Thursday, March 29, 2012

Book Shelf Styling

Good Morning!
I shared my Living Room Tour with you this week.  
You can see it HERE.
I was working on a post about Bookshelf Styling and started taking pictures of the "After" of the Bookshelves when I realized that I had never invited you into that space. 
 I began restyling the shelves because I kept "stealing" things 
 and there were bare spots.
  I wanted to spruce it up for Spring at the same time. 
 Before
Not very inspiring is it? 
 I have to tell you this funny story.
 I designed the bookcase/Fireplace surround when we built the house.
 I was living in California at the time and our home was being built in Kansas.  (Job change for Mr. Beaux)  So here I am, little miss designer, in my heels at the jobsite showing the builder my elevation and specs for the Fireplace.  The trim guys were there too and the sheetrock and fireplace were already in place.  They all look at my drawing (acting interested) and I ask them if they want a copy.  "Nope", they say "We got it".  I'm kinda confused because I can't figure out how they are going to remember it or build it without the measurements and all.  I had to laugh when they started drawing the elevation on the sheetrock.  Those guys knew what they were doing and they were probably laughing at me!  
I do love the way that it came out.  
The only thing that I would change is the depth of the mantle.  
We didn't want it protruding too much into the room to save on space so we kept it narrow.
  Oh Well.
All images from Pinterest
OK, Inspiration Time...  

This bookcase above is what I would call "Themed"  all of the items have the theme of the ocean. 
 A little cluttered for me but very pretty.
 Love the idea of painting the inset a different color.  
Hmmmm...
 I also like the all white with the books.  I didn't have any books in the "before" because I don't own NICE books and I'm too cheap to buy them.  I'm not going to buy books just for decorating.  I want to actually read them.  Do you know that you can buy books with special decorative bindings for you bookcases.
Very Pretty but $99.00 at One Kings Lane.  I think not.
 I love this Bookcase.  I enjoy the symmetry
 and the placement of the items is very balanced.
 I like that my eyes can follow along and stop to look at each treasure individually. 
 Very nice.
 So remember these books from my Guest Room?  Yep, I was busy covering them for the Living Room shelves at the time.  I took books that I already owned, put them on the shelves to see how they looked and then covered them in Dropcloth material. 
 Pretty much FREE! 
And here is the "After". 

 I found the plates at a consignment shop.  I walked by and glanced at the price on the top plates.  I loved the color and the pattern.  $28, I kept walking because I thought it was $28 for each plate.  OK, can I just tell you HOW much my vision has changed in the last year!  I can see fine until I need to READ something!  I put my glasses on and looked again.  It was $28 for a set of 8.  Sheesh!  I quickly carried them up to the counter.
I try to stay away from a lot of clutter, so to you the shelves might look empty. 
But to me they are just perfect.
Funny, that Nell Hill's Mary Carol Garrity just wrote a post about Bookshelf Styling also.  She says to always include your treasured items in your displays.  I agree.  This resin piece is a picture of the Great Wall of China.  A gift along with the Vase from the wonderful friends that we made during our time in China.  
Mr. Beaux and I were in Napa and we found this painting.  It reminded me of the wheat fields here in Kansas and I loved the moody colors.  It gets moved all around the house.

So I think I have achieved what I set out to do. 
 Let's take another Before and After look to make sure.
 Before
After 
Balance, Symmetry, Treasured Items and Oh Yeah... Books!
I pinky swear promise not to raid the bookcases for other decorating projects! 
(for a while)

Until Next Time,
Beaux R'eves
XO Cindy 

Newbie Party at Debbie Doo’s Blogging & Blabbing
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Marty at
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Kristin at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia for Tuesday's Treasures
Linda at
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Kim at
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Judy at
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Gina at
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Sherry at
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Heather and Vanessa at
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Diann at
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23 comments:

  1. I love what you did, Cindy, and you gave us a lot of advice along the way! What a steal on the plates, they're pretty. Great idea covering the books with drop cloth...I have plenty of both. Did you just use regular tape or glue? Great job!

    XO,
    Jane

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  2. Your book shelves look fabulous! The plates are gorgeous and what a great deal you got on them too! I would have never thought to use a drop cloth to cover the books.... I love the color and the texture! Your whole living room is so beautiful....love it all :o)
    ~Des

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  3. It is beautiful! i love it! Joann

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  4. Hi Cindy, I love those plates and how they look on your shelves! I also think less is more! Great idea on how to cover the books, they look fabulous!

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  5. Oh cindy, you totally pulled the look together!

    What a perfect post, magazine worthy totally.

    You did an amazing job, love every element - I too don't like things too cluttered - and the design of the surround itself WOWZA!

    I laughed at you and the guys doing the finishing work on it - not taking the drawing, that's amazing and adorable at the same time.

    WELL DONE, ma'am!

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  6. Looks perfect to me Cindy. The shelves are great and the decor is beautiful and the plates were a fabulous find. Love it all!!

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  7. Looks lovely. What georgous plates and at such a great price. Love the colors you used.

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  8. It all looks beautiful Cindy! Fresh and bright and lovely. :-) Thanks for sharing it at Inspiration Friday this week!
    Vanessa

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  9. Hi Cindy, came over from Debbie-Doos and have been following your blog for awhile.

    GREAT post! I just gave you the Versatile Blogger award! Check it out here
    http://ourmarvelousclan.blogspot.com/2012/03/and-award-goes-to.html

    Love your Blog!

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  10. You certainly rocked the after! The blue accents really stand out well. ~ Maureen

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  11. You did a beautiful job Cindy!

    Have a great day.
    Pam

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  12. Cindy,
    your shelves look wonderful! Love the mixture of things with the books. How clever using drop cloth to cover them! What I was able to see, your living room is fabulous!
    Thanks so much for visiting and leaving such a sweet comment, I'm your newest follower and would love if you did the same! Will be back often!
    Rebecca

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  13. I was about to pin the BEFORE one because I liked it so. I do believe I'll pin the after, but really, the fireplace and surround is just lovely to me no matter what. I do love your changes and ideas!

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  14. Just beautiful! I love the family portrait over the FP. Everything looks so pretty and cozy. Thanks for sharing.

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  15. You did a nice job! I think decorating bookshelves is the most difficult thing!

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  16. Oh my goodness, just so gorgeous!!! Well done. xo

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  17. Just gorgeous! Everything looks so pretty!

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  18. I'm stopping by from Debbie-Doo's ...

    I'm have some serious fireplace with built-in bookshelf envy!

    And the restyled bookshelves turned out great! Thanks so much for sharing your creativity. Your inspiration is ... well ... inspiring!

    :)

    Linda
    www.itallstartedwithpaint.com

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  19. Oh wow Cindy, it looks gorgeous, you did a beautiful decorating job! I'm not happy with mine either, so here I have great inspiration. Love the covered book! I'm at WUW too. HAPPY EASTER!
    FABBY

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  20. Hello, they look lovely. Totally fake, but very pretty. Very magazine-y. Why do you call them book cases when they hold everything but books? I mean - honest to goodness real books that you've actually read. What's the point of fake books all wrapped up like they're presents or something?

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  21. I'm glad you went back and looked at those plates again - too pretty and too good of a deal to pass up! They add a nice touch to the bookcase.

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  22. A very luxurious design brings a sense of elegance, reminiscent of the style from previous decades. Perhaps a tree bookshelf could create a striking focal point for the home.

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