This is what happens when you are willing to think outside the box. My goal was to eliminate clutter and highlight this 1936 built-in while keeping the aesthetic simple, elegant and fresh.

Bookcases and built-in’s can be a wonderful blank canvas, but they can also be daunting to stylize. There are so many factors that come into play when tackling the art of filling empty shelves. Things like scale, repetition, color are all a vital part of this process. While I’m not a big fan of tchotchkes, I do enjoy displaying collections such as travel items, art, or vintage heirloom pieces. There are other times I simply feel less is more and my goal is to emphasize the beauty and architecture of the built-in itself.

Today I wanted to share with you how I created this chic monochromatic display with very little effort. The above bookcase is the very first thing you see upon entering my home, so naturally it needed to have a wow-factor. I started by visiting a store called “Just Like A Model” where they sell items previously used in model homes. Although you could also go to a used bookstore, thrift shop or vintage store. Below you can see my SUV fully loaded with as many hardbound books I could find. When selecting your books be sure to gather varying thicknesses and relatively similar heights.

Note how I tried to select different thicknesses and similar heights.

Next up…..Wrap Party! This is when you call a few friends and lure them over with the promise of a fun craft project and good wine. Naturally they will come running. At the very least you will have company while you wrap a mountain of books.

What I like about this project is that you don’t need much in the way of tools. You’ll definitely need a good pair of scissors (more than one if you have helpers) and whatever you decide to use to wrap the books. I chose a heavy white contact paper which I happened to have on hand. If you go this route do not peel back the adhesive. Then as a secondary accent I chose a paisley gray and white wallpaper. I love working with wallpaper – largely because of the weight. It isn’t flimsy, holds shape and looks a bit more sophisticated. On other projects I’ve used wrapping paper, but again I lean towards a heavier texture.

If you’ve never wrapped a book before here is an easy to follow link. Traditionally, books were wrapped using paper bags, but I’ve used many types of materials including canvas. Definitely use your imagination and experiment if needed.

Finally, you’re going to fill the space. This requires a lot of patience and a good eye for balance. Whether you are using one color, multi-colors, or pattern you’ll want to determine what ratio you will be using before you start. For example, I decided I wanted mostly white books with patterned accents. My ratio was approximately 25/75. Most importantly have fun, don’t be afraid to try out something new, and be willing to install and re-install until you find the right balance.

XO,