Accessorizing A Bookcase

I recently did a post here, where I talked about a custom bookcase my client had done and how we recently accessorized it.  When I am working on a bookcase, I like to have a good amount of accessories to add to the shelves so that it is not all books on any one shelf.  There is always {at least} one accessory mingled in with the books on each shelf.

Country Living

Sometimes it might help if you view each shelf as a tabletop and work on one shelf at a time.  I usually do a little bit at a time; adding a few books then an accessory or two, then step back and look at it. 

Ballard Design

I also like to leave some room for any additional books or accessories you may bring in as time goes on.   Besides books, some things I like to add are greenery {real or faux, but not a bad looking faux}, a decorative box, pictures of family and favorite images, jars, spheres, statues and so many other options. 

My client

I also like to vary my heights and widths as each shelf may differ in height.  This allows for some interest in the lines of the bookcase as you look from top to bottom and side to side.

My client

When bringing a bookcase into a room, you should take into consideration the size of the room to the size of the piece; how many books you have; will it work for you now and in the future.  You don't have to be an avid book reader to have a bookcase either.

Unknown source

Accessorizing a bookcase doesn't have to be a daunting task, nor does it have to be a boring view with shelf after shelf of just books.  Sometimes a bookcase may be the focal point in a room so you'll want to make it visually appealing.

Bookcases are something you can add to over time, so not every area of the shelves have to be filled in right away.  I hope some of these tips and pictures have given you some inspiration {or courage, as the case may be} to tackle your own bookcases!

Balancing Act

Today I'd like to share the living room of a client I have been working with.  They are a lovely young family who had moved to a new and larger home.  When I came into the project, the client already had furnishings in the rooms; either new or existing from their previous home.  We decided to tackle the living room, dining room and entry first.  Today I'd like to share a portion of the living room with you.

Here is a "before" picture of the living room as it appeared when I first visited.  Accessories and wall decor have since been added.  The items in the picture above I had just brought in when I realized I didn't have a "before" picture of this corner, so imagine them not there.

Everything looks very nice and the furniture is new.  There are two large openings {from the entry and also between the dining room} in this room, as well as two walls of windows.   Not a lot of solid wall to work with.  The client was not sure what to do in here, but knew she did not spend a lot of time in the room and wanted to change that. 

The pictures above show what I suggested to the client on the design board, as far as corner bookshelves and an accent chair for the wall across from the seating, as there was nothing on this side of the room.   It seemed a little "heavy" on one side due to the furniture and window treatments. 

Here are some "after" shots of this corner.  {I do need to get some shots of the room in its entirety}.

I added some accessories {below} and I'll be bringing over some of my "donate" books to fill some space for now.  The client will be looking to get some books to fill it with.



Here it is with the accent chair.  I chose a leggy chair so that it does not visually take up space, yet it does allow you to sit and be a part of the conversation area or find the book you are looking for on the bookshelves.

This custom piece was done fairly recently as you can see the shims are still in place and I set the shelves up when I arrived.  Some books and a few more accessories and this spot will be done.  I suggest leaving some space available for new books that come along or new accessories you want to add.  The client just loves it and has spent more time in this room just looking at the bookshelves than she did before they were even there! 

Sometimes people are intimidated by accessorizing.  I'm planning a future post where I will talk about accessorizing bookshelves, using these as an example.

Linking up with:

Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps On The Porch

Vignette Friday at Color Outside The Lines

On Display {Apothecary Jars}

What is it about apothecary jars? Is it that they are glass and you can see what's inside? Is it the variety of shapes and sizes? Is it the items inside ~ the colors, the shapes? I'm not really sure what the appeal is, but apothecary jars are all over in home decor!

They can be used to hold anything from candy to soap, and who knew detergent could look so good!

Hampton Design

Pleasures of Home Making blog

I have found mine at Home Goods and Michaels, but there are so many stores that have them ~ Pottery Barn, JC Penney, Target, and Walmart to name a few.

My Desert Cottage blog

Amazon.com

Romantic Homes

Just when I thought I was done with this post, I found these:

Dining Delight blog

Sarah at Thrifty Decor Chick

I use them when decorating in clients' homes, home staging and in my own home. Here are a few I have on display at the moment. This one below is in my master bathroom. I used everything except the plastic holder that came with a package of egg soaps ~ right down to the ribbon fastened around the apothecary's lid.

Here's another set waiting for a similar jar to the one above {just a tad bit smaller} that I just washed out. If you are interested they are available from The Feathered Nest here.

Here's the niche by my tub where they will both be placed.

This is my "when life hands you lemons make lemonade" apothecary jar, with the faux lemon bushes I bought from Michaels and then proceeded to take apart {the bushes were less expensive than individual or the bag of larger loose lemons they had}. I threw the leaves and everything in there.

And this is probably the smallest one I have. I bought a bag of Fall filler, put what I could fit in there and used the raffia that was tied around the bag opening on the lid. The few that didn't fit I just put around the base.

This picture gives you an idea of the size of it.

I'm linking this post up to Julia's last Hooked on Fridays feature over at Hooked on Houses. Thanks for hosting, Julia! I only started joining in the past few weeks, but I have enjoyed it!

Today is the last day of our Paintings in Progress Giveaway of Julie Beck's "Skeleton Keys"!

Procrastinator's Proclamation {The Before Pictures}

I'm having a lot of fun linking up to all the different blog parties. Not only is it fun, but I'm accomplishing stuff! So, I only hesitated for a moment to commit myself to Melissa's Procrastinator's Party over at The Inspired Room.

Step 1 is sharing before pictures of the project piece(s). Here's mine:

I had gotten 6 of these chairs FREE many years ago. They were painted a flat pinky-peach color with a pink vinyl seat. I love the legs, the generous seat and the flower details on the harp{?} back. {If anyone knows anything about this style chair, I'd love to hear about it}. I painted them white and added the fabric you see here, figuring they would be great additional seating whenever I needed it. I'm down to 5 and I'm only going to redo 4, since the fifth one is in my spare bedroom {white with a different fabric that works in that room}.

At this point in my life the white and this fabric don't fit in with my home or style anymore. I decided I want to paint them brown and use a fabric that coordinates with my bedroom {since that is where 3 of them reside}. I've had the fabric for around 2-3 years {yes, I said years ~ I am a Pro at this Crastinating stuff} and I got the paint with the last Glidden promotion for a free quart of paint.

The hardest step is next ~ step 2 ~ actually working on the project and having it done by October 20th to link up with everybody else's afters.

Wish me luck!

Don't forget to enter our Paintings in Progress Giveway for a beautiful painting by artist, Julie Beck, called "Skeleton Keys". Ends Friday!

Brookville Designer Showhouse

For those of you not familiar with Brookville, New York, it is located on Long Island and is a wealthy area. You may know it better as the the place where Jennifer Lopez and Marc Antony have a home.

These pictures are from the 2009 Brookville Designer Showhouse and are courtesy of Newsday. There are a total of 59 pictures and an accompanying article; you can click on the link if you would like to check it out. I am highlighting the ones that caught my eye.

Guest bath

Dressing Room

Guest lounge

Guest lounge

Bedroom en suite

"My Favorite Things" room

Terrace

Some really beautiful details were used in this home. What do you think of all the wallpaper?

Don't forget our Paintings in Progress Giveaway! Ends Friday and you have up to 4 chances to enter!