When your space houses relics that may be centuries old – like rare manuscripts or antique volumes – it deserves custom millwork as enduring as the stories within. That’s exactly the vision we brought to Bauman Rare Books, the famed Upper East Side bookstore that needed more than shelving. They needed craftsmanship that honors heritage, evokes the warmth of wood, and complements the elegance of their collection.
At New York Custom Interior Millwork (NYCIM), we understand heritage projects require more than fabrication; they require reverence. And when we were asked to design and build custom millwork for Bauman Rare Books, we embraced both precision and purpose.
In a space where form must conceal function, and every line whispers respect, we delivered woodwork that feels as timeless as the books themselves.
Preserving an Iconic Bookstore for the Next Chapter
Bauman Rare Books is more than a bookstore – it’s a Manhattan landmark whose walls have witnessed nearly a century of literary history. When the team decided to open a Madison Avenue gallery, they needed woodworking that complemented original mahogany cases, antique signage, and the patina of old-world elegance.
Our mission was threefold: restore, refresh, and respect. We sourced premium hardwoods, matched historic finishes, and worked with antique signage, giving it renewed purpose without erasing its past.
Furniture and Fixtures That Connect Time
The pièce de résistance of this project is undoubtedly the beautifully restored, glass-front mahogany bookcase that now occupies a prominent wall in their gallery space. Every shelf was carefully leveled, the door frames reconditioned, and hidden joins sculpted so that each vertical and horizontal grain aligns perfectly. The finish – a deep, oil-based lacquer – brings out the warmth of the wood without overpowering the room’s natural light.
Across the gallery stands a custom-made desk, purpose-built for the reception area. Designed to echo the original shop’s counters and signage, it’s crafted from the same hardwood species. Every drawer dovetailed, every corner eased, the desk is built to function – and to fascinate – for a lifetime.
Antique Signs Reimagined for a New Era
Bauman’s reputation doesn’t come just from its curated collection – it comes from its character. That character is in the patina of the signs, the wear on the wood floors, and the warmth of a handwritten bookplate. When the gallery needed a reception sign, they turned to us to restore and reconfigure the antique sign from their original shop.
Our team took care to preserve ancient paint lines, crisp gilding, and iron hardware. When it returned as part of the new millwork, the sign looked like a family heirloom – because it is. It showcases the bookstore’s evolution from East 58th Street to Madison Avenue, carrying its legacy into the future.
Custom Millwork: A Canvas for Every Story
At NYCIM, we see commercial millwork as more than wood and joints – it’s an extension of your brand. A rarity shop needs wood that speaks softly, like the leather bindings lining its shelves. A gallery needs balance – heritage that doesn’t feel dated. We delivered that in every aspect.
Every edge is eased to invite touch, every transition hidden to avoid distraction. Lighting coves are tucked behind wood panels to highlight books rather than fixtures. Cabinets open quietly with concealed hinges. The milling aligns with architectural shafts overhead, uniting floor to ceiling in elegant continuity.
It isn’t just shelf space – it’s a curated experience from entryway to checkout.
Masterful Craftsmanship Installed Flawlessly
The hallmark of high-end millwork isn’t how it looks – it’s how it fits. We managed every stage in-house – from design and shop drawings to sourcing exotic hardwoods and machining them on our CNC equipment. Our finishers personally blended lacquer to match the store’s historical palette. Then our installation team – led by craftsmen and logistics pros – installed it quietly and accurately, minimizing disruption to gallery operations.
The result is millimetric precision that feels natural, organic – a nod to Bauman’s meticulous attention to detail, mirrored in our own approach.
The NYCIM Difference
Rare books require rare millwork. Our portfolio includes high-end custom shelving, built-in cabinetry, and architectural programming for clients throughout Manhattan and beyond: restaurants, luxury retail stores, private libraries, museums, offices, and residential spaces that demand refinement.
What makes us stand out?
Personalized design and sample boards that honor your vision
Shop drawings and engineering specs to avoid surprises
Hand-selected hardwoods like mahogany, white oak, and walnut
Traditional craftsmanship and modern CNC accuracy
On-site finishing and rigorous quality checks
Discreet, on-time installation in occupied spaces
We don’t just deliver cabinets – we deliver legacy.
What Comes Next?
For Bauman Rare Books, our woodwork now supports centuries of stories, silent and open. It fits Belstaff jackets and beaded 1920s linen alike. It is both sturdy and sincere. It invites pause before a new brochure or a century-old manuscript.
If you’re planning a space that echoes tradition and stands the test of time – bookstores, private collections, executive offices, custom libraries – bring NYCIM on board. We’ll help you choose your wood, refine your finishes, and plan your gallery so that your own story stands on display.
A story worth preserving deserves millwork built to last.
Reach out today to discuss your project:
Call: (718) 392-1600
Email: liz@nycmillwork.com
Explore our work at: nycmillwork.com
Your space deserves context. Your brand deserves character. Let’s build it together.
