Bookshelves / Library in My Spare Room

These are all of my reference books in my dressing room. That's what I call my extra bedroom because it has a closet. I sleep in the back room that has an identical custom bookcase scaled down for the smaller space. I added both when renovating my cottage. On these shelves I have reference books on antiques, architectural reference books, gardening, birds, New Jersey. Many are broken down into categories like antique furniture, antique silver, antique houses, antique prints, etc. and many DIY books. I need to get in this room and rearrange a bit and return some books I pulled out so the remaining ones are currently leaning. You can never have too many books, can you? Have a great Sunday. xo

A Bookshelf Full of Friends

I made this illustrated quote about books long ago and just ran across it again and I still love the play on words. Is there any home decoration better than a bookcase full of books? I think not. I have been putting things away and my kitchen table is completely bare once again. Tomorrow I want to work on organizing upstairs in the attic. Wish me luck.

xo

 

Gallery Wall Over A Low Bookcase

I love the black wall for all the artwork and the low bookcases in white paint and topped with interesting things. via

Low Bookcase: Art Display Wall Above

Low Bookcase with Art Gallery Above

I absolutely love this wall decor. The low bookcase, filled with coffee table books, acts as a wonderful display ledge too. The beautiful artwork above and beside just makes this room. I love it❤

Bookshelves Everywhere

When in doubt, put in more bookshelves. via

Delightful Bedroom with Bookshelves

I love a bedroom with bookshelves and I have them in mine too. This room has a lot of personality, doesn't it? I love the bedside tables, matching lamps twin windows, the wallpaper, the bed and linens, actually all of it!!! via

Wonderful Home LIbrary

Lovely in almost every way. Maybe they hoved the table and rug closer to the chair just for this photo and moved the footstool or ottoman. Am I the only living human who absolutely must have my legs outstretched to get comfortable? I adore this room and the bookcases that round the corner. via This wouuld be a good spot for bird watching too with binoculars on the lamp table. I have bright sun this morning that will melt the snow on my balcony without shoveling. I'm happy to hear so many of you are enjoying my bird photos. xo

The Almost Perfect Reading Room

Add one ottoman and this room would be perfect. 

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. xo

photo source

Window Seats with Library Bookcase

This is such a great idea; twin window seats flanked by a bookcase that touches the ceiling! via

A seldom seen wall in my living room.

My antique bookcase with sliding glass doors in the living room is filled with my collection of antiquarian books with fine leather bindings. It is impossible to show the bottom two shelves going all the way down to the floor as the space is too tight without moving heavy furniture. The top is lined with my Georgian glass decanters and other suitable items for drinking if the decanters were ever filled. It's a pain to dust and when I do, I have to refer to a photo in order to get everything back in the proper place. Enjoy the last full week of May. xo

Home Office designed by Katie Holmes

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I love this room, especially the centered window flanked by bookcases and closed cabinets. The only fault I can find is with the lamp with cord photoshopped out. There really is no place to plug it in, is there? I really doubt it's cordless but if it were, the photo would be perfect.

I have been self isolating since a client tested positive for Covid-19 after a real estate showing. I am fine and all precautions were in place. I will be free to go out in a few more days. Take care and stay home as much as possible. There is so much to do in the spring, there is no time for boredom. Have a great long Memorial Day weekend too. xo

Sunday Morning Views at My Cottage and a Mask

A rarely shared corner of my living room this morning. That glow in my bookcase door is a Himalayan Salt Lamp. I leave it burning 24/7 with a 25W bulb inside. I have one in the basement too. I didn't even know what they were when I purchased them at the Annual Firehouse Sale last September. My friend knew immediately and she has one in almost every room in her house. She told me they helped purify the air and a lot of other things too. The one thing I have noticed is increased concentration. It could be all folklore but maybe not. I like the nice glow, so why not?
The one I have with a dimmer is available from Bed Bath and Beyond for $24.99. I leave mine on all the time and it makes a great night light. (Good luck, Penny.) 

I found this image on Instagram. It is probably photoshopped but maybe not. Masks were common in the Elizabethan era to help keep out the noxious odors everywhere. This one is quite beautiful.

I made a new garden I can see out my kitchen window. There is another new one to the left near the bluebird house to be photographed later. I had the antique sundial already and the base is something I have had for a long time but wasn't using. It is perfect among the snowdrops and daffodils transplanted from different locations on my property. This was a fun project that started very early in February during the mild winter days. It sort of evolved with no plan. I just started out wanting to see my mother's daffodil clump near the house that I couldn't see without physically going outdoors. I planted them near the birdhouse and also planted a year-old packet of red poppy seeds, Papaver rhoeas. That was certainly a challenge, like planting ground black pepper, only finer. It took me forever to space them out a pinch at a time and I'm happy to report they have sprouted and I am beyond thrilled. Nothing is blooming there currently since the snowdrops have stopped but will post when something springs forth. Stay inside and be safe. xo

Bookcase, Staircase, Home Library Love

This photo gives new meaning to under the stairs storage. I have always loved a twisty curved staircase and this one is spectacular. That bentwood handrail ❤💓!

Jumping Rope is My New Exercise

I picked up this jump rope a week ago yesterday at a rummage sale. It's far from perfect but it has gotten me into jumping in my kitchen with the high ceiling. I have ordered a better one that is on the way and should arrive on Monday. I have been looking for a way to exercise without buying a machine or going to a gym. 

I did a lot of research before ordering my new rope and this is the best article I found. Here's the link: https://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/08/12/building-up-bones-with-a-little-bashing/
Be sure to read the comments too. They have as much information as the article.

Jumping rope is NOT bad for your knees. It's actually good for them. From everything I've read, it's the best exercise for your bones you can do. A really long time ago there was a program on PBS called "Bones for Life by Ruthy Alon". It was so interesting and informative. I wish I had recorded it because the DVD set sells for a whopping $300.00 and it is currently out of stock. She has her own channel on YouTube and you can watch her sessions free of charge. The one thing I remember from the PBS program was something you are supposed to do when you first get up in the morning to stimulate new bone growth. In bare feet, you are supposed to go up on your toes and go down hard on your heels. Do this at least five (5) times.

I started doing my situps again too. I don't do crunches. I just lie flat on the floor with my hands to my sides and go up to a sitting position and then down to touch my toes. I use nothing but my abdominal muscles and this made-up method works best for me. I am doing 25 repeats before retiring at night. I am not good at all with the rope I got last week but I am doing 100 jumps. So far, 22 consecutive jumps is the best I've done. I just keep counting (even my misses) until I reach 100. I am feeling so good and so much stronger, especially in my lower back. Will keep you posted on my progress. Time to jump now!!!! xo

UPDATE: Here's another great article written by a 91 year old woman who jumps rope.

Hallway Bookshelves, Nice!

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I designed this quote long ago. I think Anna Quindlen would be most pleased if her children had bookshelves like the photo above.

Reading Nook Under the Stairs

This is so much better than a closet under the stairs, right? via

My Kind of Room

Strike a match and light the fire and this room would be perfect on this cold, rainy Sunday. via 

Don't forget, tonight is the final episode of Victoria, Season 2 on PBS. Sniff, sniff. I love it so!

Corner Bookcase to Love

Embrace your corners and fill them with things you love. via It snowed last night and we got about 9 inches but it's melting fast because it's already 41° at noon. Time to go outside and clean off my car after I shovel the walk. See you later. xo

Library with Open Fire

No TV over the fireplace. Hooray.

Just stretch out on the sofa and read books.

Or talk to each other.

Nice Reading Room

Nice home library, reading room, homework center. via