looking a gift horse in the mouth

[boxofdelights]

My sister's landlord is going to turn her apartment into an Airbnb, so she is moving out. She offered me an enormous bookcase that has been living in her office since Mom moved to Maine. Mom brought it with her from Michigan, but the movers couldn't get it into the elevator or up the stairs. It's 94.5" tall, 95.5" wide, in two separable parts: the lower part has cabinets and drawers, and is 26.5" deep; the upper part is four bookshelves, 19.5" deep.

Now, the last time I brought a bookcase into the house I said I was full. But most of my bookcases were freecycled or bought used for ~$10. I wouldn't mind putting one or two of them back on freecycle to upgrade to much nicer furniture. If I let go of two 30"-wide six-shelf bookcases, I would lose a little book space, but gain all those cabinets and drawers. I could store all my collage papers, that are taking up bookshelf space right now, plus all my other craft supplies and tools. I could have one drawer just for seeds!

But there's only one wall in my house that goes more than 95.5" without a door or window, and it has a light switch. I could cut a hole in the back of the bookcase to access the switch, but it would be awkward: the switch wouldn't be right there to hand when you enter the room. Maybe get an electrician to move the light switch? But my house is old and weird. The walls in the old part are lath-and-plaster, not the modern frame construction that leaves space to thread wiring through. Also the switch would end up some place other than right there next to the door opening.

There is another wall in that room that would work if I can tear this thing out of the corner:

On the other side of this wall, there used to be a coal-burning stove in the kitchen. The stove was removed long long ago but the flue that connected the stove to the chimney was left behind and boxed in. I don't know why! I don't know how hard it would be to take it out! Also the floor in that room tilts noticeably along the south-north axis.

It might work as a freestanding room divider in the biggest room, but even that room is only 26" wider than the bookcase.

If I'm willing to lose a window, I could put it on the north wall of my bedroom. The north side of my house is uncomfortably close to the neighbors' house, so that window is already covered with stick-on "frosted glass". Also it is a north-facing window, so it doesn't get a lot of light in winter. The bedroom has a east-facing window, so I don't think it will be gloomy if I block off the north window. It will be significantly more crowded, though. Right now there is a bookcase on either side of the window and a big dog crate under the window. The new bookcase would replace the old bookcases, but I don't know where I could put the dog crate.

Do I want this thing?

Comments

[lcohen]

it sounds like you kind of do? i would look into the removal of the thing in the corner. a bookcase that big won't care about the tilty floor. also, then you might keep one of the other bookcases and have a net gain of bookshelf space---okay, maybe that's what i would want because lord knows i could fill them :) !

[boxofdelights]

I've decided not to mess with the thing in the corner, until I can pay someone to redecorate the front half of the house: take out all the fake wood paneling, and the dropped ceiling, and the old stained carpets, and find out how much it would cost to flatten the floor. If I get the new bookcase, I will put it in my bedroom until the second bedroom is remodeled.

[bibliofile]

It sounds like an attractive find, at least functionally. Shelves with closed storage is brilliant for people with stuff, like us.

What is that oddly shaped thing made of, I wonder. Knock it and see if it's a metal box or actually framed in? Know any handy people who could give you a good second opinion on what removing that might entail?

[bibliofile]

Also, I hate some things about this timeline.

> My sister's landlord is going to turn her apartment into an Airbnb

[boxofdelights]

My sister does too! The box is fake wood paneling, like your parents living room in the seventies, but I don't know what's inside.

[glaurung]

Sorry for the double comment, didn't realize I was logged out.

I'd take the panelling off of the box thing. If it's truly just covering up a metal flue, then it should be very simple to rip it out. Underneath there's probably the original wall which you can clean and paint or panel over, or just leave it ugly since the bookcase will cover up the damage.

Always say yes to nicer, better built bookcases.

[boxofdelights]

jesse_the_k convinced me not to mess with the thing in the corner, but I did say yes to the better bookcase. Now I'm waiting to find out whether I'm going to get it!

[replyhazy]

The Thing in the Corner sounds like a horror novel. From a practical sense I say get rid of it and from an imaginative sense I say DO NOT DISTURB THE THING IN THE CORNER.

[boxofdelights]

My feelings exactly. WHAT IS INSIDE THE BOX? The '70s wood paneling and foam dropped-ceiling panels only increase the DO NOT INTERACT vibes.

[jesse_the_k]

If the duct/chimney is still in there it will BE FILTHY with coal dust plus bonus mold. Which could explain it being boxed in.

[boxofdelights]

Okay I have decided. Not touching that until I can pay someone to do it for me. I trust they will have all the respirators they need.

Smart choice!

[jesse_the_k]

And best of luck.

[corvidology]

Judging by the intensity of your thought process, you definitely want it!

[boxofdelights]

I do! But do I?

[seascribble]

I would say no, because it sounds like a LOT of logistics. the bookcase sounds nice, but unless there are big sentimental feelings about it, it is more of a hassle than I would embark on personally.

I read the other comments and they interpreted your logistics differently, so have changed my vote to align with theirs.

[boxofdelights]

If I had moved as much as you have in the last years, I probably wouldn't see this bookcase as a desirable thing.

I'm glad you asked about big feelings, because I realized I do have some, and I'm going to write them up in my next post.

[oracne]

If you do take the thing, solving where it goes will be a lovely distraction from the world being on fire.

[jesse_the_k]

You win "positive reframing" for today!

[oracne]

*bows*

[boxofdelights]

Ha! Sometimes rearranging those deck chairs feels very important.