Built in shelves- Making our New House our Home
Built in shelves are a great way to display collections of things you love and add interest and charm to an otherwise plain wall.
As I mentioned in a previous post, I knew the minute we put a contract on this house that I wanted to add built in shelves on either side of the fireplace and buy a Samsung frame TV to go over the mantle. In the 4 houses we have lived, all but our first home- built in 1910!- had built in shelving.
Why Built-In Shelves?
Built in shelves are wonderful because not only to they give you a place to display things you love, there is almost always fantastic storage underneath. I keep a bunch of my pretty china and glasses in the cabinets below the shelves.
Because they are custom made to fit the space, built in shelves can be customized to your liking. They add interest, charm and value to your home. Where I put the shelves is a pretty wide space, so I decided I to have a center piece to divide the shelving into two sides. I made the shelves adjustable so that I can change out my displays and not have to worry if they will fit. The only thing I would change is lighting. I am planning on taking off the crown moulding, replacing it with a piece of flat trim, and adding brass picture lights. I initially did not do this because of cost but I’m kicking myself about it now…
I have quite a collection of blue and white porcelain as well as some pretty art, family pictures, and some books and baskets I wanted to display.
Here is what the house looked like before the shelves
Before the Built in Shelves…
During the Built in Shelves…
I love a bright space, so I decided to have the cabinets and shelves painted the same white that is used on trim throughout our house. The previous owners used “Chantilly Lace” by Benjamin Moore so that was an easy part of the decision making process. I knew I wanted brass hardware and found some really beautiful, classic pulls from Signature Hardware.
And After!
Styling the shelves
Styling the built in shelves was so fun for me. While they were being built and painted I had all of my treasures on the breakfast room table and floor just waiting to be placed in the right spot. I had an idea of how I wanted them to look and just moved things around until they looked just right.
I started with the larger pieces. I knew I wanted the watercolor on the bottom left and knew where I wanted to put the large blue and white jars. I don’t like shelves that are too busy- I believe the eye needs a place to rest. Because of that I kept the built in shelves pretty clean.
My grandparents owned a bunch of pretty old books in all different colors. With blue being my favorite, I used some old blue books on three of the shelves. I brought in texture with baskets, Demijohn and wood boxes. I placed those at differing heights and incorporated family pictures of sweet memories shared in the blank spaces. The dried boxwood topiaries and pothos ivy add a touch of color. I think every room should have at least one plant, vase of flowers or greenery of some sort! Sometimes I’ll put roses in the jars, or switch out the blue and white jars for Imari ones.
I am so very happy with how my built in shelves turned out. The carpenter and painter did a fantastic job. I love having a place to display my collection of blue and white porcelain and other treasures.
To be continued…Next up is picture lights from Visual Comfort… :)
Grateful for you!!
