Like many of you, I have a lot of different kinds of things that I enjoy collecting. But they all have to live in harmony in a smallish house.
Space is always an issue, but why have collections that are put away in cupboards and rarely on display?
My favorite things get a turn at hanging out in all the different rooms of the house. My ironstone pitchers, for instance, are not just for the kitchen, the dining room, or flowers.
The vintage linens are the easiest to store, but the collection that I enjoy using the most. So here they help me camouflage some of the books that also overflow into every nook and cranny around the place.
Turning the spines of books to the wall is not only popular at the moment, but it's useful for unifying color in a space. A lot of color is just not going to work for me with the neutral tones of this room. And throwing out my books isn't going to work for me either! But simply turning the books still left a busier look than I wanted. This vintage lace curtain took me where I wanted to go. I probably wouldn't try this in my living room, but it helps soften this quieter bedroom space.
We have too many books to try to hide them all. But of course we wouldn't want to do that anyway. Without a whole room as a designated library, it's a constant challenge. But that's sure not going to stop me from ordering a couple of new decorating books!
Thanks so much for stopping by while I was gone!
I'm still catching up.
Hope your week is turning out great!
Jacqueline
Join me at
Jacqueline,I can relate to this post, I also have a small house,and am challenged to show all my collections. I like the idea of the lace in front of the book shelf.xx
ReplyDeleteI like to move things around aswell! I admire your vintage linens and lace. Beautiful post!
ReplyDeleteAmanda - www.notsoperfetmess.blogspot.com
A great idea with the lace.
ReplyDeletenice the way you change things around
Jaqueline.. you have great taste.
val
What a great idea! I hadn't thought of turning them round but also the idea of the net curtain!!! I wondered at first whether it was a specially patternend cloth until I saw the up closer shots! I love the way the colours are all so different shades of neutral and all blend together. Great ideas. Thanks. Joan
ReplyDeleteGorgeous!! So pretty how you use things in a unique way. I'm glad to know I'm not the only one with a smallish space! We have books still packed in boxes with nowhere to go, so maybe when hubby builds me some bookcases, I will try this!!
ReplyDeleteJacqueline, I just realized the photo of the highchair with the flowers is from you!! I pinned that on pinterest when looking for ways to use an old high chair of my grandfather's. Mine didn't look as good as yours so I ended up putting it back into my parent's attic.
ReplyDeleteWhat a pretty vignette you have created.. White ironstone pitchers are one of my favorite things. :)
ReplyDeleteSo pretty! We have the same issue with books - where to put them? Like you, I don't want to get rid of them either, though I do donate some to our local library sale every year.
ReplyDeletexo
Claudia
You have that special touch that makes everything look beautiful!
ReplyDeleteLove that little jar...it reminds me of one that I have that was my Mom's!
ReplyDeletebeautiful...I love how you've put everything out and on display to be enjoyed. I know it makes me smile when I walk into a room that seems to say, HELLO...WELCOME....SO GLAD YOU ARE HERE...MAKE YOURSELF COZY AND HAPPY!
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing.
ciao bella
Creative Carmelina
The books behind the hand crocheted lace are mesmerizing. The perfect vignette atop is the icing on the cake! Lovely.
ReplyDelete~Lynne
w/L.
the linens and lace are very beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteYour beautiful linens look so pretty in this vignette. I like the contrast of the ironstone and linens with the texture of the bookcase and books in the background.
ReplyDeleteAlways so lovely!
Mary Alice
Good morning! Just saw this post and as always, love what you are showing. Now about that lace covering the books....I LOVE that! And, I would have it in my living room I love it so much. Don't you think it also cuts down on the dust on your books? I'd think so. Always amazed at what you think up!! Thanks, pat
ReplyDeleteI too have little space and various collections including vast numbers of books. The lace curtain and the books turned spine to the back is a brilliant idea.
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderfull idea and looks great!
ReplyDeleteI agree, Jacqueline, that collections are meant to be enjoyed and displayed. And it's fun to move things around and find a new space or use for them. Your book tip is GENIUS! I'm always noticing how all those "living with white" decorators seem to have nothing but taupe, brown, black or tan book spines!? While mine are green, red, blue, striped, mustard, burgundy, etc. I'm going to try turning them so the spines are facing up (so I can still read them!) and see if that tones down my shelves a bit. The sheer fabric and linen scarf over your case is just beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI just love all of your photos. Funny, how I think of New Mexico as being the old stereotype of south-west decor....you have shown me how wrong that is..so peaceful and beautiful and pleasing to look at....Romance is anyplace you put it!!
ReplyDeleteJacqueline,
ReplyDeleteLove the vintage lace over your book shelf. Have you seen where they cover all the books with kraft paper? I love that look, but would get tired of making all those old school book covers to create a look, only to change it again! I might try turning the books around, though. Cleaver idea, indeed!!! Glad you're home and enjoying catching up!
Fondly,
Pat
So pretty!What a cleaver way to hide your books!Love that pretty lace too!
ReplyDeletexx
Anne
What a wonderful way to hide extra books with a beautiful piece of lace. Brilliant!
ReplyDeleteJody
The lace over the bookshelf is clever and very pretty! Ted has soooo many books, and they're all political books with red white and blue covers, and he wants to keep each and every one of them... i would rather hit myself in the head with a frying pan than read even one paragraph of one of them... so right now, besides the pile on his bedside table, they are turned around and headed up the stairs in big piles!
ReplyDeleteCindy
I love how you used the lace to diffuse the look of books on your shelves Jacqueline! What a great idea. Not only does it soften the look, but it shows off the beautiful pots and ironstone pitchers.
ReplyDeletehugs...
They really look in harmony under your delicate design.
ReplyDeleteMy dear Jacqueline, The problem with the storage space is something we all face from time to time. Like you, I haven't got the heart to get rid of my books. They are the heaviest items to carry when moving house (from my own experience, I said to myself, I won't do it again). In my old flat, the books used to pile up on the top of one another like a sharp, dangerous cliff that was going to fall at any moment. I've now got a study/library but the books are already spilling out of the room. My friends keep asking me to buy a Kindle instead!! Call me old-fashioned, I said they are not the same!! I like the way you cover the shelf with the lace. It works well with the monochromatic colour scheme. Thank you my dear.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful and very relaxing space you have created! I love all the different tones of white. :)
ReplyDelete