How to Make Those Bookshelves Sing!

Hello Friends!

The other day we were looking at a picture

of my friend's fireplace/library room ...

Well, here's another shot of the same room,

different angle ... the bookcases.

Don't you just love the rug in this space?

LOVE it :O)  The colors are brilliant.

She has managed to follow these

colors into the rest of the house.

And that leather sofa ... makes you

want to curl up with a book and melt the day

away in a juicy story.

These were some of the suggestions I had for
her bookshelves ...

1. incorporate the mantle clock

on one of the shelves

2. remove the 2 small framed pieces on left of unit

(this will clean up the large frame the bookshelves give

to the wall they reside on)

 3. arrange a series of framed pieces (photos or artwork)

along the top of the book case

4. create arrangements on bookshelves that zig-zag your eye

throughout the shelving (see tips listed below)

5. update pillows on leather sofa that will contrast

with the warm, yummy hues of the leather

6. the basket left of the unit on the floor -- update

with a larger one ... deep in color and rich

in texture

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Okay!  Let's get started, shall we?  :O) 

When I saw this picture in my latest Pottery Barn

issue ... I immediately called my friend and shared

the layout with her.

(ignore the fact that it is a media center ... these

concepts the designer has used can be adapted to

the bookshelves we're reviving)

The pictures along the top draw the eye upward ...

and give continuity to the looooong stretch

overhead.

Also notice how they stacked books vertically and horizontally.

Remove brightly colored jackets from hardbound books ...

the neutral colors underneath will blend nicely together and give

it a vintage-bookcase look.

Add metal (photo clip and wire baskets) textures, 

wooden textures (baskets and keepsake boxes), and

pottery (notice the white crock) 

to your collection.

Adding a small plant also gives an element of softness.

Again, baskets (woven or wire) can be a great way

to organize children books on the lower shelves.

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Here's another one from Pottery Barn.

Want to achieve this on your own bookshelves?

Here are some easy tips to create a bookshelf

piece of art ...

1. the basic rule is the rule of thirds:

1/3 books

1/3 accessories

1/3 empty space

2. work from the left to the right on the first shelf

and right to left on the next ... this will help achieve balance

and keep the viewer's eyes flowing in a zig-zag pattern :O)

3. if you have high books on the left side of one shelf, you don't

want the same type of books and space on the next shelf

4. do not line up books like a library ... try lying a pile of books

on their side and use them as a bookend or to lift up an accessory

5. when choosing accessories, think color.  some colors will better

enhance your books, or the the room as a whole

6. include free space ... the viewer will be able to rest their eyes ...

if you overcrowd a bookcase, it will look messy

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Here are some fun accessories for the room ...

I found this @ CrateandBarrel.com!

It would create 

height in that 

corner and the 

red berries 

would sing with 

that  beautiful 

area rug!

Speaking of the colors in the rug ...

These pillows come from the Pottery Barn collection ...

I see some of the beautiful colors in her area rug that

would "pop" nicely along that leather sofa :O)

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But if she's seeking more of a neutral pallet with
a mono-chromatic feel ... the classics below are
the answer :O)

crocheted pillows from PB ...

The texture of these beauties partnered with the buttery
hues of the leather 
would make a wonderful marriage!

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And for frames ... as long as all the frames are the

same medium ... same size ... with same matting ...

skies are the limit ... BUT these are gorgeous options below.

They are made of a rustic wood (of course found at PB)

and would contrast nicely with her neutral wall color.

The wood tones mixed with the other textures and tones

in the room would blend nicely.

Again, whatever you choose to do ... make it consistent ...

the artwork will stand out more and your eye will

be drawn to the continuity of the whole picture not

just the individuals.

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Happy Decorating My Friend!