As the end of January neared, I had to pack up all my Christmas decor. I mean, I’m not gonna be that girl, the one who never puts the stuff away, right? Never mind the Christmas tree that’s still lying at our curb. . .
After I packed the holiday decor away, I realized that my built-but-not-finished living room shelf unit needed something to tide it over until I can find time to stain it. In the interest of full disclosure, I’m going to show you how it looks now – even though I’m not yet satisfied.
It went from this:
To this:
Basically, after I took down the yarn trees, I had to do something to create height on the top shelf – so I pulled a few small hardback books from storage in the basement and added some book ends that I had there as well. You’ll notice that for now I left the wintry-themed fabric on the top. That just means that I have to stain it before the spring decor starts!
On the middle shelf I had trouble with the decor, because of the open sides. So I decided to go the symmetrical route. It turns out I have two old lanterns, so that wasn’t so hard.
But you know, I’m really not loving it. It’s ok, but I expect more from myself. I think what I need to do is add a back to it, as well as sides (my dad’s going to say “I told you so”) and then stain it. ASAP. But adding a back to it will be tough, because of the heat vent that is behind the bottom shelf area.
Maybe I could just put a back on the top half, and then put sides on the whole height of it? What would you do?
Bookshelf design and layout is definitely one of the areas where I struggle. Thanks so much, in advance, for your input!
Cheers,
~Jane~
PS: Don’t forget to check out yesterday’s giveaway post – it’s a good one!
7 Comments
I think a nice dark stain would be awesome.
Hmmm… I was thinking the same thing that it really needs a back on it. Could you stretch fabric across the back or something to give it a “faux” back that would still breathe? I also saw something in the latest issue of This Old House that could work- they used a decorative metal grid for the front of a cupboard door and it looked really cool. I couldn’t find the exact thing but this link will give you an idea of what it looked like: http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/235925799/Decorative_Perforated_Metal_Sheet.html
I don’t think it needs a back. But I think you are mixing up intentions. You designed it as a living room shelf, not a bookshelf. The holiday arrangement worked because it didn’t look like a bookshelf. This arrangement is treating it like a bookshelf and that is why it feels off.
you could use the screening that is used on radiator covers in older homes.. some have very decorative patterns, and can be very shabby chic! 🙂
what about adding fabric as a backer? you could staple gun it and always change it out for holidays or if you find a new and snazzier fabric to match ever changing decor!
for sure stain that baby asap!
xoXOxo
Jenn @ Peas & Crayons
I’m bad at bookshelf design and layout too, so I don’t have any advice to share..but! I LOVE your lanterns!! Do you have any coffee table-sized books? If so, maybe you could put them on their side (like the magazines) and put the little stack of books/bookends on top of them. That’s it. That’s all I’ve got.
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