Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Making a case for bookcases

Good morning, went on a photo session at the new house yesterday on our almost 80 DEGREE DAY yesterday, yes you heard right! But the site wasn't cooperating this morning in uploading photos so I will try again tomorrow morning and do a house update. Don't you just love bookcases? How about the way they instantly warm up a room and add character and interest to a space? I love them and their ability to transform and warm up a room. In today's decor you see them everywhere, no longer are they just reserved for libraries, they are seen in bedrooms, living rooms,dining room even kitchens! There is no where that a bookcase doesn't look just fabulous. So here is a little slide show to prove my point and case on why I think bookshelves should be in every home! Painted, stained, kept natural..there are no hard fast rules. You see sconces now placed on them, paintings hung on their shelves, there is nothing that is off limits. Sometimes even the back walls are painted and that's when it gets really interesting! Where do you like to see bookcases? Do you like them chock full of books or do you prefer them more for showcasing interesting objects? Do you like them painted or stained? Love to know your thoughts! 


Love this cozy reading alcove...rich colors and tall bookshelves..fabulous looking!
Bookcases in a living room can add a lot of interest, texture and even color, Katie Leede
Pretty pair of painted bookcases flank a fireplace, Elle Decor
Gorgeous black painted walls and bookshelves by Tria Giovan
Graham Moss chose a lively green to paint the back wall of these bookcases
Love tall arched topped bookcases as in this stunning antiqued pine library, private home
A curved bookcase with the inside wall painted yellow to house a beautiful maritime collection ala Martha Stewart
Wall to wall bookcases in a rich wood full of books and interesting objects is a great way to fill up a space and make an ecelectic room
Love adding bookcases in small unexpected niches like above, Brooks and Falotico
Pieter Estersohn filled the bookcases in this living room with books and interesting objects
I think the bookcases work well in this room, designer Courtney Giles
Love the wall to wall bookcases here in this Manhattan bedroom, Katie Leede
Plum Interiors kept things light and airy in this pretty soft toned room
Locati chose black painted wall to wall bookcases to furnish this pretty den/music room
Glossy red painted bookcases by Sherill Canet
Love the painted black bookcases in Aerin Lauders library
When a wall of bookcases become part of a multi functional room such as is this dining room/hangout room,makes it look so inviting... atticmag
Love the richness of the wood against the crisp glossy black of the piano..strikingly beautiful!
A low wall of bookshelves is utilitarian while not taking away from this breathtaking view, Howard Backen
Bookcases as interpreted by Ralph Lauren
Brooke Astors famous red lacquered library...quite stunning!
Exquisite bookshelves decorated by Charles Faudree
Dramatic rich wood tall bookcases holds a serious collection of books, Francine Coffey
Suzanne Lovell used dramatic wall to wall bookcases in a dark java wood for this fabulous living room high in the sky
Frank Roop went with a boxed version of bookcases in this modern dining room
A rich dark cherry library is just a classic and I imagine always will be, Odhner Woodworkers
If you are serious about your cookbooks, then bookshelves in the kitchen is a great idea!
Love the rich browns complimented by the orange in this attractive office, Sherill Canet
Miles Redd designed cozy painted bookcases for this intimate and elegant bedroom
Love the gray with the black here..so handsome
Bookcases always add so much interest to a bedroom, Elle Decor
Erik Kvalsvik filled these bookcases chock full with books...it sure gives the room a well lived in and cozy feeling
Love the vibe and rich colors of this fabulous red library room, Aerin Lauders apartment
Circa Interiors designed this elegant antique pine bookcase unit housed with the mantle
A pair of simple black modern bookcases flank the over sized white mantle, Laurel Ridge Homes
A gorgeous wall of bookcases is stunning in a living room, Morgancreek
Kathy Abbot painted these bookcases a moss green and filled it to the brim with an orderly and colorful collection of leather bound books
Gorgeous rich colored and layered room with bookcases flanking the fireplace,Southern Accents
Proof that if you really want a bookcase no matter how small the space, you can make it work! Rinfret Interiors
A wall of bookcases filled with lots of colorful books adds interest to this quirky room, Decorpad
Candler Lloyd went with dark distressed woods for these built in bookcases
Tall french bookcases with glass doors are so elegant in this formal living room
Glass faced bookcases always make a pretty statement, Decorpad
How about a beautiful bookcase in a foyer? Love it! Mona Haaj
Do you like prints and paintings hung in front of bookcases? House Beautiful
Another example of how effective painting the back wall of a bookcase can be, Martha Stewart


Would love to know if you have a favorite..and if you like bookcases as much as I do...and do you like them in any room or do you like them just in libraries and family rooms? (was that starting to have a "green eggs and ham ring to it or is it me?) Is there a special way you like to dress or accessorize a bookcase? Do tell! Hope you have an enchanting day!

Photobucket

33 comments:

  1. I agree, absolutely LOVE bookcases. My favourite is the yellow rounded one- so amazing. Also love the one with the green curtain- I like the idea of the gorgeous fabric as a frame. I have a large set of boocases on my upstairs landing that I'd like to do a bit of a restyle with...on the list!

    ReplyDelete
  2. My books are my most prized possessions! I would dearly love to have any of the examples you have shown!

    ReplyDelete
  3. WOW, these rooms are gorgeous! I need a room like this for my cookbooks, LOL!

    Have a blessed day sweetie,

    XO

    ReplyDelete
  4. Yes, I'm crazy about them! Especially the white or light colored ones... they just bring so much fun and, of course, storage to a room.

    Tina, I want to thank you so much for your comment today. It means a lot to me! :-)

    Have a great day!

    xo

    Luciane at HomeBunch.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love bookcases in any room! I love a good reading nook and that window seat with the arched windows and the little bookcases built in to the sides. It's just so lovely! I'm saving it for my inspiration files. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Absolutely love the book cases! Great way to show off a passion for porcelain or other special collection, but the books are always the prize - they feed the mind and the soul!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love bookcases--and books! We are fortunate to have them in the living room and also in the kitchen for my cookbooks, but I've always dreamed of a book-lined library/dining room. Next house!
    Jeanne

    ReplyDelete
  8. Love the third one, and as always I adore the Ralph Lauren room. Just gorgeous, Tina.
    Hav ea great day.
    Teresa
    xoxo

    btw, I have had trouble uploading and other problems on blogger lately.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Oh I wish I had some bookcases right about now! Since we are selling..and moving, one the many things on my want list is bookcases. You have done a great job showing how many beautiful ways there are to use them and decorate them, love all the stained woods the most. So classic!

    ReplyDelete
  10. With two avid readers and collectors under this roof you can imagine how much I love this post. The curved with yellow interior really caught my eye, it is lovely. The Howard Backen is simply stunning, you are right about it not detracting from a breathtaking view while also enhancing the ambience.

    Another luscious post with the added benefit of practicality, just wonderful.
    tp

    ReplyDelete
  11. ALl of them are fantastic, though the first library shot and the paneled, arched bookscases are fanatastic. Bookshelves just say warm and cozy to me.
    Glad you are getting some warm weather, that was a fast change.
    Hope you're week is off to a good start, and anxious for the house update. Hope all is going smoothly.
    Mimi

    ReplyDelete
  12. Beautiful, they are all so different, but all equally as gorgeous. The bookcase with the yellow background really stood out to me. Very stunning.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Love bookshelves and we have them in every room including using part of a hutch in our dining room for books. Books are on chairs and stacked under pieces of furniture, we’re a family of book lovers. Love all these examples they’re so beautiful, I couldn’t live without bookshelves.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I love a wall to wall bookcase filled with books-heaven! I am on the hunt for one now to use in my study...but done right I love bookshelves just about anywhere!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I love bookcases! The curved one is my fav but I am loving the color combo of the cinnamon/apricot/bluish/greyish/greenish of last shot.
    Happy Tuesday Tina,
    Amy

    ReplyDelete
  16. great round-up! i adore bookcases and i love them filled with books and other trinkets. i have always dreamed of having a library...but also think bookshelves in a living room or family room or den would be perfectly lovely. i think it's great to have the unexpected touch of having them in a kitchen for your cookbooks or in your bedroom for your favorite nighttime reads.

    xo,
    joAnn

    ReplyDelete
  17. Did no one notice that the Katie Leede room changed from a living room to a Manhattan bedroom? George Washington still oversees both rooms from above the fireplace.

    ReplyDelete
  18. BOOKS are my most favorites things, after fam., friends & pets. Yes have filled, overflowing shelves, stacks, both vertical & horizontal, tables etc. Books own my home, books & art!
    What great ideas are here. Books are a source of comfort & security for me, go figured. HOWEVER sick of tripping over! OMG my idea of heaven are shelves with the ROLLING ladder, Ive ALWAYS wanted just that, ZOOM!
    Thanks so much:

    ReplyDelete
  19. Tina,

    Bookcases work everywhere even in garage spaces with car manuals. They add history, warmth, continuity, style, sound absorption, color and give a room a comfort zone. We've grown up with bookcases filled with books and they are like friends of the earth to us to be alone with.

    My husband and I love books we can sit and read in any room and enjoy books. The wonderful thing about ebooks is they are all on a bookshelf in my iPhone also. Even having it in an electronic form gives me comfort.

    I don't have a favorite style and I do love the idea of a different interior self color especially for children's bookshelfs and reading room's. It beckons you over to select a book, absorb it's content and be forever changed.

    Bette

    ReplyDelete
  20. i LOVE me a good bookcase. i would love to have my very own dark & cozy library room one day. i love the library/music room with the black shelves. and i'm a big fan of the shelves below the panaramic window. oh... and love the library wall with the floor to ceiling green curtain. gorgeous images... as always.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I love bookcases visually, but always find them a bit difficult to decorate if they are huge (and not just filled with books only). Love the second to the last photo.
    I am always completely blown away by the number of images you include in your post! You must be an extremely organized person. It takes me hours to hunt for just a few photographs!!
    joan

    ReplyDelete
  22. I have loved bookcases and I am looking for a master carpenter to build some for me this summer!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Oh, look at these images! You have here the most spectacular collection of bookcases I've ever seen, thanks for sharing.
    Big hugs.
    Tereza

    ReplyDelete
  24. I love bookcases in bedrooms! I agree, bookcases are so versatile! They can have pictures, books, flowers, or little knick knacks on them! Fabulous post!

    P.S. Thanks so much for following my blog! I hope you're having a wonderful week!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Wow -This rooms are amazing! I like especially the "Exquisite bookshelves decorated by Charles Faudree". Great post girl!

    Cheers! =(^.^)=

    ReplyDelete
  26. Oh, i love bookcases! These are all awesome. I am especially smitten with the one from Decorpad. XX

    ReplyDelete
  27. I LOVE bookcases and I love seeing books on display! You've shown an amazing round up of fabulous bookcases in some pretty amazing spaces. I love them stained and painted, it depends on the space, the purpose of the room and if there are other bookcases throughout the home (I like to not see everything looking the same.)

    ReplyDelete
  28. I love books andIi adore bookcases. My favorite is beside the bed, because what a perfect place to read? Also, love, love the cozy nook by Rinfret Interiors. Another great round up. Mona

    ReplyDelete
  29. Adore bookshelves with the back wall painted and when they are used in unexpected places like the foyer picture. The third picture is our favorite.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Wow! I am so impressed with all of the photos you found of rooms that are so warm and cozy. I loved looking through the photos. I can't remember which room it was but there was an adorable little wooden chair with rounded swirled arms. I would grab that!

    ReplyDelete
  31. I looove bookcases! I just wish I had enough books and accessories to fill as many as I would like to have!

    ReplyDelete
  32. I do love bookcases too! My hubby built 2 beautiful bookcase/desk pieces for our children years ago. Now one is here in my "office"/ guest room. The other si in the other guest room. I do a combination of books and decorative objects but in the other guest room it is filled with all things from Africa! Most are things bought by my FIL when he worked as a pilot and traveled the world! I am lucky!!!! XO, Pinky

    ReplyDelete
  33. These are just amazing! I was so stupefied with all the bookcases. I so love the idea of having a wall of bookshelves with brightly colored books. Thank you so much for inspiring me.

    ReplyDelete

Would love to hear what you have to say......happy thoughts only please!!