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

A Peek Inside The Joel House

With the sad news that Billy and Katie Lee Joel will be ending their five year marriage, I thought it would be interesting to take a look at one of the places they called home - Centre Island, New York, which is located on Long Island. This is one of the many enclaves located on Long Island that the rich and famous call home. This estate is for sale.

AFP Photo

Billy Joel bought this home in 2002 for $22 million. They were married there in 2004.



This is a 14,000 square foot main house, which includes a 3 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath guest cottage AND 3 bedroom, 3 bath beach house. My house is a 3 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath - I must remember to refer to it as the "guest cottage".

This estate also includes indoor and outdoor pools, a tennis court and a bowling alley.

So what would this little gem cost you? A meager $37.5 million (taxes are estimated to be almost $200,000.00 a year; I wonder if you could grieve that).

**Don't forget to enter our Giveaway (scroll down toward the bottom of this first page) for our Flip Flop rug - perfect for your "guest cottage"! Any comment made on our posts this week is eligible as an entry; the more comments you make the more entries you have!

Item Of The Week

I am in love with this chair! I love the feminine lines of it, and the color. I could see this chair in a cheery pink and green home office (a picture of which I will be sharing in the future) with a crystal chandelier and white shaggy area rug. A chair to sit in while perusing design magazines or reviewing a client presentation.


Check out Designers Guild for some of the other lovely items they carry http://www.designersguild.com/usa-shop-online/#.

Copyright 2009 Kathy Passarette, Creative Home Expressions

Kathy Passarette and Creative Home Expressions are located on Long Island, New York and offer interior decorating, home staging, interior redesign and much more. Please visit our website at www.creativehomeexpressions.com for information on our services and fees.