apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I want to be Jamie Pup when I grow up. Yes, please. More JP reno pics!!!

Wow, that's great. That's almost exactly what I have been envisioning in my living room, but I was thinking "Bookshelves will just be easier." Now I might be inspired!

this is genius... especially for my miniscule bathroom. did you need a professional or can a diy work?

That is exactly what I want to do in my living room but, I rent and my landlords are the opposite of absentee, I think they would just fret themselves sick if I started talking about cutting open the wall.. Yet another dream to file under "when I own."

Only one word will suffice - WOW!

I LOVE this type of integrated, elegant shelving, even if it *weren't* for it's space-finding properties. But we expect nothing less from The Pup.

Could so see this in a bath, with glass mosaic tile (same color of wall/stuco) facing the backs. Would also love to see puck lights integrated into something like this. Jamie, when's your next move/reno?!?!?

its, not it's :(

Nice work jamie pup!

The same issue of ReadyMade that had maxwell + skgr's house also had a how-to on making your own bathroom cabinet that was built into the wall... Jamie's is a bit nicer, since it's finished off in drywall.

Hey thanks everyone for the compliments. Enrique, you are too funny. I sent these hoping to inspire and I am glad that they did.

Darryle, you can diy. I did and I am no professional but I did obsessively watch home improvement shows for quite some time before I attempted this. I would say the hardest part is screwing the shelfs into the wall studs because you do need to keep the whole thing level and that is made difficult with the tight space making it difficult for the screws to get purchase into the metal.

Other than that, the measuring and cutting of so many small dry wall pieces was a pain and extremely time consuming as was cutting and setting the tape on the inside corners. Installing the metal studs for shelves may have been the most difficult to get right but I completed that in a couple of hours vs a couple of days for the dry wall and taping.

You absolutely need a good power drill for this, plus dry wall saw (I used a Sawzall because it was so easy but hand saw is fine), level, tin snips, metal stud screws, corner bead, joint compound, tape and appropriate putty knives.

You have to ensure that you are not cutting into cables etc and I could see that this would not be the case by peering up through the hatch at the bottom.

ptoo - space finding properties - I like that.

Mary - I actually meant to send this around the time that the ready made article came out but you know how it is don't you ;)

This is very cool, jamie pup!

I'd love to do something like this, but I'm terrified of cutting through something important. I get a little nervous just installing ceiling hooks. :(

Looks fantastic. I also love the idea of making unused space beautiful and useful.

Does it affect the sound between rooms at all, by removing that air pocket?

I suppose if you filled it up with books, it would actually provide better sound insulation...

Jamie Pup, you are truly impressive. How long did this take?

WOW!!!!

That's some sexy work there... Congrats! Great presentation also!

I just wanted to comment on this. Very nice work. I am a person with a drywalling background and so I thought I would offer some advice if anyone is interested in doing something like this at their home. It appears that 2 1/2" metal studs were used to build this niche? Next time you attempt this kind of a project use 2 1/2" or what ever thickness you want to use metal studs come in all sorts of thicknesses but use a combination of track and metal studs! It makes the whole operation a lot easier because the stud slips right inside of the track. And if you want an easy way to cut the stud and the track get ahold of a pair of tin snips, a speed square ( the small triangle tool), a carpenters knife utility knife what ever you want to call it with a sharp blade. When you find the length you want mark it across the face of the stud and or track. Then take your speed square and put it on the line. Take your knife and score across the face of the stud. Then take your tin snips and clip the short legs of the track and or stud. Now bend the stud and or track back and forth and it will snap in a couple of bends. Other than that it is pretty simple and when you go to frame up the material use what is called panhead screws. You won't need self tapping ones because a very light guage metal is all you need don't get the heavy guage you will need an abbrasive saw or a really strong hand to cut it (lol). Just get a very light guage material and it will serve you well. You will be able to put these screws in with a simple corless drill quite easily or a light duty electric drill. If you are going to tackle this but aren't sure what the components are called or if you need some other tips drop me a line I would be more than willing to help! I know how it is to go to the hardware store or the lumber yard not knowing what things are called! ANYWAY enough rambling just drop me a line if you need to I can help with the details of materials and/ or how to put them together!

James is right, studs and tracks.

I finished my whole basement with metal studs and I did the same things. Measure, score the face with a utility knife, snip the sides and bend it back and forth until it breaks.

I'm going to do this now for my in-wall entertainment shelving. I may not do drywall inside the shelves though. At least not the shelf itself. Maybe just the sides and top. A nice wood or brushed steel would look great and function better than drywall if it's going to be used for other than display.

Great shelves and great idea. I had no idea how to figure this out and the steps are all right there.