Shelf Life...

A question I hear often: "How do I arrange my shelves?"

Here's the inside scoop without any consultation fees. Start by taking inventory of your items. Pull every single accessory item out of the room and, "stage," them so you can easily shop your own items.

You can't go wrong with 80% of your display as hardcover books.

Not a literary genius? Scour second hand stores or your local Good Will. No ones needs to know you didn't read War and Peace. Consider stacking them vertically, horizontally or separate them by color.
One of my favorite designer tricks... Visit the neighborhood stationary store, paper store or Paper Source online and invest in a bundle of couture paper or wrapping paper (sans the sheen). Do as you did in the 3rd grade and create your own book covers. An easy, simple and inexpensive way to add color and interest to your display.

If a punch of color isn't your cup of tea create a look equally as interesting with items from the same color palette.
Mix in framed art or photographs. Don't be afraid to layer them atop one another. Perfection is boring. Think designed without looking decorator-ey (it's a word, I swear).
Look no little, ditsy accessories! Think of the shelf as a composition, not a retail display. I love the series of red vases standing at attention side by side.

Do as you do in fashion... Layer, layer, layer. Stack books behind frames. Perch frames on top of the books. Not perfect, but not messy either.

I LOVE a piece of art hung on the face frame OR hang a piece to completely cover one cubbie. Feel free to hide all your skeletons and junk behind this new, "designer door."
Make sure you incorporate new items with old, an antique vase with a lacquered box. Be critical. Stand back, look at the composition as a whole, and edit as necessary. Then take a picture and email me-I'd love to see what you're up to!

Best,

Brooke Voss

brookevossdesign.com