Styling A Bookcase With Metallics

I've styled many bookshelves in the past and it's one of my favorite things to do.  When I found this vintage faux bamboo desk, chair and shelf,  I knew it it had to have a fun and modern vibe.   I want to share some of the guidelines I follow.  Below is a collage of the shelves.

COLLAGE OF STYLED VINTAGE FAUX BAMBOO BOOKSHELVES

STYLING GUIDELINES

  Assemble like items.  You can see that I'm using "desk" related items.
I have some pens sprinkled around and in containers, books of course, and bookends.   If you look on the right you'll see a ribboned bag with oversized paperclips too. 

FAUX BAMBOO DESK STYLED WITH METALLICS

Add interest with unique objects.  I used some wooden tassels as bookends, added a vintage ram sculpture, and some books with interesting covers.  Remember:  Books can be vertical, facing out, or stacked horizontally.

BOOKS FACING OUT AND STACKED AND WOODEN TASSEL BOOKENDS

Repetition is another important element.  For these shelves, besides repeating desk items, you'll see the color gold, or metallics throughout.  There are metallic sacks/baskets on almost every shelf, and a grouping of gold journals.  I even draped a metallic tote over the chair.

REPETITION OF METALLIC GOLD 

I always like to introduce a second color.  The blue beaded garland breaks up all the gold.  The gold heart ties it into the rest of the shelves.  Balance is important too.  I broke up the books and bookends and placed them on different shelves.  This repetition creates cohesiveness and keeps your eye moving around.  The plaster bookends add texture too.   I always add a mirror to a shelf.  This small sunburst mirror adds the color gold, more sparkle, and reflection too.

ADDING BLUE BREAKS UP ALL THE GOLD

KEEP COMPATIBILITY, SYMMETRY, BALANCE, TEXTURE and
REPETITION IN MIND AS YOU STYLE YOUR SHELVES.


If you'd like to see how I styled another bookshelf in an entirely different look, go here for that post or click on the image below.

BOOKSHELF IN MY KITCHEN

Or, go here  or click on the image for my nature-inspired shelves in my family room to see that post.

NATURE-INSPIRED BOOKSHELVES IN MY FAMILY ROOM