.jpg)
Books have been my obsession since I was a kid, spending rainy days organizing my wealth of little golden books on a classic black metal shelf in my bedroom. Who hasn't walked into a library and immediately felt the stress drop for being in a space that holds peace and quiet as the gold standard.
In our very noisy culture, is it any wonder that the latest design craze centers on creating a lived in collected aesthetic that champions the open display of books coupled with storied art, soulful souvenirs and comfy seating? I am beaming over this trending style because it employs my go to standards for creating a home that welcomes like a familiar hug.
What is the Bookshelf Wealth Aesthetic?
Bookshelf Wealth is not just about arranging books on shelves; it's a mindset that celebrates the substance story telling.
It seeks to curate spaces that cultivate curiosity and wonder by promoting the slow know, or in other words, being able to ponder over a page and consider what you are taking in long enough to make it a part of you.
It values intention over attention by not just inviting you to look, but capturing your imagination and seducing you into lingering. If you too would like to embrace this mesmerizing design aesthetic, here are a few tips that will make cultivating charm and curiosity in your home a breeze.
4 key elements that make Bookshelf Wealth Aesthetic possible are curated book collections, personal souvenir's, a blend of old and new classic elements, and attention to the little details that truly reflect your personality.
1. A Personal Collection of Books and Decorative Elements
For years I have been stashing my ever growing collection of books out of sight and watching as the farmhouse style championed turning the binding of books to the back to reduce visual clutter. Bookshelf Wealth embraces the color to showcase the intention of calling you for over for a literary escape.
2. Mixing Old and New
One of the hallmarks of Bookshelf Wealth is the seamless blend of old and new elements. Vintage books, repurposed furniture, and personal mementoes come together to create a harmonious and eclectic look. It creates a relaxed atmosphere that sets the stage for taking in the story it has to tell through it's interspersing of wall art.
Designing this space for telling stories was easy given the amazing traveled character of client. She had a storehouse of art, collected reminders of experiences she shared with friends and multiple heirloom knickknacks. They interplayed beautifully with the new linen covered storage boxes I added from The Container Store.
3. Personalization
Personalization makes the classic look of this room welcoming rather than stuffy. Family photos in ornate frames invite you over to meet the kiddos. Every travel souvenir begs the question, "Where did you find this?". These juried items invite you to linger in curiosity.
If you are short on photos or souvenirs use vintage art finds from your local thrift store or custom paintings of cherished pics from your phone to hang on the back of your bookshelf above storage boxes or empty spaces on your shelves.
4. Attention to Detail
From the choice of bookends to the arrangement of decorative objects, each element is carefully considered to create a cohesive and visually stunning display.
Turn books on their sides for a visual lift of smaller trinkets. Use textured storage baskets like these from Michaels, to create depth, and lovely glass containers for housing collected items like seashells, corks, or as in my clients space, colorful buttons for crafting.
With its emphasis on substance, culture, and calm contemplation, Bookshelf Wealth is more than just a passing fad; it's a timeless design style that celebrates the beauty of the written word and the power of imagination.
After all, as the saying goes, "A room without books is like a body without a soul." Savor the time you enjoy here and relish the time you take to create this space. The trip back in time that adorning this space with memoire induces may be just the thing to prompt you on to creating the next chapter of your incredibly storied life!