Books in the console table 2.0

Maybe I was a little naïve in thinking Elise wouldn't bother my book arrangement. Maybe it was just wishful thinking. Either way, it wasn't long before she discovered how to push the books and make them fall behind the stacks, which were pulled forward to be even with the front of the shelf.

Now smarter and thinking harder (not really that much harder), I doubled up some of the stacks with smaller books in back (so they cannot be shoved backward) and pushed the ones near the top back to the wall.

I also made everything fit really tightly which seems to deter her for the most part. There's only one semi-weak spot in this arrangement, and really, it's not attractive enough for her to put forth the effort to pull everything down.

So maybe I will declare success?

Two problems, one solution: a place for books

First problem: This console table in our living room was looking a little barren. Everything on the lower shelf had been emptied by Elise and she had been climbing into the table, yanking on the lamp wire. Not good.

Second problem: Nowhere to put a collection of books that were previously in our future playroom.

Solution: Make the console table function as a bookcase.

Before

The table was the first piece of furniture I bought on my own, but I have little attachment to it. After a cursory online search for a short squatty bookcase to replace it, I realized I wasn't willing to pay several hundred dollars for something decent.

I am happy to report the table has been made super heavy by the weight of the books and cannot be pushed around by a busy toddler. So far Elise has only bothered it a little, but I'm hopeful she can be trained to ignore it.

To those who may pose that some of these books are inaccessible, I will suggest that they would be even more inaccessible packed away in cardboard boxes. At least here they are in view in our living space and in an artful presentation.