I knew when I was planning Juliet’s nursery that I wanted a beautiful bookshelf, not only for books but also for display purposes. I loved that idea to make Juliet’s nursery more personal.  I fell in love with this bookshelf from Restoration Hardware but the price was simply ridiculous, so the hunt was on.

I knew I wanted something more than just a plain ole bookshelf.  I wanted something special to it, with some kind of feminine detail that would make it stand out just a little.  One of my nursery inspirations had this white bookshelf, and I loved how large it was and perfect for displaying all the little details that made the room in my opinion.  After some searching around, I found the exact same bookshelf and showed it to Mr. Chocolate, but he felt that the price was still somewhat high, especially when it wasn’t real wood.

Time and time again I found myself looking at those adorable doll house bookshelves because I liked the idea that they could eventually turn into a dollhouse as well, doubling its use and longevity.  I found quite a few examples here, here, and here, but the first two were too expensive and while I was ready to settle on the last one. I felt like it was a little short too.

On a whim one day I asked Mr. Chocolate, who is quite handy, if he could maybe make a bookshelf instead since we couldnt’ find one that suited all our wants. What was a small request turned into a wonderful labor of love and gift for our baby girl.  Mr. Chocolate took to this project in a way I never expected, ordering special trim with detailing on them, buying little windows, and thatched pieces to make the roof.  He would work over the course of two weeks after work and well into the evening long after the children and myself had all gone to bed, hammering away in his workshop.

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When he finally showed me the finished product, I was so amazed and touched by the effort and love that showed in his craftsmanship. All the little details and paint matched what we used on her walls and came together into a gorgeous piece of furniture. To say this has become my favorite piece in Juliet’s nursery is an understatement. More than that I hope that as Juliet grows up, she will always remember that this is the bookcase her father worked on just for her, and maybe one day this can even find its way into her own children’s rooms.