Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Bookcase Preview

Thank you all for your suggestions about paint colors.  It seems that the majority thought a light warm gray would look nice.  I took it as a challenge that no one suggested a rich, dark color.  I've chosen to go very dramatic with Benjamin Moore Fairview Taupe, HC-85. 

I can almost hear the gasps.



My thinking was I would take the color scheme of the chairs and flip it.  A dark taupe background wth the shelves being the ivory piping.  I think the effect is elegant and moody (just like me) and makes the room feel very cozy.  The dark color is also a nice balance to the dark gray sofa that on the same wall of the adjacent living room.

There is a bigger plan that will bring in some accent colors but I like that I've kept it neutral.  This allows we to totally transform the room just by switching out some accessories.  I think the shelves would look gorgeous filled with blue and white Asian jars.  Something new to collect!



 
The shelves aren't even painted with the final coat but I can't resist the temptation to bring in a few things just to play a bit.  The painting is getting tiresome.


Most of my books are art books and cookbooks that are packed away.  It will be fun to see them again.



I'm really attracted the combination of wood, metal and white.  I know; not even a single book!  I love how strongly graphic the white objects are against the dark color.  And the metal pieces shine at night.

I could mess around with these arrangements for a long time.  And it will never be done...or perfect.  I love that. 
Posted by at
Labels: , , ,

52 comments:

  1. ClaudiaApril 12, 2011 at 4:55 PM

    I love the contrast - it is very striking. Or should I say elegant and moody?

    Do I spy a piece of McCoy pottery on your shelf?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Pine Tree HomeApril 12, 2011 at 5:14 PM

    I love the contrast. The white woodwork now really pops and has such interest.

    ReplyDelete
  3. RazmatazApril 12, 2011 at 5:16 PM

    I think you made a good choice. Now when I see it I think my suggestion of Duck Egg blue was a bit off. I love the metal boxes and that they are a bit tatty. I also like thet green you brought in. I loved the green worn cabinet you had there before (on your sidebar)and think the colour is fabulous.

    By the way, I did that too....filled my bookshelves before I was done...couldn't wait.

    ReplyDelete
  4. JenApril 12, 2011 at 5:25 PM

    It looks great---I absolutely love it!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Michelle HughesApril 12, 2011 at 5:30 PM

    bravo!!! I love it! I wonder how similar it is to RL taupe... I have that under the turquoise in my dining room. And I LOVE that stripped metal box! I would love to have a whole stack of them.

    ReplyDelete
  6. DebApril 12, 2011 at 5:33 PM

    It's perfect! How do you do that?

    ReplyDelete
  7. flwrjaneApril 12, 2011 at 5:34 PM

    Good I got here early before the house filled up.

    Wonderful choice, great background color, very dramatic without being overbearing.

    Like a fine wine.

    You are a find.

    xo Jane

    ReplyDelete
  8. la maison LaFortuneApril 12, 2011 at 5:46 PM

    Perfect color! I can relate to the painting fatigue! I really like how the white pops. I may have to borrow your paint color for the wall of bookcases in my Living Room. My Milkglass would be so pretty against it. Thanks for the inspiration, again!

    ReplyDelete
  9. From Beyond My Kitchen WindowApril 12, 2011 at 6:02 PM

    Well once again you have raised the bar. Why didn't I think of that. Love it Steve.

    ReplyDelete
  10. AnonymousApril 12, 2011 at 6:15 PM

    Of course...with your artistic eye, you would chose the best color. All of your things, especially the white, are very striking against the dark color.
    I totally love this room! and I love the bowl of baseballs...how cool is that!

    ReplyDelete
  11. AnonymousApril 12, 2011 at 6:16 PM

    Steve,
    How elegant. The shelves came out wonderful and the color you chose for the back will accent any treasured books and objects you place on them.

    The room is really coming together.

    Inspiring.

    Bridgemor

    ReplyDelete
  12. D.B.April 12, 2011 at 6:19 PM

    Perfect, love it, WELL PLAYED, S IR!

    ReplyDelete
  13. An Urban CottageApril 12, 2011 at 6:24 PM

    Wow, I'm surprised by the response. I thought everyone would be tepid. I LOVE YOU ALL!

    ReplyDelete
  14. BonnieApril 12, 2011 at 6:31 PM

    I think it is fabulous! You have excellent taste, trust your instincts. They haven't failed you, as far as I can see.

    ReplyDelete
  15. the gardener's cottageApril 12, 2011 at 7:19 PM

    hi steve,

    i'm loving this. what are you moody and elegant? oh yeah, i almost forgot. i think it will be like a playground for you. always changing it with the seasons and such. i think it would look amazing with a collection of white ironstone.

    xo
    janet

    ReplyDelete
  16. Carol@6WilsonBlog.comApril 12, 2011 at 7:54 PM

    Love the depth of color! I don't know why I thought you were wanting a light gray thing. Anyway, I only have one question for you...Why on earth are you not in design????? You are a total natural. This is coming along to-die-for-should-be-in-a-magazine gorgeously!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Ocean Breezes and Country SneezesApril 12, 2011 at 8:03 PM

    I think it's stunning! I just love what built-ins add to a room! Have you given any thought to adding more anywhere else in your home?

    ReplyDelete
  18. annie@mostlovelythingsApril 12, 2011 at 9:32 PM

    Just found your blog through a comment on janet's...love your house!!! Makes me miss the east coast though. Your newly transformed built ins look stunning. Love the silver edged latte bowls with the old metal box and little wood. And the last shot where there are no books...didn't even miss them! Is that pitcher filled with paint brushes? One glass of wine and who knows what I'm seeing!

    ReplyDelete
  19. DianneApril 12, 2011 at 9:35 PM

    Looks great but I knew it would!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Blondie's JournalApril 12, 2011 at 9:40 PM

    I think you made an excellent choice, Steve! Can't wait to see all of the arrangements you come up with!

    XO,
    Jane

    ReplyDelete
  21. pimp my bricksApril 12, 2011 at 9:41 PM

    That would be the gasp of approbation.

    ReplyDelete
  22. UnknownApril 12, 2011 at 9:56 PM

    Perfect, perfect...love that you went dark and it's the perfect shade for the room.

    ReplyDelete
  23. anniebApril 12, 2011 at 10:09 PM

    I love your color choice. I'm like you, I could rearrange shelves forever. Looks great!

    ReplyDelete
  24. My Little BungalowApril 12, 2011 at 11:13 PM

    I love it! Very classy.

    ReplyDelete
  25. The Vintique ObjectApril 13, 2011 at 12:41 AM

    Damn. You GO! Will you come to my house and paint and style my bookshelves, please? I so approve. (And good for you for bucking the trend.)

    ReplyDelete
  26. Linda@ Lime in the CoconutApril 13, 2011 at 5:29 AM

    Ok elegant and moody boy,
    I think ya nailed it.

    yep.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Amy ChalmersApril 13, 2011 at 8:32 AM

    Very classic and timeless. All the lighter accessories will pop against the dark background.

    ReplyDelete
  28. for the love of a houseApril 13, 2011 at 9:00 AM

    dear Mr. Elegant and Moody,
    LOVE your pick... perfect!
    And I totally agree... some antique chinese blue and white would be fabulous in there.

    ReplyDelete
  29. life, in small chunksApril 13, 2011 at 9:59 AM

    Steve,
    I admit it. I gasped. In a good way. Gorgeous, just as I knew it would be.
    Karin

    ReplyDelete
  30. A.J.BarnesApril 13, 2011 at 10:20 AM

    Nice choice...I like it!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Stephanie BerryApril 13, 2011 at 11:12 AM

    Great choice! You'll have lots of options if you want to do seasonal decorating too.

    ReplyDelete
  32. AnneApril 13, 2011 at 11:30 AM

    Wood, white and metal are things I am consistently drawn to also. Taupe provides a fabulous backdrop for these elements. Well done, Steve. You are a man of consumate good taste!

    Anne

    ReplyDelete
  33. AnonymousApril 13, 2011 at 11:35 AM

    The gasps you heard were pure gasps of approval.
    The combination of wood, metal and white is stunning with your dark taupe.

    well done.

    ReplyDelete
  34. J.W.April 13, 2011 at 12:18 PM

    I like this color combination. It reminds me of an “Architectural Digest” article from a gazillion years ago featuring the home of Ansel Adams. He used a gray color on the walls of a room where he displayed black and white photography. I was taken with that then (long before gray became as “in” as it is today) and I still like it as shown in your home. Thank you for your blog – I have enjoyed visiting it for quite some time.

    ReplyDelete
  35. An Urban CottageApril 13, 2011 at 1:34 PM

    J.W.
    That's interesting. I'll have to see if I can find that issue. It reminds me of reading about Robert Motherwell having a show of his work that was all black and white and he showed up at the gallery in NYC and the walls were painted chocolate brown. He was furious but was convinced by the gallery to move forward and once the show was hung, he was amazed at how wonderful it all looked.

    Thanks for chiming in. I recall your words of encouragement during the bleakest days of the exterior renovation.

    S.

    ReplyDelete
  36. WindlostApril 13, 2011 at 4:54 PM

    Just the colour I wanted (only darker). Splendid work old sport.

    Moody? you?

    ReplyDelete
  37. niartistApril 13, 2011 at 6:12 PM

    Lovely plus Elegant and Moody! :) I think it was the best choice, and you're right - it coordinates perfectly with the piping on your chairs, and plays beautifully with that composition of color! You're a genius!

    ReplyDelete
  38. niartistApril 13, 2011 at 6:13 PM

    P.S., If I sent all of my bottles to you, do you think you could photograph them for me? They look so much better in your house! :)

    ReplyDelete
  39. VictoriaApril 14, 2011 at 8:06 AM

    very nice...just came over from "for the love of a house" and so glad I did. The paint is perfection.

    ReplyDelete
  40. J.W.April 14, 2011 at 1:14 PM

    How kind of you to remember me.
    You have a book of Motherwell on your new bookshelves, I see. Yes, chocolate walls with his bold black and white work would be striking. I can picture it!

    ReplyDelete
  41. AnonymousApril 14, 2011 at 3:05 PM

    I love the color choice! It is such a nice contrast and makes the shelves seem so clean.
    Have a great weekend.
    Xo,
    E&J

    ReplyDelete
  42. An Urban CottageApril 14, 2011 at 5:01 PM

    J.W.,
    The Ansel Adams' article was in AD in 1983...so almost a gazillion years ago. I found it on ebay for 5.99 and it's on its way to my house.
    I'm very interested in all of the members of the Long Point Gallery so I got the Motherwell book to hopefully get inside his head a little bit. Fritz Bultman is my big love but others are right up there for me.

    ReplyDelete
  43. designchicApril 14, 2011 at 9:04 PM

    Definitely a great choice...love it!!

    ReplyDelete
  44. IsabelApril 14, 2011 at 10:06 PM

    you nailed it! congrats.

    ReplyDelete
  45. StephenApril 14, 2011 at 10:13 PM

    Brilliant! I love it & I adore the visits to your little spot. I am so pleased that you share.

    ReplyDelete
  46. Nita StacyApril 15, 2011 at 5:01 AM

    Oh...I missed this post. Leave it to you to pick the perfect interesting neutral. Yes, you'll have lots of fun styling those shelves. Love the interesting things you have on them already. You chose a great color to paint the shelves.

    ReplyDelete
  47. J.W.April 16, 2011 at 1:08 PM

    You move fast!

    I hope the article is as I remember...from a gazillion years ago... and thanks for inspiring me to look up Fritz Bultman and the Long Point Gallery.

    ReplyDelete
  48. UnknownApril 16, 2011 at 4:29 PM

    Brilliant color choice! I wish I was brave enough to do that on my walls...:-) Bravo!
    **Tami

    ReplyDelete
  49. Kelly@Bungalow BlueApril 21, 2011 at 9:35 PM

    Perfect choice!! It makes everything on your shelves stand out so beautifully!

    ReplyDelete
  50. Bluebirds and RosesApril 25, 2011 at 9:03 PM

    I was born and grew up in Concord ..I always loved Patriots Day

    ReplyDelete
  51. AnonymousApril 26, 2011 at 1:34 AM

    The more the merrier.

    ReplyDelete
  52. AnonymousApril 30, 2011 at 6:33 AM

    That color is stunning.

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)