4 Tips for Organizing and Styling a Bookshelf

One great feature in our apartment is a huge built-in bookshelf in the living room.  I was overjoyed to have it...and then totally freaked out.  Let's face it:  Bookshelves are pretty intimidating!  If you're like me, you know a good bookshelf when you see it.  But to actually start from scratch and style a good bookshelf myself?  Where do I even begin??

 

{ Too embarrassed to show you a full photo of my *real* bookshelves. Too many toddler toys and fingerprints everywhere.  Maybe I'll get up the courage in my next post.  This one via Pinterest }

Like any intimidating project, I've learned that successfully styling a bookshelf starts with a few simple guidelines. Here are some pointers that the experts talk about time and again:


1. Mix it up!
A mistake I see a lot - all of your books do not need to be lined up, sitting perfectly straight and vertical. In fact, it's so much better to break everything up - some books placed vertically, some laying horizontally.  And even better to stick a small bowl, picture frame or piece of pottery on top of the stack.  Some examples of "mixing it up", done right:

{ via CocoKelley }

{ Via Pinterest }

{ via Emily Clark }

{ via Caitlin Creer }

{via onekingslane.com }

Here's my own attempt at placing some books horizontally, with a bowl placed on top:

Okay, not perfect, but nicer than a shelf jam-packed with books, don't you think?

2.   White space is a good thing.
So many of us think we need to fill up every square inch of a bookshelf.  It's something almost all of us do!  But in fact, occasional empty space is pleasing to the eye. 

Once I learned this, I removed a ton of books and *stuff* - and it really created some breathing room: 

Above you'll see that only a few books line this one shelf, stopped by a decorative bookend that I found at TJ Maxx.  The rest of the shelf holds two framed photos.  Ahhh, space...

Here are some other examples below!  Below, I love that the top shelves only hold red pieces of pottery. Such nice breathing space:

{ via DesiretoInspire.net }

These shelves are like art installations:

{ via apartmenttherapy.com }

{ via hookedonhouses.net }

Ahhh, space! 

{ via amberinteriordesign.blogspot.com }

3. Symmetry is the name of the game.
Your eye really does like to see symmetry!  It makes all the difference.  Here's a great example below - books lined up according to height (in descending order from left to right), and stark blue vases perched on top.  So calming and balanced!

{ via Caitlin Creer } 

The gold-framed prints in the picture below give the eye something to bounce off of - creating a pleasing equilibrium:

{ via atlantahomesmag.com }

How adorable is this vignette below?  In the living room of Michelle Adams, of Domino and Lonny.mag fame.  Everything counterbalanced to create a great symmetrical effect:

{ via Pinterest }

4. Keep it Interesting.
This last guideline is not a "must have" but a "nice to have".  Painting the back of your bookshelves really makes the books and art on your shelves pop. 

{ via Pinterest }

Just love designer Emily Clark - she recently finished her home office (see below), and see how she painted the backs of the bookshelves a charcoal color?  Can you imagine if it were just white?  That charcoal grey really adds a depth and interest to the room!

{ via Emily Clark }

Another Emily Clark shot, love that red:

{ via Emily Clark }

Even more fun, you could wallpaper the back of your bookshelves.  Isn't this picture below just great?  I've also heard of people using fabric and even fun paper or gift wrap.  Even renters like myself could use gift wrap as it wouldn't be hard to remove in the future! 

{via Caitlin Creer }

I hope these tips were useful and that you are inspired to get styling this coming weekend!  I'm certainly getting inspired to make some changes...

Till next time ~

Sucker for the Center Hall Colonial

"Forget the apartment; all I want in life is a colonial style house."  I read that on Pinterest today and laughed out loud. It's a funny and bold comment, but wow did it also really resonate with me. I swear I can't get the Center Hall Colonial out of my mind!

My husband and I have started looking to move outside of the city (growing family = growing space needs!), and I already know what I want. It looks something like this: 

{ via Pinterest; this house is in Cambridge, Mass }

Of course, given our budget, most of the houses I've seen in the 'burbs actually look more like this:

*sigh* what's a girl to do?  Well, it can't hurt to dream... 

{ Via Pretty Pink Tulips }

This is the Father of the Bride house, posted below!

{via The Enchanted Home }

 

 

{ via Pretty Pink Tulips }

{ Via Pinterest }

 { via Crisp Architects; awesome blogger Home Bunch did a whole post on these architects }

Gee, looking at this collection of houses I've brought together, seems like there's a pretty strong theme here.  Can you say WHITE HOUSE and BLACK SHUTTERS?  Funny how we always go back to the same elements again and again.  That must explain why I also have thirteen lipglosses that are basically ALL the same shade.  Once you like something, it's hard to shake! 

Now, all I have to do is find that Center Hall Colonial (or something like it?) with our name on it. 

http://pinterest.com/lorri_elder/sucker-for-the-center-hall-colonial/

3 Unexpected Places to Find Throw Pillows

Are you afraid of injecting color into your home?  Don't worry, it's very common!  Choosing colors can feel intimidating, and also permanent (if we're talking wall color, for instance).

One easy (and cheap!) way to bring some color into your living room or bedroom is through decorative throw pillows.  And it's very little commitment.  But I just hate it when I see these gorgeous throw pillows with a WOW-za price tag to match.  I mean, some of these pillows are $300 each, and who gets just one throw pillow?  You really do need three or four or more to complete a look. 

Here are three unexpected online sources where you can find some crazy good deals and fabulous styles. 

1)    www.etsy.com

 Okay, many of you may already know that this is a great place to find adorable decorative pillows.  But I have to admit, I'm a newcomer!  I love that these are handmade by one person, sewing his or her little heart out.  And the prices are so reasonable.  All of these pillows below are less than $50 each.

{ Tootledoo Designs via Etsy }

{ Wilma Long via Etsy }

{ Festive Home Decor via Etsy }

{ Chic Decor Pillows via Etsy }

2)  www.Overstock.com

You definitely have to dig, but Overstock.com is a great place to find some super interesting and inexpensive throw pillows.  Who knew?

{ Decorative Linen Pillows via Overstock }

{ Moments Charcoal Grey via Overstock }

 

{ Malibu Blue via Overstock }

{ Africa Zig Zag Pillow via Overstock }

{ Home Garden Paisley via Overstock }

3)  www.Amazon.com

Yes, that's right - Amazon.com proves yet again that it's the place you can buy absolutely *everything*.  As an urban working mom, I swear I am single-handedly keeping Amazon.com in business (I buy everything from diapers to water filters on this site!).  But only recently did it occur to me to look at Amazon's home decor offerings.  There are some real gems if you are willing to dig.  And the prices simply can't be beat. 

{ Nena Von via Amazon.com }

{ Orange Creamsicle via Amazon.com }

{ Lucca Pillow via Amazon.com }

{ Black Trellis via Amazon.com }

{ Gemini Pillow via Amazon.com }

There are so many more to choose from, but I'll stop there.  Are there any unexpected places you've found stylish, inexpensive throw pillows?  Do tell!

For Sale! The House Next Door

New York is a funny place.  How many other normal, god honest down-to-earth people can say that the house across the street from them just went on the market ... for $25 million?  Yes!  You read that correctly!   


I live in a large, "normal person's" apartment building, and just across the street is a series of three townhomes, one of which was just put up for sale (that red one on the corner).  I have a clear view of it from my apartment, and I often wonder about its history.

{ Here's Charlie, spying on our neighbors from the living room...}

As long as I've lived across the street from this place (almost five years), I've never seen the lights on - it has obviously stood vacant for a long long time. It's strange and creepy in a delicious sort of way. 

Now, I know New York is a unique place, and I guess there is something special about living in your own house right on Central Park.  But you tell me... is it worth it?  Here are some internal pics of the place:

{ all photos via Brown Harris Stevens }



Now, don't get me wrong - I love living in New York!  But let's just say if I had $25 million to pony up for a residence, I might go for something that looks a little more like this...

 
{ Park City, Utah }

Can we please just take a moment to pause and observe that the kitchen opens right onto that glorious water and beyond?  Makes my heart stop.Why, hello mountain!Here's another one on the market, this time in Southhampton, NY.  Anyone a fan of the TV show Revenge?  This house reminds me so much of the Grayson's mansion.

Gee, if you had $25 million to burn, you could buy this incredible home in Santa Barbara (on the market for $22 million) and still have $3 million left over!!  I guess you need to furnish the place, right?

 { all images via Sotheby's }

To be fair, if the city's your thing and money is no object, then a townhouse in the middle of Manhattan might be just what you're looking for.  But I think my own personal "money is no object" home fantasy involves a slower pace, peace and quiet, and beautiful natural surroundings... hmmm, maybe it's time to move out of the city! 

Hope you were able to get carried away a little with me on this "Fantasy Friday" ...  Have a terrific weekend!