I’m planning to build a partial wall with bookcases and colonnade in the craftsman style to replace a wall that was taken out by a previous owner in the 80’s. I can get a pretty good feeling for proportions from pictures I’ve seen, but I could use help with a couple typical dimensions. It looks like the top of the bookcase should be at about 42″? Width of the top, I’m guessing at about 10″? I’m planning a square, tapered column with a bottom dimension of 8″, tapering to 6″ at the top. I’m thinking the bottom surface of the headerShoud be at 7′. Does this sound about right? Ceiling height is right at 8′ Any suggestions?
Thanks, Ken
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I would work out your shelf heights, too. You wouldn't want some odd half height shelf, for example, if you were planning to use them for books. Working out your shelf dimensions might tell you to make the top a few inches higher or lower than you are considering. Having the shelves spaced properly is also part of getting the look right.
Wayne is right, but measure the depth of the books, too. You may find you need 11 1/2" wide at the top. Drilling the end panels for 5mm shelf pegs is not a bad deal, either, come right down to it.
I have to say I have always liked the look of the old bookcase as divider type construction. Did see a very neat detail I'm stealling the other day, though. They used a 30x42x12 stock bookcase and a built up column as an entry area divider. not that big a deal, but for the details. This is right by the front door. Top shelf of the BC is flush to the bottom of the 2" top rail, then there's a 5/4 top over that. Some clever person set a row (5-6) of itty-bitty 'shaker' pegs just unde the lip of the top for keys. They had also milled some slots & dividers in the top to sort the mail, using the depth between the top & the BC's top shelf.
Thanks folks. The shelves may never see a book and will likely be used to display nic-nacs, but I'll make them a little deeper than I was thinking. Still trying to work out the proportions so it doesn't look out of scale in the room.
Craftsman style is a bit on the thick,wide, and blocky side, so be careful not to go too light with your proportions and board widths. A 2" wide board or frame member might be a little skimpy, you'd be more likely to see 2-1/2 or 3".
for true to life proportions ...
graph paper and an acrhy's scale can get ya real close ....
but when I can .... I like to do a life sized mock-up and live with it for a few days .....
just use what you have on hand ... or get a sheet or two of 1/2 foam board insulation and use duct tape and 8d finish nails to pin the thing together .....
JeffBuck Construction Pittsburgh,PA
Artistry in Carpentry