for the love of Bookshelves
Bookshelves to me are some of the coolest pieces of decor, but they can also be a real drag. I’ve always loved the look and feel of old libraries, with the smell of worn pages and dust commingled. Books have so much to offer and so much life inside of them just ready to be unleashed and tell the story they were written to share. When I think about the old libraries I also think about the other elements that are within that room and even traipsed on and throughout the books themselves. Like Dumbledores library in Harry Potter, the Beasts stair-cased library and even Sherlock Holmes office library. When you recall the way these spaces feel, and the way the bookshelves in those rooms feel exactly as they should… just like the person who uses them and lives within them. And so should your library and bookshelves be; a reflection of YOU.
Bookshelves are multifaceted; they store, they organize, and they display a story about who the person is who beholds them. What an amazing opportunity to tell the story about who you are, what you’re interested in, what you’ve been gifted and what you treasure. This design thing is such much more than what “looks good” its all about finding out who you are and how to express that visually.
Now, to continue into the “how to” portion of designing, and displaying these panels of your story let's get down to the basics.
#1. Clear the space & wipe the slate clean.
I learned about “quieting the space” from a wonderful book called the “Nesting Place” by Myquillyn Smith. This theory of hers is one of the most helpful “rules” I’ve gathered while on my design journey. The most basic first step ever; just take away everything. This allows for the cobwebs from your mind to clear away and for you to become creative and think about what might could be, versus how it's always been or how you think it “should be.” It’s such a liberating step, so don’t be afraid to do it!
#2. Gather the treasures & books of meaning.
This is a necessary step that may evolve as you go along. With that being said, grab the essentials of what you know you need or want displayed on your shelf. These items can literally include ANYTHING. For my dear linear thinkers, this is hard to do, because I know you think bookshelves are only for books…. but stretch the other side of the brain your brain and see the light that objects totally can be of use! Grab items that stir your heart and books you love and use most.
#3. Repetition.
One of the most helpful tools to keep in mind is that you want to have repetition within your design. The reason I believe Libraries are so beautiful and soothing is because there is repetition (of books… over and over) and our minds want to know there is a constant. Thus creating repetition in your bookshelves is just as important. You can create this repetition through colors of the books you gather together, objects of the same texture, or shapes; the list goes on.
#4. Go for it!
Ready, set, start! Begin to arrange your shelves. The easiest way I’ve found to start this process after I’ve cleared the space, is to start with the books my client wants included. I begin by organizing the books in a way that the client either might want them shelved (by author, level of shelf, etc) and then I begin arranging those. I then grab the larger items and either use the items as bookends or as a differing height. Our eyes and mind like to play. Our minds like to move around in search of new items. This is why our minds like to search in those “I Spy” books so much; we like the hunt of variation. As you begin to add objects and the repetitive pieces to your shelves, make sure the repeated object is balanced throughout the shelving. The balance is created through a triangle effect with the focus object centered at the top of your book-case and two of the same repeated items anchoring on the base on each side. In either case the triangle effect helps create a sense of balance in however you “make” your triangle in the shelves (shift it all around). Whatever you do, make your focal object what your eye is drawn to.
#5. Stand back, how do you feel?
Feelings are an essential part to my theory of design. This may be a foreign concept to you, but I encourage you to be still, and observe how the space you just created makes you feel. If the space feels off, then change it up, or even wipe the space clean again. There is always another way, always an opportunity to create harmony within the design, to create the feeling you want it to express. Feel those feelings and go from there. And don’t be afraid to take away objects. When we look at bookshelves we think, “I must store all my books” because thats what its for right? NO. Maybe this is just the opportunity for you to purge books and items that are no longer important and honestly don’t paint a picture of who you are anymore. Let them go and paint the picture of who you are NOW.
Bookshelves are so much more than I ever really gave thought too, until really working with clients and even observing my own life. Our hutches, shelves and libraries are a deeper look into our minds and hearts that can give a window into why we think the way we do and who we are. What an incredible lens to look through as we encounter another persons bookshelf; we are looking through to a person's HEART.