Back in December, I shared our living room freshly painted in Card Room Green, but then I started sharing more Christmas content, so sharing the details of the room was left for another day. I finally got out the camera again to showcase the built-in bookcases and how they look in their new shade.
Because painting the living room was a big, multi-day project, I waited to paint the bookcases until everything else was done. They were easy to access with the furniture moved back in place and waiting also gave me a chance to decide if I wanted to keep them white or paint them the same color as the walls. So, I painted the ceiling, beams, walls, door, and trim, and decided the bookcases would look best painted the same color as the wall.
My mom came over one day to help and we were able to knock out the priming and painting all in one day. It helped that the shelves were removable, so we could arrange them on flat surfaces and paint them with a roller and then the shelf was just an open box. I allowed the shelves to cure for a few days before I put them back into place and started playing with the styling. I had arranged the shelves when we first moved in, but hadn’t done much with them since. Now that the kitchen was renovated and the dining room was b becoming more of a functional room, I moved most of the ironstone to those two rooms and wanted the focus of the living room shelves to be books and objects that were natural or felt artsy.
I’ve bought or found a few things over the years that, when gathered together, made a nice collection of “curiosities” that made a cohesive display. (You can read about the cabinet of curiosities in our last house HERE.)
I started with the books, mostly antique and vintage books along with some decorating books I like to look through regularly. I mixed in a couple of art boxes/writing slopes, a few ironstone pieces, an antique French bird mount, and small ceramic busts I’ve found at antique stores over the past few years.
I then added in natural and/or found items like shells, coral, arrowheads, Civil War mini balls, and turtle shells. Some were from my Opa and Oma’s house. My Oma was always a big shell collector and my Opa liked finding little bits of history either when he was hunting in the woods or working on a construction site. That’s where the mini balls and arrowheads came from. I added some of my own collected shells to the mix and have purchased some and turtle shells over the years.
Here is how the shelf to the left of the fireplace looks…
I hung a row of turtle shells to fill the space between the shelf and the curtains. Don’t worry…I didn’t kill any turtles with my bare hands nor would I. These are and their original occupants are long gone. I’ve picked them up at antique stores and bought the larger two off of They were all a little dry and dusty when I got them, so I gave them a good washing and then oiled them with Hemp Oil. They are hung on picture wire I affixed inside each shell with hot glue.
I wanted to create an arrangement on the shelves that looked tidy but also eclectic like it’s been added to over the years instead of put together in an afternoon.
If you’re interested, you can see a list of all (or most) of my decorating books HERE.
One of the granddaughters of the couple who built and lived in this house for almost 50 years shared that her grandfather enjoyed rock collecting. He would go to the back garden and select a few rocks from the bed to clean up, polish, and then display on these shelves. I feel like my collected natural items tie into that story in a small way.
As I’ve shared before, pursuing drawing and painting has made me see and appreciate things differently. Instead of liking something just because it’s beautiful or would make a nice display, I often think, “This would be really fun to draw or paint.” My artistic eye has informed my decorating even more in this house than it did in our previous MN home. It won’t be to everyone’s taste, but I’m embracing my aesthetic inclinations and enjoyed arranging these shelves with some of my artsy treasures.
You can find more details about our living room HERE. You can find more posts about decorating HERE.
27 Responses
I love the way the book shelves turned out! Beautiful color and the items do look collected over time, which is definitely my look as well. Nice job!
I agree with Diane the first commenter & feel you met your objective beautifully Marian! I really love this collective, natural, artsy look so much; it really elevates the room to an English library esthetic.
Your decision to paint the bookcases the same color as the walls was a wise choice… makes the room look very cohesive. As you said, how you decorated the shelves won’t be to everyone’s taste. For me, I don’t like to implant books for decorating’s sake. Only books that I read or will read, which I see you have also included. Sometimes too much is too much.
You are such a hard worker. Always busy and with such great outcomes. Your home looks beautiful.
Obviously, I love books that I read, but I also love antique leather books. Some of the ones on my shelf are more than 200 years old! To me, they are antiques more than they are books, if that makes sense. I do, though, try to buy books that I might read or reference such as Dickens, books on poetry, etc.
Finally a normal person covering floors and furniture when painting 🙂 I am always wondering about the splashes everywhere when instagrammers are painting with no covers anywhere. Your home is fabulous Marian, love following you and getting inspired by you.
I usually don’t cover the furniture that much, but I was painting the ceiling and beams, too, so everything had to be covered!
The room looks lovely and so welcoming. Enjoy all your hard work.
Your vintage books are beautiful! What are Civil War mini balls?
They are gathered in a white ironstone soap dish under the magnifying glass.
Love the painted bookcases and your styling is impeccable as always. I love the look of the books but have a lot of difficulty finding them myself, suggestions besides the obvious Etsy?
I found a lot of mine at local antique stores. I look for ones that come in sets so there is some continuity. I’ve also found some great sets on Abe’s books.
Trying to spot the civil war mini balls on your shelves. I did spot what appears to be a writing slope or traveling desk, the antique version of the laptop. Did I guess right?
They are gathered in a white ironstone soap dish under the magnifying glass.
You cannot show this room too many times, in my opinion. I so enjoyed your MN home and living room, but this room broadcasts such a welcoming, cozy feel. I love how the colors in the book case work so well both together and with the room overall. The antique French bird mount is beautiful. And I so appreciate that you stay true to your own aesthetic. It’s probably why I have followed you for over 10 years.
Oh, thank you so much!
Thank you for not turning your books with their spines to the wall! The styling is so very nice! We have a turtle shell and a deer scull on our home office shelves — both courtesy of Clyde the dog!
Everyone has an opinion here’s mine- Turtle shells on the wall- yuck!!!
Ha! I knew some people wouldn’t like it. I think they are so beautiful.
Your shelves look amazing! I absolutely love the turtle shells. I will have to add that to my list of things to look for when I am junking or antique shopping.
I love the shelves being painted & all the wonderful books & things on the shelves. Glad you chose to display your Ironstone someplace else.
Love the shelves!
Is anyone else having problems closing the Walmart ad and moving on with the post?
If you ever have a problem with an ad not closing, that is definitely a rogue ad. Take a screenshot and send it to me if you can, so I can let my ad managers know it needs to be removed. Thanks!
I love the bookcases in the card room green. It is so cozy!
Everything you touch is beautiful! You have inspired me so much since I discovered you online a couple years ago. Just complete furniture slipcovers thanks to your wonderful tutorial. Have also made your pleated lampshade. Thank you for continuing to inspire!
I love the way you styled your shelves! I think it truly is an art to great styling. I remember speaking with your mother at Lucketts once and she mentioned that she attended Petersburg High School which my late stepfather also graduated from although he was older than her. I image your late Opa found many Civil war relics like the mini balls in and around the Petersburg, VA area when he was building homes especially since a major battle of the Civil War was fought there.
Marian, I love your painted bookshelves — so pretty! I also like the way you have arranged each shelf. You just make everything look so nice! Great job! Thanks for sharing your beautiful home with us!
This turned out so well! I love books–to read and to look at. Your collection is beautifully curated. Lovely!