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