Maple Library

The approach to the design for this was relatively simple: keep it clean, and keep it bright. The house itself is truly a midcentury modern gem on Council Crest in the west hills of Portland. The owners had beautiful cherry built-ins and an open floor plan upstairs and wanted something not out of step with the rest of the house.

Wanting to maintain the natural light in the basement, the choice of maple was a rather easy one to make, especially since the floor through the upstairs of the house were maple as well.

Needing the television at an optimal height and the components hidden away, the bottom of the library is built with both in mind. Trying not to clutter up the lower cabinets with hardware, the doors have a beveled upper edge for a comfortable way to open the doors.

The upper shelves on the larger walls are all adjustable while the larger shelves on the smaller wall flaking the fireplace are fixed. At any view point in the room, the eye is caught by the continuous horizontal lines that run the length of the piece. This gives the piece movement, making it feel like it is smaller than it actually is.

This is a piece that balances light, lines, and an intelligent use of space.