The alternate title for this post could have been 'Building Another Bookcase', but where's the fun in that? Let's start with the finished product and get it out of the way. When we first added the second floor, I was totally all about a long row of pretty, white pickets and a monstrously beautiful newel post at the top of the stairs. But then a couple things popped into my brains: 1. I have a pretty good fear of heights and I just didn't like seeing the drop all the way down to the first floor. 2. It wasn't particularly original or practical to do the picket thing. The beauty of choosing to do all of the interior trim work ourselves means we can do whatever the heck we want (within building code, of course). John wanted to do a regular half-wall, but he knew I wasn't going to be down with that. It needed to be special and meaningful for our family and considering our massive book collection, the bookcase wall idea seemed like a total given. We did this particular project quite a while ago, so my photos are pretty sparse, but I did manage to get a few. We began with a safety hazard. That's it. Just a couple 2x10's nailed up. Scary. The boys weren't allowed to go up there without one of us, so I didn't have to worry about one of them taking a nose dive. John then built some bases out of 2x4 lumber and screwed them into the floor. And this is where the picture taking practically stopped. Wop. Wop. Just to give you an idea, we built the frame of the bookshelf and I made a counter-like top out of PureBond plywood, which sanded and stained beautifully. I then put pine planks on the back of the unit and stained those, as well. Nevermind that side bit of trim, I was testing out ideas for finishing the sides. The next step was building shelves and I did them exactly like the sunroom/family room unit. Finished with a couple coats of paint and a whole whack of caulk. And this is what she looks like right this very moment. Taken at night. With a camera phone. Yes, I know, I spoil you. Apparently, I kinda gave up on styling the bookcase once I got to the end. Looks like I was just shoving books in there. Which is probably exactly what I was doing. I love all of the color and texture that it lends to an otherwise neutral hallway and yes, books are decorations to me.