DONE!

Finally! Sheesh! Here are the "after" results of my bookshelves project. Nothing earth shattering, but much more pleasant to look at than the nasty, unorganized mess that was bothering me so much. Remember how awful they looked a mere week ago? I hated waking up to it, and it made me sad that my lovely little quilt armoire sat in between such chaos.

My beloved Country Home magazines are all re-cataloged in much nicer holders. I found people to donate my other magazines to, as I decided that when something no longer brings you joy but becomes a burden, it's time to part with it. I also have plenty of storage for smaller items. The leather boxes on top of my shelves hold travel mementos, the leather covered "book" holds my many copies of Guideposts Magazine, I have 2 straw baskets and 2 pink metal sewing baskets as well. 

I am not a person that loves a bunch of "stuff" for the sake of sticking it up on shelves. I can't stand clutter. I have strict qualifications for dust-worthiness, believe me. I only keep things around me that are useful, that I absolutely love looking at, or that have special meaning to me (or all three) 
This handmade, hand-signed quilt block has much meaning to me, as do my Jean Stratton Porter books. You know who you are Joan Mockler :)
My all time favorite books, and The Eiffel Tower, of which I recently went to the top.
Some of the colorful antique croquet balls I collect, and a few felted balls from Australia.
I split my small photo albums up to make things a bit more interesting.
We bought this platter in Cambria on one of our anniversary trips.
This very old Scottie dog was the very first small quilted piece I ever purchased. It remains my favorite.
Here's the best aerial view I could muster, balancing on the Red Bed. It kind of gives you the whole picture. I know I'll change things here and there, but right now the balance looks pretty good.  

Probably the MOST popular thing I see on a daily basis ;) 

storage samples & random thoughts

Let's just say this bookshelf project of mine is driving me nuts in more ways than one. And not just because this happens to be an extremely nutsy week in the first place. But because it has me rethinking myself again. My first reaction to the photo above is wow, that's done so nicely! My second reaction is, gosh, that's a LOT of stuff. My third reaction is, yikes, who would want to dust all that clutter!
I guess it depends on what your space is all about. The above photo is obviously a workspace. You'd want to have everything near you within easy reach, and an inspiration board within sight as well. So even though it may have the appearance of clutter, this is definitely a very well designed workspace. 
This seems to be what people are moving a bit more towards lately. Concealed clutter. Or perhaps no clutter at all. Cubbies for distinct display, cupboards to hide everything else. Clean. I like it.
Now, my first reaction to the above photo, is that I love the look. I miss the absence of color of course, but I love the simplicity. Then my second reaction kicks in, which is my more practical side: how could anyone possibly keep old, rough crates clean and dust free???
These shelves are truly lovely. And I enjoy how all the books are color coordinated - that's a really nice effect. I would try something like that. 

(*all photo credits Apartment Therapy, except 3rd photo down, credit Serena of the Farm Chicks)

I think I've come to just a few conclusions so far. I'm definitely not a fan of bookshelves because my arch nemesis is dust. I hate it. And shelves love it. Shelves can't get enough of dust. Especially if shelves excel in clutter. The more clutter, the more dust. It's a lose/lose unless you love to dust. And I've heard that some people really do love to dust. Wow. But that doesn't mean I'm ditching my bookshelves, it just means I'm going to keep everything really simple. 

Something else I've been thinking about are collections. I have several collections (among them, magazines). Most of my collections bring me great joy - my colorful croquet balls, my cheerful quilts. But I think we have to be careful. If it doesn't bring us joy - if we can't enjoy it by seeing it, using it, sharing it, whatever - then why do we have it? Perhaps we need to reevaluate all our "stuff". When "stuff" becomes a burden rather than a joy, it's time to say goodbye. 

Just some random thoughts while I continue to work on my bookshelves... stay tuned.  

Bedroom Bookshelves Project

Remember a teaser a few posts ago? About a project I had coming up? Well, the time has come. And if I don't post these pictures now for everyone to see (oh the shame!), I'll never get this project finished. It has me completely paralyzed. I don't even know why, but it does. So......

This is my bedroom wall, opposite the Red Bed. I have this lovely little armoire, you see. It has glass panes all down the front and even on both sides, so you can see my quilts and textiles. 
Bright Mexican blankets, Pendelton trade blankets, wedding quilts from my mother and my mother-in-law, cherished baby blankets of our own boys - some stitched lovingly by hand from dear friends, cheerful old quilts and textiles I have collected and kept over the years, even my grade school sleeping bag that I cannot part with. Favorite fabrics, sweet embroidery pieces stitched by inexperienced hands... all of it is here in my lovely little armoire. 
I love waking up each morning and seeing all the cheerful color peeking out at me. It's one of the first things I see every day. It makes me so very happy. The problem is........
THIS IS THE REST OF WHAT I WAKE UP TO! WHAT A MESS!

My poor armoire is being drowned on both sides by looming bookshelves gone wrong! Seeing all this first thing as I wake up makes me want to hide from the day. I am an "everything in it's place" person, not a "just throw it on the shelf" person. Metal initials, leather boxes, a sewing box that lost it's twin, magazines hanging around that haven't even been cataloged(!). It's enough to make my brain explode. And I'm glad you can't see the half inch of dust on top of everything.
My backpack from Europe, stashed up there when we arrived home SEVEN MONTHS AGO. Bags of linens from Europe that are still sitting there. Linens! And underneath them are books my sly college son no longer needed and tried to hide while home during Christmas break. Let's see... pants I need to donate, a lone frisbee (?), some CD's, room freshener, years & years of photo albums no one even realizes are there, kitchen counter spray that somehow ended up in my bedroom (?)... blah, blah, blah. You get the idea. Say it! The "C" word! CLUTTER! UGH! 

(Moment of silence please. I'm still grieving the folding of Country Home Magazine) 

All my magazines need to be re-labled so the tops can be kept clean. Yes, you heard me correctly. No, I'm not freaking insane. I just like things how I like things. I went to Ikea and purchased new holders for them too. These have served me well for years, but it's finally time to recycle them. Especially after the time our ceiling leaked and it rained INSIDE the house and soaked them all... they never quite recovered. I haven't either. 

As you can see... I've got my work cut out for me. I will have to save the world another time.