What Anne Wants For Christmas

[filkertom]

And if I win the lottery, she'll get it.

If you could redecorate your living space with no consideration for your poor parents or rambunctious kids/pets/whatever, what would you do with it? I'm looking to put up a few movie posters, but what I'd really like is to just Line The Whole Fucking Place With Bookshelves And Then Fill Them With Every Graphic Novel I Can Find Even The Ones I Don't Like.

Comments

[selenesue.livejournal.com]

Actually, I'm kind of in the process of executing your decorating plan at my place. I've just called my carpenter for the next round of bookshelves.

In the throes of new home ownership, I have been watching the DIY cable channel too much, and realized recently that what I am constructing is a Man Cave. o_O

[drzarron.livejournal.com]

I'd do theme areas... much would be very Vernian and Steampunky with not so much hidden rooms, but surprising entrances. There would be an indoor "Cave" with a huge waterfall shower, hot tub, endless lap pool all looking organic. Not a huge kitchen but one with all the right tools in it. A dedicated library.

[judifilksign.livejournal.com]

Oooh, I *like* this vision.

[mimiheart.livejournal.com]

I'm not a fan of furniture in general. If it were up to me, I'd have a ton of bookshelves full of books, my computer desk/chair, a better piano, and beanbag chairs. I may even get rid of the dining room set, considering I eat at my computer more than at the table.

[jadasc.livejournal.com]

My immediate thought is that I would have The Sultan, and then build a room around it.

http://www.geekchichq.com/The_Sultan_.html

[ionicaq.livejournal.com]

*drool*

[bald-ruminant.livejournal.com]

I saw that at GenCon, and loved it, but didn't like the price tag so much. For that amount, I really could make something a bit better myself. I'd add a little more space for each of the seats, each of which would have a set of speakers, a powerstrip, and gigabit connectivity (let's face it, a lot of us are using electronic versions of our game books these days).

[ionicaq.livejournal.com]

Would it be as pretty? Because half of what I like about that is that is just so pretty. :D

[bald-ruminant.livejournal.com]

Yes, it would. I'd even improve the legs. I prefer round legs because corners exist only for stubbing toes on.

[ionicaq.livejournal.com]

Oooh! :D I like your idea. :D

[umbran.livejournal.com]

That thing is gorgeous...

[ladysoapmaker.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that was my first thought too. Then I realized when my kids are old enough they'd fight over who got it so I would have to buy 4 if I wanted to maintain family harmony in my old age or tell all of them that none are getting it and it's being donated to the local gaming shop.

but I want the Sultan.

[tlatoani.livejournal.com]

That is really cool!

[liddle-oldman.livejournal.com]

I have books piled everywhere. I think I'd go for the "Bookcases uber alls" look myself.

Wait, I've already done that! ;)

[wormquartet.livejournal.com]

I always said when I bought a house I'd wire it so there were speakers in each room wired to a single source so I could listen to music anywhere in the house. Technology has made this far more possible now, but I haven't gotten the urge to do it.

With you on the graphic novels, that's a damned cool idea. I actually have half a room for my comic collection in our current place (it's a room upstairs which we're guessing the previous owner used to display a collection of some sort because it's completely impractical for any other purpose) so I'm gonna have to set that up one of these days. Alas, time is not my bitch.

-=ShoEboX=-
a.k.a.
-=ShoEboX=-

[briansiano.livejournal.com]

I have mountains of books-- and half of'em are full of design ideas for rooms, houses, buildings, artwork and stuff. And every day I hit about a dozen design blogs, like apartmenttherapy.com.

And I have a house with which I can do pretty much what I want.

If I had money, that is.

My suggestion: bookshelves, but add in things like cool-looking wall sconces, some baroque wood trim, indirect light, etc.

Or, you could try what these guys did:

http://www.becausewecan.org/Office_interior_with_custom_desks
http://www.wired.com/culture/design/multimedia/2007/06/gallery_nemo_office?slide=1&slideView=7
http://www.boingboing.net/2007/06/13/nautilusinspired-off.html

[ladysmith.livejournal.com]

We did the line the whole room with bookcases thing in our bonus room. Now we just need to organize the books and finish the unpacking that still in there 2+ years after we moved in!

[ladystarblade.livejournal.com]

A few years ago, I would've been completely onboard with the all-bookshelves, all the time idea...but as my living space has gotten smaller, I've moved more towards once I've read a book and I know I'm not going to read it again, I give it away to someone or donate it somewhere. As such, my once massive book collection has dwindled to a few hundred.

But my real want is a music room...where I could set up/practice my bass guitars and tinwhistles and my roomie could put her digital piano and her guitars, with comfy music chairs and music stands and all our tour posters (and we have a LOT of those) on the walls...and where I could store my vinyl record collection.

Yeah, I'd blow a whole wad just on that...and spend most of my time in there, I'm sure!

[jmthane.livejournal.com]

Bookshelves, oh Gods yes, bookshelves! One big room full of bookshelves, it'll resemble a branch library (because what I have basically *is* a branch library). But not the whole place - tarsa won't let me do that and besides, I want to set up an area for a recording studio as well. And a *big* open space to let the critters run rampant hold parties. And a kitchen with enough cabinets and counter space, and bathrooms that actually have room in them, and a proper dedicated craft room, and a Craft room as well, and Tarsa wants a wraparound porch (not uncommon in the South, either), and *closets*.

[nimitzbrood.livejournal.com]

How large is your addiction? My wife and I are up to about 2k counting all of the books not just the ones on the shelves.

Thankfully once the garage space is finished all the technical books will go out there and we'll be able to un-tote the rest from the move.

[jmthane.livejournal.com]

Between us, we have well over 2500. Mine is considerably the larger of the two "collections" at approximately 2253.

ETA 400 of those are Doctor Who. (Having noted your comment about the TARDIS interior.)

[nimitzbrood.livejournal.com]

*GRIN*

What's worse is that my wife works for a book distributor. They have a sale every year....25 cents a book....

We usually come home with at least two or three large boxes for about $30 or so. I know we've never spent more than $35.

We keep this up and we _will_ need a Tardis. ;-)

[jmthane.livejournal.com]

Ooo! Lucky you!

[nimitzbrood.livejournal.com]

Oh hell...that's a tough one and I've been considering it for years...

I think it's a toss-up between the current Tardis interior and something like the interior of the Nautilus. That old Victorian brass and steam look.

Failing that it would be the old wizard/alchemist style complete with weathered grey wood on the cabinets and bookshelves.

[jmthane.livejournal.com]

Current TARDIS or the one from the Paul McGann TVM, either one's okay with me. :-)

[jss]

Off the top of my head: Decent size dining room for entertaining. Professional (but not stainless steel, it's a bitch to keep clean) kitchen with all the bells and whistles (double oven, 6-burner stovetop, prep island with sink (with disposal), lots of storage, walk-in pantry, and so on). Master bedroom suite with walk-in closet, and a sunken oversized bathtub in the master bath. A dedicated library (thick carpeting, comfy chairs, and reading lights in the reading area; overtall bookcases with rolling ladder if needed over hardwood floors for the stacks), with at least one section for rare or expensive works (some of my stuff's aging... poorly). Decent but not necessarily top-of-the-line A/V system (my ears aren't good enough for the tip-top stuff). Secret passage between the library and the home office. Enough wireless base stations to provide strong signal and 100% coverage; dedicated T1 line for traffic; dedicated network and systems closet with its own AC, UPSen, and possibly a generator.

Okay, so maybe I thought about this a little bit.

[pjhandley.livejournal.com]

nice...I like your ideas......

[catnip13.livejournal.com]

Yes. That. Especially the kitchen. :)

In the details, I want a chair and a half, an energy efficient hot soaking tub, energy efficient appliances, rain barrels for garden irrigation, solar panels, and for everything to be both beautiful and functional. Lots of old, dark wood, bright, clear pastels on the walls, and plenty of space, ventilation and light, triple pane gas insulated windows, a playroom for my daughter, a skylight in the bathroom, undercabinet task lighting in the kitchen.

[jss]

I suppose I should explicitly call out energy-efficiency for all appliances, solar collectors on the roof, and since we're all money-no-object, a windfarm out in the back acreage somewhere.

I'm not too sure about the skylight though, if only because they're prone to leakage and I've spent too much time in climates where poking holes in the roof isn't a good idea.

One-way glass is a nice idea too. Let me see out, don't let folks see in [unless I want them to? Let's rewrite the laws of physics to allow for optional unidirectional polarity!].

[ionicaq.livejournal.com]

Those are some damn awesome ideas! :D

[pjhandley.livejournal.com]

ok, since we're talking fantasy decorating here? ANTIQUES. a whole house full. with each room themed differently. Everything I've ever wanted to do to a room, and enough rooms to do it with......including a dungeon in the basement.

[fmh.livejournal.com]

I admit my Ideal Space would be a combination Massive Comfortable Library with Dojo/Gym attachment. And guest rooms, many guest rooms, and a kitchen that would easily accommodate a dozen+ people working simultaneously. My living room would be a theater with couches.

[kilbia.livejournal.com]

Hmmm...we're just talking about decorating?

Okay then...definitely more shelving and storage. The carpeted areas of the house would be a medium grey rather than the light beige we have now (should still go with all the other color choices, and would hide dog vomit stains better).

We have a sunken living room, and I'd love to have just one HUGE sectional sofa wrapping its way around. I like the green denim that's on the current couch, so maybe build around that and paint with a green palette. We never use the fireplace 'cause it's gas, so tearing that out and building in more bookshelves would be awesome.

I really like the trick where you run molding about 1/3 to 1/2-way up the wall, and paint the upper half of the wall with a light color and the lower half with a darker color in the same family. I'd probably do that a lot.

I think the bedroom would end up with a bunch of purple linens, but the walls might just stay grey. DH likes grey.

I've kind of skipped over all the stuff like "I want to rip out all the appliances 'cause they're 20 years old" since we are currently renting and thus that really isn't an option.

Hmm...the one thing we could do, though, is take the cotton tapestry off the living room wall and use that space to hang up a bunch of goddess prints we've collected. I may have to propose that soon.

[klangley56.livejournal.com]

To me, the definition of "furniture" *is* bookshelves. :-)

When we moved into our house from an apartment, we brought with us 16 bookcases. Then we went right out and bought 36 more. And since then we've purchased several more.

I'd like to put up all kinds of posters and fan art on the walls, but they're mostly covered with bookcases, so instead I set artwork up on my bookshelves, in front of the books. Plus I have a lot of "portable art"--fan art on mugs that also fit easily on the shelves with the books.

[wildcard9.livejournal.com]

First of all, tons of bookshelves. I have boxes and boxes of books I have no where to unpack them to (although the boxes are marked with their contents so I can find what I need if it is not on the one bookshelf I do have). Secondly, someplace to store/access my comics better. Might as well throw in a good home network for all the PCs I have, spread out over three rooms, and not all of which can talk to each other. I don't decorate, to me what I want to put up so way too personal for others to see, but I would love to be able to put up all the pics that I keep stored away instead of displayed (my condo is for me and me alone, but I do need to let repair people in every so often so I can not display what I want to; and yes, the stuff I have is legal, just too personal for me to want others to see when they have to come into my place).

[unclelumpy.livejournal.com]

I've always told myself that if I ever get, really, my own place to live to decorate however I want, I would wait until Halloween time and buy as much Halloweeny stuff as I could and leave it up all year.

[ravenclaw-eric.livejournal.com]

I'm well along with your line-the-walls-with-bookshelves idea. I'd also want to re-arrange my kitchen. The one I have isn't so good.

[signy1.livejournal.com]

I've been lobbying for murals for some time now. Specifically, I want to cover at least one wall with as accurate a rendition of the Pyramid Texts as I can manage. (I can't read hieroglyphs all that well-- the 'teach yourself' books tend to suck-- but I can copy with the best of 'em.) The rest of the walls, by necessity, will be floor-to-ceiling bookshelves.

For some reason, nobody but me thinks that this would be a good idea.

[archiver-tim.livejournal.com]

I could be very comfortable in the TARDIS of the 7th/8th Doctor. But I would have a much better record player.

[bardicwench.livejournal.com]

OMG, you totally stole my decorating idea.

Except that after I bought all the manga in the world (at least the ones in English) I'd fill the rest of the bookshelves with SF/Fantasy hardcovers.

^_^

[sarekofvulcan.livejournal.com]

Bookshelves work. :-)

And when I win Powerball, I'll probably put in a large order from www.lovesac.com...

But, really, my first priority will be a trip to pick out one of these -- preferably along with a few of its cousins. :-)

("House? What do we need a house for?")

[darthparadox.livejournal.com]

Our new house has a library/game room for which that is the plan. One wall will be lined with bookshelves, the opposite with game shelves. The third wall is mostly windows, and the fourth will have this gorgeous piece (http://www.toddlockwood.com/galleries/new_art/03/war_angels.shtml) surrounded by our sword collection. In the middle, a largish gaming table.

I'm pretty happy with how that'll turn out, actually.

[kkatowll.livejournal.com]

That is seriously the coolest end table I have ever seen in my entire life.
Sadly, I don't have $2,000 to spend on two of them, but man I want 'em!

[catlin.livejournal.com]

Assuming that winning the lottery did not equal immediatly having a house -built- for us? I would get a new couch, and replace the curtains with something fun. I am concidering bright colors, each drape a different primary or secondary color, with a line of shelves one foot down from the cieling. I already have shelves in quite a bit of the room, but that makes a good nick nack shelf as well as books you don't read often space. We had a mouse die in our couch, so we got rid of it. This means we are down to a love seat and my computer chair.

[alverant.livejournal.com]

My current living space fits my needs, not my wants. I'd love to have a larger house either one story or a split level. My living room would be big enough to have a good long dinner table for RPG night and good chairs (I have a long folding table that I have to extend with a table from the basement with folding chairs). I want the walls lined with bookshelves that go from four feet to the ceiling and put couches and chairs in front of them (the lower half of the shelves will be for cables and general storage. It would be big enough to host the local sci-fi cub party (about 2 dozen people).

I would make my place cat friendly and move the liter boxes to better places. I'd want to do what one cat house did and have holes linking rooms and catwalks so everycat can walk freely.

To include my kitchen I'd double my counter space. I got a shelf a few weeks ago that I'm using as a pantry. It's helped clear a lot of space. But I'd like more. Enough so I can have a clear space to work.

For decor, I'd hire a professional. I suck at decorating.

[vixyish.livejournal.com]

Lining the whole fucking place with bookshelves would be tempting. Except I'd fill it with all books I want to read or have read and loved. And I'd leave room for lots and lots of window space, for I am a solar-powered vixy.

Also lots more storage space in general. There never seems to be enough.

Also better outlets and ventilation.

Also some fruit trees in the yard. :)

[wormquartet.livejournal.com]

I should add that Kim claims the next time we move she's gonna decorate at least one room like Disney's "Haunted Mansion" ride.

-=ShoEboX=-

[vettecat.livejournal.com]

We've fantasized about having all book-themed furniture. Like, we've been drooling over this for quite a while... but this or this would be nice, too. Not gonna happen, of course... but it would be nice. (Biblioholics? Who, us?)