apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Never block a doorway - It's bad feng shui and could be dangerous in an emergency...

...and it looks stupid.

I guess my issue is that I don't see why you need a huge piece for furniture for photographs.

I think it makes the apartment feel "cluttery." As in, I want to walk into that room but there's so much stuff in my way I need to step over it or go around.

I'm also with Lisa - loose the bookcase and hang the pics on the wall.

I also think it would look so much better to just group the photos on the wall. That piece is just too heavy.

looks much much much better upright. although, I too am confused why you have a bookshelf for wall mountable items....

I don't think there's anything sacred about doorways; go ahead and block them if it works better you.

However, that bookcase on its side and the resulting "half-window" just looks like a mistake. And why do you want to display pictures at knee-level? So the cat can see them?;-P

yeah, half the pictures are still too low...and I'm only 5'1"!

and the "before" looks like a bookshelf got knocked over.

so much better....it was odd looking before. I agree with nashdp....if you are going to block it, do it all the way...seeing half of it was very odd

It looks much, much better. Although, I would just hang the pictures on the wall also.

I am probably in the minority here, but I like the effect of the photos in the bookcase. The lines of the bookcase add a stronger geometric element to the display than would be there if they were simply hung from the wall. Also, IMO, the shadows behind the pictures contrast with the white mats which causes the images themselves to pop more than they would if they were simply hung on the wall. I think the book case gives the display dimensionality, weight and depth in a pleasing way.

I also agree with nashdp's comment - I think in an awkward layout, some doorways could benefit greatly from being blocked, but the "half-window" effect didn't look very good in the picture.

You should. . . do what looks good to you. As the comments above prove you're never going to make everyone else happy.

Well, since you asked . . . I don't like the bookcase much, would choose something lower, lighter, painted white, to place some photos on, while hanging others above. Just seems to overwhelm a small space. I like everything else in the space, though.

I don't think the before was horrible, but I do like it better now. It seems to allow for better flow. That's a beautiful place though.

Maybe it's because the wood is much darker, maybe it's too many frames which are also framed by the dividers then the actual case itself, or maybe it's because I don't particularity like photos in general, but it looks awkward to me. I am of the opinion it sticks out a bit like a sore thumb and detracts from the rest of the room (which once you get past the picturecase) is very lovely.

It does look miles better stacked than blocking the doorway though.

*meant to clarify photos of people, like family snapshots. I'm just not a fan.

It's MUCH better now; the blocked doorway was bad. But... I also don't get why you fill the bookshelf with photos. Don't like the idea and of it the bookshelf takes up a lot of space.

i actually don't mind having one of the parts standing in between the doorways.

in the second "before" photo, you can see that one-third of the bookcase fits nicely into that nook, with the lamp on top of it and the picture hanging overhead...

that would be my choice, if you want to keep the bookcase: keep one of them in the nook; separate the other two into different areas...

...maybe put one of the other "thirds" next to the couch as an end table?

Ah, this is wonderful (I was one of the blocked-door squicked from before). The space looks so much more open now and shows off how lovely it is.

Your use of color is lovely.
The blocked doorway...yikes!
Lose the bookshelves, they're overwhelming.

I agree with the others that advise you lose the bookcase. Some, not all, of the photos displayed on the wall between the doorways would be nice. Although, I also like wompwompwomp's suggestion that you just use the lower portion of the bookcase between the doors. But, for books and other items...the photos are too close to the floor otherwise.

But, it's your place and I suppose you should do what makes you happy. Still, you wouldn't have asked for the opinions of strangers if you weren't interested in what others think, right?

It looks one million times better!

sooooooo much better upright!

oh man! you really had it like that? yikes!

it looks better but if you removed that large piece of furniture and actualy put the photos on that wall it would look even better.

Not liking the doorway blocked, the vertical arrangement looks much better.

I like the look of the upright bookcase. The height is @ the same as the flanking doors making it quite soothing to the eye. Because the space between the doorways is rather small, hanging the pictures there would look busy while the bookcase display does not. The bookcase display is quite sculptural and reads as a large "frame" for the enclosed photos. I'm a big one for changing out art: the bookcase makes this possible: today, photos; tomorrow, pottery or even books.

p.s. I would remove the three red lanterns, though.

How do you see pictures that are at ankle-height?

I wasn't suggesting hanging the photos in that space. I thought the bullfighting poster looked really nice in the "before."

I recommend putting the photos over the desk in the background room, or maybe in a hallway, or near your bed. I've never been a fan of overscale family snapshots in the living room.

Agreed. The bookcase looks awful. Worse on its side. Cull the pics and mount the best on the mantle over the doors.

I honestly love it! The space is much more open!

I think the pictures in the bookcase look interesting and sculptural. I also like how the frames look upright instead of slanted. Personally, I think it is an improvement than the bookcase on its side, it looks leaner and neater.

I prefer the vertical, but I agree with everyone, just hand those photos on the wall.

Ha, actually, I liked it better the other way when it was blocking the door. I think the pictures look awkward in the space now.

I'll be in the minority that loves the blocked doorway. I didn't see the original post, but I think that the blocked doorway is interesting and a definite conversation starter.

I'm sure you wouldn't have blocked the doorway if you used it regularly! So I like the bar-counter thing.

That bookshelf, combined with the nearby sofa, is obstructing the flow of traffic into the room. It's also just too large and cluttered for that tiny space between the two doors, which really begs to be left alone, maybe to house a single piece of art or a mirror.

Lose the bookshelf, and find another home (or homes) for the photos.

Listen, some rooms just have too many unnecessary doorways. I have a friend who has four (!) doorways into a room that is 12 x 12, she said she just doesn't need that many exits, so she blocked up one with a couple bookcases to get some much needed wallspace. And it looks great, nobody even knows what she's done. So sometimes I don't think it's a bad idea.

The only problem I see with the 'before' picture is that I would look at that bookcase and wonder if I was expected to climb over it to go to the bathroom. Don't see a problem if you wanted to block the entire doorway up to the door's frame.

I completely blocked a doorway out of my kitchen. There was a door to the back hall, a door to the dining room, a door to the pantry, and a door to the stairs all in one little kitchen. Ridiculous. A big bookcase blocked the whole thing, and gave me a place for cookbooks. But I don't think I would care for a half-blocked door, unless I could figure out a way to make it counter height - like one of those fifties ranch-style pop-throughs from the kitchen to the dining room. That, of course, wouldn't help me keep the cats out of the kitchen when I cooking...

I think I agree with those who say the space will seem airier and brighter without the bookcase. There's something about the tall bookcase that feels oppressive. And while I appreciate the inventive use of the bookcase for photographs, it is such an example of form NOT following function that I think the experiment ultimately fails.

Hi,

Kyle, the blogger here.

Whew - didn't know this post would spawn such a strong reaction ;-).

Only point I want to address is the question about why having photos so low to the floor. I actually spend a lot of time on the floor (the shag rug is very inviting) playing with my dog, stretching, and meditating so it's a lovely view of the photos from down there.

Thanks!
Kyle

Wow... Kyle, I'm sorry to see everyone pooh-poohing your set up, either way. I guess you invited the criticism, but it still stinks.

I'd bet if there were a door in that frame that all these boneheads wouldn't mind the shelves horizontally at all. I recognize the points that they bring up as valid, but I like the look. Almost like a dutch door. What if you got one of those and then hung all the pictures on it? Maybe that would please the masses (and make fun of them).

I live in a North Shore apartment that has lots of doors, and some of them don't make sense. There's one corner where three of them collide - I kid you not (four if you include a closet door). When we have a guest, I close the extra one in the guest room (that links to my study) and put a chair in front of it.

All that said, your place is LOVELY no matter what it looks like as long as it makes sense to you. Someone commented on the fact that it might look nice with a white shelf, and I happen to agree. Or some other light neutral. But don't listen to me... do what feels best for you.

Emily

i agree why the big furniture for a small space? pics are marvels on a small wall space, they chould all be hung in that same space on the wall. or on ribbons, from the top of the wall. its so cool to use nothing and make it look open.. creativity at times is less.

I am thinking of outting my bed infront of the door that goes to the bath room there is another door off a hallway .. Will give me more space .....yes no? ,,,,Maj

Since we are the ones who live inside our space, we are the ones who should decide how we rearrange our living quarters...whatever is comfortable to live with..

I like it better unblocked, but I am not opposed to blocking a doorway if need be. My only suggestion is, if you block it again, you should block it completely and hand some sort of translucent (like a painting done on an old window frame or some old satined glass) art piece to complete the look yet still keep it bright and airy. As is, it sort of just looks like the book case fell over.

sorry *hang* not hand

I take it back, after revisiting the pics, I like it better blocked, mostly because I like the picture of the bullfighter in the wall space, it opens up the room. and I did notice you hung the birdcage to obstruct the doorway.. so yeah, I sorta like it...

holy cow girl...you really DO rearrange every week!

keep doing what feels good for YOU!

susie

The after is much, much better. I love the home in general however!

The after is much better. No reason not to block and unused opening. And you clearly don't need this one. Too many doors can actually make a room work less efficiently. If you were dong a remodel, closing off one of those openings would be a no-brainer.

I'd treat the opening like a window and add a curtain or, better yet, a roller blind. On both sides...

I've read the comments and I'm still puzzled as to why no one suggested just putting the shelves *in* the doorway. If you're not using the door, and it's not a path in case of major emergency, why not just cover it -- and by cover it, make it hidden? Having it half-open made me feel like I *should* be able to move through to the next space but then, woah, at knee-height, look at that.

The exception to that rule is if the shelves (horizontally) end up as high as your average bureau or sideboard: then the open space behind becomes a visual like a pass-through. Get a whallop of a picture frame, something outrageous in gilt or a wild color, and hang it on the doorframe -- with bottom-edge resting on the bureau/shelving top. Then the 'beyond' visual loses its 'this is a door' quality and becomes 'this is a view to see, but not to enter' aspect.

But I guess I should also note that I was quite certain the pictures had to be hiding books behind them... right? Because I can't conceive of having shelves that aren't crammed full of books. (I moved into my current place three years ago and first thing I did was build wall-to-wall shelves for the library/tv-room, and I haven't stopped building shelves since, and we arrived with eight bookcases as it was.)

If there are books & whatnot behind the pictures, kudos to you for getting around the potential visual-clutter of a mass of books... without resorting to something really, hrm, well... let's just say arranging books by the color of the covers is counterproductive to actual use, and looks entirely too contrived, like a moderne version of buying 'old books' solely for the purpose of display. Skip that!

Whew! SO much better! The blocked doorway made my teeth hurt.

I actually like the pictures in the bookcase. It's very unique and it's a nice focal point for that side of the room. I think it looks much better with the doorway unblocked. Nice job!

actually, i never thought i'd say this about a blocked doorway, but i miss the old arrangement. i thought it was great--kind of quirky, less bulky than the current arrangement, and serving a dual purpose as a tabletop-ish surface. granted, you'll never find a phrase like "tabletop-ish" in martha stewart living, but i tend not to want to live like martha either. i say do what you dig. if you like it better now, rock on. but the old arrangement wasn't terrible by a long shot.

The blocked doorway would have looked OK if you actually closed the door! I used to live in a house that had doors between the bedrooms, and we wondered why until the day our new queen size mattress arrived. There was no way to get the mattress into the rear bedroom without that door! So beware of ever permanently blocking doors (or sealing them off altogether) in older homes, you may find you need them later!

i think it looks fine either way! horizontal or vertical!
but i also think you should put the photos on the wall and repurpose the shelves elsewhere...like to hold actual books. novel thought. ;)
unless of course you rent and don't want to/aren't allowed to put a million holes in the wall. in that case i totally understand the bookcase photos.

ultimately, i say DO WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY!
if you like horizontal shelves, it's your home! who cares what people who do NOT live there everyday think!
:)

kindly,
vintagedress
http://www.vintagedress.etsy.com

i think it looks fine either way! horizontal or vertical!
but i also think if you go for the vertical arrangement, you should put the photos on the wall and repurpose the shelves elsewhere...like to hold actual books. novel thought. ;)
unless of course you rent and don't want to/aren't allowed to put a million holes in the wall. in that case i totally understand the bookcase photos.

ultimately, i say DO WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY!
if you like horizontal shelves, it's your home! who cares what people who do NOT live there everyday think!
:)

kindly,
vintagedress
http://www.vintagedress.etsy.com