see, to me, this is too much!
all the books are overwhelming and the space is just calling for me to organize it!

I like the idea of a Library/Dining Room...
...but this is a cluttered mess.

I thought it was a little much for me too. But then I realized it represents two of my favorite things: eating and reading! Looks like a happy room.

for me this is a happy and alive room. hallelujah for it not being stylish, and for the books not being "organized" by colour :-D

I like the concept, but I'm kind of bummed that the room's architectural features are being masked by the bookcases.

I love the bookcases!

I think it's a bit too much too

I love this, although I would've gone for white bookcases to integrate them into the room more and let the books speak for themselves. Also, with this many books, the shelves need to be placed a bit farther from each other to create some white space which makes it easier on the eyes and decreases the visual clutter.

Holy clutter! The cards, the crammed cabinets, the fridge - I would need therapy if I lived in this apartment.

To me, books are not clutter (or look like one), when organized in the bookshelf like this. It feels like clutter to me, when they are there together with vases, "decorative" objects etc. I like it like this, it´s colorful and decorative and still functional. But that´s me, I´m not very fond of decoration without function. I like it, when things are beautiful and still have a purpose.

Wow, are we being a bit precious or what?? It's so fantastic to see a room which people actually live in, rather than a super-styled display of perfection. I love those shelves, any shelf packed full of books is fine by me.

The books aren'T cluttered... it'S not like they are double stacked or anything (like at my house :P) It's probably the fridge that makes you feel like the room is cluttered...

I think its the cabinet arrangement more than the books that are leading me to 'no.'

Love it! Very cozy looking. :)

Re: Clutter

It's not the books in the bookcases that make the place look cluttered...

It's the stacks of books, etc. on top of the bookcases, the postcards lining the tops of the doorframe and built-in cabinet frame, the mix of stuff behind the glass doors in the built-in cabinet, the mess on the refrigerator, the string of Mexican-Restaurant paper flags hung from the ceiling in the kitchen, the two separate little rugs on the floor, the stick and other things tucked in the corner between bookcases and the pots on top of the fridge - and the mix of wood bookcases, white painted trim and built-in cabinet with ill-fitting drawers and doors, ditzy wallpaper and unpainted shelves inside the cabinet, Oak cabinets in the kitchen and 50's Vinyl/Chrome/Formica dinette with Zen placemats and Terracotta pot on top - that make the place look cluttered.

Oh, geez, 'cluttered' though it may be, it's way neater than my place. There's lots of stuff, but everything's in its place. Not everybody's a minimalist.

But what a kick in the shins to that old adage 'no reading while eating'!

Damn some people are harsh. As I said, I hate to hid the architectural elements, but I REALLY hate the color of the bookcases, otherwise I love everything about it. A room full of books always does nothing but make me happy! ( I just wish the bookcases were a different color :-D)

What do people think clutter means? I think of clutter when I see random bits of crap, including trash, clothes on the floor, etc. I don't think books, postcards arranged neatly, etc. Yes, they have a lot of stuff, but it's ARRANGED. It has pattern and order, presumably a pleasing one to the owners. Yes, I would probably paint the bookshelves white if they were mine, but hey, their choice.

Books never equal clutter in my "book" but then again, I'm a book person. Some people like things bare and blank.

I appreciate it for what it is, but I find the visual stimulation is overwhelming. Makes me wonder how it would affect the dining experience. Perhaps things recede into the background.

Hmm, if this were my home, I'd really let the books be a focal point by editing down the other small objects, like the art, adding a film to the glass doors of the built-in, and either adding a curtain/door to the doorway or decluttering that view of the kitchen. I love the books, though.

Nice girl, but I'd never take her home to meet Mother.

I don't mind it that much looks alot cooler than my house but I wish the bookshelves were in white also :)

Clutter, even neatly arranged is still clutter.
This place is ready, no, more than ready, for a nice fall cure.

Wow, you jerks are never allowed over for dinner. Don't you have your own homes to arrange in the way YOU want them?

>

PS, we're renters. but you have my permission to convince my landlord to replace all the fixtures so that it suits you.

Well Ruby, I guess if it doesnt look like a lame attempt to replicate something seen in Domino or Elle Decor its just not likeable!! I think your dining room would be the perfect spot to linger after a nice dinner.

I love the retro style chairs. not in my condo, but do like to see them in friend's homes. Saw Some here for good prices:
http://dinettesusa.com/index.php?k=retro dinette&c=blended