Month: January 2011

Five Tips to Decorate a Bookshelf

Published on by Our Humble Abode24 Comments

If you follow us on Facebook, you have already read that our office bookshelf was featured on The Steven and Chris Show, a Canadian design/talk show.  To say I was thrilled is an understatement.  The downside?  The show doesn’t allow streaming outside of Canada, so I couldn’t watch it!  Recently, though, I received a dvd of the segment from a producer, so I’ve been able to bask in all the glory.  So, I guess I may be called an ‘expert’ on decorating bookshelves?  That’s pretty extreme, but here’s the photo that was shown, taken from this post.

Here’s the play-by-play on what was said about our bookshelves. 

Steven said, “This is well-organized.”  Chris (who is more minimalist) said, “To me, this is flawlessly done.”  Their guest, design expert Cobi Ladner, said, “That is beautiful because you’ve got your storage, you’ve got your books there, but it still looks great.  There’s a knack to that and there are certain rules that you can apply to make that happen.”

So, what are Cobi’s rules? 

1.  Heavy items should go on the bottom.  This isn’t limited to literal weight, but also to visual weight.  Boxes, baskets and large collections, such as our encyclopedias, should stay toward the bottom. 

2.  Add height to the top.  This makes a bookshelf feel more built-in, even if it’s not.  If you have a stand alone shelf, adding baskets to the top to fill the space between the shelf and ceiling will help the shelf appear built-in.

3.  Use books to create pedestals.  Don’t let decorative objects take up cupboard space, put them on display.  Stack larger books and top the stack with a decorative object, adding height and drawing attention to that object.

4.  Stand back and look for balance.  If you have one side that seems more filled or visually heavy, shift items around to make the shelf feel more balanced. 

5.  Negative space is usually what makes the beauty.  Don’t feel like you have to fill every space with books.  Adding the decorative objects with space on all sides will create a reprieve for the eyes.  Your shelf will also look less like a library or bookstore and more like a display with books mixed in.  If you have tons of books, don’t feel that you have to have every book you own on the same shelf.  Add a small stack to a coffee table, nightstand, or another bookshelf elsewhere in the house.  Create book pedestals there to display more decorative items, too.

Make a Move

Published on by Our Humble Abode16 Comments

When we set up our Christmas tree, we moved our La-Z-Boy rocking chair to the basement.  With the holidays behind us, we took the chance to bring in a chair substitute.  We have a club chair that matches our couch, so we brought that up from the basement instead.

I love the new and FREE look.  First, because the chair matches the couch.  Secondly, because this chair has a considerably lower back, making the living room feel more open.  Wondering where that pillow came from?  I made it.  Find the tutorial here.

Remember this?

Compared to this?

Much better, no?  The painted white frames help out, too.  Have you shopped around your house to change up the decor?

P.S.  Design Mom, Gabrielle Blair has featured our Mr. and Mrs. mugs and our Family Tree Cut Out artwork today!  Talk about exciting!

An Organized Entry

Published on by Our Humble Abode5 Comments

As soon as winter sets in, I get more annoyed with our small entry.  Recently, I shared my plan for minimizing clutter and maximize space, which included a set of storage ottomans.  Well, thanks to reader Erin, we picked up this set of ottomans over the weekend, completing one step of our plan.  

I tried ordering online, but the ottomans were sold out.  So, I called up our local Kohl’s and they had one left in stock.  I put it on hold and we picked it up the next day.  I searched for a printable coupon and found one for 20% off, taking $20.00 off the $99.99 price tag.  I had a $15.00 return credit, too.  I used my credit and got a set of three ottomans with a cover for only $65.00!  Wahoo!  The smaller cubes are not for storage, so they are in the basement, awaiting their fate.  So, I’m sure you’d like to see the new ottoman in place, right?  Here it is, in all it’s storage, space-saving glory.

Looking down at it.

Here’s the view from the front door.

What’s inside?  Check it out.

Some extra shoes, a large purse that doubles as a diaper bag, and an extra storage box.  We haven’t filled it to the full capacity, but that’s good.  Oh, for those extremely OCD observant readers, I still have to pull the staples out of the ribbon packaging.  That’s what the tan things are in the bottom outside and the insides…  Hopefully we’ll finish our storage in our closet and hang some hooks.  Until then, have you been working on organizing?  One of my resolutions is to get more organized, including repurposing, selling, donating or throwing away tons of stuff.

Inspiring Interiors: Mall of America

Published on by Our Humble Abode3 Comments

While in Minnesota, Ben, Vincent and I were in a wedding.  Fortunately for us, the rehearsal was a few miles from the Mall of America (and IKEA), so we had lunch at Twin City Grill.  Tangent: Twin City Grill has the best salt and vinegar fries.  You must try them.  Ben said he has the best burger while there, too.  Off tangent.  After lunch, we wandered around the mall.  I haven’t been to the Mall on my last few trips to Minnesota and they have since updated a few areas.  I loved the changes they made.  Wanna see?

The new honed and polished brick lay marble floor is so beautiful.  This picture really doesn’t do it justice.  I want this somewhere in my house.  Check out the silver Christmas trees, too.  I would be alright with those in my house next year. 

I instantly fell in love with this crystal art installment.

Again, this picture doesn’t do it justice, because it is ah.mazing.  How cool would this be in a dining room, bedroom or over a kitchen island?!?  Even as a mobile in a child’s room over a bed?  Or over my bed? 

What do you think of MOA’s improvements?  Would you want those floors or crystal chandelier in your home?  Have you seen anything in a store that made you drool (either literally or figuratively speaking)?  I know I’ve seen a lot of beautiful Anthropologie displays online.  Please share!  If you have pictures, please share on our Facebook page.

It’s a New Year!

Published on by Our Humble Abode6 Comments

To kick off the new year, we’re sharing our revised to do list. 

Here is our list from June:

1.  Remodel our kitchen.

2.  Pour a new concrete patio.

3.  Refinish our hardwood floors.

4.  Finish part of our laundry and close the ugly out.

5.  Complete our steam room/shower.

6.  Clean and stain our fence.  Build gates.

And some of our smaller projects:

1.  Repaint our interior doors and replace hardware.

2.  New dining table and chairs.

3.  Update bedroom and hall light fixtures.

4.  Finish drawers and doors for basement office, entertainment center and bathroom.

5.  Touch up paint throughout the house, fill any cracks with caulking and maybe repaint our living room, hall and dining room.

6.  Spray paint our end tables and create new tops.

7.  Fill in areas with landscape rock.

8.  Grout our bathroom seam to prevent leaking.

9.  Paint front door outside trim white.

10.  Install a master bathroom fan.

I have crossed off the things we have completed, but we still have so many things to finish (or start!)  Here are the most recent additions to our never-ending to do list, starting at the entry:

1.  Even out front walkway.

Notice where the pavers meet the concrete…tripping hazard.

2.  Build/buy a storage bench and recycling center.

3.  Organize entryway and coat closet.

4.  Repaint living room, hall, and kitchen.

5.  Build a buffet table.

6.  Buy or make a new light for the boy’s room. 

7.  New night stands with storage for the master bedroom.

8.  New art for the master bedroom.

9.  Get a mirror for the stairwell.

10.  Buy, find or make art for the entire basement, including one large piece behind the couch.

11.  End tables for the theater room.

12.  Decorate the theater room entertainment center, without altering the sound…  That is tough.  (Finish and hang the sliding doors for the entertainment center)

13.  Organize our laundry room, add shelving, and finish the walls.  A light switch (and not a pull chain) would be nice.

14.  Make a bed and headboard for the small basement bedroom. 

15.  Buy and install sliding closet doors.

16.  Hang curtains and more art for this bedroom.

17.  Convince Ben to donate the headboard for the queen sized bed and switch beds from room to room. 

18.  Convince Ben to get rid of the rarely used exercise equipment. 

19.  Find a reasonable furniture layout for the large basement bedroom.

20.  Clean out the bedroom closet and donate anything we don’t need or use. 

Things I’d like to change, but may not:

1.  Repaint the backs of the entertainment center shelves.

2.  Repaint master bathroom.

3.  Make a cool, modern spoon rack. 

I’m sure there are plenty more things that I’m missing, but this should keep us busy for now.  Do you have long lingering projects looming over your head?  I would love to have the doors and drawers done for our basement that we finished nine months ago.