Styling the new bookcase

January 23, 2012

It takes me some time to decorate, or "style" a bookcase, so I go through a process. A lot of placing something, stepping back, moving something, stepping back, switching something, stepping back. Lots of hokey pokey. And turn yourself around.

You last saw our living room after our new floors were put down last fall:

Pretty much immediately I started making changes. :)

I installed wainscoting around the room a couple years ago and it’s always bugged me that you couldn’t see any of it the way the room was set up.

I did some rearranging, which I liked, and then a few weeks ago came across a PERFECT addition for the space between the windows. It was a tall bookcase from HomeGoods:

I LOVED the detail on the sides and that it was open on the back. (So you can see some of my hard work.)

I’m kind of obsessed with the colors that are in the drapery fabric in this room:

p. kaufmann fabric

That deep peacock blue is my favorite. (And to think I never had an ounce of blue in this house only a couple years ago!) I’m trying to pull that and more of the green into the space.

I styled the shelves (or decorated them, but “styling” seems to be the word nowadays) over the weekend and wanted to share how I made it happen. The only challenge was that I wanted to use what I had – no shopping allowed. Although some of it I had gotten recently, it just happened to work perfectly. :)

One thing I do as I’m working on a space like this is to take pictures – it really gives me a different perspective to see it on the camera screen. I don’t know why, but it does.

The top shelf holds some of the more recent finds, and they were from a local antique shop. I just discovered it and I can’t believe it’s been under my nose all this time! I can’t wait to go back. :)

I found the most adorable brass owl, and had to add him to the shelves somewhere. The vintage books were just beautiful and worked with the colors in this space perfectly:

IMG_9873

I had to add something to the back to cover the meeeellions of holes on that wall. I can patch them but don’t have the wall paint anymore, and it’s not made anymore either (and I know from experience it wouldn’t color match perfectly.) Soooo…I have holes. (I have an plan to rectify this though…it’s number 464 on my list.)

The little pot was from Goodwill, isn’t it cute?:

bookcase decorating

The faux plant is from IKEA – it is the most realistic fake plant I’ve ever seen!

The next shelf is pretty self explanatory:

dough bowl

Ack. Darn HOLES!

The wood dough bowl was an online find – I LOVE it. I just filled it with my rattan balls and dollar store mossy rocks that I had.

I was going to add something to the back, but it got too busy.

Moving on down, I tried to pull more of that beautiful blue, and the green from the drapes in with the next shelf:

decorating a bookcase

The ceramic candle holder was a clearance find at Cost Plus a few months ago, and the green jar was a Goodwill find years ago. (It was covered in old rattan and I took it off.)

That photo is a good example of how I like to use accessories that make your eye move up and down. I use that little rule often and it always works.

The bottom shelf had one more Cost Plus item – a storage box I picked up a few weeks ago, a couple more books I already had in those lovely colors:

accessorizing shelves

That pedestal was horribly tarnished when I found it, but this silver polish always does the trick:

silver polish

A little elbow grease made it shine!:

After much hokey pokeying, I finally came up with a display I liked:

I’m pretty happy with it, considering I was using stuff from my stash.

And ignore the missing drapery panel – those are getting a little redo too. ;)

I LOVE how the bookcase fills in the this space between the windows:

homegoods bookcase

It fits perfectly, and it’s got tons of character too, so unique!

I love looking back to see how this space has transformed over the years – first the red and black days:

You can see how to knock off those DIY Ballard Design shelves here.

Here it is last year with showing the difference new drapes and some color can make:

And here it is now, sans a couple drapes:

jacobean floors

Before and afters are my very favorite things. :) Other than fried chicken. And reality TV.

Believe it or not, I don’t have a lot of spaces I can decorate with accessories in our house, so I love having a new spot!

I hope to change up a few more things in here in the next few months. Me saying that out loud means it will probably happen next year. Whatever. I can hope.

So, do you struggle with accessorizing? Styling? Whatever? ;) Do you have tricks that work for you? 

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Comments

  1. LOVE that bookcase, Sarah!!! What a fantastic addition. You did a great job with the styling...just enough fluffing to make it look nice. Not overstuffed or sparse. Nice!

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  2. I loooove the bookcase! Beautiful clean lines! It fits perfectly in that spot. Great new addition to your living room!

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  3. Lurve it! The cute little owl and old books and glass - perfect. Although I do like my silver tarnished!
    Kelly

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  4. Wow, that looks really great! Love the variety of colors, textures, heights. All just looks lovely!

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  5. Fantastic bookcase! Love everything about it! Really fills up the space perfectly!

    Whitney

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  6. Looks great Sarah! And I can't wait to see what you're doing with those drapes:)

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  7. It looks really nice. I would love to come sit and watch you work your magic. Or better yet, have you come to MY house and work your magic:)

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  8. I really like the shelf, you get to show off alot of things, but I love dressers also, so where did you move it to? My first time on here, enjoyed! kms

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  9. Oh yeah, I struggle and hokey pokey too. I try to use a 24 hour rule - leave my new arrangement up for 24 hours and if I still don't like it, then move it. (Like my mantle re-do from this morning - I don't like it, it's coming down in the morning!).

    ~Bliss~

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  10. It's coming together so well!! Sometimes my stuff falls into place. Other times, not so much! I feel like I fight it. This is so fresh, airy and pretty. Love it =)

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  11. Okay I have to ask how much you paid for that shelf at Home Goods. It is making me want to go buy it!

    I LOVE the little brass owl! I am totally on a bird kick right now.

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  12. Lovely! Did you say you "found" that silver dish? It looks suspiciously like sterling silver. If there is a 925 or sterling stamp on it, it's worth a lot of money! ~ Maureen

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  13. Great bookcase find! I guess we all do some version of that decorating hokey pokey, eh? My eye was drawn to the hourglass - I picked one up in Florida last year, and now I see them everywhere (and usually a lot cheaper than the boutique where I bought mine! But it brings me happy thoughts of that beautiful, sunny day, so I can't complain!) Can't wait to see what you're doing to the drapes :-)
    Best,
    Terry

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  14. great find! loving the bookshelf and decor.

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  15. I love it! Love the way my eye flows up and down looking at all the beautiful colors!!! I, too, LOVE owls!!!! They are my newest obsession and yours is adorable!!! Wonderful job!!! Love your blog!!!

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  16. I love the little owl - although it might be because I have the exact same one! http://sweetsuite10.com/2011/10/thrifty-owl/
    I love the way you've styled your bookcase - the mix of objects and colours is great.

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  17. Love the bookcase and the knick knacks. I think it looks really organized compared to the pictures on the wall before. Amazing.

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  18. Love that bookshelf & the way you have accessorized it!! Looks beautiful!! I'm going to have to check out your vignette board on Pinterest!!

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  19. p.s. I got my Adsense stuff all figured out the other night!! Woo to the Hoo!!

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  20. Everything looks so nice and balanced. Great job!

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  21. It looks fantastic. I do have trouble styling. i don't think I'll ever get the knack of it.

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  22. Love the shelf, it really fits the scale of the room well. I absolutely love to do vignettes. I just did a similar shelf in my house, check it out. http://ms-smartie-pants.blogspot.com/2012/01/organized-cookbooks.html

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  23. Thank goodness I'm not a nut! I too, take tons of pictures to get my shelves, mantels, vignettes or a room set up just to see what item looks best here or there.

    Great update! Love your wood floors!

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  24. I love it! It is so light and pretty. I haven't even redecorated my mantel from Christmas...poor thing is just sitting there empty. Hmmm...Saturday would be a good day to work on that. Thanks for the inspiration Sarah!

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  25. Love the book shelf...everything looks so bright & fresh! I love seeing all of your changes!!
    Sally
    loveofhomes.blogspot.com

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  26. So cute!! Completely inspiring! Xoxo Debbie @ Inspired Honey Bee

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  27. You are one of the most creative woman I've ever came across. Just Luv the bookcase (by the way I luv HomeGoods also). It adds height, design, color-white (which I've noticed your adding white throughout yr home)and adding pieces to add character is a great touch. Later on to change it up a bit you can always add beadboard or material that matches pillows or drapes. Great job!!

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  28. Fabulous bookcase and I just love how you've styled it! My favourite item is the sand timer!

    Emma x

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  29. Gorgeous! I have to style my own den bookcases and keep putting it off. this is giving me the push to get to it. A few random observations ... I have an IKEA fake plant too and agree that they are incredibly real looking! Also, I *love* those light bamboo blinds! I am currently debating whether to buy light or a more medium tone bamboo blind for most of my windows. Finally, I adore your curtains. That pattern is lovely. :)

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  30. absolutely LOVE the quirky, eclectic mix of things in the bookshelf. just goes to show great style doesn't have to cost a fortune! amazing job!

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  31. Great job - I love that bookcase. Can you believe I've never been to a Homegoods store? I must go soon!

    Rhonda

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  32. Looks great! Love your reference to the Hokey Pokey. Ha ha. It is so like that. I'm sure I'll be singing that song with future decorating. :) x J

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  33. Wow!!It looks amazing and great height on the book shelf!!

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  34. Great job on the bookshelf! I was interested to see that your living room has a 1.5 or 2-story ceiling. I struggle immensely with decorating ours that is a 2-story room. I would love to see a post on ways to address those huge ceilings!

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  35. Love the bookcase.How about putting a piece of thin wood behind bookcase(attatched) and painting it white to match or the peacock blue you love.Covers the holes and finishes the bookcase?
    Mary
    RENONFL@YAHOO.COM

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  36. Sarah, I'm a little confused. Do you have a family room, a living room AND a formal dining room that you're considering turning into a seating area?

    I guess when I see your living room I'm thinking it's the family room but I can see it's 2 different spaces.

    Anyways, your room looks so nice. I love how you mix things up all the time. You've given me lots of courage and inspiration through your blog.

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  37. Beautiful! Books on shelves (with restraint) are one of my favorite touches. I've been KICKING myself for not buying that dough bowl when WUSLU had it as their sale of the day. It looks fantastic on your shelf...now I'm regretting it even more. Fingers crossed they bring it back!!

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  38. Your bookcase is just absolutely perfect for that spot!
    You did an outstanding job decorating it. I have loads
    of accessories. It is fun to move them around. We are getting a Home Goods store here this year!!!! I cannot wait!!! I always stop in the Birmingham store on the way to visit the grandbaby! :-)

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  39. SO much better than the red and black...feels so much lighter and carefree.

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  40. Very nice, what a find!

    Yes, I can struggle with styling I think. ? The taking a photo trick works well for me too. I WILL be using your vignette page though!

    You were in my head yesterday at Goodwill. :) Trying to see stuff with "spray paint eyes!" Didn't find any decor items, but scored salad plates to my set for .97 each.

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  41. Love the new shelf. Maybe you could make a backing for the shelf out of something inexpensive like the Ikea backings and paint or wallpaper it.
    That would make the shelf backs all the same color and also cover the holes that you don't like.

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  42. That looks great! It really has changed over the years. It's much fresher and more alive now than it was in the black and red days! I'm all about getting ideas and inspiration from Pinterest, the Ikea catalogue, and show homes!
    -Diana

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  43. This looks great. I just love stuff like that, that makes you smile when you look at it.

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  44. Wow! I LOVE that little bookcase. What a great find, and the accessories look terrific.

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  45. Perfect shelf for that spot! It makes me look around the house to find "new" items to style my shelves.

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  46. Styling is not easy, at least not for me! This looks fantastic, beautifully layered with interesting colors and proportions. That would take me forever to do! Good job!

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  47. The bookshelf is definitely a 'wonderful' find, and the transformation to the living room is now light and airy! I feel I'm learning to train my eye to see things differently when I shop to use at home either now or in the future. I love that about your site, the pictures you take, the idea's!!! Thank you!
    Debbie from the NW

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  48. What a great find that book case was! The height and bulk is so good in that space. Nice job on the shelves, also. I really don't like styling bookshelves, it's tricky to get them just right!

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  49. Fabulous new bookcase, and beautifully styled! If it were mine, it would be completely full of books...

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  50. I love the new bookcase! I would have bookcases on every wall if that was considered acceptable! Most of my decorating now-a-days revovles around toy management... 2 toddlers dictate a lot of the decorating decisions around here!

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  51. Super cute! I am a pinterest addict also! Might I ask about the "puff" on the floor next to the shelf? Where did you get it and does the Bub sit on it? I think it may be what I am looking for my daughter's playroom. Keep up the great posts!
    Dawn
    dccrader(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  52. Lovely! I especially like the terrarium. And thanks for the tip on the silver polish!

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  53. Love the new bookcase! So balanced and fresh looking. You did a perfect job styling it! I think it's a Pinner! ;-)

    Keep the inspiration coming! Love it as always!
    xo
    -Lisa

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  54. Great job, as always. Two comments:
    I love the drapery fabric, you can redecorate by changing what colors you pull out. My tapestry sofa is like that, contains several colors.
    Also, I follow the high/low rule as well, but I feel like the bookcase needs something above it. Not on it, but back against the wall--like words?
    Thanks again.

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  55. GORGEOUS!! I love the before/after pics....I am still trying to transition from red-dark and dreary to light and airy...with a little mix in between. Thanks for the inspiration=)

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  56. Your new bookcase is L-O-V-E-L-Y!!! And you styled it beautifully!

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  57. I love to accessorize but it is hard to get it to look perfect. I tend to love it one day and hate it the next! Haha! But that is a really pretty bookshelf, looks great!

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  58. I like the new bookcase. Its open-ness makes it very light (as opposed to a heavy piece of furniture).

    Just curious why you didn't center it between the windows? ;-)

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  59. I have a difficult time with accessories - I pinned your shelves. (I'm already following your Vignette board.)

    The owl is adorable.

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  60. Once again I love it!
    Sarah
    www.budgetfriendlydecorating.com

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  61. The book shelf IS amazing, fun details! ...Love the bright look the room has with it there. ...Lol, You are also inspiring me to get into more of the blues & greens, SO pretty and refreshing!

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  62. PS- And I loved how you pulled different things that you already had on hand and made each shelf so beautifully styled/decorated, hehe. (the shelf isn't just all pretty, the drawer at the bottom- bonus storage, NICE!)

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  63. "Hey Hey" did you get that phrase from the movie "Girl with the dragon tattoo"?

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  64. What would we do without HomeGoods? The bookcase is amazing, and it really does let the wainscoting shine. Way to go!

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  65. I love the drapes. So pretty. You did a great job. I also use what I have and move things often. In fact I just did a post on that. I moved around my living room yesterday. And then my family said "hope we don't go blind".

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  66. The silver polish that you are using is definitely what I am currently looking for today! I also have some silver displays with me which need some polishing! And I just found your post here! Thanks!

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  67. i really love that you showed what the space was used for in the past, its such a wonderful change it looks insane!

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  68. I love that you have a "stash" I have a closet in the spare room with such things that I find at garage sales, goodwill etc and know I love but don't yet have a place. I love your site and listed on my blogroll at my new site www.dreamsonadollar.com. I also have a foodie site www.bestfoodies.com hope you stop in!

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  69. I read your blog every day and this is my first comment! I LOVE the way you stiled the bookcase, so gorgeous!

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  70. Beautiful!
    Yes, I struggle with the "decorating" part....and balancing that out with my dislike of clutter. I love to build and move and paint and such, but get stuck after that. I love that you have a "vignettes board" on Pinterest...going to check that out. Great idea!
    Laura

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  71. Love the final product. I definitely struggle with styling - what's in my head just doesn't always translate to the finished product. I recently found photos do help along the way, as well as inspiration.

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  72. This is a great post. Gorgeous bookshelf! I love the white and the accent of unique objects, not just books. I actually have a similar hour glass and you've given me some creative ideas to display it!

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  73. Hi, Just wanted to say I love your decorating style and all the thrifty ideas you provide in your beautiful blog. "D I'm looking to revamp my own style this new year, and have been searching for some thrifty decor advise, and I think I have found just the right blog!"D
    smiles,
    Christine

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  74. I LOVE your retreat citrine fabric-- I can't tell from swatches I've seen online, or on your blog... is there a hint of light lavendar/purple in this fabric? It's simply gorgeous in your space! Thank you!!! toushay73atgmaildotcom

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  75. I love your bookcase! The little drawer at the bottom is so cute.

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  76. I have a similar opened back bookshelf, and I "made a back" with fabric. I used double sided tape to attach the fabric to the back of the bookshelf...and I can change it out with the seasons! I like your style!

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  77. Wow, I love the way this looks. With just a little work, you really made that bookshelf your own!

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  78. I have a bookshelf too it looks just like this but i redesigned it though... and i love the way it looks now... do you guys wanna see some furniture design?

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