Transforming an awkward alcove
Lucy’s living room needed extra storage, and as an avid book lover, she wanted to give her collection a dedicated space where they could be neatly organised. Her chimney breast alcove was the ideal spot to add in some fitted shelving.
Working together with our team at Sharps, we helped her to design made-to-measure storage that offered plenty of extra space, with a style that blends beautifully with her contemporary interior design.
| Range | Colour | Room | Solution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shaker | 
Midnight Blue
| Living Room | Alcoves |
Lucy's Design Expert Says:
“Alcoves are a common feature in older properties and have so much storage potential. We were thrilled to make Lucy’s dream of a bespoke bookcase come to life and her choice of Midnight Blue really gives the space a contemporary feel.
With fitted storage you get that millimetre perfect fit. We carefully scribed around the feature panelling on her wall and brought her storage right up to the ceiling despite it not being completely level. Built-in lighting completes the look and calls attention to all her favourite décor.”
Peek at Perfection
“The quality and finish are exactly what you would expect of this brand. All staff have been reliable and communicative from the beginning and created an enjoyable, exciting experience… We will definitely use Sharps again for future fitted furniture in our home. Thank you, Sharps!”Lucy
CREATE THE LOOK
Lily Handles
Our delicately designed Lily handles in Chrome add a shimmering touch to Lucy’s bookcase.
Built-in Lighting
Built-in bookshelf lighting allows Lucy to showcase her finest decor and give it extra emphasis.
Cupboard Storage
For anything you don’t want on show, low-height cupboard storage neatly hides it all away.
Midnight Blue
This statement colour is the ideal complement to Lucy’s contemporary living room design.
Q&A Lucy Says:
How did you find Sharps?
I have always known about Sharps as a high quality fitted furniture brand – I’ve seen their adverts on TV. When we wanted a fitted, floor-to-ceiling bookcase I immediately enquired with Sharps as I knew I wanted a piece of furniture that was reliable and would last for a long time.
Why did you choose Sharps?
Given the reputation of the brand and knowing the quality, I felt it was worth getting a free design visit to see what the cost of the bookcase could be. I also felt confident that Sharps would provide the full service from the design, survey, and fitting - which made the process much less stressful for me!
Tell us about your design visit?
Our design visit was really enjoyable and relaxing! The designer was creative and very knowledgeable; she gave us recommendations on what would work best for the space we had but also tried her best to get us the best value for money – we were not oversold at all! We got to see real examples of the furniture colours and styles available, including multiple options for handles. This made the selection process much easier as we were able to see what styles worked best in our room. We were also pleased to see that downward lights could be built into the top shelf of the bookcase. These are controlled by a remote, are dimmable and add a great ambiance to the room!
What was the main issue that you were trying to solve with Sharps fitted furniture?
I have a lot of books in my collection and my partner has a lot of video games. I have always dreamed of a floor-to-ceiling bookcase wall, like the kind you see in old libraries! We had a large space in our living room that was perfect for this. We also needed some cupboard space to hide away files and folders.
Were there any awkward spaces in your room?
Initially, we didn’t think there were any problematic spaces. However, when the surveyor came to measure the walls for exact dimensions (because the furniture is made to fit exactly in your space) he found that the chimney breast in our 1930s semi-detached house was slanted and the ceiling dipped ever so slightly in the middle. This is not visible to the naked eye and is, apparently, very common in older houses!
Tell us about your fitting experience?
We were able to delay the fitting process a few months so we could fit it into our schedule at the most convenient time! Sharps were very accommodating and it was extremely easy to delay the date. When the fitter did arrive, he was very friendly and professional. He covered the floor whilst he was working and it took him 1 ½ days to complete the bookcase. He tidied up after himself and hid our Wi-Fi and TV wires neatly inside the cupboards. When leaving, he even took a picture of where he had to cut the wood to fit the dip in the ceiling; he was understandably proud of his work! The bookcase now fits flush against the walls and ceiling on all sides.
How would you describe your interior style and how does your finished design reflect this?
I like rich colours that add depth and warmth to a room, whilst also keeping the space clean and uncluttered. I am not a huge fan of the “all white everything” or beige-ness trends, so the Midnight Blue colour attracted me instantly! The shade perfectly matches our navy, velvet sofa and complements the mustard yellow accents in the room. Strangely, having the dark blue bookcase actually makes the ceiling seem taller and the room larger!
What do you love most about your Sharps furniture?
The bookcase is a real showstopper and talking point as soon as you enter the room. The design is sleek and utilises the space perfectly!
What is your favourite part of your fitted furniture?
It’s hard to choose just one part, but probably the downward, dimmable lights on the top shelf because they really add to the warm atmosphere in the room; we now never have to use the “big light”, which I hate!
What are you most looking forward to making beautifully organised?
My books are now organised into categories from subject knowledge of my English degree, to literature classics, to fun, easy reads and my all-time favourites. Plus, my partner gets to display his extensive collection of video games pride of place! They are all no longer double stacked on rickety, temporary shelves.
Why would you recommend Sharps?
The quality and finish are exactly what you would expect of this brand. All staff have been reliable and communicative from the beginning and created an enjoyable, exciting experience. We really felt our money was in good hands! We will definitely use Sharps again for future fitted furniture in our home. Thank you, Sharps!
Looking for more inspiration? Andrew’s fitted storage is a book lover’s dream
In their beautiful 1950s house, Andrew and his partner needed somewhere to display their huge collection of books.
They got in touch with Sharps to create a bespoke floor-to-ceiling bookcase for their bedroom, and were so pleased with the results, they decided to add more storage to their living spaces!
