Living Room Bookshelves
I don’t think I’ve shared much about the living room since I painted it a few weeks ago. Since then, I’ve been to a few thrift stores, collected a few things, and started to put a look together.
I think I shared with you that I had been inspired by a photo that featured a tan, white and blue palette with a beachy feel (you can see the photo on the header of Barbara Jacksier’s blog). So I intended to have a beachy sand and sky thing going on here. I even found an entire bolt of blue floral upholstery fabric for $6 at the thrift store.
But sometimes a room just doesn’t want to be what you want for it. That probably sounds weird. I just mean that somehow the room comes together differently than you intended. My living room, for example, seems to want to be a cottage garden theme kind of thing with a palette of black/cream/tan with touches of green.
I can't believe I found
loveseat for such a good price.
It could be because of the cute little toile loveseat, which I picked up on Saturday at a consignment shop for $45. It's not very practical, and it's a little too small for the room, but you understand, I had to buy it, right? It's toile. It's in mint condition. Mint. I mean, could you pass up a perfect condition in black and cream toile loveseat for $45? I think not.
To paint, or not to paint?
That is the question.
Now, the bookshelves I'm still undecided about. My original plan was to paint them white. But I didn't have time over the holidays and wanted to get my books unpacked so I put them up as is. Now the warmth of the pine is starting to grow on me.
Speaking of the books, though, I took all the dust jackets off and like how they look much better. I wish they were even more faded, so I've thought about spraying bleach water on them (don't tell Gootz). I’m not sure I could bring myself to do it, because I know it’ll mean that the bleach could potentially cause the fabric to deteriorate faster than normal. Like, 50 years instead of 100, right?
So what about you? Do your rooms seem to have minds of their own? Would you paint those bookshelves? And really, could you bring yourself to bleach the covers of all your hardback books? Enquiring minds want to know.
More soon!
Comments (42)
How gorgeous. It looks so homey, as if you've lived there for ages.
The bookshelves are lovely, but I can also see them painted a creamy white. I have never heard of bleaching book covers. Mine would end up with streaks and blobs, LOL.
Posted by Stephie | January 1, 2008 11:03 PM
Posted on January 1, 2008 23:03
Spraying bleach on the books! Are you crazy?
Posted by gootz | January 1, 2008 11:26 PM
Posted on January 1, 2008 23:26
no, i could not bleach my book backs. BUT i could dye my rugs, carpets & walls. Not quite the same commitment.....but I am there. I love your style:)))
Posted by Cindy | January 1, 2008 11:50 PM
Posted on January 1, 2008 23:50
The little loveseat is gorgeous but if its giving your room a feel you hadn't counted on just slipcover it! Not too hard for a loveseat. And I do think your bookshleves would be beautiful in white, I paint everything white until my husband puts his foot down which is a great sorrow! Not sure about the books...why not slipcover them too?
Have fun!
Kimberly
Posted by Kimberly | January 2, 2008 5:04 AM
Posted on January 2, 2008 05:04
Wow!
the loveseat is awesome! What a find!
Everything is beautiful and I can't believe you just painted a few weeks ago! Great work!
I'd paint the bookshelf and not bleach the books :)
Posted by Emily | January 2, 2008 5:41 AM
Posted on January 2, 2008 05:41
Spray bleach on your books? For a "look"? Talk about style over substance.
Posted by mss @ Zanthan Gardens | January 2, 2008 6:16 AM
Posted on January 2, 2008 06:16
No, don't paint them white! They're lovely and warm as they are! And don't bleach your bookcovers, for pete's sake. Don't create a stage-set, just live in your home and let it age on its own. It will. :)
Love your photos, always. I need to upload a photo of my bedroom, I think you'd like it. Need to dust first.... :)
Posted by Thirkellgirl | January 2, 2008 6:24 AM
Posted on January 2, 2008 06:24
Angela,
No to the bleach, but I think that has already been "covered"!! I kind of like the warmth of the pine in the pictures, but in real life they may look different. Love the loveseat and let's face it,how could you not buy it. Isn't it fun to "putter" and get things just so?
Janet
PS.
I will send you an e-mail later about the movie.
Posted by janet | January 2, 2008 7:05 AM
Posted on January 2, 2008 07:05
What a find. LOVE the love seat. And, I went to your inspiration blog and wow. Your loveseat has the same look as the chair in the room! It is perfect. As lovely as your room looks now, if you want the look as in your inspiration room, I would paint the bookcases and the table white. But, I do think your room looks lovely as is. As for the books. They are your books! Spray them if you want to.
Posted by Andrea | January 2, 2008 7:13 AM
Posted on January 2, 2008 07:13
My first thought when I saw the photo of your living room was how pretty and warm the wood looked. Just my first impression. Which is usually wrong, but I thought I would share.....
Happy New Year!
Fran
Posted by Fran | January 2, 2008 7:40 AM
Posted on January 2, 2008 07:40
Angela, It looks great and what a find! It's funny how rooms tell us what they want. I always want to decorate in light and airy things and I'm always headed back towards earth tones....This picture looks like a magazine!
Jen R
Posted by Jen Rizzo | January 2, 2008 7:47 AM
Posted on January 2, 2008 07:47
Gmorning from Coastal Nest, and HAPPY NEW YEAR to my friend ANGELA!!
First off, the Living room looks great, second--IAMSOJEALOUS!@! A $45 toile loveseat!!!!??? EGADS woman, thats an especially nice find, and even in mint condition, you say. I could almost redo a whole room just for the justification of that. congratulations to you.
When it comes to bookcase decorating,one of the funnest thing you can do for your books is make covers, just like High School!! I did a job exactly that way not more than a year ago, we selected just a craft paper *could use any color that flipped your switch* or even a few different shades, if you liked, and just went to town. It really makes the cases look wonderful. But wait, you say, how do I know which books are which?? In pencil, write on the binding, or on the front, so it wont show up so boldly in the grand scheme of things. I have to say, It did turn out quite nicely and the client was just thrilled over the idea, and the final outcome.
I definately wouldnt bleach my books, my personal view, because they are an investment, of sorts-for me. (all interiors books)
I am looking forward to seeing your progress, Angela!
Off to do the "loss" inventory for the shop, what a job.. YUCKY, moldy inventory..
best wishes for a wonderful NEW YEAR
Lisa
coastal nest
Posted by Lisa | January 2, 2008 9:26 AM
Posted on January 2, 2008 09:26
Oh, my. Angela, what a great deal on that beautiful seat. Lucky girl! Of course you know I have an affinity for toile. This is gorgeous and I love what you're doing with the room.
This is going to be fun to see your transformations.
Happy New Year!
Posted by Anonymous | January 2, 2008 9:31 AM
Posted on January 2, 2008 09:31
Ooops, that anonymous post above is me. I forgot to enter my info.
Posted by Lisa | January 2, 2008 9:32 AM
Posted on January 2, 2008 09:32
I do not decorate professionally, but my Mother did. She could come up with great creative ideas off the cuff. For me - I have to sit in a room for a long while and just look at it. I have to think about what must be there and what would compliment the necessities. Once the ball starts rolling, it gets easier. Having a staring piece...maybe a piece of furniture or even a fabric pattern to set the tone also makes it easier.
As for bleeching books...Noooooo! Please don't. More than likely, you will end up with a moistness that causes the pages to stick and the bindings to weaken.
Posted by Julie Size | January 2, 2008 10:12 AM
Posted on January 2, 2008 10:12
OK I could NEVER bleach the cover of a book! I suppose you could make white book covers for each one if you really wanted a lighter look. I like the pine cases - I have a pine fireplace mantle and I keep thinking about painting it white but I like the warmth it adds to the room. No, I wouldn't have been able to pass up the love seat either! I'd find a way to make it work!
Manuela
Posted by The Feathered Nest (Manuela's) | January 2, 2008 11:11 AM
Posted on January 2, 2008 11:11
Ahhhh! That loveseat - I would not have thought two seconds about taking that home. I love it!!
Posted by Deborah | January 2, 2008 12:33 PM
Posted on January 2, 2008 12:33
Geesh- I am perfectly jealous. What a cute room you have!! I love that little loveseat, and no- I couldn't have passed it up either...toile, Mint, $45- ahhh. Right up my alley.
You are amazing and talented. I love the garden feel your room has taken over, it's so comfortable.
My licing room did the same- actually it keeps changing the more fun stuff I find thrifting and needing to find a place for it.
Can't wait to see more!
Posted by Kaylyn | January 2, 2008 1:16 PM
Posted on January 2, 2008 13:16
I love your bookcases the way they are. Your room looks "Cottage Living" beautiful.
I love the cottage look as well. We have our home decorated in blues and yellows with some green. It has more of the French cottage look. But my ceilings are high and I have windows EVERYWHERE so it doesn't have the nice cozy cottage look that you have.!
Posted by Julie Fink | January 2, 2008 1:45 PM
Posted on January 2, 2008 13:45
Angela -
Your living room is wonderful. I just loved everything about it when I first opened your blog. I think the bookcases look nice the way they are but I can also imagine them white. That's no help, is it? I would probably paint them white. Your loveseat was such a wonderful bargain - you did good! I love watching your projects come together. You have a wonderful touch and good taste. Keep up the good work. Thanks for letting us watch your progress.
~Adrienne~
Posted by Adrienne | January 2, 2008 1:57 PM
Posted on January 2, 2008 13:57
That room is looking so cozy and wonderful! I think the toile is a sign. Anyone who can walk into a thrift store and find a loveseat like that is blessed for sure. If you paint the shelves white we should move in next door to each other. Mine are white and I love them, but then I had to buy a dark wood table for the center of the room because I had too much white. See it never ends! Never!
Don't bleach the books or I'll call your hubby (: That sounds like something I would do LOL!
Posted by Anne | January 2, 2008 2:16 PM
Posted on January 2, 2008 14:16
Darling, you rock. Bleach or no... the room looks great. And uh, YOUR BOOKS... do as you like.
Happy New Year. I resolve to get myself your direction sometime this year. :D
Posted by Wende | January 2, 2008 4:08 PM
Posted on January 2, 2008 16:08
Angela that loveseat is lovely! Oh the bookcase would be so pretty with that white weather beaten look since it looks like knotty pine...
Mary
Posted by hoganfe handbags | January 2, 2008 4:35 PM
Posted on January 2, 2008 16:35
What a find on that loveseat! So yummy and the color....fabulous!
smiles, kari and kijsa
Posted by kari and kijsa | January 2, 2008 4:58 PM
Posted on January 2, 2008 16:58
looks great Angela! I am on the fence about you painting the shelves too! If you did how about a color other than white or mix of white with a pale blue on the inside because you have a sort of white, blue pine look, but hey its your furniture!
I am aching to redo my studio but cannot find the time or money!argh!
Ellen
Posted by ellen Crimi-Trent | January 2, 2008 5:29 PM
Posted on January 2, 2008 17:29
Ok - the loveseat for $45?? Lucky you! I would totally paint the bookshelf, but not bleach the books!! Eeek - I'm a book fanatic - I would never do that! Maybe you can find white book covers instead?
Posted by Lady N | January 2, 2008 6:24 PM
Posted on January 2, 2008 18:24
Angela,
WOW - you've done such a great job with your living room, and I ADORE your new love seat, I think that's the find of the year if you ask me! I love the look just as it is, and you're right the warmth of the pine is just perfect. I say don't mess with a good thing. Way to go girl!
Hugs,
Rose
Posted by Rose @ Classic Charm | January 2, 2008 7:09 PM
Posted on January 2, 2008 19:09
i have just discovered your beautiful blog. i can't tell you how green with envy i am over that $45 loveseat you found! oh my! i am jittery just thinking about that great find! wishing you a lovely 2008, karri
Posted by karri | January 2, 2008 7:20 PM
Posted on January 2, 2008 19:20
You might get used to the colors of the books like the bookshelves grew on you. First, give in time. I have spray painted book covers. It was a nice effect and did not damage any part of the book. (At least not any thing I could tell)
Posted by dee | January 2, 2008 8:05 PM
Posted on January 2, 2008 20:05
Your room is fantastic. I think the pine bookcases give it warmth and would hold off on painting them. You can get rolls of butcher paper or basic white paper from office supply stores - you might try making bookcovers for your books with some lovely script labels in nice calligraphy font so they all match and provide the sea of white you were interested in achieving - and it's not expensive or hard to do!
Your ideas and decor never ceases to inspire me! Thanks so much for sharing all you do!
Hugs, Pippa
Posted by Pippa | January 2, 2008 8:48 PM
Posted on January 2, 2008 20:48
Your living room is lovely and inviting. I'm thinking right now that you should not paint the bookcases - yet. Just hold off. One day it will hit you whether you should or not, but I believe it's too soon. Live with it with the love seat for a while like it is. Speaking of the love seat - what luck!!!! I am convinced that every time I go in a store to try to find a bargain I can hear someone yelling, "Here comes Jean. Hide the good stuff!!!" LOL
Posted by Jean T | January 2, 2008 10:03 PM
Posted on January 2, 2008 22:03
WOW! I love the look your room has taken. The bookcases look great as they are. But the white would look great too. If I were to have to pick just one, I would have to choose to go white. :o}
~Rhonda
Posted by Rhonda from Minnesota | January 3, 2008 8:19 AM
Posted on January 3, 2008 08:19
Cover the back of the shelves with a toile fabric.....or some other small print. You attach fabric with spray adhesive to a very thin piece of wood....like masonite....cut to fit in space and then just push it into place. The shelves keep it in place also. I did this to an old hutch....looks great...and it's not permanent. Removable if ever you wanted to move them.
Posted by Julia | January 3, 2008 10:16 AM
Posted on January 3, 2008 10:16
Oh, I almost missed your LR, Angela! I think it looks great & honestly, I think I would leave the natural wood of the bookcases, it does add a lot of warmth. What a find on that loveseat. I would have bought it too!! Ahh, the toile is lovely. Enjoy your room, it looks so cozy!
Rhoda
Posted by Rhoda | January 3, 2008 2:55 PM
Posted on January 3, 2008 14:55
I love the warmth of the wood in the bookcase. I agree with you--you couuld not pass the love seat up!
Posted by nannykim | January 3, 2008 7:16 PM
Posted on January 3, 2008 19:16
Love your living room! I wouldn't change a thing!
Penny
Posted by Penny @ Lavender Hill Studio | January 3, 2008 7:32 PM
Posted on January 3, 2008 19:32
I want to go to your thrift shop! I love that love seat! What a deal, and I think your living room looks fabulous! So cozy and inviting and bright!
Posted by Anonymous | January 4, 2008 5:29 AM
Posted on January 4, 2008 05:29
It's looking great and I can completely agree that you had no choice but to buy that loveseat. No court in the world would convict you for that.
Posted by Jen | January 5, 2008 5:44 AM
Posted on January 5, 2008 05:44
Your living room looks so cozy and inviting - I just want to plop down on that toile loveseat! I can't believe the deal you got on that one!
As for the bookshelves, they look great now! I'm in a "paint everything white" kick myself, so I think they'd look great painted, too. I really like how you've accessorized the shelves - painted or not, they look great!
Posted by One Woman | January 9, 2008 10:10 AM
Posted on January 9, 2008 10:10
I vote for white. I can't seem to tire of white and what it can do for a room. Put the books in the summer sun and they will fade. I have done that unintentionally and loved it.
Posted by Susan | January 14, 2008 10:58 PM
Posted on January 14, 2008 22:58
I absolutely ADORE that toile loveseat!!!!! Wow, and what a bargain, too!!!!!
As for the color of the bookshelves, my vote is to paint them white. Since this post was back in January, you may have already painted them or decided to leave them just as is.
No, I would not spray bleach on my books.
Michele
luvkittysmeowmail@gmail.com
Posted by Michele | May 31, 2008 1:53 AM
Posted on May 31, 2008 01:53
just a thought on the books - i saw a book case where they had turned all the books to face the back of the shelf, leaving the white pages to the outside ... not sure if that would give you the look you are going for but couldn't hurt to give that one a try and wouldn't harm the books ~
Posted by gretchen | June 15, 2008 10:55 AM
Posted on June 15, 2008 10:55