Bookshelves on the Brain

Renovations are in full swing downstairs
 {surprising to NO one, I am sure!}  
There's always some sort of project going on around here.  ALWAYS!  

This one started out innocent enough....
I thought we could maybe just:

 "freshen up the walls" a bit ...
You see where this is going, right?

You know what they say....

....He's going to ask for a glass of milk.  And if you give him a glass of milk"

Anyways....You get the point, right?

{LOVE THAT BOOK!}

SO.... we have now found ourselves at
 the point of no return!

{See what I mean?}

I'll keep you guys updated along the way.  
LOTS of exciting plans that might just come to life!

For now....Back to the bookshelves.

The paint hasn't even dried yet and I can't even WAIT to start accessorizing.  Before I go crazy, I thought it might be helpful for me (and hopefully some of you) to offer a few tips on making your bookshelves stand out in STYLE!

Let me first show you some shelves that I just ADORE!

First, how could these colors not make you INSTANTLY cheery?  

Turning books around is a great way to "de-clutter" and give your shelves a uniform look.

And I can't even TALK about the perfection of that ladder!

{For the record...Michael just walked in and said:  "that's a HORRIBLE idea...why would anyone  EVER turn books backwards?"  We'll see who wins on this one....}

This next picture has floor to ceiling bookshelves....

I love this old English look!

And finally, this bit of GORGEOUSNES...

{via Elle Decor}

In general, a good rule of thumb to follow when filling up those shelves:

1/3 Books

1/3 Accessories

1/3 Empty Space {just gives your eye a second to rest}

You Might Also Consider:

• Staggering Heights of objects
• Grouping Collections
• Strive for a BALANCE between: shapes, color, style & size

Really, though....

they're YOUR shelves meant to express YOUR style! 

So just have fun with it!  

Experiment.  

Move things around {like 5 times}, 

Step back, 

Evaluate & try again until. . .

 it feels JUST RIGHT!

SO I don't have an "after" picture to dramatically follow the "before" up above.  (eeek!!) 

Not YET at least.

BUT what I DO have for you tonight is a glimpse of us as a :

Because, the "in-between", well THAT'S where 

LIFE HAPPENS!

Lots more to come....