Decorating Spotlight: Bookcase Style
September 25, 2009
Ever since I repurposed some bookshelves into a media center in our guest studio, I’ve had bookcase styling on my mind. I am always drawn to bookcases where the back has been enhanced with paint or wallpaper. I took a few hours to decorate my own media bookcases in an inexpensive way.
But first, here are a few images that really inspire me.
From Belle Maison
I love all of the different papers behind these cubbies, mixed with the bright colors.
These muted tones are so soothing and so gorgeous
Image: House Beautiful, June 2006
Love the turquoise paint, patterned wallpaper, and white ceramics
Image: Canadian House and Home
Image: Unknown
Image via Style at Home
I must have this paint color somewhere in my house.
Image: Southern Living
Stunning pops of color and all white book covers on the shelves
Image: Serena & Lily
Classic golden books pop against this pink patterned wallpaper
Image: Country Living
Love the turquoise and black here
Image: Better Homes & Gardens, Oct 2007
Image: Martha Stewart
Again, different patterned papers make such a statement paired with the yellows and grays
Image: Whole Lotta Lovely
Image: Macy’s
Domino Magazine
Image: Martha Stewart
Image: Apartment Therapy
I just love all of the colors and designs. I can’t pick a favorite.
With all of this colorful inspiration, I just had to pep up my own media center bookshelves. I really wanted to cover just a few of my books with uniform book covers. I also got a little creative with a temporary solution for the back wall. I gathered these supplies from my craft box, including stamps and stamp pads, wrapping paper and white banner paper.
Then I took a roll of aqua blue wrapping paper, and repeated a brown stamp across the paper.
I also I used a very large script stamp to make some more book covers.
Then I hung some temporary “wallpaper” with double sided tape along the back of my media center shelves.
Blue versions
A little munchkin snuck into my picture
Here is the repurposed media center, restyled with the inexpensive patterned paper.
Someday soon, I’ll invest in “real” paper for the back walls and frames, or perhaps some really amazing fabric, as soon as I find the right pattern. But for now, I’m really liking the neatly covered books. Anything to help take my eyes off that gigantic older TV! Now I’m just hoping and praying that when were watching that big screen on Sunday, that the Niners don’t get completely crushed by the Vikings. I’m keeping my fingers crossed.
Which one of the inspiration photos is your favorite? I just can’t decide.
Tags: bookshelf, media center
Oooooo….such pretty eye candy! I love the order of all the bookcases in the inspiriation but especially like what you did. It’s real life version. I have visions of organized households with intriging displays but alas, they are peppered with army men and Star Wars battles. It’s life though and at least it makes me laugh.
I think that looks wonderful. Very creative.
Perfect tips! Thankx.
Thank you so much for posting this project..it’s just the inspiration I needed for my bookshelves around my fireplace!!
I hardly ever comment (even though I’m IN LOVE with your blog and you majorly inspire me) but I just had to say how much I love this project. I put some striped ikea wrapping paper on the back of my inexpensive ikea bookcases a few months ago to try and dress them up and it made them look so much better and not like the cheesy particle board that they are. I’ve wanted to make my books look more uniform though and didn’t know how until now. Love love love it! I’m doing this today! Thanks for the great idea!!