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book, bookcase, bookshelf, interior design, styling, the Designer | April 10, 2014

10 Steps to Easy (and Fun!) Bookcase Styling

Bookcases are so intimidating!  They are time consuming and their “possibilities are endless”, which usually leads to me standing in front of them, frozen.  But after a month of my decluttering, I’ve become so motivated to attack these things.  I’d been wanting to update my stagnate bookshelves for a while, they’d been the same for almost 6 years!  Most of all, it was about time to take down the Christmas stocking hangers:

If an interior designer looks at bookcases in fear, how do people who don’t enjoy design look at them?  Not good!  Setting up a home should be fun!  So I set forth on my bookcases determined to have fun, taking notes of the things that helped me so I could share them with you.  Here are my Ten Steps for Styling Bookshelves:

1.  Motivate yourself.  Turn off the voices in your head.  This is not your Mom’s, Mother-in-law’s, sister’s or friend’s bookcase, it’s only yours.  We are all different and we all have our own style (thank goodness!), so even if you tried, it would be impossible to please everyone.  The only person who needs to like the result is you.  YOU can do it!

“It’s much more fun to be you!” – Iris Apfel (image via Advanced Style)

2.  Quick inspiration search.  On Pinterest or Google images, search “Bookcases” or “Bookshelves” or check out my Pin Board dedicated to them.  Scroll through and jot down ideas you like, big and small.  For example, I like mostly books in bookcases, I saw a rainbow arrangement of books I thought was inspiring and fun, I like 3-D, I like layering and hanging or leaning objects in the back of the bookcase.  I saw someone use their silhouettes on the shelves:

 

3.  Start with a clean slate.  Clear out your shelves and start fresh.  Remove everything and wipe it all down, maybe even get out the Magic Eraser.  Remove book covers, not all of them, just take a look at what’s under the cover and if you like it better, show it!  If a cover is torn, faded or yellow, remove it!  This is the kind of tip that makes you feel great:

4.  Categorize your books.  This is a cathartic process, it helps you get to know your books and an idea might strike while you do this.  Organize however you want, maybe by subject, size, author,  type or Dewey Decimal, ha!  Have fun with this, maybe you can come up with something witty.  Then set aside some of your favorite books that you’d like to highlight or that have a funny story.  I like keeping a collection together, but that’s not a rule!  I wanted to do the rainbow thing so I started with the R in ROYGBIV:

5.  Say goodbye.  I had a huge stack of Architectural Digest because I thought designers were “supposed” to keep them, but I realized I’m not an AD girl.  I’m a Domino girl!  Goodbye AD, even if you were a good filler!  I also had a few books I didn’t agree with or gave me icky feelings, goodbye!

6.  Shop your house.  Bookcases are usually centrally located, a focal point, so if you have any objects of great sentiment, this is the spot for them.  These are objects that make you smile when you see them.  I have a clock I gave my Mom when I was in college, I don’t know if she liked it, but I had my eye on it for a semester and worked hard to save up for it, good memories.  I paired it with all my books that have a metallic golden sheen:

7.  Rows vs. Stacks, fill er up.  I’ve seen bookshelves with only rows of books and I’ve seen bookshelves with mostly stacks of books, both are great.  I couldn’t decide so I did both.  If this step stresses you out, fall back on symmetry, it always looks good and with the guidelines of matching across the center, there are less subjective decisions to be made.  Also, pretend like you’re a kid and play with pattern here.  Do you have a lot of white books and black books?  How about a few stacks of alternating B&W or a whole row of black and a whole row of white?  Maybe a row of black and yellow, striped like a honey bee, my point is, have fun!  I had so many white books, I had to break it up by placing them at the ends of rows:

8.  Elevate.  Place your special objects on top of a book or a stack of books.  This adds height and says, “I’m special, look over here!”  For example, I put a small framed pic of my babies on top of a few conversation starting books.  First, my original Domino mags, then two of the same Jr. High School Yearbooks (my husband and I went to the same Jr. High at the same time and we didn’t know each other, he was in 6th grade and I was in 8th, ha!) and my current favorite book, Where’d You Go, Bernadette! by Maria Semple.  If that doesn’t break the ice, my table topics used as a book end could do the trick:

9.  Layer.  From the back of the bookcase to out in front, layer and overlap to make it different and brave.  I found a Frank Lloyd Wright Art glass panel my Dad gave me and leaned it against the back of the bookcase behind a stack of books, this could also be done with a pretty book.  I also taped a plate and a page of photo booth pics to the back of the bookcase.  To hang my Mom’s art on the front of the shelves, I used Command Picture Hanging Strips:

 

Don’t be afraid to completely cover up some of your books like I did with this globe:

10.  Update your photos.  Take this chance update some of your photo frames with pictures from this year.  If the job is too big to even think about getting started, then put a few frames away in the cabinet.  I like for every photo to be visible and not so overlapped that you can’t see it.  But if you think the more photos the merrier, then go for it if it makes you happy!  It made me happy to put out the picture of me and my friends at the Rodeo with Enrique Iglesias:

I hope you’re motivated, realize that this can be fun and feel armed with tools!  If you want the project to move quickly, turn off the TV and turn on the music!  Unless you’re like me and just need peace and quiet to finish, then wait till the world is asleep.  It took me about a day and a half to do the whole job.

Before you go, if this is you’re first time to style a bookcase, here are 3 more quick tips:

1.  If you have a counter top in your built-in, place a big bowl there, like the one I have in the above pic.  Your guests will automatically feel like they have a spot to place their belongings.  Trust me, they won’t even ask and they’ll set their bag there!

2.  Align the spine of your books with the front of the shelf instead of pushing the books to the back.   This just looks clean:

3.  If you’re in need of books, stop by Half Price Books and stock up or gift yourself an awesome Juniper Collection.  They’re on sale at One Kings Lane for 4 days!  Here are a few of my favorites, plus a couple accessories to add to the shelves:

Good luck, go for it, you can do it!

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Hello Neighbor! I’m Erica Smith and this is where I share discoveries and tell a few stories!

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  • New Favorites Added (and a SALE!)
    I’ve done a lot of shopping for clients recently, and I’ve been trying to remember to add the items we find that are winners and the ones I run across while shopping online in the “shop” ->” shop by category” folders for you guys to shop! Here are a few of the new favorite I’ve […]

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DOUBLE SIDED✌️gift wrap bundles, genius!! And DOUBLE SIDED✌️gift wrap bundles, genius!! And HOWDY stationery, yee-haw!! 🤠 (Swipe left to see it all.) Thank you, @spicepaperdesigns for the gift! I’m all set for camp care packages and letters, packing lists, Father’s Day and teacher thank you-s! 🎉 Neighbors, check out Becca’s goods, love the new double sided chunky stripe paper! 🌈
#shoplocalhouston #houstonstationery #spicepaperdesigns #boxwoodbreakfastclub #papergoods #custompapergoods #houstongraphicdesigner #paperaddict #giftwrap #titynparty
I took this photo to send to my sister @cstyleblog I took this photo to send to my sister @cstyleblog back in January while on vacation in Miami Beach because she styled my outfit and I felt 👌💁🏼‍♀️. But now I’m posting it to the internet because I got an email saying these favorite street leggings of mine are on sale only for today!!! (I love them and I sized up.) And now I have this whole exact outfit (every item is available and some items on sale) linked in the @liketoknow.it app, use my profile for a short cut to it 👉 @tellittoyourneighbor or find a link only to the leggings there, too! Thank you and have a good night! 😴 
 http://liketk.it/3d0gJ #liketkit #LTKfit #LTKtravel #LTKsalealert 
#shoplocalhouston @shoptheavenue #tityntravels #streetwear #streetstyle #ootdinspo #southbeachmiami #titynshops
These three companies are so extraordinary to me, These three companies are so extraordinary to me, for one they have supported me personally more than I’ve promoted them professionally! 💞 They’ve also each had a historic moment with me here at #TITYN, see below 👇!

But first, the photos (above) are from a #boxwoodbreakfastclub back in January. 😬 I get behind on things I want to devote a lot of time to, don’t we all?! 🤦🏼‍♀️ The event was an excellent media workshop with STREETE MEDIA at the Memorial Green LAM BESPOKE location. (Thanks @laurensmills for putting these three greats together! 🙏)

Now, what’s in it for you? I think just knowing about these 3 favorites of mine, checking out their Instagram accounts and keeping them in your back pocket for when you’re in need of their services! 

Here are their moment’s in @tellittoyourneighbor history 📰 !👇

1) @lambespoke was my very 1st monthly feature 2 years ago! She said yes to a new idea I had been hesitant to try and kicked it off with a successful start! 🤗 Cathy!

2) @streete_media gave me the skills and confidence to interview people on Instagram Live for the 1st time and twice more after it!  It was something I wanted to do but I thought I would “never” be able to do. She’s a media marketing idea generating gem! 🤗 Megan!

3) @tresmarket_foods is in my Top 3 most interacted with posts of all time! Our whole neighborhood and beyond was excited at the chance to win a happy hour with them! 🤗🤗 Julie and Jeannine!

I’m most of all happy to call all of these women friends, tell it to your neighbor! 

#houstonnetworking #mediatraining #videoproducer #houstoncatering #houstondesign #houstonproducer #houstonmedia #shophouston #houstonblogger
Love is resurrection and love is a trumpet sound. Love is resurrection and love is a trumpet sound. 🎺 There ain’t no grave gonna hold my body down.📣 @bethelmusic 

My first time to hear this 👆song with a lot of history including @johnnycash! Have you heard it?!

Thank you @chapelwoodumc and @thejohnstephens for an #Easter service outside (even if we weren’t in a pandemic) and for the introduction to this song! 

Love to you, neighbor! ♥️🎺

#aintnograve #eastersunday #heisrisen #houstonchurches #faith #donotbeafraid #takeasecondlook #linger
How do I get everyone to listen to last week’s e How do I get everyone to listen to last week’s episode of Connecting With @drkimswales? “ADHD with Dr. Ned Hallowell.” Coaches, parents, teachers, managers... well I think we are all working with or being mystified/maybe frustrated by someone with ADD. Or the term ADHD has been so misleading that it’s prevented you from seeking help for yourself or a child. 🙋🏼‍♀️ In a nutshell the episode clears up the confusion, explains the advancements and Dr. Swales asks THE question that has kept me up at night and made me question. Her guest, @dr_hallowell, is the author of the book I recommended last summer. Now he’s written another relatable book with the latest science. I’m only on the intro and it’s opened my eyes again! The more I learn about ADD, the more relief I feel and it makes me think a lot about my first job out of college (swipe left), a job I loved and a job I had to work a ton of overtime for because of a condition I didn’t know I have. I’m curious about my billable hours compared to my coworkers or on second thought, I don’t think I could handle that comparison. And I may have tweaked my hours to appear “normal” so a comparison might not even be accurate! But I would like to speak up for myself and others today for my experience back then. A co-worker once said to me, “Most of the time I think you’re really smart but sometimes I feel like you’re in elementary school.” 😳 I think this person was trying to be funny but it came out horribly. In that moment I knew they were just experiencing ME and the way I operate, it’s how I’ve always been.  Sometimes there’s so much to focus on and take in all at once that I look frozen or I get distracted. Luckily, because of the temperament I was born with and the way I was raised, I had no doubt I was smart. I also knew this was why my Mom tried to protect me by telling me to keep my pace to myself.🤫 By the way, I knew my Mom’s suggestion wasn’t okay, it’s just how SHE was raised. Well, I’m hoping for a future with less of all of that and more of focusing on people’s strengths and understanding of ADHD. Take a listen to Episode 24 of Connecting With @drkimswales 👈, it helps and you will enjoy it! Thank you!
Howdy Neighbors! We are back from our trip to West Howdy Neighbors! We are back from our trip to West Texas and I am currently downloading our trip highlights on stories and saving them to highlights, too. If you’re interested in taking a trip to @historic_alpine_texas, Marfa, Big Bend and Fort Davis, I’m sharing our recommendations and lessons learned. In terms of pandemic/small town/national and state park travel, this was a last minute trip and I’m not good with reservations anyway but we made the best of it! We loved it, it was a grrrrreat trip! Check it out and tell us if you’ve taken this trip and loved it, too! 👇

@1909_vaquero @abbeybranch #westtexas #pradamarfa #alpinetexas #marfatexas #bigbendnationalpark #davismountains #thedesk #sculpture #artinstallation #duststorm #houstondesigner #texasroadtrip #pandemictravel #tityntravels

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