STYLING BOOKCASES 101

I think one of the hardest things for most people to do is style bookcases.  Believe me.....it is a process....and doesn't happen without a lot of thought.

The other day I got a call to help with this very thing and even though these pictures aren't the best....I thought I could use the opportunity to give you a few elementary basics using only what she had.

Here is a picture of what they looked like in the beginning.

We made a date for me to come back and I told her to empty all the shelves and place things that had meaning in a separate area so I would know to use them....

Here is a shot of the beginning.

The hardest part is where to start....

So I started organizing everything...... Similar  colors with the hardbacks and putting paperbacks and accessories in a separate pile.

Kind of like cleaning your desk before you start working.  

Before

Here is the after...

  OK...let's dissect. 

 

Don't be afraid to change the height of shelves.  I added the 2 black and white pictures and tried to build around them.  As you can see towards the end...I ran out of things....but remember I was using only what she had. 

Put the best things at the top and eye level.  You can always fill in lower shelves later.

I asked her for baskets to add texture and it also helped to use the paperbacks turned backwards.  

Before.

After

When you run out of pictures....use books to create the same look.

I used the largest picture on the tallest bookshelf to help create a focal point.

These were the shortest bookshelves under the oval window.

One more time...the before

And the after...

The thing about bookshelves in a library/office is that they should tell a story.  The books you love, the mementos from travels and special moments in your life.  Not everything has to be styled with all trendy objects you go out and buy.  I think you want to walk in...and see something that brings back a memory.

While I was doing them...I stood back many times....took a few pictures so I could see what areas needed tweaking.  As the client said... she now has a blueprint to add more books and change a few things out if she wants.

 Have I given you something to do this weekend?

.....these took me about 2 1/2 hours although I did not have to empty all the shelves!

I tried to get a better picture of the John Robshaw [Kendra] fabric we used for the roman shades in the laundry room for you...when I took back the shortened curtains :)  I do love this fabric.

Shayray...