Another thing I finally got around to during the month of October was restyling my built-ins. I had really neglected them for a while and it was starting to bug me. It was bugging me so much I didn’t even take a second to shoot a before pic. I cropped these shots from another pic (forgive the quality).
I’m including it so you can see – not a lot going on but books in some places, too much going on in other places, books and such just stuffed in here and there.
So…
Everything came out, everything got a good cleaning, things got deleted, things got added, and this is the finished product.
I tried to fill the shelves with things that were special to my family. Things that would bring sweet memories to mind. Pictures, and souvenirs. Treasures the kids have made over the years. Books have to have a spot on the bookshelves of course, but they look so much better spread out. I start with books, spread them out and vary how and where they sit. Then I add photos. Last comes the various accessories – the souvenirs and other decorative fillers. This is one of my least favorite things to do, and probably the reason why I put it off forever. But, the results are worth it in the end.
Another thing that I put off forever I finally got done this week. You can probably see a peek of the brown paneling above the built-ins in some of the pics. From the day we moved in I disliked it. But, it’s paneling, and the ceilings are really high and all we own in a 6ft ladder. You see the list of excuses I made for myself. But, this week I took the leap. I already had the paint, so I just needed the guts. Here’s a before and after.
I want you to know that I took that after pic so.many.times. with so.many.settings. I just couldn’t seem to get the lighting the same, and then I realized, they was no way it was going to be the same. That’s just how much more the light bounces off that light color up there instead of the ugly dark paneling!! Why in the world did I wait so long?? (Also, it’s not that yellow in real life, the wall color is more tan than that – still trying to figure out this camera thing.) I have always loved the vaulted ceilings in our living room and the size, but there is only two windows (if you include the window in the back door), and sometimes it’s dark – meaning I have to turn on the lights in the middle of a sunny day. I have noticed the past couple of days, that I don’t have to do that!! Light and bright spaces make me happy!!
Now off to mountains of laundry and dishes – how about you??
Blessings friends!!
Linking up with Sarah at Thrifty Decor Chick / Kristen at We Are That Family / Stacy at Not Just a Housewife / Leslie at Lambert’s Lately / Ruth at Living Well Spending Less
I've been in a decluttering mode with bookcases too – less is definitely more! What a difference your light colored paneling makes – aren't you glad you painted it? Have a wonderful day!