Bookcases Aren't Just For Books Anymore

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In our last house, we had built-in bookcases on each side of the fireplace in the family room. One of my favorite projects was dressing those shelves. That's right, dressing them. It's fun and easy to make shelves interesting by adding a variety of elements other than books.

Okay, here are some tips.

1. Empty the shelves of their contents. Now is the time to clean or paint before beginning.

2. Search your attic or other rooms for interesting objects that you may want to use. A bookcase is not only for books. You'll want to add a little sparkle with brass or glass. You can introduce form and color by using interesting objects.

3. Sort books by subject and/or size. Place them on the shelves, leaving some blank spaces for your objects. Stack some on their sides, and place some vertically.

4. Now begin to place your objects in the spaces you've left. Attractive baskets or boxes can offer convenient hiding places for extra storage.

5. Then add the sparkle with ceramics, brass, silver, family photos, etc. This will personalize your bookcase.

6. Hanging framed art on the front of the bookcase adds the unexpected.

There you have it - a beautiful focal point for your room. Give it a try. You'll be surprised by what you already have in you home that will add warmth and individuality to your shelves.
photo credit: Annie Schlechter
Photo Source: House Beautiful

Small Space Ideas

Check out this 900 sq/ft apartment in Arlington, Massachusetts. You'll find lots of small space ideas.
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Name: "Istvan and Conchita"
Location: Arlington, MA
Size: 900 sq/ft
Years lived in: Owned 8 years

The challenge of accommodating two totally different functions into a single space always churns up creativity. Our friends’ ground level apartment in a two-family home in Arlington is a lovely example. The soft, cohesive color palette of the living spaces keeps the office environment light and refreshing while the organizational attitude of the work space keeps the home environment neat and tidy. Throw in great art and a few design classics and you’ve got a home that packs quite a punch...

Go to Apartment Therapy and see it all!

Letting It All Hang Out

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Exposed storage is all the rage today. Some of us are baring it all, and we're proud of it. No longer required to be rustic, some of the sleekest looks are showing up in exposed storage. Long past being relegated to the mud room, garage and attic, we've moved it into our bedrooms, baths, and kitchens. Like an eccentric aunt, we've brought it into the open where all our friends can ooh and ah over its clever and unique attributes.

Letting it all hang out seems to say, "I have nothing to hide. Look at me." It's often the answer for those who live in small spaces, utilizing every inch of wall space for storage. Not only friendly but accessible, with everything at the tips of our fingers, we can easily find Grandmother's holiday platter, or that seldom used esoteric spice.

Though open storage may be for every room now, it may not be for everyone. Perhaps the solution is to have some traditional cabinets in which to hide the less than attractive but necessary items, and some open storage for the more appealing paraphernalia. Something to think about.