What is this {pretty, happy, funny, real} you speak of?
~ {pretty, happy, funny, real} ~
Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~
Every Thursday, here at Like Mother, Like Daughter!
The other day you got to talking about actual bookshelves to put your books on (as Rosie warned me you would, but I was trying to stay on-topic, always a challenge for me as we all know), and dear longtime reader Kimberlee suggested a link-up for bookshelves.
That's a good idea, don't you think? Do you have any contentment in your bookshelves or about your bookshelves? Or are they {real}?
In my opinion, the two hardest pieces of furniture to procure are chairs and bookshelves. Quality-wise vs. the expense. It's really frustrating, don't you think?
Well, if you like, post a picture and link it up! (Instagram works too, just follow the menu.) As always, you can link with any post you would like to!
I was a little abashed, to tell the truth, because at least part of our book issue is taken care of by the built-ins in the Chief's study. I realize not everyone has this (although if they did, they'd probably take care of them better!).
The books that were here, next to my desk (my hardcover children's books)…
I've moved here.
This was the younger kids' — and then just Bridget's — homeschooling center of operations and now it's not that any more. And Bridget being Bridget, she had cleaned out that bookcase.
It was an empty bookcase.
The truth is, things are very quiet around here. Bridget should be on her way from Paris to Rome today.
In other news, I re-covered a pillow that was even messier than all the others (using some pretty Minted.com fabric that Natasha gave me).
They have to be piled on the sofa, though, because…
… these ottomans, where they provide some back support, are Roxie's center of operations now, in that she can rest comfortably and, if needed, keep an eye on the bustling (not) lane. As part of my post-Christmas cleanup, I washed the pillow covers. Hence the determination to keep them away from her until they are needed. I know she thinks she needs pillows, though — can't you see her sense of deprivation in her eyes?
Making the new pillow cover meant moving the form and fabric out of my workspace, the pantry.
When I get around to organizing that bookcase next to my desk (the one up above), I can move some of these books there — these books in amongst my crafting supplies. Crafting books, of course, and C. S. Lewis. Of course.
And I'm almost done with that second sock! We'll just ignore any boo-boos (like slight, ever so slight! differences between this one and the long-ago finished first one) — and power on through, right?
[inlinkz_linkup id=602485 mode=1]
Molly R says
What kind of branches are you forcing in the last pictures? Also, I love your cozy chairs by wood stoves.
Leila says
Molly, I have pear branches (which are doing nothing) and quince.
Wendy says
Oh to have those shelves, but they would look just like that eventually too because they would more than fill. I don’t have enough shelves – small cozy house filling up with people – but they are on the to do list eventually. In the meantime we make due, and I thought I would share a couple thoughts on making due. First, I discovered the other day that if the shelf itself is tall and the books it is housing is tall (like the ones pictured in this post) you can fit more on the shelf by making horizontal stacks of them right up to the top. I did this to a shelf the other day alternating horizontal stacks and vertical books and it was space saving while being pleasing to the eye. I also put the ones stacked on top of other books, under. Not as easy to access, so I wouldn’t do it to books I use every day, but for the library that you just want handy, and pretty, it works fine.
Second, and this is less ideal, but better than boxes in the garage, I have double stacked books one in front of the other on a deep shelf. It keeps you from being able to see those that are behind, but you still know where they are and can get at them if you need too. It is a temporary fix that has lasted longer than I had hoped, but I will get those slightly more spacious built-ins one of these days. Until then books not in storage works for me.
Chere Mama says
I really love your wall planter with the little purple flowers and all your cushions. Your comfy house makes me want to bake some cookies and come over to visit with you!!
Julie says
Mine fall into the All-Too-Real category. I’ve been thinking of building some more permanent, larger and more attractive shelves. What’s your opinion on ideal depth/height of shelves?
priest's wife @byzcathwife says
I’m going to try and find my camera to share our many shelves (we need more shelves- and more books)- in the meantime, I love your blue/yellow combo in your living room. I always think of Monet- his kitchen in Giverny is cobalt blue/yellow
Maurisa says
Beautiful photos! I don’t think it is possible to have enough bookshelves. I’d love to just turn one room into floor to ceiling bookshelves. We have them in every room of the house, but still I have bins of homeschooling books, not in use for the current year, in a spare bedroom.
Tia says
I love love love bookshelves but we have gotten rid of all of ours over the years. They were shoddy IKEA style ones and also a risk for our kids to pull down or an earthquake to topple. We have a few built-in cubbies but they’re so low to the ground that the toddlers toss books off the shelves all the livelong day, and they’re so deep that you really have to stack books 3 deep in order to fit a substantial number of books. Even with one row, they’re buried so deep in there you have to crawl on the ground and wiggle in to get your book. Would love to hear people’s suggestions for ways to attach bookshelves to the wall that are sturdy, not a hazard for kiddos, and generally look halfway decent!
Katherine says
If you are looking for tall bookcases, go with ones with cabinets on the bottom. They tend to be bottom heavy and won’t topple. Since we have a lot of windows and an open floor plan (hate), most of our shelves are long and low with two or three shelves. I bought metal brackets and pine, and put up shelves above windows – I guess you could call it a “book valance”. I’ve also repurposed media center cabinets (which are pretty heavy) by adding more shelves and taking off doors. I have an old china cabinet in our school/computer room that is not used for china. The top is full of books, the silverware and linen drawers have drawing supplies and paper and the bottom cabinets have school related items not frequently used. Nothing new seems to be made very well or use good quality wood, so it’s best to go the second-hand route. It’s time consuming and you have to be content to slowly build up your library space over the years.
Katherine says
Another thought: Look around your house for wasted space. We had this awkward corner between two perpendicular doors (hard to describe). It seemed like it was only good for hanging pictures, but then I measured and found it was just deep enough for a bookcase I had someplace else in the house. We have an overhanging bar/counter thingy between the kitchen and living room. No one sat there much, it was more of a place to pile things. I was able to build three shelves underneath for books. There is a built-in desk in my kitchen. We never sat at it as a desk, so I put in a shelf underneath for my cookbooks (I have to squat to get a cookbook, but it’s good exercise). Sometimes a space isn’t suitable for books, but if you do some rearranging of other items you free up space that is book-appropriate. I used brackets and pine to put up a shelf above my bedroom closet for my baskets of yarn and knitting supplies. That freed up floor space for a bookshelf. By putting some of my fabric stash in a vintage suitcase and sliding that under a wing chair, I freed up shelf space someplace else. Can you tell I’ve spent a lot of thought and energy throughout the years on the Bookshelf Dilemma?
Kimberlee says
Fun! And you work fast. 🙂 I’ll have to take some pictures of our shelves. The Chief’s office is impressive. It’s so nice to see pictures of real bookcases owned by real readers, sideways book piles and all. (This modern trend of books as color-coordinated decor is so inane I can’t stand it. They actually sell matching stacks of random books on Etsy for decorative purposes.)
Your pillows are lovely, along with your windowsill. In all of my homes (save one rental long ago) I have been deprived of a kitchen sink in front of a window. It’s so cheery to see yours. The knitting’s gorgeous too!
Leila says
Thanks for the idea, Kimberlee!
Katherine says
I’ve picked up all my bookshelves second-hand. My kids used to groan when I’d stop the car suddenly because I spied a bookshelf at a yard sale. They love books, but they hated the rearranging of furniture required to find room for another bookcase. We have books in every room of the house (including the laundry room and bathrooms). I joke that my primary decorating scheme was “vintage biblio.” Fortunately for our addiction, my husband’s office is in a detached building on our property, so we have a second house of books. Last year I did have to cull through our stash because we were running out of shelf space and had no more room for bookcases. I found some duplicates and I gave away no-longer-pertinent-to-my-life books such as breastfeeding and phonics. I had a lot of picture books, but only kept the favorites. I boxed up the board books and Golden Books for my future grandchildren. I love books, but they are the bane of my housekeeping.
Suzette says
Always impressed with your home! It seems like a warm place of unending rooms of surprises and cozy nooks.
Sunflower says
The built-ins in the Chief’s study are beautiful beyond words to us book lovers and so is the bookcase wall in the Counting Gifts of Grace link. Bookshelf euphoria here! Thank you Auntie Leila! Love the warm ambience of your home. Thanks for the peek.
Cristina says
I’m very jealous of your study full of floor to ceiling shelves. Whenever we move I always vote for the house with built-ins and am usually shut down by husband who wants silly things like a good commute or enough bedrooms to house the children. I always put my foot down on choosing a place that does not have an open floor plan though–I need walls for my bookshelves to live on 🙂
Laura says
What a great idea for a link-up! I can’t wait to check out everyone’s ideas since, ironically, I just mentioned to my husband the other night that, for a family who reads as much as we do, our house is severely lacking in the bookshelf department!
The bookshelves in your study are catalog worthy!
Gina Switzer says
Love how your bookshelves overflow Leila! Mine do too, but still I manage to find what’s needed.
We have 4 small scale red wing backs in our “library” room. They’re faux leather and have held up well to kids, dogs and lots of big Catholic gatherings with food and drink. They are comfy to sit in and read. Plus they’re easy to move around to reconfigure the room or even to move into another room for extra seating. The coolest feature is a drawer in each chair that pulls out to reveal a secret place to hide toys, more books or blankets!
Polly says
I love your bookshelves. I really love the leather chair/floor lamp combo…that looks like a good place to curl up with a stack of books!
Jennifer says
I greatly appreciate these recent posts about books and bookshelves. When we sent our children to school for the first time this year, after homeschooling for five years, I felt the need to clean out our shelves and give away books we no longer “needed.” However, I’ve had a large box of these very books in my bedroom because I just can’t seem to let go! Today, I searched through it once more. I pulled out the books I simply don’t care for and plan to donate them today. Some I set by my bed because I want to read them or they need to find a place in our home to use now. Some I put in my bedroom closet because they are more suitable for a few years down the road. Just wanted to share how you have helped our family hold onto books!
one thing I have missed since the children are not homeschooled now is our shared read alouds. For awhile I would read aloud when they came home from school and ate a snack. I was sick during the holidays and got away from this ritual. They are eager to get into some great excitement of their own after working at school all day and do not want to sit and listen even if it is a good book. I’m eager for them to go outdoors and run about too, because I think that’s healthy. So…what to do? I guess I just need to pick up a book and read. Maybe after dinner?
Leila says
Jennifer, each season has its own rhythm. I’m sure you will catch on to what the rhythm is for this one — keep trying! Maybe an early supper and then a chapter when everyone is ready for bed?
Jennifer says
Thank you for the encouragement, Auntie Leila. You can’t imagine how uplifting it is to see your response. This has been a difficult season for me and I find myself dwelling on the negatives rather than noticing the positives. Trying hard to get out this slump. Maybe I should go wash my hair! 😉
Leila says
Haha, always a good remedy for what ails us! Hang in there: you are a good mom!
Tyna Begley says
Sigh. We love bookshelves. Looking for just the right one for the living room. There is loveliness in the hunt, no? Also, I went crazy one day and ORGANIZED all my bookshelves (4). By subject matter – science, early readers, mom’s history stuff (Alexander Hamilton, anyone?), homemaking, religious, etc. It was beautiful. But I have a house full of small people, and a week later the shelves were a jumbled mess again. I just try not to look.
Regina says
Your book shelves remind me of my parents house. Made me smile! Have you ever thought of organizing the books by color? I’m sure you’ve seen it on Pinterest:)
Sharyn says
I remember being so pleased to read, a few years back, that one of the great influences in the childhood of C S Lewis was ‘stacks, piles, and shelves of books’ that filled his family home. I thought, ‘stacks and piles’, that’s just like us, we must be on the right path after all, with our books overflowing everywhere throughout our house.
My husband has had to reinforce (with steel L shaped things and screws) all our bookshelves otherwise the books are too heavy for them. I try to stack the heaviest books (and least used, so people don’t take them all out leaving the bookshelf top heavy) at the bottom for safety and the lighter ones at the top. The reinforced shelves are for safety too as it prevents little ones pulling down shelves of books on themselves. I also like to have something in front of our bookshelves (we aren’t able to screw them into the walls) like a table or bed frame so that if a child did manage to pull one down (and I don’t think they could these days, as our shelves are so heavy now) the bookcase is, hopefully, prevented from falling flat and crushing them. I like to have a small low bookshelf for little ones or a book box.
Elizabeth says
I am a huge fan of the Ivar bookshelf system from Ikea:
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S39896371/
You can adjust it completely to your needs. Large books, small books, long walls, short walls…. our house is filled with Ivar.
This is literally the only thing in my entire house that I’ve bought new. All my furniture and dishes are second hand and cheap finds. My parents got me my first Ivar bookshelf when I moved out at 18. I’ve been a great fan ever since. If you have to buy several at once it’s not cheap, but I bought mine over a long period of time and will keep adding to them. My bookshelves have lived in very different spaces, small apartment, dorm room, etc. It’s real wood that gets a little darker as the years go by. Simple, sturdy, pleasant to look at.
I don’t care much for other Ikea products by the way and they didn’t pay me to write this up :).
Kim F. says
I have several of the Ivar too! I’ve had mine since my first apartment almost 20 years ago. While I love them for all our art supplies, games, and puzzles (my mom made covers out of blue & white ticking stripe fabric so I can close up the mess at the end of the day) I don’t find them useful for books. There aren’t any sides to the shelves which means you need bookends for both ends of each shelf. Elizabeth, what do you do about that? I’m just curious. They do have adjustable shelves which I find is a must for bookshelves, especially with lots of children’s picture books.
Jen says
Really? It does not look sturdy for a house of kids! Or are they?
Sharyn says
If you go to the link it does have a safety warning and suggests you bolt them to the wall. We have had these. I did not find them to be good for a house full of kids. I was glad to get rid of some last year.
Lisa Spencer says
There’s a note of sadness in your post – my daughter’s about to turn 18 and she’ll be leaving the nest soon for college. I’m dreading it, really. But I’ll power through it, as you say, and try to lift up my heart. God bless you!
Lisa
Valerie says
Rats…I am late to the party! Maybe I will do my phfr bookshelf edition next week.
What a wonderful topic!
Woman of the House says
Those great shelves in the Chief’s study! Thanks for sharing so many pictures of your home~ it is both beautiful and really lived in. You can tell it’s full of life and activity!
Amanda says
Haha, I completely linked-up sans book shelves but let’s just blame my postpartum sleepy stupor on that one, yes? Love all your bookshelves! We have a room with some builtins that are just heaven and I really really really would love more but money and life and time. So, that room has been deemed our bookroom 😉