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!

The benefits of built-ins and fitted furniture done right

There are many advantages to choosing fitted home furniture. One of the biggest advantages of this type of furniture is the amount of space that you can access compared with free-standing furniture. Many people are increasingly pressed for space in their homes, with items of furniture that are full to the brim. This means that any extra items that need to be stored often end up causing clutter on the floor or being left on the top of wardrobes and desks, getting covered in dust. This is of course impractical, as it leaves you with less surface area and also negatively impacts on the appearance of your home, making it look messy and uninviting.

A Real Transformation
Fitted furniture, however, transforms the look of your home, making use of every inch of your room for storage, unlike free-standing furniture which will almost always leave huge, wasted spaces in comparison. With fitted home furniture, not only do you get to eliminate the excess clutter for a much cleaner, tidier appearance, but the furniture itself also makes your home look more seamless, with wardrobes that stretch from floor to ceiling. You benefit from furniture with smooth lines and no ugly gaps. This can be a particular issue when you are looking for furniture for a room that is of an awkward shape, for example one that has tricky alcoves or that is impeded by a sloping ceiling, the latter obviously a frequent issue for renovated attics.

Since I work from home, a nice home office is a must. When I finally settle down and decide to live somewhere for more than one year, I will definitely be investing in an awesome desk and shelf system. I LOVE built in bookshelves.

What a gorgeous entertainment room - rooms which are often so hard to make gorgeous!

If my closet were half this orderly and efficient I'd be a happy girl.



Versatile Furniture
Fitted furniture can also be incredibly versatile. Remember that this type of furniture can be made to measure, meaning that you do not have to settle for the shape of furniture that you see on the manufacturer’s website! There are many fitted home furniture designers who can create ingenious solutions for your room so that space can be freed up in ways you never thought possible. This allows you to create a solution for each room so that not an inch of space is ever wasted in any part of your house. The space that becomes available as a result actually makes each room look bigger, along with being much more appealing due to the outstanding individual designs you can request on custom-made furniture.

A wide range of fitted furniture can be purchased, meaning that you can make your home look truly seamless by introducing the same style to different areas of your house, from bedrooms and box rooms to loft conversions and guest rooms.

disclosure: this post is sponsored by Neville Johnson