Though the booklover in me was ready to swoon at the sight of these fabulous build-in shelves, decorator Terry Moore knew they were not living up to their full potential. Working with a client hoping to inject some personality into a new home, Terry popped out the shelves, picked up a paintbrush, and went to town on this neutral space.
Pulling the color from a feature wall in the connected dining room (Sherwin Williams Fired Brick for those who want to know), Terry created a warm and wonderful backdrop for her client's collections. Removing two shelves allowed Terry to play with the spacing to create more height and a lighter look despite the darker paint. The finished product is certainly an inspiring reminder of the imact a little color can have on a room.
You can see more of Terry's work both in her home and in her clients' at Forever Decorating.
Images: Terry Moore at Forever Decorating.
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Before clicking through I imagined painting the shelves peacock blue and the backing copper leaf! So now I might have to think about doing that somewhere for real!
Also seen on YHL a good while back - http://www.younghouselove.com/2011/01/tall-dark-and-handsome/
While the colour doesn't appeal (I think YHL did it better), I do think it's a great idea, I've always loved it!!
I keep seeing posting on various AT posts about YHL doing (whatever the post is about) a while back... what's up with that?
The reddish color seems to go really well with the rest of the autumn colors that are in the space.
This is cool, but....sometimes I see design photos and I wonder if I am the last person on earth who uses bookshelves for books. ;)
Really brought the bookshelves to life! Love the color, great job. But I think a) you need some books in there to give it life and "weight" things out; 2) the baskets on top are too small - they get lost; and 3) I think there are too many things "propped up"...leaving the shelves looking light...thus the needs for books, both straight up and stacked on their sides.
It's a little too symmetrical, but I love the color!
@AmandaGeek - what's up with you? I've actually never seen it before in comments, but my point was I thought YHL executed it better with both their colour choice and their styling. Apologies for having an opinion.
I keep seeing the YHL references too... I think the idea of design is that it is never really original but always inspired. YHL wasn't the first to paint a bookshelf nor will this be the last. I love seeing how color changes the overall effect of the bookcase. This tone really warms it up! It's a great way to add color without a huge commitment.
@DodieGoldney: they either gave up all reading, adopted a tablet 110%, or the books are packed in boxes in the garage awaiting their return to the bookshelves post-photo-shoot!
(I don't have "enough" bookshelves because I can't seem to cull my own library)
So on the addition of color, it's a 'nice' addition, but the muted color almost brings down the dark accessories further. Also the display isn't eye-catching but having said that I fully admit that I absolutely struggle with how to display my tchotchkes so it looks artful rather than like clutter.
You know, guys, it's entirely possible they chose to stage the shelves to showcase the color change (the reason the post exists) before loading them up. Why not assume that and focus on the paint job rather than how the shelves are being used, which is probably fluid? Just sayin'
I love the result! My bookshelves were built against an off white wall and are white. They were extremely dull until I painted the wall a deep coffee color. Now everyone loves and remarks on them This is a great job and I love the color.