Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Bookshelves 101...


We all have bookshelves. Some are formal and built in others movable & modern and sometimes they are antique and funky. No matter the style how you treat each shelf individually and as a whole can and will make all the difference.

I personally am a fan of rooms that have a "Library" feel to them. I think a bookcase is a great medium for displaying not only your favorite books but also your most treasured objects. As kids growing up it was popular for the folks and grandparents to display their favorite objects in Curio Cabinets. This trend has been replaced with the Bookshelf/Display area as a combined concept.

Think about the possibilities, whole shelves devoted to a favorite place, like Paris or New York. Shelves with all the old classics stacked by color and size with a few photos of ancient relatives to round out the feel of history.
Thematic display whether by color or subject is the key. Everything is possible.



I recently redid some shelves in a home office. We worked hard at de-cluttering and displaying in a thematic matter. We even hung a few interesting items on the outside of the shelves adding a dimension that is interesting and a surprise all at the same time. Notice this, they look tidy and professional yet reflect the personality of the person who occupies this space.


Do not be afraid to really personalize and have fun. However to pull this eclectic look off you MUST be organized, and forever tidy. Otherwise your shelves can look, well, a bit crazy. Have fun, be inspired and make some sense of the shelves you have with a personal touch!

No comments: