it's that time of year....

time to decorate and get organized....

well i know many of you are in the full blown decorating mode...for your orders of game boards just shows that...some of you are easing in, moving furniture around, adding a little this and that...and i am myself feeling the inspiration of the changing season coming upon us... i wanted to share some ideas that you can do yourself, just to give you a little lift while we are still in the winter season...


my biggest challenge has always been those bookshelves...my friend becky from dallas would come over and help me 'junk it up', as we called it...but being miles and miles away i no longer have my friend to come and do it just perfectly for me...some people just have a 'talent' to pull it off, but i'm lacking in the bookshelf department...so for some of you that are like me...here are some pointers and inspiring photos...




to achieve the look above, which i think is 'me'...

-- Alternate stacking books horizontally and vertically.
-- Use solid picture frames as books stands as with the framed blue butterfly in this photo.
-- Stack figurines and tchotchkes on horizontal books and layer photos and books behind.







to achieve a tone on tone...

-- To style a bookshelf to perfection, resist the urge to pile accessories in.
-- Choose a one-color or tone-on-tone scheme for vases and figurines, then alternate shapes, such as a square picture frame in one cubby and spherical bowl in another.
-- Every so often, step back to make sure you like the overall balance. Place items off center or try larger or smaller ones until you like what you see.




you are a collector at heart...

-- Gather all your collectibles and place them in between books on your shelves. Try to match heights as closely as possible.
-- Create a loose symmetry by placing similar colors on each side of the center line. If you have a picture frame or square shape in one shelf, mirror it on the other side.
-- In a wall of shelves such as this, it's important to scatter shelves with only books in it here and there to punctuate the look.









symmetry is what you love...

-- A symmetrical look works great in built-in shelves. Begin by placing focal-point pieces in the middle of each shelf, with the most prominent piece on the top shelf.
-- Surround the items with figurines, again placing the largest on the top shelf and diminishing from there.
-- Add books to line the sides, adding a horizontal stack of books on the bottom shelf.




show your art collection...


-- Highlight your favorite small sculptures by placing them solo in a shelf.
-- Group books in the center of the shelf and prop them up with small vases or matching bookends.
-- Punctuate the display with a few scattered shelves of same-size reference books.

i hope this gives you some ideas on where to start if you struggle with your displays as i do....i think we can all pull this off with just a little help....