Bespoke Home Library & Study in Lexden

Project Overview

Location: Lexden, Colchester
Project Type: Home Library with Integrated Workspace
Design Style: Contemporary Classic with Traditional Joinery
Timeline: 10 Weeks
Challenge: Maximising vertical storage whilst creating an elegant, functional library space with safe upper-level access

The Vision

Our client approached Spires Interiors with a dream of transforming an underutilised room into a comprehensive home library. They wanted to house their extensive book collection in a sophisticated space that would serve as both a library and a productive home office. The room’s high ceilings and beautiful arched window presented both an opportunity and a challenge – how to maximise storage height whilst maintaining the room’s elegant character.

Design Challenge & Solution

Maximising Vertical Space

The room’s impressive ceiling height meant traditional shelving would leave valuable storage space unused. We designed a floor-to-ceiling shelving system that spans the full height of the room, creating storage capacity for hundreds of books whilst making a dramatic visual statement.

Safe Upper-Level Access

With shelving extending to ceiling height, accessibility was crucial. We designed and installed a custom rolling ladder system featuring:

Smooth-gliding hardware for effortless movement along the entire wall
Black powder-coated mounting system that provides both safety and contemporary contrast
Professional installation ensuring stability and long-term reliability

Two-Tone Aesthetic Excellence

To create visual interest and depth, we developed a sophisticated two-tone design:

Upper Shelving: Natural oak showcasing the timber’s beautiful grain
Lower Cabinetry: Hand-painted sage green with decorative radiator cover panel inserts
Integrated Workspace: Matching desk area with coordinated cabinetry and storage

The sage green cabinetry grounds the design, whilst the natural oak shelving draws the eye upward, emphasising the room’s impressive height.

Bespoke Joinery & Craftsmanship

Every element was custom-built to suit the room’s unique dimensions and the client’s specific requirements:

Multiple shelf depths to accommodate various book sizes and decorative items
Careful integration around the distinctive arched window feature
Built-in desk with ergonomic proportions
Drawer and cupboard storage for office essentials
Seamless joins and professional finishing throughout

The Result

The finished library perfectly balances beauty with functionality. The floor-to-ceiling oak shelving creates a stunning focal point, whilst the rolling ladder adds both practical access and architectural interest. The integrated workspace provides a productive environment surrounded by books, creating the ultimate space for reading, working, and relaxation.

The sage green cabinetry with decorative panels adds textural interest and a touch of traditional craftsmanship, whilst the natural oak maintains a sense of warmth and timelessness.

What Made This Project Special

Architectural Integration: Successfully working with the room’s existing features, particularly the beautiful arched window, to create a cohesive design that feels original to the space.

Custom Ladder System: Designing, creating, and installing the perfect rolling ladder with hardware that combines safety, functionality, and aesthetic appeal.

Space Transformation: Converting an ordinary room into a magazine-worthy library that has become the heart of the home and a true showpiece.

Attention to Detail: From the proportions of the shelving to the placement of the ladder rail, every decision was made with both beauty and practicality in mind.

Services Provided

Bespoke interior design consultation
Custom joinery design and manufacture
Floor-to-ceiling shelving system
Rolling ladder design, manufacture, and installation
Hand-painted cabinetry with decorative panels
Integrated workspace design
Project management and coordination
Specialist craftsman installation

Why Choose Spires Interiors for Your Home Library Project?

Passionate Craftsmanship: A team genuinely passionate about creating exceptional bespoke joinery
Attention to Detail: Meticulous focus on every element, from timber selection to hardware placement
Honest Service: Transparent communication and out-and-out honesty throughout the process
Space Maximisation: Expert design that makes the most of every inch
Quality Materials: Premium oak, professional finishes, and reliable hardware
Timeless Design: Creating libraries that will remain beautiful and functional for generations

Client Q & A:

Q: What made you choose a local family run company rather than looking at the bigger companies.

A: We just prefer to use a local, small business with established reputation. We sort of use the internet just to look for some joinery firms, and yours being very local and having the benefit of having a showroom that we could visit. We were very impressed when we went there and saw the quality of the product, and meeting Claude for the first time, he was very welcoming and willing just to give us some time to give us his thoughts on what you could do. So we went from there.

We also believe that you do tend to get a better service from small local company than a national company. With big firms, you just don’t know if they’re gonna contract everything out anyway. So you don’t really know what sort of team you’re going to get to do the design and build.

Q: How was the installation process and your daily life? Did we minimise the disruption?

A: Absolutely, because you know, Will was working in that room, and he just shut the door and got on with it and he was he was brilliant, couldn’t have been any better.

Because the initial measurement taking was obviously very accurate, it meant that everything was built in the workshop and then you were just able to come, and do the installation without having to amend stuff on-site.

Q: The quality of the craftmanship, how would you rate that?

A: Excellent, first class No, no issues at all.

Q: Would you recommend Spires Interiors to anyone having joinery work?

A: Yeah, of course without any reservation. It’s safe to say, if we had a project in mind we’d definitely comeback.

Q: How would you sum up the experience with Spires Interiors?

A: You understood our brief exactly. And designed to it, we had plenty of choice in things like final colour, and even choice of handles all those little details, everything was done the way we like it. You were really flexible about putting things off until we came back from a planned break, and that was important to us as well. There’s nothing we can fault, everybody involved was good, and professional, but approachable, they knew what they were doing, and they just got one, did it. And that’s all you can ask.

Another bit of detailing, with our radiators in there, behind the box work – Claude had allowed for perforated panels. But then online, we just discovered a particular design that we liked, so he made sure to get that ordered, and got it cut and adapted and then sprayed to match, giving us the exact look we wanted.

Will even made the ladder, how amazing is that, it’s brilliant!

Ready to Create Your Dream Library?

Whether you’re looking to house an extensive book collection, create a sophisticated home office, or transform a room into something truly special, Spires Interiors can bring your vision to life.