Am I the only one that would LOVE another house tour that’s filmed like a POV walkthrough? Watching these projects is so much fun, but I sometimes wish we could see footage that gives more of a sense of how everything looks when you’re stepping into the room 😆
I know what you mean but I’d worry about security issues if that makes sense? Like someone would know exactly where to go if they walked through the door etc.
You should keep an eye out for a vintage library ladder chair. They’re stunning and multifunctional, and would totally go with your aesthetic. The library is looking magical!
As a professional painter, here’s some tips. First, wood never always matches. Different parts of the same tree will take stain a bit differently, so don’t sweat it being perfect too much. Second, it’s too late, but next time, you can use some off cuts/scrap to test stain and match it. Start with your custom mix, put some on your test piece. Take your special walnut, add some dark walnut, then apply it next to the sample, and see how it looks. Don’t work in the original can, so you can add more special walnut if it gets too dark. You won’t have a formula, but you can keep going back and forth until you get it just about perfect. Third, polyurethane changes the colour more than just turning it a bit yellow. It also makes the colour darker and richer. But you can mimic this really easily. Take a bit of water on your finger and touch it to the wood, the wet spot will be almost exactly the colour it’ll be after adding polyurethane And a final cheat, if the two sets of stain are off, you can tint polyurethane. This can act kind of like a white wash. If you brush a coat of polyurethane with a touch of brown paint added to it to all the shelves, you’ll even out the difference between new and old. It’s a pita, but might be better than stripping wood
have you considered adding a stained glass window in your home? (if you havent already). They’re really elegant and pretty and I think it’d fit your style to get a unique one
@@erin9868 The upstairs reading nook is clear glass, not stained. If her house is heritage, (it is over 150 years old) she may not be allowed to removed anything from the outside to change it.... But I do agree that a stained glass window would fit the ambiance of her house very nicely!!
If that’s the case she can cheats a bit…stained glasses have poor isolation so she will have to get the combo stained glass + normal glass to make it energy efficient. She can have the stained glass on the inside and the normal glass on the outside and it might work to get a pass :x though normally due to climate change the government might agree to minor changes in order to get more energy efficiency (windows are usually the things they allow to be changed bc wooden frames are not the best)@@francescathomas3502
@@ArielBissett I'm totally remembering this for when I re-do the shelves in my bedroom! I've slowly been refinishing and finding pieces that look good together, and the shelves are next on the list 😁
I do a lot of crafts, primarily quilting, and I know so many other quilters also live by, "Finished is better than perfect." There is also another quote that is my personal favorite, "If you can't see the mistake from a moving car than it doesn't matter". The idea of perfection will take the fun out of the most enjoyable tasks, and it's something that I routinely have to remind myself. Congrats on completeing your shelves! They came out absolutely marvelous!
I don't have a house to renovate, but I sew clothing and every single project of mine includes running into a wall, giving up, and not touching the project for months. I haven't returned to everything yet, but I'm starting to and looking at things after being detached from the stress of things not working out really helps you get in the problem solving mindset. Making stuff isn't a linear process. There's no deadline where you have to hand something in and get graded. You can drop something and return to it later. It's very comforting seeing that process here. I hope I can go back to all my unfinished projects.
I’m a creative crafty person and I tend to abandon projects as well! This past year was a lot of revisiting things I had dropped sometimes years ago. I even finished a few of them! You are correct, that distance from the stress and frustration makes a huge difference.
Sometimes, the internet is a weird space. I just want to thank you for occupying your corner of it. Thanks for being honest about the process, and by doing that, giving all of us the space to take more time and put things off and get back to it when it feels right to get back to it. 🎉 I appreciate you, your videos, and the pod ✨ thank you for all of it!
Have you considered taking a stained glass making class? It could be cool to document the learning process (like your wittling video) and also add stained glass pieces to your home!
It turned out so beautiful! A lovely backdrop and display for your books and to work in! My 84 yr old grandma has never had internet, so she has thousands of books in her old farmhouse. Books shelves on majority of the walls. I was reading chapter books in kindergarten, because she would always read to us as a babies and taught us young, so i was ahead of most kids in my class.
I don’t always agree with your aesthetic choices but watching your projects bring you so much joy makes me happy as well. I almost feel as if you are slowly working on your own soul as you work on the house and it’s fun to see both of you grow and change!
when ariel says 'deduce' at 11:41, it sounds like the audio when the netflix app opens. anyways, really proud of you for finishing this project! thank you for sharing your process with us and showing the overcoming of obstacles along the way!
I'm OBSESSED with the tiny shelves on the right side of the door! I never would have thought of something like that, but wow! And the little light on them! And the typewriter! They look so cute I could cry 🥺
Lol! Here I was thinking the “2 months later” was the plot twist. But, actually, the 4 months on top of that explains 13:15…where the sun is still shining at the end of day. The finished project looks SO freaking good!!!!!!
The shelves are beautiful! They look on camera that they all match, but even if they don't quite match, they are far enough away that you can't tell. Job well done...love love love.
So true, Professional painters say, " When painting a large space( one that'll take more than a gallon, but less than 5gal) to mix together, not all sames hues a perfect match. Beautiful....❤
I worked in a library for six years the metal movable ones that fit in to drilled holes are not worth it in my opinion because if you have books that go over it won’t fit and then you run into the same packed in feeling you were already dealing with especially if you buy books more frequently or taken them down to read. I recommend free standing ones so that you can move books around easier and decorate easier. Remember there is an actual science that goes into how books are supposed to be functional on shelves and you want it to be practical and functional for your everyday life and use.
You did a valuable thing by showing how projects can stop and start, but persistence pays off. With a library. Maybe pad the shelf edges on that stretch tucked behind the door so you don't ding up the paint with an enthusiastic open.
You should totally do another hand painting project for your new step stool! I think that could turn out so cute and you could paint it to match the room or maybe have elements from your favorite book covers painted on (like orwell’s roses 🌹)
The library is so lovely! I could feel your angst and anxiety as you slowly went through this process. You did it! Good on you! I did a similar project about a year ago in my quilting room. It had gotten so bad and so over filled that I was loosing my creative mo-jo. It's finished now and I managed to finish five quilts this past year while simultaneously revamping my kitchen. That's progress and it was so worth it!
Now that you have discovered all that extra room in the upstairs bathroom have you considered moving the laundry to that room. 90% of laundry comes from the bedrooms and it would save you time and energy
Hello! My son has a fabulous library of about 2,000 books that he has recently put in a virtual library through an app that allows others to browse his shelves and even check out a book. I used your Book of the Month code to join and begin my own library because I was very inspired by yours. Love your channel!! Thanks for sharing, Elizabeth
I know it wasn’t intended, but the defeat, long hiatus, and then comeback created a lovely story! I was rooting for you against the renovation hobgoblins.
When I was in Chicago at the Monet show, there was a picture he did of a woman in a white dress sitting under a tree reading a book. Everytime I see your Library and Reading Nook, I think it would be something you would love as much as I do.
Two suggestions. First a charity shop for your step stool. Sometimes you can find a nice foldable, wood one. Vintage is always pretty. Second, take so.e of your scrap wood, cut it to book size, drill holes in the bottom and put pegs in them to match the drilled holes in the shelves. This is a nicer look than the metal ones.
Oh that bit at 35:19 resonated so much with me! I didn't build my own shelves but just recently I was finally able to bring all my precious books out of boxes in a basement and display them properly on bookshelves. Every time I walk into that room I get a huge smile on my face... it's such a great feeling! Your room looks absolutely beautiful, great job.
For the step stool you want there's this design of a chair that converts into a ladder that maybe would be a good addition to your furniture. Love your videos btw!
You're little side note about "the thing about renovations" was very motivating to me. Last week I repainted my kitchen cabinets...like the whole things. And then I stepped back and looked at it and thought "that doesn't look right", so I pulled out the paint sample. And lo and behold it was a different colour. So the paint was mixed wrong. Big face palm moment. So I've been dreading tomorrow because I have to walk back into the paint store and explain that the paint was mixed wrong but yes I did paint my whole kitchen before realizing that... ugh. These things just happen.
One cool quote I’ve always liked being a perfectionist who gets in their own way in completing tasks is, “Done is better than perfect, because perfect is never done.” Don’t know where that comes from but it blows my mind when I think about it sometimes. 🤯
Speaking of step ladders: have you thought of getting an English library ladder? Also : This video wasn't just great to watch (immediately closed it on the phone and watched it on the tv) but it made me extremely happy for you! It was noticeable over the last couple of months that this really bothered you so yaaaaayyy!! Congrats!
This is the first video of yours I've commented on, but I just got to 26 mins in and I feel so much calmer than at the start! I love how positive, joyful, and forgiving of yourself you are! I also really appreciate that you used classical music, it's really soothing 💝
Ariel, I just wanted you to know that you have been one of the inspirations for me wanting to buy a house this year. My husband and I closed on a house on Monday. Watching you do projects in your house is so exciting!
i seriously did not realise 40 minutes had passed by! i loved this video, renovation is never perfect and it’s wonderful watching your journey, also the result was truly so good!
I was so anxious when you were staining etc. and you weren’t using a drop cloth to cover your chair and rug. We have done many projects in the past, and a drop cloth has saved us many times. The room looks great and I love all the color.
Where I live in the US, we do Adopt a Family this is our 15th yr. (other places call it by different names) When we started this it was only 5 families. We are up to 36, we are not the only area in this town that does this. One of the biggest requests this year was for books for all ages but mostly the older kids and adults. I had already donated most of my books a while back so I went out and bought a few and then made book marks to go with the books. For the Christmas I had already bought my great grandkids a few books each and a couple of the adults who love reading also. Great job on your shelves.
I have a huge table I like to use when sorting my books. It helps to be able to make stacks. Gives me an idea of how much space I need for each category. I'm actually planning on rearranging my room and all my books. Wish me luck. It's going to take some time .
This looks beautiful! These long shelves deserve a library ladder, even if decorative. If I may suggest, could you post a time lapse next time you organize the books? And a design suggestion, feels like the desk would fit in front of the mantel, you’d be looking towards the windows. ❤
A little review on the "I'm thinking about books" sweatshirts. I love mine. I got the green/teal color and it looks just like it does on video. I wear mine every week, and often sleep in it because it's so comfortable. That means I also wash it often. I've had mine for over a year now and it's still in great shape. I don't do anything special, just in colors and in the dryer with them all. I've purchased other t-shirts and apparel from creators in the past and I can say with absolute certantity that Ariel has the best quality. You will not regret your purchase!
My carpenter friend's tip is to attach the brackets to the shelf first (you can measure to get them on the studs). Make sure they are perpendicular to the shelf with a square, then you offer the shelf up, put a level on it, and voila! Attach the brackets to the wall, done.
You have the patience of a saint, I just go ikea for Billy’s lol I’d need the books going on the shelf the same day! but then my library is stereotypical whilst yours has more character and creativity! They look great! 👏
TLDR; You're inspirational, and I love your content-and personality-to pieces! I found your channel shortly after you purchased your house. I didn't realize how motivating your continued renovations would be for me! Suddenly my husband and I had to downsize to move in with family, and we inherited the boxed-up estates of my grandparents and my Mom, all within the same year. We had just felt like we had "arrived" at our decluttered goal (not minimalist) when this happened, and suddenly we had three storage units with furniture and possessions coming out our ears. Your videos gave me hope when we were sleeping on a hide-a-bed that barely fit in a living room of boxes. You've been my motivation to keep slogging along when we started to unbury our inherited apartment and realized the repairs it needed (like patching walls, flooring, replacing appliances, etc.). Now that we've made progress in our living space, I feel like I'm able to celebrate along with you because while you continue to tackle projects in your space, I'm finally able to start accomplishing projects in my own. Today we loaded up and drove my Mom's dining room table and chairs two hours away to my house-bound brother; then we were able to get our own table and chairs out of storage--maybe not a big accomplishment when I type it out, but hubby and I work more than full-time and finding daylight for transporting stuff can be hard. Plus we live with my sister, and we all grieve and declutter (or not) differently; she struggles with decision fatigue while hubby and I have a lot of practice "letting go" of material things. Regardless, our living space is slowly starting to feel more like our own rather than a time capsule of my Mom's home. While I can't renovate as drastically as you can because we're renting, you've given me the confidence that should we ever own a place, I can accomplish quite a lot of finish work with planning and tenacity. I adore your book collection! I had shelves and shelves of books that had to be rehomed; I hope someday to have my own library-esque room, too (little girl me fell in love with the Beast's library). Much love from Idaho! :)
It is so so true that home projects get paused half way a lot of the time. Half of my doors have been painted for a year.. and I'm aiming to finish that this winter 😂
this was a wonderful and vulnerable video, I loved having it on while I did 3 days worth of dishes. gorgeous shelves, I have a feeling that a year from now you'll be adding them over the mantelpiece as well 😉
You are so delightful in this video. Your enthusiasm is contagious. The shelves and the book collection look stunning. My only fear is that, because you are such an avid reader/collector of books, you will soon run out of space again. Do you read anything on your phone or a kindle(ish) device ? Do you read anything checked out from the library? While this room looks so rich with all these books, if you have to spill over, gradually, to every room in the house, over the years (you have many years to go) it could start to overwhelm the esthetics you've set in the other rooms and start to seem hoarderish. Just a thought from someone who is sixty-eight years old and used to have to have a copy of every book read.
Me too. And then my apt flooded from a water main break, and I lost almost ALL of my books! It’s not quite as much fun reading electronically, but it takes up way less room and as long as your device is safe, you won’t lose your books to a flood! I rarely buy paper books, now, bc of that. 😢
Do I now have a new dream of warmly lit corner bookshelves? Yes. Do I also now have a dream of owning that linen dress? Yes. This video is full of inspiration haha Proud of you for finishing this big project!! Thanks for sharing 🥰
An archaeological dig, investigation, science experiment, and 1 Ted talk later and we have bookshelves! 😂 I love the many hats you wear and the lengths you take for the written and bound word. Thank you for another entertaining video ❤
You should put a sturdy rod all the way along areas you need to reach to and then get a ladder with hooks at the top that you can move around instead of a step stool! That would really lean into the library vibes!
I love bookends, I have like 14 unique sets of vintage ones (mostly brass) that I've been collecting over the past few years. But, honestly, do what works best for your ever-growing book collection. I'm not able to re-read books (I've tried), so I tend to donate or sell any book that feels like it's wasting space for someone else to enjoy.
Oh my gosh, this turned out SO beautiful and cozy! I love how the shelves go right to the ceiling, I think you're right and it makes the room seem bigger and taller. Congrats on finishing this huge project, it turned out so well!!
As I was watching this, my first thought was that it doesn’t really matter if the color is not quite right. No one can see both sides of the room at the same time; and also the books will be covering most of the surface. How does that 80/20% rule go? Something like, if the last 20% of the effort is not worth 80% of the result, don’t waste your time? Maybe someone else can chime in here; I can’t quite remember how it goes. That being said, this project is a perfect representation of anything I try to do in my life: Everything seems to always go wrong! I get discouraged. I get overwhelmed by all the steps needed to fix it. I stop working on it. All the pieces are in the way. I look around them. Step over them. Dream about the day it gets finished; but mostly don’t allow myself to think of it at all; bc it stresses me out. If and when I ever do go back and tackle it, I become disgusted with myself bc it took way less time to complete than I had imagined; and I realize I quit so close to the finish line! But when you’re in the middle of the procrastination phase, you just can’t see it that way. Grey colored glasses???
This might be one of those vids on the entire internet which are my all time favourite❤, comfort kind of vids. Thanku Ariel, for including us in this venture, among numerous others ✨
My shelves are similar to yours in style and I also used stair tread! They're the perfect depth and were actually cheaper than buying long boards and cutting them myself!
Instead of a normal folding step stool I'm gonna suggest the ol' classic library kick stool. You know those round metal jobbies that roll on casters when you shove them with your foot, but lock into place when you step on them? You might remember them from your local pubic or school library. They're still commonly available from various library supply companies like Canadian Learning Supply, etc and come in a variety of colours to suit your decor. A bit of an investment as they run around $150CAD but they're built like tanks and will last a lifetime. Alternately sometimes you can find a used one and restore it if you want to try to do it on a budget. They're steel so not too hard to sand down and repaint like new.
For some reason when you said, "Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good", I instantly started crying. I'm going to do my best to remember that. Thank you.
I live in a 2-bedroom apartment in downtown Toronto, so I do not have room for shelves. I used to have all my books stuffed into a hall closet and a single standing cupboard. Until my eyes went bad and i could not longer read them. So I had to unhaul them. The cupboard takes up room we needed and there was no longer any point to keeping these book. So no more Library. Now I can only buy and read Digital Ebooks. Despite the delays, I am very happy that you were finally able to push through and complete the project!!
I think this next to your original office renovation are my favourite videos you've ever done. They're an absolutely beautiful presentation of your artistry and filmography.
Am I the only one that would LOVE another house tour that’s filmed like a POV walkthrough? Watching these projects is so much fun, but I sometimes wish we could see footage that gives more of a sense of how everything looks when you’re stepping into the room 😆
We’re due another one; her last one was 10/11 months ago, so I’m guessing she’ll do another one soon ! Will be the third one in 3 years :D
No, you're not the only one...I love these videos!
I NEED to see the WHOLE room !!!! ❤️
I know what you mean but I’d worry about security issues if that makes sense? Like someone would know exactly where to go if they walked through the door etc.
@@Elle5177 not if people don’t know where she lives :D, she only gives away the general area :) not specific location
40 minutes? YOUVE JUST SAVED MY WEEKEND! i am getting snacks and a drink BRB 🏃♀️
Hehehe love this
You said this and I had to double check! Heck yeah 40 minutes! It's going on the big TV 😂
This was my reaction haha 😍😍
+++
Mine too!
You should keep an eye out for a vintage library ladder chair. They’re stunning and multifunctional, and would totally go with your aesthetic. The library is looking magical!
Or maybe make one? Would love to watch a video like that. There are a few tutorials out there!
As a professional painter, here’s some tips.
First, wood never always matches. Different parts of the same tree will take stain a bit differently, so don’t sweat it being perfect too much.
Second, it’s too late, but next time, you can use some off cuts/scrap to test stain and match it. Start with your custom mix, put some on your test piece. Take your special walnut, add some dark walnut, then apply it next to the sample, and see how it looks. Don’t work in the original can, so you can add more special walnut if it gets too dark. You won’t have a formula, but you can keep going back and forth until you get it just about perfect.
Third, polyurethane changes the colour more than just turning it a bit yellow. It also makes the colour darker and richer. But you can mimic this really easily. Take a bit of water on your finger and touch it to the wood, the wet spot will be almost exactly the colour it’ll be after adding polyurethane
And a final cheat, if the two sets of stain are off, you can tint polyurethane. This can act kind of like a white wash. If you brush a coat of polyurethane with a touch of brown paint added to it to all the shelves, you’ll even out the difference between new and old. It’s a pita, but might be better than stripping wood
have you considered adding a stained glass window in your home? (if you havent already). They’re really elegant and pretty and I think it’d fit your style to get a unique one
Yes and it's a nice diy as well!
I think there's a stained glass window on her landing, no?
That’s such a good idea!!
@@erin9868 The upstairs reading nook is clear glass, not stained. If her house is heritage, (it is over 150 years old) she may not be allowed to removed anything from the outside to change it.... But I do agree that a stained glass window would fit the ambiance of her house very nicely!!
If that’s the case she can cheats a bit…stained glasses have poor isolation so she will have to get the combo stained glass + normal glass to make it energy efficient. She can have the stained glass on the inside and the normal glass on the outside and it might work to get a pass :x though normally due to climate change the government might agree to minor changes in order to get more energy efficiency (windows are usually the things they allow to be changed bc wooden frames are not the best)@@francescathomas3502
Stair treads! I wouldn't have ever thought of that for shelves, but it makes so much sense and looks so good!
RIGHT?! I hope other people do it because it’s one of my happiest ideas.
@@ArielBissett I'm totally remembering this for when I re-do the shelves in my bedroom! I've slowly been refinishing and finding pieces that look good together, and the shelves are next on the list 😁
I do a lot of crafts, primarily quilting, and I know so many other quilters also live by, "Finished is better than perfect." There is also another quote that is my personal favorite, "If you can't see the mistake from a moving car than it doesn't matter". The idea of perfection will take the fun out of the most enjoyable tasks, and it's something that I routinely have to remind myself. Congrats on completeing your shelves! They came out absolutely marvelous!
Fellow quilter here!
I always heard the version: If you can’t see it from the back of a galloping horse . . . 😝
I endorse these messages. 😊❤
I don't have a house to renovate, but I sew clothing and every single project of mine includes running into a wall, giving up, and not touching the project for months. I haven't returned to everything yet, but I'm starting to and looking at things after being detached from the stress of things not working out really helps you get in the problem solving mindset. Making stuff isn't a linear process. There's no deadline where you have to hand something in and get graded. You can drop something and return to it later. It's very comforting seeing that process here. I hope I can go back to all my unfinished projects.
I’m a creative crafty person and I tend to abandon projects as well! This past year was a lot of revisiting things I had dropped sometimes years ago. I even finished a few of them! You are correct, that distance from the stress and frustration makes a huge difference.
This was genuinely so motivating to see how you recovered from the setbacks and still got the bookshelves done, getting rid of the idea of perfection.
An object lesson that: "Perfection is the enemy of Excellence." Congratulations for not letting it deter you from reaching your goal!
Sometimes, the internet is a weird space. I just want to thank you for occupying your corner of it. Thanks for being honest about the process, and by doing that, giving all of us the space to take more time and put things off and get back to it when it feels right to get back to it. 🎉 I appreciate you, your videos, and the pod ✨ thank you for all of it!
Have you considered taking a stained glass making class? It could be cool to document the learning process (like your wittling video) and also add stained glass pieces to your home!
Simone Giertz did a video where she tried her hand at making a stained glass piece for her own home and it looked beautiful!! I absolutely second this
i think my favorite part about ariel's videos is how much she makes herself laugh
Hahaha I really do find myself and my life hilarious
I do not need shelves, I need "real estate for more books" 😂 Love it!
It turned out so beautiful! A lovely backdrop and display for your books and to work in! My 84 yr old grandma has never had internet, so she has thousands of books in her old farmhouse. Books shelves on majority of the walls. I was reading chapter books in kindergarten, because she would always read to us as a babies and taught us young, so i was ahead of most kids in my class.
I don’t always agree with your aesthetic choices but watching your projects bring you so much joy makes me happy as well. I almost feel as if you are slowly working on your own soul as you work on the house and it’s fun to see both of you grow and change!
That book corner framed with beautiful curtains and with that stained glass lamp may just be my favourite background now
when ariel says 'deduce' at 11:41, it sounds like the audio when the netflix app opens. anyways, really proud of you for finishing this project! thank you for sharing your process with us and showing the overcoming of obstacles along the way!
I'm OBSESSED with the tiny shelves on the right side of the door! I never would have thought of something like that, but wow! And the little light on them! And the typewriter! They look so cute I could cry 🥺
Lol! Here I was thinking the “2 months later” was the plot twist.
But, actually, the 4 months on top of that explains 13:15…where the sun is still shining at the end of day.
The finished project looks SO freaking good!!!!!!
This explains the clip of her on her Jeep in a dress. I was thinking didn't she already do the shelves? 🤔
The shelves are beautiful! They look on camera that they all match, but even if they don't quite match, they are far enough away that you can't tell. Job well done...love love love.
i don’t even read books really and even I recognize the dream of a home library. Very cozy
So true, Professional painters say, " When painting a large space( one that'll take more than a gallon, but less than 5gal) to mix together, not all sames hues a perfect match. Beautiful....❤
I worked in a library for six years the metal movable ones that fit in to drilled holes are not worth it in my opinion because if you have books that go over it won’t fit and then you run into the same packed in feeling you were already dealing with especially if you buy books more frequently or taken them down to read. I recommend free standing ones so that you can move books around easier and decorate easier. Remember there is an actual science that goes into how books are supposed to be functional on shelves and you want it to be practical and functional for your everyday life and use.
Would love to see you decorate your miniature room for the season/holidays!:)
You did a valuable thing by showing how projects can stop and start, but persistence pays off. With a library.
Maybe pad the shelf edges on that stretch tucked behind the door so you don't ding up the paint with an enthusiastic open.
That room looks so cohesive. What a great job you've done
You should totally do another hand painting project for your new step stool! I think that could turn out so cute and you could paint it to match the room or maybe have elements from your favorite book covers painted on (like orwell’s roses 🌹)
The library is so lovely! I could feel your angst and anxiety as you slowly went through this process. You did it! Good on you! I did a similar project about a year ago in my quilting room. It had gotten so bad and so over filled that I was loosing my creative mo-jo. It's finished now and I managed to finish five quilts this past year while simultaneously revamping my kitchen. That's progress and it was so worth it!
Ariel: My book situation is out of control!
Also Ariel: This video is sponsored by Book-of-the-Month Club!
😂
i think the real xmas miracle is a long ariel video a week before xmas 🎄💕
Now that you have discovered all that extra room in the upstairs bathroom have you considered moving the laundry to that room. 90% of laundry comes from the bedrooms and it would save you time and energy
Hello! My son has a fabulous library of about 2,000 books that he has recently put in a virtual library through an app that allows others to browse his shelves and even check out a book. I used your Book of the Month code to join and begin my own library because I was very inspired by yours. Love your channel!! Thanks for sharing, Elizabeth
The snapping transitions are giving me so much joy
I felt like super 2012 doing them but I love them hHaha
I know it wasn’t intended, but the defeat, long hiatus, and then comeback created a lovely story! I was rooting for you against the renovation hobgoblins.
When I was in Chicago at the Monet show, there was a picture he did of a woman in a white dress sitting under a tree reading a book. Everytime I see your Library and Reading Nook, I think it would be something you would love as much as I do.
Under the weather but OVER THE MOON, thank you for this absolute joy! Take care 💕
Hope you feel better before Christmas!
Two suggestions. First a charity shop for your step stool. Sometimes you can find a nice foldable, wood one. Vintage is always pretty. Second, take so.e of your scrap wood, cut it to book size, drill holes in the bottom and put pegs in them to match the drilled holes in the shelves. This is a nicer look than the metal ones.
I’m so happy that we both have a dedicated L.M. Montgomery shelf in our libraries. We truly are kindred spirits. 🤗 Best wishes to you and the fam!
Oh that bit at 35:19 resonated so much with me! I didn't build my own shelves but just recently I was finally able to bring all my precious books out of boxes in a basement and display them properly on bookshelves. Every time I walk into that room I get a huge smile on my face... it's such a great feeling! Your room looks absolutely beautiful, great job.
To do lists can be a saviour when you're struggling. Highl recomend. Shelves look great!
For the step stool you want there's this design of a chair that converts into a ladder that maybe would be a good addition to your furniture. Love your videos btw!
You're little side note about "the thing about renovations" was very motivating to me. Last week I repainted my kitchen cabinets...like the whole things. And then I stepped back and looked at it and thought "that doesn't look right", so I pulled out the paint sample. And lo and behold it was a different colour. So the paint was mixed wrong. Big face palm moment. So I've been dreading tomorrow because I have to walk back into the paint store and explain that the paint was mixed wrong but yes I did paint my whole kitchen before realizing that... ugh. These things just happen.
Dang! You have a lot of books. That room is becoming quite the gem.
Knowing how you love books, I don’t see any empty space. Where are you going to put new books in the future? Love how it turned out in the end.
That little lamp on the corner of your desk has my whole heart.
I did not expect the emotional rollercoaster, I feel like I just saw a touching coming-of-age film
I love how joyful you are! The library looks SO good!!
YES PLEASE ALL OF THIS
TIME FOR TEA AND COZINESS
I also have "At Breakfast" hanging with some of my books. It's such a lovely painting.
One cool quote I’ve always liked being a perfectionist who gets in their own way in completing tasks is, “Done is better than perfect, because perfect is never done.” Don’t know where that comes from but it blows my mind when I think about it sometimes. 🤯
Speaking of step ladders: have you thought of getting an English library ladder?
Also : This video wasn't just great to watch (immediately closed it on the phone and watched it on the tv) but it made me extremely happy for you! It was noticeable over the last couple of months that this really bothered you so yaaaaayyy!! Congrats!
Am I'm watching this while I reorganize my office? Yes
This is the first video of yours I've commented on, but I just got to 26 mins in and I feel so much calmer than at the start! I love how positive, joyful, and forgiving of yourself you are! I also really appreciate that you used classical music, it's really soothing 💝
Ariel, I just wanted you to know that you have been one of the inspirations for me wanting to buy a house this year. My husband and I closed on a house on Monday. Watching you do projects in your house is so exciting!
Yay and congratulations !🎉🎈
I’ve been looking for 6 1/2 years! It gives me hope that one day, I too, will finally find a place to call home! 🌷🏡
i seriously did not realise 40 minutes had passed by! i loved this video, renovation is never perfect and it’s wonderful watching your journey, also the result was truly so good!
Sitting down with a cup of tea and smiling because you posted!
omg my night is SAVED my delicious bowl of drunken noodles + this vid is a perfect combo thank u thank u!!!
Hahaha I know the exact feeling of having food ready and needing the perfect video 🥲 so glad to be of service 🫡
An Ariel renovation video and a book video all in one?! Yes!!!! So excited!
I was so anxious when you were staining etc. and you weren’t using a drop cloth to cover your chair and rug. We have done many projects in the past, and a drop cloth has saved us many times. The room looks great and I love all the color.
YES! This is the first bright spot in what has been a truly devastating weekend.
Oh boy, how timely! I need to add shelves in my craft space for all the things. And the stair Tread tip is Amazing!!!!!!!
Where I live in the US, we do Adopt a Family this is our 15th yr. (other places call it by different names) When we started this it was only 5 families. We are up to 36, we are not the only area in this town that does this. One of the biggest requests this year was for books for all ages but mostly the older kids and adults. I had already donated most of my books a while back so I went out and bought a few and then made book marks to go with the books. For the Christmas I had already bought my great grandkids a few books each and a couple of the adults who love reading also.
Great job on your shelves.
I have a huge table I like to use when sorting my books. It helps to be able to make stacks. Gives me an idea of how much space I need for each category. I'm actually planning on rearranging my room and all my books. Wish me luck. It's going to take some time .
This looks beautiful! These long shelves deserve a library ladder, even if decorative. If I may suggest, could you post a time lapse next time you organize the books? And a design suggestion, feels like the desk would fit in front of the mantel, you’d be looking towards the windows. ❤
A little review on the "I'm thinking about books" sweatshirts. I love mine. I got the green/teal color and it looks just like it does on video. I wear mine every week, and often sleep in it because it's so comfortable. That means I also wash it often. I've had mine for over a year now and it's still in great shape. I don't do anything special, just in colors and in the dryer with them all. I've purchased other t-shirts and apparel from creators in the past and I can say with absolute certantity that Ariel has the best quality. You will not regret your purchase!
My carpenter friend's tip is to attach the brackets to the shelf first (you can measure to get them on the studs). Make sure they are perpendicular to the shelf with a square, then you offer the shelf up, put a level on it, and voila! Attach the brackets to the wall, done.
That’s SO SMART!! Why didn’t you tell me this 8 months ago!!!!!
Ariel, your library looks like the Old World study of a brilliant woman. Love it love it love it!
Did you ever do a video showcasing the books your friends have written? I’m curious! The shelves look amazing!!!
Me learning how old book of the month is is crazy.
You have the patience of a saint, I just go ikea for Billy’s lol I’d need the books going on the shelf the same day! but then my library is stereotypical whilst yours has more character and creativity! They look great! 👏
TLDR; You're inspirational, and I love your content-and personality-to pieces!
I found your channel shortly after you purchased your house. I didn't realize how motivating your continued renovations would be for me! Suddenly my husband and I had to downsize to move in with family, and we inherited the boxed-up estates of my grandparents and my Mom, all within the same year. We had just felt like we had "arrived" at our decluttered goal (not minimalist) when this happened, and suddenly we had three storage units with furniture and possessions coming out our ears. Your videos gave me hope when we were sleeping on a hide-a-bed that barely fit in a living room of boxes. You've been my motivation to keep slogging along when we started to unbury our inherited apartment and realized the repairs it needed (like patching walls, flooring, replacing appliances, etc.). Now that we've made progress in our living space, I feel like I'm able to celebrate along with you because while you continue to tackle projects in your space, I'm finally able to start accomplishing projects in my own.
Today we loaded up and drove my Mom's dining room table and chairs two hours away to my house-bound brother; then we were able to get our own table and chairs out of storage--maybe not a big accomplishment when I type it out, but hubby and I work more than full-time and finding daylight for transporting stuff can be hard. Plus we live with my sister, and we all grieve and declutter (or not) differently; she struggles with decision fatigue while hubby and I have a lot of practice "letting go" of material things. Regardless, our living space is slowly starting to feel more like our own rather than a time capsule of my Mom's home.
While I can't renovate as drastically as you can because we're renting, you've given me the confidence that should we ever own a place, I can accomplish quite a lot of finish work with planning and tenacity.
I adore your book collection! I had shelves and shelves of books that had to be rehomed; I hope someday to have my own library-esque room, too (little girl me fell in love with the Beast's library).
Much love from Idaho! :)
It is so so true that home projects get paused half way a lot of the time. Half of my doors have been painted for a year.. and I'm aiming to finish that this winter 😂
I believe in you!!
The bookshelf corner looks soooooo good!!!!! Great job Ariel! 🎉
this was a wonderful and vulnerable video, I loved having it on while I did 3 days worth of dishes. gorgeous shelves, I have a feeling that a year from now you'll be adding them over the mantelpiece as well 😉
You are so delightful in this video. Your enthusiasm is contagious. The shelves and the book collection look stunning. My only fear is that, because you are such an avid reader/collector of books, you will soon run out of space again. Do you read anything on your phone or a kindle(ish) device ? Do you read anything checked out from the library? While this room looks so rich with all these books, if you have to spill over, gradually, to every room in the house, over the years (you have many years to go) it could start to overwhelm the esthetics you've set in the other rooms and start to seem hoarderish. Just a thought from someone who is sixty-eight years old and used to have to have a copy of every book read.
Me too. And then my apt flooded from a water main break, and I lost almost ALL of my books!
It’s not quite as much fun reading electronically, but it takes up way less room and as long as your device is safe, you won’t lose your books to a flood! I rarely buy paper books, now, bc of that. 😢
It’s looking great! I think you made the right choice painting the ceiling green.
31:54 i may or may not have screamed when I saw the typewriter on the shelf!!!!!! definitely need to put mine like that in my future library!!
Do I now have a new dream of warmly lit corner bookshelves? Yes. Do I also now have a dream of owning that linen dress? Yes. This video is full of inspiration haha
Proud of you for finishing this big project!! Thanks for sharing 🥰
I would love to be locked in their during a blackout, or let's just make that any ol' day. It looks like a book lovers paradise. Great job!
I've started sewing projects, set them aside (outta frustration) and finished them 18 months later. Hahaha 🤣
As we speak I have planned sewing projects that I have patterns and fabric for but I'm procrastinating starting the sewing.😅
OH MY GOSH!!!!! all my favorite things combined in one video = a fabulous weekend!!!! 40 mins long, decor and its LIBRARY CONTENT!!!! IM SOLD
It's like Christmas every time you upload!
An archaeological dig, investigation, science experiment, and 1 Ted talk later and we have bookshelves! 😂 I love the many hats you wear and the lengths you take for the written and bound word. Thank you for another entertaining video ❤
You should put a sturdy rod all the way along areas you need to reach to and then get a ladder with hooks at the top that you can move around instead of a step stool! That would really lean into the library vibes!
I love bookends, I have like 14 unique sets of vintage ones (mostly brass) that I've been collecting over the past few years. But, honestly, do what works best for your ever-growing book collection. I'm not able to re-read books (I've tried), so I tend to donate or sell any book that feels like it's wasting space for someone else to enjoy.
Oh my gosh, this turned out SO beautiful and cozy! I love how the shelves go right to the ceiling, I think you're right and it makes the room seem bigger and taller. Congrats on finishing this huge project, it turned out so well!!
So proud of you. The shelves look awesome ❤
So in love with your curtains! And your shelves are a beautiful dream!
As I was watching this, my first thought was that it doesn’t really matter if the color is not quite right. No one can see both sides of the room at the same time; and also the books will be covering most of the surface.
How does that 80/20% rule go? Something like, if the last 20% of the effort is not worth 80% of the result, don’t waste your time? Maybe someone else can chime in here; I can’t quite remember how it goes.
That being said, this project is a perfect representation of anything I try to do in my life:
Everything seems to always go wrong!
I get discouraged.
I get overwhelmed by all the steps needed to fix it.
I stop working on it.
All the pieces are in the way.
I look around them.
Step over them.
Dream about the day it gets finished; but mostly don’t allow myself to think of it at all; bc it stresses me out.
If and when I ever do go back and tackle it, I become disgusted with myself bc it took way less time to complete than I had imagined; and I realize I quit so close to the finish line!
But when you’re in the middle of the procrastination phase, you just can’t see it that way. Grey colored glasses???
I had no idea who you were before this video, but your joy is so contagious, and the end result looks great! Thank you. 😄
This might be one of those vids on the entire internet which are my all time favourite❤, comfort kind of vids. Thanku Ariel, for including us in this venture, among numerous others ✨
Love it! I feel that perfectionism suffering in delaying the progress of your needed bookshelves. Looks like a beautiful and cozy office library ❤
My shelves are similar to yours in style and I also used stair tread! They're the perfect depth and were actually cheaper than buying long boards and cutting them myself!
Instead of a normal folding step stool I'm gonna suggest the ol' classic library kick stool. You know those round metal jobbies that roll on casters when you shove them with your foot, but lock into place when you step on them? You might remember them from your local pubic or school library. They're still commonly available from various library supply companies like Canadian Learning Supply, etc and come in a variety of colours to suit your decor. A bit of an investment as they run around $150CAD but they're built like tanks and will last a lifetime. Alternately sometimes you can find a used one and restore it if you want to try to do it on a budget. They're steel so not too hard to sand down and repaint like new.
For some reason when you said, "Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good", I instantly started crying. I'm going to do my best to remember that. Thank you.
I live in a 2-bedroom apartment in downtown Toronto, so I do not have room for shelves. I used to have all my books stuffed into a hall closet and a single standing cupboard. Until my eyes went bad and i could not longer read them. So I had to unhaul them. The cupboard takes up room we needed and there was no longer any point to keeping these book. So no more Library.
Now I can only buy and read Digital Ebooks. Despite the delays, I am very happy that you were finally able to push through and complete the project!!
I think this next to your original office renovation are my favourite videos you've ever done. They're an absolutely beautiful presentation of your artistry and filmography.
I think your mantle is a great candidate for some more playful painting!
The corner looks beautiful against the curtains with the lamp light. Great job 😍