...and a few photos of bookshelves I like. She knew right away what it was that I liked...having more uniform look to the shelves. So I took out all of the big items in the double open shelves. I removed the wooden boxes holding our CDs which I rarely listen to. Jos stained my stepping stool to the same wood stain as the shelves. I added more shelves to the unit and find it is much better. I actually added books from the bedroom but it looks like they are emptier instead of fuller. I am really pleased with the after photo...
I kept one double space for stacking my handmade quilts in...
One shelf is now devoted to the Penguin Clothbound Classics that I want to collect. I do not have many yet but love the look of these books...
I am able to finally use little decorative items on the shelves that work well with the books instead of creating clutter...
While hunting for my before bookshelf photos, I came across this photo from August 2011. I had set myself a challenge to read ten books before I was allowed to buy any new books. I read more than the ten books but these were the books I pulled specifically for the challenge. I now see that four of them are still not read. I am going to set myself a challenge to go look for the following titles to read before the end of the summer...
Secrets and Shadows by Mary Nichols
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See
A Year on Ladybug Farm by Donna Ball
The Dream House by Rachel Hore
Do you set reading goals for yourself? Do you have bookshelves? What do you do to make them look really nice or are they all books?
Heidi
Hello Heidi
ReplyDeletewe have 3 Kindles and really like this way of reading. I hardly ever buy paper books anymore except for childrens books.
I do like your shelves and collections. I really like the stain color too on the shelves and stool= tell Jos he did a good job staining and your arranging looks so pleasing too.
It looks really nice. I have too many books for my shelves so it's always a problem keeping them neat and tidy. I did a lot of stacking and accesories at one time and felt it looked too messy so I went back to just putting them in the usual way. I do have a bookcase in the living room that has accessories in it and my bedroom bookcases have some but most of my bookcases are just books. I like the way yours looks though so I may re-evaluate. Linda
ReplyDeleteI love what you did with your shelves--very tidy and categorized. I don't have a nice place for books, just a few different shelving units scattered about the house. I have too much junkie stuff. You are an inspiration, and I'm glad you put the quilts on there. They add so much.
ReplyDeleteI don't collect books at all. I do read a lot but use the library. I'm not a big re-reader so it doesn't make sense. I use my Nook a lot too to check out books from the library. I have always loved the way decorated bookshelves look.
ReplyDeleteThat must have been a big job reorganizing your shelves, but they did look great!! My husband and I spent over two years slowly downsizing our book collection. We now have just what we love and buy only what is on our list, of needed books. Due to the amount we read and pay (not really as we buy used), many friends have suggested the electronic books. You have to power those babies, but not a paper book. We can take them anywhere without worries for power.
ReplyDeleteblessings, jilly
Volgens mij had je gewoon een smoes nodig om nog meer boeken kwijt te kunnen.LOL!
ReplyDeleteMaar het is waar: het is overzichterlijker geworden. Waar laat je nu het kleine ladenkastje?
En wat een grote stapel boeken om te gaan lezen. (want als je leest kun je niet handwerken...)
Oh, aren't "before & after" pictures, wonderful!!!!!! So happy you remembered to take 'before.' Not everyone does. But you were sending it, to get suggestions. :-)
ReplyDeleteYes we have library shelves in the Den, which my husband built a long time ago. And sorry to say, they are not as neat as yours! -sigh-
But I don't buy books anymore. At this aged, we try to get rid of clutter, and not add to it. I LOVE my Library System!!!!!! And use it, all the time. :-)
At present, I'm on a lovely roll of Mary Stewart books. Delicious. Delightful. I love reading. :-)
Gentle hugs,
"Auntie"
The new look in wonderful! Job well done!
ReplyDeleteI really do not need to set myself reading goals. I just read non stop. lol. I have my nook in my hand all the time and yesterday I actually bought a book at Walmart. I bought Catherine Coulter's Split Second and read almost all of it yesterday, Only a few pages more to go. I have a very hard time putting her books down once I start them.
ReplyDeleteI love the new (librayish) look. Hahaha. I know, that is not a word. It looks way less crowded now. Love it. Good work Miss Heidi.
Happy reading now.
Love you, Mom
Very nice Heidi! Jos did a great job on staining your step-stool. I love that you have your quilts folded and on display. You did a great job!
ReplyDeleteYour bookshelves look great! Mine are downstairs and crammed full. Have nowhere else to put them! Might help if I didn't keep bringing more home. ;-) You will love Snow Flower and the Secret Fan - one of my faves. On January 1st, I thought I'd set a goal of reading 50 books this year, but oh, how I'm laughing at that goal now!
ReplyDeleteHi Heidi, I just found your "new" blog, so shame on me. I enjoyed seeing your before and after bookshelf photos. I have bookcases in most rooms of my home, and having built-ins has been the determining factor (really!) when buying a house. In fact, different types of books are in different rooms and locations on the shelves. And, I'm sorry to say I still have boxes of books and not enough room. I've culled through my collection every time I've moved, but I still can't imagine a home without books. One of these days I'd like to have a library room like the one at Biltmore in Asheville, NC!
ReplyDelete