Inspired by Jonathan Adler

I've been such a good girl lately because I've been going to the library instead of buying books like I usually do (more on my book problem here). Last time I was at the library I checked out several interior design books. The best one I've read so far is Jonathan Adler on Happy Chic Accessorizing.

It's interesting to read actual design books because my brain is so 'internet'... the whole time I was looking through this book I kept thinking "I want to pin this!" instead of just enjoying it for what it is. The internet has made me not trust my brain to remember things. I'm afraid if I don't pin or bookmark something the information will literally be lost and I will never find it again. I know this isn't true, but because I am an internet baby I had to do something before I returned it to the library so I took pictures of my favorite pages (somehow this feels like plagiarism, but I don't think it actually is).

I loved these 10 tips on how to style a bookcase. I have so many books that I just try and cram as many as possible on my shelves instead of actually 'styling' them. Since you probably can't read what this says, here are the main points:

1) Vertical vs. horizontal book stacks
2) Balance - two like items at different heights
3) Seize a tchotchke moment
4) Intersperse art
5) Small groupings - instead of a whole shelf of books use only few on one shelf
6) Crowning - use the top shelf to display large objects
7) Disrespect the shelf - let things hang over the edge
8) Hidden artwork - layer artwork with books and objects
9) An airy collection - resist the urge to overfill every shelf
10) Single stack

How to style a credenza:

- Gather all the things you available to use
- Play around with it all, it doesn't have to all be used so try something and if it doesn't work move it around or don't use it at all.
- For this vignette, Adler used white and shades of blue accessories and then added in yellow flowers to give the eye something to focus on.
- He uses books, coasters, and little boxes to lift small vases and tchotchkes to give them height.
- In the last image you can see how he does two very different designs the one on the left is very layered and the one right is more balanced and minimalistic... same accessories, very different look.

I took a picture of this dining room not because I love (though it is beautiful, of course) but because of what he said about it. He says that this dining room table is in a very fancy flat owned by people who rarely host parties so for most of the year this table sits empty and unused. He decided that instead of leaving the table top blank he would use it to stack books on it to give it a faux library/book shop look. I love it! I actually use my dining room table (as I mentioned here), but maybe some day I'll need to do this.

This kitchen is perfection. All white and pale grey fixtures with accents in bright green and yellow... I think everyone would be happy with this kitchen.

Have you looked at any interior design books lately? Please tell me I'm not the only one that mental 'pins' everything!