Sunday, November 11, 2012

Carving out a Library

We don't have one of those long, narrow traditional type of hallways.  Ours is shaped more like a square, located at the top of our stairs on the second floor of our home.

It's almost like a little room; having more than ample space for furniture and accessories.




Since all four of us are pretty much obsessed with books and magazines, we turned this space into a little library.


 

It's very eclectic and just filled with things that we love, like pottery, twigs, birds and books.




I found these pine branches at the end of our street and dragged them home.


 
 
When we revamped our entry (here) we moved the mustard seed gossip bench upstairs. Some might say I have a decorating magazine problem...I say it's blog research.  No really, that's what I call it and I'm sticking to it for as long as I can!
 






This hutch is in desperate need of a painting.  Any suggestions for colors? It must work with the mustard bench, the reddish-orange rug and my green pottery.




I bought this vase on clearance at Target years ago and it is still one of my very favorite things that I own.

 
 
 
 
By the way, the rug that you saw in the first shot was another item from my childhood home. Along with the secretary and velvet wing back it is something that I never remember not having. I love pieces that connect me to another time in my life.
 
Have a great week!  I'll share more of this space soon!
 
 
 
 
 
 

Linking to: DIY Show OffUndertheTableandDreamingMod Vintage Life My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia52 MantelsBeyond The Picket FencePhotobucket A Delightsome Life Rooted In Thymevif187Liz Marie Bloghttp://www.jenniferrizzo.com/Funky Junk's Sat Nite Special A Delightsome LifeBoogieboard CottageToo Much Time On My Hands”FallbuttonFridays Unfolded PhotobucketOr so she says A Diamond in the Stuff http://www.carterscottage.net/

26 comments:

  1. What a lovely space you have. Most halls are just wasted space but this is great. I love you little gold chair up here. I suggest a moss green for the book shelf. It is a calming color that will balance out the high engery of the gold. Have a wonderful day.
    Traci

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  2. The little mustard colored bench is very fun. Who knew that you wouldn't have to sit at a telephone bench to talk on the phone, that you could walk all over inside and outside and still talk on the phone! Don't know what color you should paint the shelves. But if I was wrong, you would probably repaint it right away anyway!

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  3. Angela, I just love the mustard seed bench! I think Traci's suggestion, moss green, would look good for the book shelf. But if I were painting it, I would paint it white so all the colors of the books inside would show up! Have a great day!

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  4. what a great space! i think i would paint the cabinet black and keep the interior wood. it's a nice neutral and since it has lots of books in it. i think keeping it dark won't draw attention as much to all the books.

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  5. Such a wonderful space! Choosing a color for the hutch is hard. There is always the old standby white. I'm sure your choice will be perfect!

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  6. What a great use of your space. I love the mustard colored bench. It adds an interesting visual impact. AND, I loved your last paragraph. It is so poetically written and beautiful. Such a lovely way to look at your things and the meaning they had for you once upon a time and continue to have on you now.

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  7. What a great way to put an unused space to use! I would love to have a little space like this to make a library.

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  8. Wonderful use of space. You are fortunate to have things from your childhood home. What treasures!

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  9. You have great hutch and I like what you did with the area.
    Denise

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  10. What a lovely area! I love your hutch!
    Leslie

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  11. Great idea and great use of space. A relaxing spot.

    Cynthia

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  12. I love what you've done with the space! The rug is absolutely gorgeous!

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  13. Angela, I love how you're using the space at the top of your stairs. Perfect place for a library!
    Mary Alice

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  14. You are so lucky to have that space. It's really a perfect place for a library!

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  15. I love your little library space; it is wonderful. I would paint the bookcase a light neutral, cream or light gray or something along those lines so the book jackets inside would pop.

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  16. I think the library hutch looks great as is, but if I were going to paint it, I'd paint it black. Black would go with the green pottery, mustard yellow bench, and the orangish-red rug - and it would pick up the little bits of black in the rug and the pillow.

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  17. I love your space and your hutch is beautiful...I wouldn't paint it. I would just use some "Restore a Finish" on it and it will look beautiful. You can find this at Antique stores, Lowe's Home Improvement or online. It is a two part system that brings pieces like yours back to life. Good luck!
    Visiting from Pam's Treasure Hunt Thursday...

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  18. Creating a special place for a library is wonderful for the whole family. Love the colors.

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  19. What a beautiful place to relax with a book. I like the hutch as is, but if I were to paint it I'd do a distressed white. Have a good week!

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  20. Well done. I love the eclectic theme. Working on our library as well.
    Visiting from Time Travel Thursday
    Susie at Puddle Jumper Creations

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  21. HA I could settle down and read there ANYtime :) Have a wonderful Thanksgiving

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  22. How nice to have that extra space to use and enjoy...the idea of a reading area is just great. I totally get your magazine collection...I have piles everywhere, and that's even after selling a good chunk of them off on Ebay :)
    If you don't want to introduce another color into the library area how about if you paint the cabinet in a lovely shade of brown....I think that would look lovely.
    Smiles, DianeM

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  23. Oh how lucky to have this wonderful space. We have a very narrow hallway and it's one of my least favorite features in our house. I always wanted a wonderful landing tjust like the one you have. And to create a little library - how perfect! ... The house in my dreams has a wonderful library!

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  24. Very cool space...I am a little jealous!
    Thanks for linking up this week!
    Stacey of Embracing Change

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  25. Thanks so much for sharing your creative ideas on Simple & Sweet Fridays.

    Jody

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  26. Hello Angela - love books and magazines too - you've created a lovely library from your entryway - love the decor! I will be sharing your post in this week's Home and Garden Thursday,
    Kathy

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Thank you so much for stopping by Number Fifty-Three! I look forward to your comments.