Book Storage Inspiration

Most us of readers aren't rich and can't afford a library devoted solely to books, which is why we have piles of books in every room, usually with no designated space. I've shown my way of dealing with books in my own house (see below) but I am now out of space on these two bookshelves on the sides of my TV.

My House

So now I'm looking for additional book storage, something small or maybe skinny because I don't anticipate getting double the amount of books I have now. Here are some inspiring images from around the web.

Maria's Pockets - Apartment Therapy Small Cool 2010

(Trunk book storage idea!) Emily Henderson via Aperfectgray.com

(Love the candles on top of this bookshelf in the dining room!) Apartment Therapy

Windsor Smith via Cococozy

A book shelf in an alcove with a bed, Apartment Therapy

Build a secret passage! Or just add a door with shelves where you have

an existing open doorway. Image via Peter Pennoyer.

Put a single shelf high above. Image source unknown.

Above a nightstand. Image source unknown.

(Book side tables!) Nick Olsen via Habitually Chic on Flickr

Books on the coffee table, a classic. Image via Zatista

Books on top of the mantel. Image source unknown.

Window bookshelf, source unknown.

via Real Simple?

Bookshelf stairs via Apartment Therapy

Elizabeth Sullivan via Made by Girl

Caitlin and Samuel of Popham Design via Design Sponge

More Mantel as Headboard Ideas

Last time I didn't get to cover how great this mantel-as-headboard thing can be. The best past isn't how pretty it looks, it is that you can put things on the mantel/headboard that you otherwise couldn't display at the top of your bed, such as artwork, accessories, candles, books or clocks. I also love the idea of putting a padded and tufted headboard between the space of the mantel as some of the pictures below will show. One even has a mirror. I had been plotting how to make the perfect headboard for my low ceiling (yet tall mirrors on my nightstands,) and I think this idea is the best yet. Check out all these great pictures from around the web.

Better Homes & Gardens via http://www.knottinghillinteriors.com/

Blue Creek Home via http://www.littlelovables.blogspot.com/

DIY Ideas via http://www.knottinghillinteriors.com/

Coastal Living via http://www.littlelovables.blogspot.com/

Gail's Decorative Touch

http://www.theoldpaintedcottage.blogspot.com/

Traditional Home via House of Turquoise

http://www.afancifultwist.typepad.com/

And if you can't get your hands on a mantel, a single, wide shelf will do nicely.

Better Homes & Gardens via http://www.caylascorner.com/

P.S. A correction - the picture from my previous post, the bed with the black and white damask cover, is actually from http://www.afancifultwist.typepad.com/

P.P.S. If anyone knows how to make a link going to a different page that has just my photos of my house, please let me know how to do it! I'd like to have a link that says "My House" soon. Thanks so much!

Mantels as Headboards and Attainable Inspiring Bedrooms

This is totally how I feel...

Able & Game via Moderncat

And since my last topic was headboards, how do you feel about a mantel as a headboard?

Leah Moss of http://www.mosseclectic.com/

http://www.abodelove.blogspot.com/

And a beautiful bedroom to inspire you. This one looks perfect for a home on the water.

http://www.greigedesign.blogspot.com/

And a bedroom that seems suited to a home on the outskirts of town.

Hilary Thomas via Patrick Cline Photography in Lonny Magazine

And another one that seems like it should be in a posh European townhouse.

Michael Smith via Cococozy

Might I just say, though, that none of these rooms are unattainable in an average suburban home, nor would they look ridiculously over the top. In fact, the mantel-as-headboard is a cheap way to make your bedroom look classy and elegant, possibly even with a vintage flair. You can usually find an old headboard at any antique store (or request they save one for you) and put a fresh coat of paint on it or leave it be for vintage appeal. And while you may not be able to fit nearly as many pieces of furniture in the last three bedrooms shown above, you can certainly achieve the same look. I'm telling you -- king size sheet sets are always about $40 at TJMaxx, Marshalls, and Home Goods. (While you're there pick up table lamps, pillows, rugs, accessories, pots and pans, and even food. You'd be surprised at what they carry.) Sometimes Target has a good sale. You can get a great quality chandelier online at http://www.gallery804.com/. Second-hand furniture is actually in style.

Forget art, accessories and lighting for now, the first thing you should do is invest in luxurious textures. Not luxurious as in expensive, but luxurious as in comforting, exciting, and visually interesting. Velvet, patterns, layers, silk, lace, egyptian cotton, etc. It's the best thing you can do for a space, and it gives the room interest. In the pictures above, which are undeniably gorgeous rooms, you'll find velvet, stripes on a rug, a damask patterned duvet cover and a pintuck duvet cover, varying accent pillows, extra blankets that complement the colors in the room, materials in different shades of the same color family, and window coverings in fine textures and colors. Not to mention comfy, beautiful floors and rugs.

Black Headboard Inspiration

I think an elegant (or modern) black headboard in an otherwise neutral room, possibly with little pops of color throughout, makes for an amazing, classy space. Here are some inspiring rooms from around the internet.

bhg via the decorologist

http://www.homestagingtoronto.com/

Nate Berkus via decorpad

Metropolitan Home via decorpad

The Cross Decor & Design via decorpad

source unknown - maybe Apartment Therapy

decorpad

Sabrina & Julian house tour on The Nest

http://www.genuinestyle.net/

Art Van usually carries black leather headboards, but here are other shopping options:

Parisian headboard via http://www.wakeupfrankie.com/ (but available elsewhere, too) 

This headboard is available from Kmart online

this Avalon headboard http://www.amazon.com/BackDrop-Upholstered-Distressed-Leather-Headboard/dp/B001JAH1CK

this CSN headboard http://www.csnstores.com/Skyline-Furniture-Boarder-Headboard-in-Premier-Black-65X-Premier-Black-L18-K~SKY1850.html?refid=FR49-SKY1850_2819600_5182641&PiID=2819600&PiID=5182641

another Kmart one http://www.kmart.com/shc/s/p_10151_10104_3260000000089832P?vName=For%20the%20Home&cName=Bedroom&sName=Various%20Coordinates&sid=KDx20070926x00003a&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=3260000000089832P

Or, of course, you can always paint the headboard on the wall, as I've previously posted about.

By the way, there is seriously nothing better than a fur blanket (preferably faux) on top of your bed. I dare you to go out and buy one.

Savvy Home via Once Daily Chic

Amazing Inspiration

Just had to share this beautiful bedroom from the cl house of the year via decorology

These awesome stairs from houzz.com via pinterest

And the floor of this kitchen is great! http://www.housetweaking.com/

Cats and More Design Pictures

Nothing quite says "Welcome home" like a cat waiting by the door. No matter who makes you feel bad, a cat always makes you feel good. And its nice to know that even if you've dissappointed someone or had a bad day, the cat doesn't care. They just want to love you.

Buffy, RIP

Some more pictures I recently added to my inspiration file...

Canadian House & Home via Belle Maison

Pinterest via Plush Palate

Rue Magazine 2011

An Andalusian villa in El Mueble via http://www.elmueble.com/

Same source as above.

This chevron tile pattern is to die for.

Little House With a Side of Blue, Please

Finally, a picture of the outside of my house, the deck, and the garden. (Since things are moving so slow inside.) It seems we put taking a shower on hold for a tiny garden. That probably wouldn't sound strange unless you know we haven't taken a shower in our new house since we bought it, which was in September. That's nine months of no showering, baths only. Anyway, we lined the miniature garden with bricks we found underneath our deck. My husband did all the work, but I had to relocate several rollie-pollie bugs that were living between the bricks. Or do they call them armadillo bugs?