The Silent Butler

While snooping around the cavernous aisles of the Long Beach used bookstore, Acres of Books, I came upon a 1979 published title, The Apartment Book. It's mostly filled with ridiculously busy furnishings from the late 70's, including the somehow humble and charming interiors of then young stars like Ali McGraw and Richard Dreyfus.

But there actually quite a few great space saving ideas in the book...enough of them that I picked up the $8 copy. What sold me was a spread for the "Silent Butler" pictured above and below the cut, a buffet/sideboard solution that folds away quite beautifully. If I didn't know better, I'd swear it was a new offering from Ikea. Detailed plans below the cut...

Comments (15)

How great - especially the orange coffee maker! I love old decorating books and I've never run across this one - lucky find!

posted by janel on July 10th 2007 at 8:30am
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I too love the old decorating books. I'm jealous of this find. Thanks for including the detailed plans.

posted by mmmmJ on July 10th 2007 at 8:55am
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I have seen this book at my local library several years ago but not been able to locate it since.

That coffee pot is I think an old Braun, If so, I have it's companion coffee grinder, in orange too. I also have the red version to use for grinding spices. Both grinders were found at two seperate estate sales years ago.

Sadly, the orange grinder has become chipped around the rim of the motor housing.

posted by ciddyguy on July 10th 2007 at 8:55am
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brilliant!

posted by emilyn on July 10th 2007 at 8:57am
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wow. this is awesome.
i was trying to figure out how to make some sort of collapsible work area, and this solves that problem!

posted by frontiersperson on July 10th 2007 at 10:01am
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My parents have a bar very similar to this that my dad built sometime in the late 70s. It's used as a liquor cabinet/bar and has held up very well thru decades of parties! It's the perfect place for the punch bowl at Christmas time. :)

posted by Jeni_Rae on July 10th 2007 at 10:08am
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Amazing, thanks for posting! Could you post more info on the edition you found, please (The link displays nothing)?

posted by Sasha_ on July 10th 2007 at 10:28am
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Sasha, looks like someone bought the book after I posted the link. There's a copy available on eBay and also some other used book dealers here.

posted by gregory on July 10th 2007 at 10:36am
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it's nice to see someone else who shops at acres of books. I have many happy childhood memories wandering their aisles looking for the last nancy drew to add to my collection.

posted by gardenjen1234 on July 10th 2007 at 10:45am
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must. build. this.

posted by One Eyed Daruma on July 10th 2007 at 10:56am
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i have a huge crush on your (silent) butler

posted by annalyssa on July 10th 2007 at 3:54pm
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I have this book--given to me from my mom when I was sixteen (great inscription, too). I even had the "New Apartment Book" but got rid of it during one of my purge frenzies. But get rid of the original? Never!

I have loved small space/innovative design since I was a kid and this book is a favorite. Some very groovy hairstyles, too!

posted by Shanna on July 10th 2007 at 7:53pm
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i have this book and it's amazing!!

I hunt thrift stores for any decorating books pre- 1980. The whole book is page after page of ohhs and ahhs.

posted by lynnea on July 11th 2007 at 9:00am
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I have this book too! I actually gave it to my mom as a present when I was 12!!!!! And recently have perused it many many times.

posted by olga on July 11th 2007 at 7:02pm
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Thanks for the reposting of this. It is perfect for my tiny kitchen. Now I just have to find someone to build it.

posted by alexis on July 14th 2008 at 8:39am
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