Bookcase Makeover from HomeGoods

Bookcases are tough to decorate. They can look really busy and messy when 

they get stuffed with books and odds and ends over time.  If you leaf through

catalogues from Ballard Designs, Pottery Barn and RH you will see some

beautiful looking bookcase arrangements. If you stop and do a little analysis

you will often find that its just repetition of types of items and of colors.

This bookcase makeover was part of my involvement with HomeGoods

as one of their Pinterest Designers. Most of what you see used in this makeover

is from HomeGoods, although some things are from my own little shop, Maison Decor.

My client, Heather, is a repeat customer.  I have helped her decorate her home and 

done some window treatments as well.  She was my first Pinterest Happy by Design

client!  She asked me to help her do her bookcases over.  So lets take a look at

how the makeover turned out.  Below is a finished shot of the mantle, as Heather's

bookcases are attached to the mantle, and its all done in knotty pine, a traditional

feature in many New England Cape Cod style homes.  The task at hand was to lighten

up the overall effect of the wood paneling, without painting it!

 

The only thing I kept was the antique mirror.  I found this mirror for Heather

about a year or so ago, and I loved the antique green trim with the burnished gold

in the oval frame.  You can see the green linen drapery panels hanging in the 

mirror's reflection.  This would be the color that I planned to repeat in the bookcases.

 This is Heather's real life before photo, 

stuffed with old books and odd lots of picture frames.

 HomeGoods to the rescue! I always try to buy more than I need

so that I am not finding myself wishing I had picked up a few extra things.

That is tip #1. Buy more than you need, so you can play around with 

the arrangement as you start to build the design.

 Green ceramics with a bit of age were placed throughout the shelves

and on the mantle.  Baskets were placed in a symmetrical fashion to keep

balance in the layout.  Overall most shelves are balanced, left to right.

 A pair of lanterns with faux candles that can be turned on at night 

were paired on either side of the mirror.  Lime green burlap ribbon from

Maison Decor was tied to the lantern ring holds.  Green anduze style pots

holding little burlap wrapped herbs, also from Maison Decor were set on the mantle

next to the lanterns.  Decorating with symmetry is very pleasing to the eye, and its

one of the easiest ways to decorate a mantle.

The shelves have old books in faded out red covers from my shop,

and baskets with chalkboards from HomeGoods to hold Heather's books.

We will write things like "Bestsellers" and "Classics" on the little chalkboards.

Other colors added in home decor objects were repeated from the pillow and chair fabrics

in the room.  Antique reds, aged greens and washed out greys were repeated throughout

the bookcase design.

A split screen shows the symmetrical design of the bookcase.  Not 100%

of course, as that would be a bit boring, wouldn't it?  Having two topiaries 

flanking the firescreen would have been too much.  So instead I placed a garden

statue of a huge moss covered rabbit on the opposite side.

This shot shows the large window that looks out to the garden.

The finished room with the restyled bookcases~ 

its casual and effortless looking, but oh what a difference!

So next time you need to get the stuff for a great makeover

head to HomeGoods and fill up your carts with more than you 

need~you will be glad you did.  Remember, you can always

return what you don't use or want.  But if you go back to get 

that giant stone rabbit because you weren't sure you would need him,

he will likely be gone, and living in someone else's home.

Note: This post is sponsored by HomeGoods as part of the Happy By Design Pinterest Board that 

shows off designer tips, like mine! Visit the Happy By Design board to see other tips and makeovers.