The making of a bespoke traditional mahogany library

In a world of Kindles, tablets and digital libraries, there is still something rather special about a magnificent collection of real books.

You walk into a room looking for one particular book and somehow, half an hour later, you’re sitting in a chair reading something completely different.

We were approached by an architect whose client was looking for a bespoke traditional mahogany library, not simply fitted bookcases, but a beautifully crafted interior that would feel as though it had always belonged within the house.

From Site Survey to Detailed Drawings

Our first step was a detailed site survey, every elevation was carefully measured, together with existing architectural profiles such as skirtings and architraves that needed to be replicated and incorporated into the new library.

From these measurements, we produced scaled concept drawings for the architect and client, following a few amendments, these were developed into detailed construction drawings showing every element our cabinetmakers would need, including joints, rebates, mitres, mouldings and individual components.

Only once everything had been agreed did manufacture begin in our Worcestershire workshop.

The Difference is in the Detail

For a commission of this quality, selecting the timber is every bit as important as making the piece.

The mahogany was carefully chosen for each element before being thicknessed, planed and prepared for construction.

The lower cabinet doors were hand veneered in beautiful flame mahogany, book-matched and mirrored to make the natural figuring of the timber part of the design.

There were no shortcuts hidden behind the books either, the backs of the library were traditionally bead detailed rather than simply using flat pre-veneered boards.

The glazed upper doors were made with fine, delicate glazing bars and hand-floated restoration glass, sometimes affectionately known as “wibble glass”. Its subtle imperfections give the reflections and cabinetry a character that perfectly complements the traditional design.

Bespoke cutters were set up for the various plinth and cornice mouldings, ensuring every detail worked together as one complete piece.

Made in our Workshop Before Being Fitted in the Room

Once the individual components were completed, the entire library underwent a dry assembly in our workshop.

This allowed us to bring everything together and check the fit, proportions and detailing before finishing and installation.

The whole piece was then carefully hand sanded through progressively finer grades before being traditionally hand polished, bringing out the warmth and depth of the mahogany and helping give the new cabinetry the character of an established interior.

A Secret Door Hidden Amongst the Books

And then came one of our favourite details.

Hidden amongst the library is a secret door, carefully disguised using faux books so that, when closed, it simply appears to be another shelf within the library.

It’s the sort of detail we love, craftsmanship, problem-solving and just a little bit of fun.