A Library in the Bathroom

[Olive600]

I am spending more and more time imagining how I will live in my tiny RV without giving up the things I like most about my sticks-and-bricks. There are really two things: my art and my books. I don't mean looking at art and reading books. It takes no space to do either. I'm talking about the physical. I love my books as objects and enjoy having them around me. They represent all the victories that have been best and hardest won in my life. I love my art collection because it is a history of the maturing of my imagination, my aesthetic, my self-confidence. Today I think I came up with a solution. The bathroom! I have a wall above the sink and toilet that had a mirror on it. The mirror fell off when I was prepping to paint the walls. There's another mirror on a side wall. What if I make that wall my gallery? I could rig shelves with rods that hold the books in place and hang a selection of my small paintings. I'd much rather look at either than my reflection. What do you think?

**Forgot to say that there's a lot of damage on the wall, so covering it up is a good idea.

Nikki

[Bethers]

As long as you're not talking about lots and lots of books I probably have donated in the thousands of books over the years. I remember taking over 20 boxes to the library once ... and more many times over the years since. Now I only have a couple real books and have learned to like my ereader.

As to art - you can put that all around the rv. I have little things on all my walls. Even have something on one of my cabinet doors, and can't figure out why I haven't added to more of them! Not the same as the art I had in a house, but things that make me happy. And I've learned I can have "little" pieces give me just as much joy as the big stuff I had in a s&b. Most of mine now are pictures, that I've gotten to 4x6 or smaller and put in tiny lightweight "envelopes" and hang.

But if the bathroom is where it works for you, go for it. Make it YOUR home. Just make sure the books are not going to be loose or fall out.

[chalet05]

My first concern would be humidity from the shower?

I just had a chance to look at your remodel - quite the project and lookin' good!

[Olive600]

There are no worries about steam or humidity. My little shower just doesn't have that much oomph. The one time I used it, I sat on the ledge, quickly wet myself down, turned off the water and washed, then quickly rinsed. I also heated up a bowl of water in the microwave so I had some really hot water. Worked well for me. I don't imagine a lot of books. Are 10-20 a lot? They're all paperbacks. 4 rows of 5. Hmmmm....I'm losing interest in this idea. Time to re-imagine. I like the mural in the shower idea I mentioned in the "show off your rigs" thread. Just thinking out loud.

[CricketSail]

Wow, Olive600 couldn't have said that better myself. Books and art are very personal, they are part of my life as I've collected them over the years. I have a lot of art books, cookbooks, big hardcovers. I've seen examples where they were piled, arranged to make temporary furniture, and I'm giving that some thought. I will be able to part with them along the way, but one of my RV goals is to have the time to spend with them before letting go. Life has been to hectic up to now, I'm really looking for a lifestyle change that revolves around my dogs, my books, crafts and meeting people. I've found my books, dogs, etc can be ice breakers to help connect with people quickly and I love that.

[Olive600]

Thanks, Cricket. I have no idea how all this will turn out, but I think it's important to ask myself all the questions and think out loud. For some, picking up the RV lifestyle is pretty straight forward: buy it, stock it, drive it. My neighbor is like that. For those of us who are more uhm...cerebral? imaginative? introverted? scardeypants?, it's a richer transition. At least that's my experience.

Nikki

[mitch5252]

...For those of us who are more uhm...cerebral? imaginative? introverted? scardeypants?, it's a richer transition. At least that's my experience.

Nikki

How very poetic you are!
I love this phrase that just rolled off your fingers.
I just call myself anal.
(woman of few words, I guess...)

..