My family room is the hub of activity when our family is all together. It is not a fancy room or even a very well decorated room to tell the truth... and it's not very big either!
But it is a loved room that we used HARD!
Just today, as I am trying to take photos of the bookshelves (in the best light since this is the darkest part of the house) I had to maneuver around my girls stretching and doing yoga to warm up for an exercise class... my one son watching tennis... and Bobby sprawled out on the sofa drinking coffee... all before 8:00 am!
I was able to get a few shots of one corner of the room...
Decorating the thin bookshelves that flank the fireplace has always been a challenge. They are small and dark and can be seen from the kitchen and breakfast room... so I like them tidy and not cluttered.
I'm actually thinking of knocking out the wall and the bookshelves to put windows on either side of the fireplace. But that would be a few years from now.
I'm not a "fill the bookshelf up with books" kind of girl. That would drive me crazy after awhile... too much visual frenzy going on for me.
However, I LOVE books!
I solved my love of books versus the visual overload they cause by stashing them in baskets. I think the baskets keep things neat AND bring texture to a neutral room.
I am in the process of adding more blue to my family room. I lived with a VERY neutral palette and found out that I like color with my neutrals!!!
Adding blue to the bookshelves is a great way to introduce color.
Aren't these Bocce balls fun? We love Bocce and these balls are from our very first set. You can see we played the paint right off of them!
Lighting is very important in this corner. Bobby works on his laptop from the leather club chair in front of the bookshelf. The blue and white lamp was pulled from another room... don't you love to shop your own home?
Behind the lamp is our Bose system. We are music lovers!
The bookshelves are a continual work in progress. I love finding one piece at a time and playing with the decor.
The next item I'm on the lookout for is a nice lidded basket to replace the cigar humidor. I'll keep you updated!
Gorgeous Yvonne! I love bookshelves flanking a fireplace...such a classic look! Yours are adorned just beautifully!
ReplyDeleteWishing you a wonderful weekend!!!
XO Barbara
Lovely as always!!!
ReplyDeletehugs,
Yvonne
Luv the texture the baskets add to the shelves. I too have shelves flanking the fireplace that is visible ( directly across from)the kitchen. Like you the idea of filling it with books make me cringe. I am not a fan of the wall to wall books look. Too much stimulation for me.
ReplyDeleteneutral with pops of colour. I agree... Luv your pops of blue against the light.
Happy Saturday!
Hugs, Gee
Lovely bookshelves! I like how you added texture with the baskets and gotta love the bocce balls, one of my favorite summer lawn games.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely corner of your room. Your shelves look wonderful with the baskets and books.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, I love all the text you combined together. Sharing on my FB page today!!
ReplyDeleteA great room for family togetherness. Every family should have such a comfy area.
ReplyDeleteA pet peeve of mine is shelves w/ no books on them. I love your idea of filling baskets with books! It brings wonderful texture to the shelves!
ReplyDeleteYour new header looks great!
they now make alot of light that is small. you could add lights to your bookshelves.
ReplyDeleteDon't you love cozy rooms? Your bookcases are tastefully done as you do everything! What I especially like is your tabletop lamp with the bands of color! I have to share with you that this a.m. when I was out early trimming my bushes around the foundation, I met a neighbor who told me they are from Lancaster and hope to live here full time in the future. Everyone loves our low Delaware property taxes. We are a coastal community and that was a huge draw too!
ReplyDeleteOh your shelves look wonderful and I love the idea of the books in baskets. Such a pretty corner. It looks so inviting. Hugs, Marty
ReplyDeleteWHERE did you get the lamp on the round table??? I love it! That is funny that you want to replace the bookshelves with windows. I have the windows and keep thinking I wished I had bookshelves:):):) XOXO
ReplyDeleteLove this organized and airy feel. Very pretty. I mentioned your Chili in a Mason Jar brilliance in my post today...I made it differently (more about what I had on hand). Thanks for the inspiration. I couldn't believe how hot the chili stayed as you ate it.
ReplyDeleteYour bookshelves look great. Just books is boring, but you created height and interest with baskets, book, balls, etc.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the bocce balls in the basket. I have a basket with the balls from my childhood game. Maybe we need to take up bocce ball so we can wear off the paint on a set.
LOVE your wonderful bookshelves, and those great touches of blue. I have an old set of Billiard balls and you've given me the best idea for displaying them. Hope you're having a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteSuch a gorgeous room, Yvonne ... I can see why everyone congregates in here! I love how you styled your bookcases! Lots of beautiful pops of color ... especially love the blue (and, what a great set of bocce balls!)!
ReplyDeleteI've been following your blog since you had color and then went neutral. And then the first time I saw a hint of blue added.....I thought "ah ha!....color will be coming back"! It actually encourages me as I've always admired the all neutral pallet I see so much, but when I REALLY think about it....I LOVE color too much so I'll just stay with color! And now....COLOR is back big time in decor! PS: We are Bocce ball fans too! It's the best game!
ReplyDeleteOne more thought.....I think it would be cool to make one shelf in your bookcases into windows, maybe something in cut glass/to mimic an antique window.....it would let in the light, add unique interest but still give you your bookshelves...maybe the 2nd shelf down from the ceiling? Just an idea.
ReplyDeleteThat is a lovely little corner of your family room, Yvonne. I love the blues with neutrals (totally my style too.) We have a basket of croquet balls in our family room.
ReplyDeleteDoes bobby know of your future plans? Insert forest gump moment " run bobby run"!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful...I am with you on cluttered bookshelves. Love the basket idea and I love it with the blue accents:)
ReplyDeleteHi Yvonne! I love your pretty bookshelves and you have arranged them just perfectly. I have a tendency to poke stuff all over mine.
ReplyDeleteHope you had a great 4th.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;0
Yvonne,
ReplyDeleteThe baskets give great texture to your narrow shelves
while keeping your books at bay!!!
I adore the touches of blue in your netural color palette!
Bright and cool. .. perfect combination for Summertime!!!
Fondly,
Pat
Your book shelf styling is right on. I have a hard time with mine, too. Love the bocce balls.
ReplyDeletePops of color with neutrals is my favorite look! Very nice, Yvonne.
ReplyDeleteI love this little corner of your house. The bocce balls are wonderful. I think I'd be hanging out in there too. I'd probably be the one on the couch! :)
ReplyDeleteKaren
Yvonne your bookshelves look fabulous...I love the look of the whole area!!
ReplyDeleteI have window on one side of my fireplace and a door on the other and wish I had your bookshelves! I love how you have added the baskets and the bocce balls are just perfect! Have you thought of painting just the back wall of the shelves...an easy way to add color and you can repaint when you want another color. That may not sound good to you since you like neutrals. I like neutrals also, but love a little color here and there! I am crazy about your round table!
ReplyDeletelove this room...may not be big or fancy but it IS well decorated! at least this darling corner is. really like all the blue and the texture of the baskets. i have no display shelves/bookcases and they are sorely missed. the books controled in baskets is a great tip. thanks. Suzi
ReplyDeleteYour family room and bookcases look fantastic Yvonne. Love the color you've brought into the room. Hope you had a nice 4th.
ReplyDeleteSam
Baskets hide a multitude of sins and I love the texture you introduced on your shelves and the pop of blue color Yvonne! I'm afraid I am a bookaholic, too many for the shelves and no room for much else on the bookcase :)
ReplyDeleteLooks like such a cozy spot to read. Blue is definitely my favorite accent color. Hugs, Laura
ReplyDeleteYour bookshelves look great! I think it was a super idea to put some of the books in baskets. I always struggle decorating bookshelves, so I'm always looking for inspiration. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI love the touches of blue in that very soft and neutral room.
ReplyDeleteThe bookshelf looks great, Yvonne. I think that placing books in baskets is a great idea. I did that for some of the books on my living room bookcases and loved the look. And the pops of blue look great with your neutrals.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about styling book cases. I like to "style" mine, and Hubby just wants his books where he can grab them...no pretty things to move. Yours have a great look...just the right amount of color and texture and pretty things. Love your baskets and pops of blue.
ReplyDeleteI adore the bookshelves and the baskets are just great and do add lovely texture! You really used that Bocce set and it brings such charm to the shelves.
ReplyDeleteCynthia
I love the blue and white. Your room is very soothing and quite beautiful. Thanks for sharing your decor and a peek at your family's busy lives :) Blessings to you, Patti
ReplyDeleteYou have done a fabulous job styling your bookcases...I love how you mix all the textures and styles...and must say I love those bocce balls!..and just loving the blue in the room Yvonne!...
ReplyDeleteYvonne - I know I am a little late in chiming in, but I, too, love your bookcases. I had a dark niche that I didn't like, so I had an electrician install a small round (I think they call it an "eyeball") light. It brightened up my niche instantly and I even had him install a dimmer so I have the option of bright or soft light. Maybe that would be an option for you. It sure would be less expensive than knocking out walls and adding windows, lol!
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you, and thank you for the many hours of pleasure I receive from reading your beautiful blog....