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Emily A. Clark

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Adventures in Bookcase Styling

April 28, 2010 32 Comments

A couple of weeks ago, I shared my bookcase makeover, and while the exterior work was a task in itself, the real challenge came when it was time to accessorize them.

The sight of an empty bookcase is a little daunting.  So, I started by painting the back of the bookcases a strong contrasting color.  This instantly begins to “fill” them.  I also love the look of wallpaper (or even fabric) on the backs. 

Since these bookcases are in our family room, I decided to fill them with personal items, but to also mix in accessories that I liked and of course, books.  Alot of people feel strongly about only displaying books that they’ve actually read.  I like to use mainly old books in great colors.  So, have I read all of the books on my shelves?  I have three small kids.  What do you think? :)

I think the key to good bookcase styling is the same as accessorizing the rest of your home: keep it simple.  While bookshelves can be a nice place to display collections, I like to choose fewer, larger pieces to mix in with books and photos, rather then cramming lots of “things” into a small space.

Of course, the real secret to bookcase styling is to try, try again!  Here’s what my first attempt looked like:

While not terrible, something just seemed off to me.  The first step was to bring in more books–an obvious, but sometimes overlooked, solution. 
The red frames and coral were also bothering me, so I removed them.  I wanted a more cohesive look so I gathered some gold/bronze accessories I was no longer using and got out the spray paint:
 Is this an inventive drop cloth or what?!

I also added a large silver tray amid the black & white photographs on the top, just to break up the straight lines and to add height.

My formerly bronze pineapple became one of my favorite pieces:

My dad recently gave me one of his old paint-by-numbers; I like the color that it adds:

Finished, for now:


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Filed Under: accessories, bookshelves

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Rene @ cottage and vine says

    April 28, 2010 at 11:21 am

    Love your bookshelves Emily! You have styled them just right :)

    I am about to paint the built-ins in our bedroom and am considering dark blue and also like the grass cloth Sara Tuttle used to line book shelves in her portfolio. Decisions…

    Reply
  2. kdp says

    April 28, 2010 at 11:55 am

    Love those bookshelves and GREAT job on the accessories! I esp. love the paint by number – sweet!!

    Reply
  3. Laura Trevey says

    April 28, 2010 at 11:56 am

    Love the dark blue contrast with the white!! So chic!!

    Reply
  4. 1 Funky Woman says

    April 28, 2010 at 12:25 pm

    What paint did you use for your pineapple. I have several things I’m thinking of giving a make over! I love how your book shelves turned out!

    Reply
  5. Erin from Skoots and Cuddles says

    April 28, 2010 at 12:29 pm

    Your bookshelves look fantastic. I love the combination of personal pieces, books and photos! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  6. Short Southern Momma says

    April 28, 2010 at 12:34 pm

    What a great job you did! I loved your “drop cloth” and think you can never have too many cans of white spray paint around the house. haha

    Hope your having a great day! xoxo

    Reply
  7. Marija says

    April 28, 2010 at 12:59 pm

    The styling is perfect. Totally love the painted back trick :)

    Marija

    Reply
  8. Mary Ellen says

    April 28, 2010 at 1:17 pm

    Oh, my goodness… I just did a post this morning about finally styling my bookshelves. Thanks for the inspiration!
    P.S. I loved your post a while back when you featured your readers bookshelf re-do’s! Awesome!
    -ME

    Reply
  9. carlee says

    April 28, 2010 at 1:24 pm

    Wow! It looks gorgeous Emily. I love the way you styled it. It came together so well!

    Reply
  10. goodwillsp says

    April 28, 2010 at 2:07 pm

    It looks great, Emily! I’m wondering if any of those accessories were Goodwill finds…

    Reply
  11. Lisa says

    April 28, 2010 at 2:31 pm

    Love the bookcases and styling and that you painted the pineapple white. It looks fantastic! I just bought a huge gold framed bulletin board – so one can of white spray paint later and it was a gorgeous matte white just what I wanted….

    Reply
  12. Bailey Quin says

    April 28, 2010 at 2:32 pm

    Looks pretty good, I must say, I like it! And your pineapple makeover is amazing, you can tell it feels much better about its shiney white self now!

    Reply
  13. LindsB says

    April 28, 2010 at 2:39 pm

    It takes a real talent to make bookcases look like this- I need to take some lessons from you, mine are in need of major help for sure!

    Reply
  14. L. Duncan says

    April 28, 2010 at 3:08 pm

    Love the way it turned out! Hmm.. that image of your spray painting session makes me what to paint something:)

    Reply
  15. keely @ luxe + lillies says

    April 28, 2010 at 3:46 pm

    I think you did a fabulous job, its not easy to make it look so perfect, but you make it look effortless!

    Reply
  16. Hello Lover... says

    April 28, 2010 at 4:31 pm

    Looks great! I love the blue on the back of the shelving (I also love how it turned out on your fireplace)!

    Reply
  17. [email protected] says

    April 28, 2010 at 4:36 pm

    Emily, this looks great. Don’t you love the way a white accessory “jumps” off of a colored background?

    Reply
  18. Melissa says

    April 28, 2010 at 5:29 pm

    So glad I found this– I’ve got a massive (6 feet long!) bookshelf to fill and style. I love your fresh white accessories– I have the cousin of your cute little partridge– mine used to be brown, and he looks so cute in white!

    Reply
  19. Briar Oak says

    April 28, 2010 at 5:44 pm

    This looks great! What is the name of the dark blue color you used? I am thinking of painting my bookshelves the same color. Thanks!

    Reply
  20. Dayka (Life +Style) says

    April 28, 2010 at 6:59 pm

    bookcase styling is not as easy as it looks, and you’re right–you have to keep at it until you get it right. love what you’ve done.

    Reply
  21. Design Darling says

    April 28, 2010 at 7:20 pm

    you nailed it! the whole space looks not only professionally designed but professionally photographed. bravo!

    Reply
  22. The Zhush says

    April 28, 2010 at 7:32 pm

    You are quite the book case master! Adore that white pineapple as well! Really, all so great!

    Reply
  23. Suzanne says

    April 28, 2010 at 8:10 pm

    Nice, I like the redo better too! Can’t believe you have 3 small kids and got it down, you inspire!

    Suzanne

    New Follower from sostinkingcute.blogspot.com

    Reply
  24. Sarah says

    April 28, 2010 at 9:04 pm

    You did such a great job styling your bookshelves. I love the blue contrast as well as the pops of white.
    Also, the detailing on the both doors is fab!!

    Reply
  25. jen says

    April 28, 2010 at 9:19 pm

    The best comment “finished for now.” That’s the beauty of bookcases. “For now.”

    Reply
  26. Fran says

    April 28, 2010 at 11:25 pm

    Emily, I love your bookcases! They are so fantastic. I loved how you took us through your thought process! Thanks for such an inspiring post!

    Reply
  27. Jenny @ Anything Pretty says

    April 29, 2010 at 2:43 am

    I also struggle with accessorizing bookshelves for some strange reason, so this was perfect post! I love your style!

    Reply
  28. Averill says

    April 29, 2010 at 3:20 am

    Looks great! I really love the white pineapple — spray paint does amazing things, doesn’t it?

    Reply
  29. Vanessa says

    April 29, 2010 at 4:38 am

    This tutorial could be in a magazine – great job!

    Reply
  30. Bryant Park Designs says

    April 29, 2010 at 11:03 am

    Your bookshelves look amazing! Nice work. I love the blue you used on the back, and on the walls across the room (if I remember it correctly). I included those images in a navy room round up I did on my blog about a week ago. I just posted my own bookshelf redo yesterday: http://livinglivelier.blogspot.com
    Great work!
    Deb

    Reply
  31. Amy says

    April 29, 2010 at 11:42 pm

    thanks for this post! i think i need to paint the backs of mine! i sent you an email with all the info you needed for my ad! thanks so much emily!

    Reply
  32. Jules says

    January 22, 2011 at 3:43 pm

    I meant to put this with my original comment and forgot: your styling of the shelves is what makes them! Fabulous job! And oh – do I love me some spray paint! I will be using this post as a guide in the very near future.

    Reply

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