Since we first bought this house, I’ve had my heart set on built-in bookcases around this doorway. (You know I love a good built-in.) But, as other projects have taken precedence, my dream has been squashed. I’m not sure why it didn’t occur to me to move the bookcases that were behind our sofa to this wall before now, but I love how they look here and how much it has helped to open up the room.
I still say these were one of my best Craigslist finds at $20 a piece. They’ve been in three houses and two different colors now.
This living room was two houses ago. I also used them in one of the kids’ rooms in our last house.
When they were behind our sofa, I had them a little more crammed with books:
When I moved them to their newest spot, I lightened things up a little bit. Less books, a few more accessories. . .
Of course, I don’t get the same height as I would with a built-in, but ginger jars fix that problem:
A little green, plenty of blue and white mixed in, some framed photos and a few accessories for texture:
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They look great there! Definitely opens up your living room and gives it balance too I think. Love that you actually put books in those cases too 😉.
Balance was definitely missing before, and it was driving me crazy.
I love them there so much! Leading into the black office…swoon!!!!!
Yeah, I’m happy with the transition from one room to the next. :)
I really love these surrounding the door. And a perfect balance of decor and family, as always. You and your home remain an inspiration.
Thanks, Kimber. Good to hear from you! Hope you’re doing well.
Emily, could you please tell me where you found the wood beads? Just beautiful!
They’re from a thrift store, but Etsy is a great source. I linked to one at the bottom of the post.
I have two strands of these (https://www.target.com/p/threshold-153-wooden-bead-garland/-/A-52037306) and love them, their shape, and their fun tactile nature! Everybody loves a fidget ….
Emily–I came to this post (your site, actually) whilst searching Pinterest for images of built-ins and moulding painted the same color as the walls. The pin I saw was evidently quite cropped, but I got a kick out of seeing your b+w porcelain (spent over a decade in Asia plus my husband is Japanese, so back frequently: in downtown Tokyo is a Blue + White store by a fellow expat married to a Japanese fellow). I also got real joy from seeing books with dust jackets, with spines facing the viewer, and not arranged by color.
Emily Henderson has nothing on you. Your bookcases are styled to perfection.
I saw a peak of your Chinese Chippendale chairs. Can you share where you got them?
Ha! I don’t know about that, but you’re very kind.
I found the chairs from Amazon but they’ve been sold out for a while… :(
Seeing Tommy Scott with the head full of dark hair and the moustache puts a smile on my face, Emily!! BTW, you’re mother is even prettier now than when you were born. She is absolutely ageless!!!
They were/are a pair, alright! :)
Love your styling and the fact that you still use lots of books!
I am pretty sure I remember when you got them!! Love them there!
I’m sure you do! :)
I much prefer the bookcases in the doorway. The house is coming together beautifully but when are we going to see the kitchen? I’m wondering if it will be featured in a magazine spread….
Love the bookshelves and how versatile they are. They look great flanking doors. Do you have any suggestions for items to add height. Love you ginger jars, but they wouldn’t work in my decor. I’m so over baskets as well. Thanks! Love you posts!
Love your ideas and the new placement. I would have never thought of putting beads in a bowl for texture. Thanks for that easy idea for our large bookcases, which we also use for our books. I love to have books visible for many reasons! And, contrary to popular comments, reading them a second time does happen–plus just knowing they’re there and hold memories adds to their “presence” for me in our house.
As always, your house is such an inspiration for me! Maybe random, but are those hydrangeas in the first picture real? They are HUGE! If they are not real, PLEASE share your source. I want to keep a semi-permanent arrangement of white hydrangeas on my dining table.
They are real but I didn’t grow them! I got them from a friend who’s a floral designer and has access to the good stuff :)
Hi Emily…beautiful arrangements! Do you have a source for the female goddess bust/statue?
I bought mine from Joss & Main several years ago.