Shelf Styling

Hello friends! Today I wanted to share with you an area I've been struggling with in decorating. Now, I consider myself to be a pretty good decorator. Not Martha Stewart or anything, but at least I have a good eye and can create a semi-cohesive room or nice vignette.

Enter my arch decor nemesis...shelving. I'm just not a fan. Never have been. I think long, squatty shelving often ends up looking like a dumping ground, a cluttered mess, or just a plain 'ol library. I think shelves, especially long ones without much height, can be some of the hardest things to decorate. And guess what I happen to have on the focal wall of my little parlor? Yep...shelves.

I've been fighting with them since we moved it. But today I decided it was time to tackle these mean old shelves and show them who was boss. So of course I started with a pin board for inspiration. Here are some images I pinned.

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Here I love the use of stacked books to create separation and keep things uncluttered.

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I love the use of all the shells. It keeps it cohesive. I'm still on the lookout for a reasonably priced sea fan!

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Here I love that there are lots of accessories without looking cluttered. That's hard to achieve.

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From the talented Lindsey at LLH Designs. The simple picture frames create height and interest in the back

And here's what I came up with.




There are two things to keep in mind here.
1. I used only what I had. I shopped my house and my storage and used accessories I had on hand.
2. I wanted to use many more vintage books. I have lots of them from our wedding centerpieces, but a friend is borrowing them right now for her own wedding. So eventually I think I'll be able to make things look a little neater with more stacks of books.


Here's the side of the room I didn't show in the parlor tour.


Verse art I made way back here before we were married.



Through this doorway is the kitchen. Remember the subway art I asked for for Christmas? My sweet in-laws got them for us : )




The vignettes above and below are my favorites. I love how dramatic one of our engagement picture looks in an oval frame.


Well, how did I do with the terrible long squatty shelves? I'd love to hear feedback, or if you have any excellent shelf-styling tips! Have a great weekend!

{live beautifully}
Courtney