YouTube creators from Nerdforge have designed and constructed a miniature library within their coffee table.
Martina and Hansi, the creators of the popular social channel Nerdforge, have done it again! Known for their creative designs and whimsical touches, the pair is on a self-described “quest” to make everything around them just a little more magical. This time, they set out to transform a coffee table from a regular piece of furniture into a work of art, complete with a miniature library inside, perfect for any book lover’s home.
The Ultimate DIY
This project was 100% DIY. Even the base for the coffee table was designed by Martina and built entirely from scratch. The table itself features ornate carpentry and design made from beech wood and stained to enhance the dark academia aesthetic of the piece. With the help of Hansi, the outside structure of the table was carved and painted to look like antique, leather-bound books.
The Crafting Process
Martina began the project by building the shelves for the library diorama that would eventually go into the center of the table. She spared no detail, enhancing engravings for the custom bookshelves and choosing authentic wood stains for the entire project. Each piece is sealed thoroughly with wax for long-lasting protection.
Building out the frame of the coffee table included custom-ordered legs and framing. Martina and Hansi painstakingly measured each piece of the table and got creative with the jigsaw to create the antique charm for the table. The couple even introduced a brand new woodworking tool for the project — the CNC machine, which was used to build both the structural and aesthetic bookshelf to support the table.
Bookish Whimsy
The miniature library is full of incredible details outside of the floor-to-ceiling bookshelves — an oil painting, a hat rack, and tiny ornaments along the shelves. It even includes a writing desk complete with maps, important papers, and feathered ink pens. It’s easy to speculate what literary hero might live within this study.
The complete project, along with other whimsical designs, can be found on Nerdforge’s YouTube channel. Check out the amazing work below!
Another Tiny Library
If you’re inspired by Nerdforge’s masterclass in detail, you might be interested in another miniature library, created by diorama artist Tomas Mayer. His piece portrays a dusty library, with shelves overflowing with books, scrolls and jars. Much of the project is made from old paper and other trash that Tomas upcycled into pieces for the diorama, like the books and shelf decor. The library is well thought out and even features real-life bookkeeping practices for shelving the books. You can see the entire process and details here.
Join our community of 1.5M readers
Like this story? You'll love our free weekly magazine.
Carley Bishop
Carley is an editorial lifestyle writer and aspiring novelist. She is based in North Carolina where she resides with her husband and their puppy, Daisy, and is a proud graduate of University of South Carolina. Carley is a lifelong bookworm who enjoys reading everything from the classics to modern romances. When she's not reading or writing, she enjoys traveling, getting outside and trying new recipes at home.
