Thursday, December 1, 2011

44 Basement Progress: Studio Book Display

As you know, we took a little studio break to work on the playroom.  It was an emergency.  It's getting pretty cold here and the kids needed a happy place to play.  Mom needed that too.

But I the studio definitely hasn't been forgotten.  I spend many many hours in that space and I have endless ideas and plans that I am itching to implement.  But one day at a time, I must keep telling myself!

When I last left you, it was looking like this:


And we had just hung up a coat hook to keep my camera bags and sweaters off of the floor:


The wall above the coat hook has been sitting empty and I have been pinning art ideas on Pinterest and trying to think of the most effective way to utilize the wall space.

Then, I stumbled across some acrylic wall shelves, which are basically shelves intended for displaying greeting cards.  Bingo, just what the empty wall was waiting for!

And no, I didn't recently become obsessed with creating, collecting and displaying greeting cards.  But I do have an obsession for great home and storage books and magazines.  See where I am going with this?

A couple of wall anchors later, we had some installed shelves!


Which I just quickly filled with some of my favorite reads!



I love that the shelves are clear, so it almost appears as the books are floating on the wall!


And I get quick access and a great view of some of my favorite inspiration, in what is supposed to be my most inspiring space!  And I can easily switch out and freshen up the display as I wish! 


In other studio news, I still haven't painted the dresser.  But I did move it!


I had a color picked out.  I even purchased it.  I really did.  But I decided that I only want to paint that dresser once, so it's actually going to be one of the last things I work on in the space.  And I used the paint on some playroom projects instead {if that gives you indication of the color I almost went with}.  I think I may start looking at some wallpaper samples for the back focal wall to give the room a major wow factor.  Any suggestions you have are welcome!

At any rate, it's all these itty bitty progress projects that get me even more excited to keep the ball rolling!

Lets chat about great reads that provide inspiration.  Any recommendations for a book lovin' gal like myself?  Even though Pinterest and the blog world can take over my days, nothing beats flipping through the colorful pages of a fantastic book or glossy magazine! 

44 comments:

  1. Looking good! I love the shelves.

    If you get the chance at all (I know you're a busy gal!) I'd love see an update about how your first few months of full-time blogging has gone. I find the administration side of blogging so tiresome, I love hearing how other bloggers allocate their time.

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  2. those shelves are awesome! what a great find!

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  3. I love that idea for the shelves, and how eaisly it can be changed out or updated...the possibilities are endless with them!

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  4. I love those floating shelves. Great job!

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  5. The shelves are awesome! And, you've moved the dresser. Does that mean your desk is where the dresser once was? I can't wait to see what you're up to. :)

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  6. Hey lovey! what a great idea!!!!! I think i'm going to pick up a few of these too! =) I've been drooling over the bold red ones at CB2 but this is more practical for my space! and more affordable too! thanks love!

    xoXOxo
    Jenn @ Peas and Crayons

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  7. Get the Design*Sponge book! I have been flipping through its pages for the last month or so and am in love. It's got so many great design elements for any style, and it's awesome to see what other people are able to do with their place. (I would even recommend getting the one from Anthropologie - they have a special edition one).

    Love the shelves!

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  8. Everything looks great! I LOVE the shelves...I might have to look into those myself...I love how narrow they are! For your focal wall have you ever looked at the Wallpapers from Graham & Brown? ( http://www.grahambrown.com/us/index ) Their stuff is GORGEOUS...pricey but it would be worth it and you wouldn't need much!!!

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  9. Wow! I love those acrylic shelves --- especially the price!!! I have a scrapbook workshop space and need to display my products. This is just exactly what I need. Thank you for that link!! Blessings!!

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  10. I absolutely LOVE your coat rack! And the clear shelves...BRILLIANT! We just moved and I finally get my own office/craft space. I don't even know where to begin you have definitely given me some great ideas and inspiration to go with. Thank you!

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  11. Well, ooooh, la, la! Totally lov'n that display/storage idea! Look'n just FAB, girl!! :)

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  12. can't wait to see what you do with the dresser!

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  13. Have you checked out the Decor8 book by Holly Becker? I love it! And I see you already have one Jonathan Adler one. Love all of his books.

    These clear book racks look so fantastic!

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  14. The shelves are perfect, Might have to find some from a Canadian vendor for my little girl's nursery.

    -Elle from http://allicanthinkisthisismylife.blogspot.com

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  15. I am in love with your space. It looks so fun and inviting.

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  16. Have you ever seen the magazine "Where Women Create"? I saw this one in the store this summer and I still need to buy it. Its more like one of those book/magazines and has a hefty price tag but its a splurge im going to get! Maybe for my stocking this year! If you havent seen it here is a like to the one I saw in the store it was so inspiring!

    http://www.amazon.com/Where-Women-Create-Magazine-Single/dp/B005HDOD6C/ref=sr_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1322767327&sr=1-7

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  17. I love those clear shelves!! So simple and functional!

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  18. This may be random but where did you get your dog bed? I absolutely love it! Most beds are bulky and just plain eyesores but that one is so cute!

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  19. Love these shelves! Is there any reason you can think of why they wouldn't work for children's books too? Do you think they are sturdy enough to hold more weight than the magazines you have? I love the idea of the Ikea spice reacks as book shelves but these seem just as good and they are longer than what Ikea offers for not much more in price. Always an inspiration!
    Shannon

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  20. A magazine that you might enjoy is Uppercase Living - it is out of Canada and an interesting assortment of articles/inspiration. They say their magazine is for the "creative & curious"

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  21. OMG I love this idea!!! This would be a great idea for my decorating books at home. Thanks for sharing Jen.

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  22. This is so amazing. I should definitely look around here to get an idea about where I can put all my books. T_T

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  23. @Kelli, I actually custom ordered the puppy pad through janery.com and couldn't be happier with it! {http://www.etsy.com/shop/ShopJanery}

    @Shannon, they absolutely would work great for children books as well! Great idea and it would be so adorable in a kid's bedroom or playroom!

    xoxo,
    Jen

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  24. where did you get that starburst mirror above the dresser? I love it and have been looking for one.

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  25. those shelves would be PERFECT for my craft room! ( I'm a Stampin' Up demo in Canada! ) thanks for sharing and I'm totally pinning this! :)

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  26. @Jean - I have had the mirror for quite awhile, I found it at Pier 1 I would guess 3 years ago now. I have seen similar options on Amazon though!

    xoxo,
    Jen

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  27. @Jean, I've seen a DIY version of that mirror floating around on Pinterest. I haven't saved it because I don't have room for one but thought I'd tell you to be on the lookout. Or google it. It might turn up that way and its just a fraction of the cost of buying one.

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  28. AH-HA...Here you go @Jean. http://www.shelterness.com/10-diy-sunburst-mirrors-from-different-materials/

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  29. Ooh, I love the clear shelves! I need to go check out some of those books.

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  30. @Jean~ I just saw one at Target yesterday! I didnt look at the price but when I saw it I knew I had seen one similar on Jens blog! Good luck!

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  31. I love the idea for using it ifor kids book...what size did you buy? Do you recommend a particular size for a little girl books?

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  32. Hello from summery New Zealand. I have just discovered your blog and OMG I have spent the last 2-3 days sneaking to my computer every chance I get to soak up some organising awesomeness. You have totally inspired me to get my house in order, starting with my 1 year old daughter's bedroom, my filing system, junk drawers, pantry storage (all now complete) with many more jobs on my to-do list. I am returning to work part-time in January and it's now my goal to get some efficient systems in place before then to help our lives run more smoothly. I am particuarly impressed with your cleaning schedule and only wish I had that kind of discipline!! Keep up the great work,I am now a devoted follower. And goodness me, what gorgeous boys you have.

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  33. @Sandhya, I went with the 36" size.

    And thank you Anonymous and welcome! Congrats on all of your recent organizing accomplishments! I know how wonderful it feels, smiling for you!!

    xoxo,
    Jen

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  34. lOvE those shelves!! I was just thinking about the rain gutter shelving idea last night as I was shoving kids books into baskets- not working well for my busy little readers- this is SO much more awesome :) Thanks for sharing...the room is coming along great!

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  35. Honestly... IHeart clutter! But my mom will love you for some of the tips i'm taking from you

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  36. Would you mind sending me the link (if there is one) to where you purchased your laundry room rug. I'm having serious lust.

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  37. Great ideas! I've always wanted to buy that Jonathan Adler design book! Maybe this christmas :)

    http://canvasofculture.blogspot.com/

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  38. I love the acrylic shelves! What kind of wall anchors did you use? I'm worried that my walls won't support the weight of magazines/books on a card shelf :(

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  39. @K-Krew - We used standard Drywall Anchors, similar to these: http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/TOGGLER-Hollow-Wall-Anchor-3KHW2?cm_mmc=GoogleBase-_-Fasteners-_-Anchors-_-3KHW2&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=3KHW2

    They have always been great for us when it comes to hanging anything on the walls!

    xoxo,
    Jen

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  40. Wow, these acrilic shelves are awesome! I love acrylic as well. They do seem to be floating. You are an inspiration, as always!

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  41. Thanks for this great idea! I'm definitely using these acrylic shelves for my new baby's nursery to display books and small stuffed animals. Can't wait to get started.

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