bookshelf on it's side in the center of the wall with a chair on each side. While moving the current console/buffet to another wall. That way you can get the look of a higher ceiling without sacrificing space.

posted by surferartchick on 2008-06-19 10:51:19
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