I love books and have a wonderful collection throughout our home. From the great classics, History, Travel, Design, Children’s, easy fun beach reads and hundreds of cookbooks collected both nearby and all over the world. We have bookcases everywhere. From jam packed simple modern white to antique hutches and bookshelves in our children’s rooms. My office is wall to wall bookcases in a lovely red lacquer glaze and the books have over taken them. They are overflowing with a wide variety of books. My studio has white bookcases that hold mainly craft and design books. The pictures in this post are of a couple black lacquer bookcases at the top of a landing on one of our staircases. I was always bored walking up this staircase and believe it or not would often take the old staircase up because it was a prettier ‘trip’ I like eye candy, I like to be dazzled. When something is boring or blah it doesn’t make me too happy. The walls were boring there was nothing to look at. We needed more storage room for the piles of books that were taking over our indoor garden room so I decided to organize something pretty, chic and useful in this empty space.
I had the walls painted with layers and layers of paint and techniques to give it a warm glow. We did this a few years ago but I still needed to do more to this space. So we added the bookshelves and I love it here now.
Now, I almost always go up this staircase which leads to my studio. I often stop and stare at the pretty things that line my shelves, sometimes I even sit on the hot pink seat and look through a book quickly if I have a few minutes to spare or I pull out several to read late at night when all my bunnies are sound to sleep.
Try and find a space in your home that isn’t being used and that is a little blah. Decide what your style is ( I really am very ecclectic, I do love elegance ) I used a lot of restraint here. Removing books and objects to keep this stylish and not messy. I must say I have stuck with it and added nothing in the past 5-6 months since it was put here.
The windows in this area are up high and flood the staircase with amazing light. The antique gold chandelier is from a manor home outside of Paris and that adds to the beauty of the black shelves and design.
The walls are several layers of paint and methods. I actually took glasses and glasses of ice coffee and added milk to ‘mix’ the perfect shade for the walls then I had silk panels painted in China to coordinate in our billiard room nearby so the flow would be pleasing to the eye and seamless. I love the color, its warm and has a lot of style…goes with anything I want it to go with.
This vase is one of my favorite pieces, my Godfather Paul gave it to me many years ago. Paul always gives the best gifts, when I was a young girl he would give me things like this that were always so modern and glamorous. Way beyond my years and absolutely perfect. I still remember a suede handbag he gave me for my birthday when I was in 6th grade it was incredible. So stylish, chic and timeless. No one had a bag like that at such a young age, I was styling thanks to his incredible eye!
Here comes that natural light I was mentioning.
This coral candelabra was found in Nantucket with my boys a few years ago.
The picture above was taken by my Godfather Paul I believe in the 70′s and he gave it me as a gift when I was possibly a teen at the very most??? I was very young and now I am nearing age 45 and I still have it. He took it in Nova Scotia a place that seemed like a far away dream when I was young. I did eventually get there with my mother and two older sons before Oliver was born several years ago. For those of you who have not been you are missing one of the most beautiful places in the World and I have travelled many many places. The scenic coastal drive of the Cabot Trail will blow your mind with its pristine peaceful scenic beauty and the Bay of Fundy’s tide is not to be missed. I am so glad that my children are traveling the world and seeing so many amazing places and cultures. When I was a child we did not travel like this by any means so I travelled through all the books I read, and took road trips near by with my family and friends. I studied very hard and received a full scholarship to go to Paris when I was 19 and from that point on I haven’t stopped exploring the world. We are off soon on a snorkeling adventure to one of my favorite places…I will share that with you soon.
I found these silk anemones at the flower market in NYC and picked them up along with buckets full of fresh flowers.
Well I think you can see and tell by what I am writing that this space makes me happy. It reflects my style and personality and showcases a few of my treasures that just happen to shine here.
Carve out a special spot today, do it up in your style and shine some fabulousness in your life!
(Oliver says Hello to all his blogging friends, we spent the day at his Kindergarten orientation program for September it was a great day now I am off to Dorkalicious’s house to drop off some yummy fresh seafood and have a fun cocktail or two. The rest of our weekend will be spent in the garden and at sporting events with the boys. Have the loveliest weekend you possibly can, I will be by to visit soon )
How beautiful, Bunny! And I loved seeing all the things that Paul has given you with your treasured books. No wonder I like you so much… a girl who loves to entertain and loves books, too! AND loves her family.
XO,
Sheila
P.S. I’ve decided to reveal the cake plate on a special day that is taking place in June if that’s okay with you, Bunny. I have something in mind that I would like to do with it. I hope that’s okay. I just love it. It’s sitting on the chest in the DR here as I type!
Hello Bunny, I love all of your special places and bookshelves full of all sorts of books… I am an avid reader too, and can never have enough of the books I love… I have several favorite “cozy spots” where I curl up with a cup of coffee and a book… I collect childrens books (I still have ALL of mine from when I was a little girl!), as well as vintage cookbooks and vintage and new books on Nature, birds, animals, plants, you name it… I can look at the same book over and over again and always see or learn something new… I also have alot of decorating books, many from years ago when we had our little farmhouse, and I refer to them often… I also love poetry books and have started collecting vintage ones of those as well… thanks for sharing your special spots… I would describe our home as “eclectic” as well… though not nearly as large as your home, but I love mine! I love realxing in my special quiet spots as I am sure you do too… Hello Oliver!!! xoxo Julie Marie
Love that gorgeous coral piece! My shelves have been stripped of their pretties due to grabby toddler paws!
Your bookcase’s are gorgeous! I, too love books and have mine displayed in much the same way as you do….but yours looks much better.
Hope you have an awesome weekend. Tell Oliver, I said: HI!!
Blessings, andrea
What a wonderful book case, and everything is displayed so beautifully. I think I could spend oodles of time browsing through your collection. We seem to have similar tastes and interests.
Have a fantastic weekend daaaaaahling.
*kisses* HH
G’day Bunny & Master Oliver ~
What lovely fairyland birthday presentation for the Princess, every child’s dream … & Oliver, you are so handsome on that card.
Your books & bookcases are absolutely lovely, Bunny … how could one not wish to reach out & read such fabulous titles. Your home & grounds are exquisite, peaceful & beautiful.
Sherry is still having a rough time of healing … we talk daily … it’s been a whole month & I pray she gets better soon.
Oliver ~ How exciting you are preparing for kindergarten, a stepping stone to your future. Enjoy each day & treasure the fountain of knowlege that you will learn.
Have a beautiful weekend …
Hugs of love, Marydon
Gorgeous bookcase!
♥
Hi Mommy
I Love your post
I Love you
I Love the Bookcase
XoXo
Oliver
Hi Oliver I love when you me such sweet comments…I am making you blueberry turnovers today
Yummy
A sweet hello from Frog Hollow Farm on this somewhat dreary Sunday morning. However, the sunshine spilling onto your bookcases brightened things up quite nicely. Having the bookcases in a place that you often pass by is a great idea – and taking a moment to stop and browse through the books and the lovely pieces from loved ones and various trips is just food for the soul. We have the most wonderfull memories from many of the children’s books we’ve saved, particularly one called ‘A Garden for Miss Mouse’. My son and daughter just loved having that one read to them – my husband was the night time storybook reader. The first ‘big’ book I remember reading was ‘Gone With The Wind’, and it was the first time I didn’t want a book to end. That’s when you know it’s a great story. Have you read ‘The Help’ yet, I think it’s a great read. Hope all is well – thanks for posting such an inspirational topic. Ciao, bella!
Hi Bunny, I too love books. Unfortunately space is limited in my house so I have to be selective. But it’s like an illness for me, I’m just drawn to them. A few years ago I bought a special chair and ottoman just for my reading space.
Bunny, your bookcases look gorgeous! I have a few of those design books too, although I am not a designer. I just received your gorgeous giveaway, and I LOVE IT!!! I will do a post soon and put a picture up. Love and hugs to you!
What a marvelous tour of your bookshelves, Bunny! I loved every minute of it! I have books all over the house…on tables, ottomans, on shelves, in the kitchen, on bedside tables and in the den (where they actually belong!). All kinds; art, decorating, cooking, non-fiction, fiction, paperbacks, travel. You name it. LOVE books!
Funny you should post about bookcases. The kitchen in my new place didn’t have nearly enough cupboards for my dishes, so I had to use the two pine bookcases from my studio in the kitchen to put them on. Another bookcase was broken when it blew over in the yard, before making it onto the truck and another didn’t survive the move. So, the majority of the boxes left to unpack are books!
I started letting go of some of my books years ago, I was getting tired of moving them. They all went to good homes though. I still have some of my favorites, including Gone With the Wind. Not a first edition, but from a printing that first year. Someone had cut the review of it from a newspaper, along with a photo of the writer and pasted it in the book. I found it over 30 years ago in a book store in Hollywood and wouldn’t part with it for anything. I loved browsing the old, musty book stores in Hollywood in those days and wonder if any have survived. The ones with the books piled up everywhere in a haphazard fashion, but if you ask the bookseller for something in particular, he could locate it in minutes. The bookstores today are fine and I can still spend hours in them while sipping on a latte, but nothing will ever beat shooting the breeze with someone who lived in Hollywood in its heyday. Loved the books, the booksellers and the stories.
Hugs, Shellbelle
Hi Bunny ~
What an excellent idea to add a bookcase to a ‘not well loved’ space! And all your treasures are gorgeous ~ don’t you love to have one of those special people in your life who begifts you with luxurious items you never would dream of giving yourself? Your godfather sounds like was incredibly lovely and so classy hip!
Looking forward to hearing about your next great adventure with your bunnies!
And I Love that you are addicted to the salsa! Great addiction to have!
Bisous,
Melissa
Perfect!!! What a perfect bookshelf!! You need some “Texas” books though to put it over the top!! I need to work on that for you. I’ve missed you and been thinking about you. We’ve had the Madison Ave Tiffany Yahoos in for the past week, and everytime I think of the City I think of you. It looks like all is well – I can’t wait to catch up.
xxxx kim
Bunny, I’m checking in with you to see if Oliver is okay. I’ve been worried about him since you told me he was sick. I hope and pray that he is doing much better!
XO,
Sheila
Love the bookcase! I think it is so much fun to decorate a bookcase not only with books but with favorite photos and mementos.
Hi Bunny ~
What an excellent idea to add a bookcase to a ‘not well loved’ space! And all your treasures are gorgeous ~ don’t you love to have one of those special people in your life who begifts you with luxurious items you never would dream of giving yourself? Your godfather sounds like was incredibly lovely and so classy hip!
Looking forward to hearing about your next great adventure with your bunnies!
And I Love that you are addicted to the salsa! Great addiction to have!
Bisous,
Melissa