It looks much better now, but the arrangement is too symmetrical, too orderly. Things of the same size and shape are together, and lined up exactly. It's more fun and pretty to have a more "I've tossed this on the shelf cause I love it" look, than the "I spent an hour arranging it just-so" look. Have the books going in different directions (laying horizontally, and standing up), get photos that are several different sizes and frames and put them together but not all lined up in a row like mirror images.

The basket - a basket is meant to hold things that you need, and since yours is see-thru, it should have things you like to look at in the basket. Instead, yours is on the high top shelf, precisely in the middle, and has a couple things on the bottom of it that we can't see. Move it to the bottom shelf, not placed dead-center, and fill it with fun colorful things, or your children's books, or small photo albums, or whatever you'd like to pull out of it on occasion. If you can't find interesting things to put in it, remove it, and replace with something else.

What a lovely bookcase. I have nothing to suggest but it's fascinating watching the start to finish and it's very impressive! It's looking good and clearly it's a decorating challenge to get it just right! Good luck!

Mini, mint julep cup is still there! Left side, second shelf down. That staying was a must for me. I can stomach editing out Wal-Mart and Michaels, but not my wedding and baby mementos:)

Frieda, an hour would be normal. I've fussed over this arrangement for days!!

I love your home, the colors you've chosen, and your style. Everyone is giving great advice. A friend of mine has your colors and put her pictures in silver frames. Against the blue of your walls and the silver of the mint julep and spoons,it could look beautiful. Then again, the wood frames are nice with the wood clock. Love the idea of books in the basket.

I find accessorizing to be one of the hardest things to do. You want it to look natural, and not forced.

I like what you kept after the edit - but I think you can tweak the arrangement. Do you have a few more books? I myself like to use them to create height - stack some books, and then place a smaller item on top. Since your shelves are fixed, this will help. Even if you don't have enough books, do you have something with a flat surface that you can use to stack?

I also think what is challenging is the very dark items mixed with the light, clear items. You can definitely make it work - but it's more of a challenge.

Here is what Ii might try:

Left side:

Move flower arrangement (from the right side - the one in the bowl) to the bottom shelf. Center it - nothing else on the shelf.

Pair of photos in dark frames - consider going with a lighter frame - not necessarily white, you can use a metallic or a driftwood color. But in the meantime, keep them there, just spread them out a little and bring back that sand timer and place in the middle.

I like the next shelf, but remove the clock in the middle and bring back that Paris thing - if that's a book - lay it flat and stack the candle and mint julep on top of it, if not, try it centered...

Top shelf is perfect.

For the right side:

Bottom shelf - remove lantern. Bring back the clock and put on right side. Bring over the vase with flowers and center it. Keep topiary. I also love the glass thing filled with the seashells in your first go around. Bring this back, but keep it to three items on this shelf. Play around with this arrangement. I'm not quite sure about the placement.

Next shelf - again, consider lighter frame for the photo - but for now, keep it there and move the stack of books down where the pretty flower bowl is and put that little vase that's on the top shelf on top of it.

Next shelf - just for kicks, bring the HOME sign back and put it all the way to the right. Keep the pretty cloche. Not sure what else here. Maybe nothing.

Top shelf - bring back the little birdie and put in center.

I'd love for you to try this. Again, it's really hard to do, but sometimes it just takes fresh eyes. You have very pretty things - and you are doing a great job. Even if you don't change a thing, it looks pretty and balanced.

I found these as inspiration:

I thought your original looked great. Especially the right side.

Is it possible to remove a shelf from each side? And maybe to offset the shelves so they are not so evenly spaced? I like where you are headed, just too much crammed in there. Subtracting a shelf on either side, and creating some taller and some shorter spaces may help.

I like what you changed! Looks good.

JP mom, I love the coaching, thank you for taking such time and care to help me! Working on it now. I can't swap out frames today (full on Blizzard outside) but I will change out frames with a lighter, less chuncky style in reclaimed wood or metalic. The rest I will do now, updated photo coming soon...

Also, you nailed my style with the photos you found. Especially the first one.

Chocolate Snap, can't change shelving.

Sabbath and finally home, thank you! I especially appreciate the reassurance after feeling like I was headed in the total wrong direction.

Oh, glad you kept the cup!!! :)

So many different ideas.

I have a similar bookcase only very shallow and for now, it is decorated for mom and her Alzheimers.

My suggestion is to take everything off the shelves and start by deciding if anything has a function. Like would the wire basket be good to hold something and if so, wouldn't you rather keep it in easy reach and put down low.

Next I would pick out what I want to tell about me. Like finding all the wedding items and keep them either on the same shelf or spread across two shelves Besides new frames for the photos, I would scatter them so only one photo is on each shelf and not all lined up. Then I would fill in with the other items of importance and placing depending on size and visual weight. I would place your books so one can see them both the spine and the top cover if they are laying down

I like JPmom's examples, too. But I think you have done a great job here with yours. I would consider adding to the basket seasonal items like pinecones for the winter etc., instead of books. I wouldn't stress too much about books... I know the conventional thought is "bookshelves should hold books" but in my house, that would translate to a pile of ipads. It is what it is.

I like a bit of greenery around my house, too, and it's all real. I like what the first photo from JPmom's collection does... it's real greenery in small doses. If you have some short vases for a few stems, it would look lovely. Many cut greens will last a long, long time, actually. Or, if you find some ivy (cheap at a big box store), it usually grows low and doesn't need much sun. It would be a great live plant to have in your shelves.

ETA the truth is if you asked each one of us to do it ourselves, we'd each do it differently! You're getting good advice, but at the end of the day, it's uniquely yours.

I took another look at the first photo I posted - notice the glass vases? They are on a direct diagonal and all on books. It almost seems like those were placed there first, and then the other items next. That is three shelves, while yours has four. But it's interesting… I like symmetry — but not necessarily uniform symmetry (like things lining up on top of one another)

It's almost like you have to have some items that are symmetrical and some that are off kilter.

I have such a hard time with this too. But like I said before - what you did is great. I think that perhaps just switching out the dark frames may just do the trick.

Are you filling these shelves for your self or for someone who visits to see?

Rebecca, you're such a good sport. I like the more pared down look, but you should do what is pleasing to you. I'd rearrange the photos such that there are not symmetrical on one shelf, but spaced differently in different combinations with other objects.

I liked the first posting of your arrangement. If you like those things you should keep them there. It's too easy to critique looking at a picture. Eyes aren't going to STARE at the real thing with critiquing in mind. However, I like your editing job too :)

Even if your books are only paperbacks you could place them in the basket or find some other way to fit them it. Believe me, I've spent days rearranging shelves, and then later rearranging them again. You're accepting attitude to all the advice is admirable. In the end you still have to do what's right for you.

I like your edited version. I do think you need more books, especially on the left side.

I like your edited version also. Did you notice that other pictures show three or an odd number of things on each shelf. I try that in my own "decorating" and looks better....if your things are bigger, maybe just one on the shelf.

Wow, hopefully you are having fun styling the shelves. It's a fun process to see the changes and how the items relate.

Agree with other posters that mentioned moving the black wire basket to (left side) bottom shelf. Also move the white bowl of flowers to bottom shelf (right side).

A few more suggestions for you based on the original post of pics. A vote for leaving the photos in dark frames. The contrast looks nice. Move the pics a little and perhaps bring down the silver star (on clock shelf) and place between the two photos. Even that cup of spoons would work too. Leave the clock in center on above shelf. The darker shapes creates a triangle and adds interest to the area.

Take the pear down from top shelf. It is visually heavy there and looks top-heavy in the arrangement. (Based on first photos with pear on left side bookshelves.)

If you are interested here are a few blog posts for bookshelves.

https://www.nellhills.com/?s=book+shelves

Most of all ... have fun & play!

OK, so I played around a bit more with it, thanks to both JPmom and Beaus Roses' step by step suggestions. I think I'll sit with it for a bit and see if it speaks to me. Looks a bit bare for my taste but I'm sure it's because I'm used to more stuff. Thanks for all the great feedback everyone, I appreciate you each taking the time to share such thoughtful suggestions!

Ahh!! Happy sigh as it looks refreshed and relaxed. Good idea to let it "sit" awhile. If it makes you smile all is well. Thanks for the updates.

Enjoy!

I liked your original posting photo....now it looks a little too managed for me....how are you feeling about it?

Dissenting opinion here, I think I liked the original better. IMHO, it now looks like a store display, rather than someone's home.

Definitely and eye of the beholder thing IMHO. They all look to me like you have no reason to have book shelves, which is ok I guess...but then I would go with my collection of______ or family pictures through the years or something totally more cohesive. Bottom line who cares what anyone else would do in THEIR HOME in your DO WHAT YOU LIKE!!

Have you considered displaying at least one set of the photos w/ frames overlapping?

Ok, since you did ask for opinions and advice, I am going to agree that I kind of liked it more before. It maybe needed a "little" tweaking, not a complete change. The home sign is too low, it looked great on the books. And I love that sign, keep it! The small greenery on top of the books looks too small.

One thing to keep in mind, you will never please everyone in your decor. Ultimately, you have to sit down and go"ahhh",

Honestly I think it is splitting hairs. I liked it before you de-cluttered it and after. The main point for me would be do you like the items, edit what you don't love and then after that it's all good. Enjoy living in your lovely home.

My suggestions were merely based on Rebecca's desire for a Joanna Gaines look. If that's the look she wants, it needed to be pared down.

I'm a firm believer in displaying things that you love and/or that make you happy when you see it. Look at the photos you posted - and ask yourself - what makes you happy?

Add more pieces back that have meaning to you.

You have very pretty things - so you can't go wrong with using any or all in your display.

Whatever way you cut it, your space is beautiful, comfy and feels like a "home".

I like the original best, then the 3rd version, and the middle one doesn't have the same sense of "I love these things" to me--it looks more staged and less real to me.

I also like the original the best. My previous comment about a shop display wasn't meant as a negative. I just didn't understand at the time what you were going for.

I also love the original the best. What may be clutter to some is pretty "layering" to others. If you must pare down, don't leave two objects on a shelf, always 3, or another odd number.

Yes, what Oakley said: Odd numbers. I think it's sort of a rule or guideline in landscaping and displaying collectables. Also I learned somewhere along the way (and it has worked for me) is keep like things together. This has been an enjoyable thread. Thanks for posting and have fun!

I really like the bowl of white flowers on the lower shelf, as you've done. Have you played with putting all (or more than 2) of the pictures on the bottom shelf of the other cabinet? The 3 darker frames look like like go up to the top of the shelves and just curious if they'd look better in a bigger space. FWIW, I've never mastered staging shelves! I think the shelves with the white flowers and baskets are perfect.

I also see you have the two white pears, 2 white birds, white flower bowl and white pitcher.. wonder if they can be played with to create a look (groupings of things similar can often look good).

Seeing your inspiration photos I think your first photos are the best.

There's something about the books that are off. Oddly, it's like they don't belong there, even though it's a bookshelf. The books appear to be an afterthought surrounded by decorative objects. It could be the way they're laying on the shelf.

I hope I make sense. lol. The rest of the shelves are nice, but I still prefer how you decorated them originally.

Please turn the books in the basket on the top shelf around so the spines can be seen. It drives me crazy when decorators turn the spines to the back. That totally negates the purpose of a book!!!

Sorry--retired librarian here who loves books. But if you are going to have them on your shelves, they ought to be viewed as the books with titles that they are.

Clearly, this is a topic many feel strongly about and I also think many of us struggle with. What is a simple display of treasured items is also such a personal expression of values and style. I greatly appreciate all the passionate responses here! I have sat with the new arrangement for a day or so and with a few tweaks (aka, a few more treasured items layered back in!) I think it's just right for me. This was a fun thread with lots of great tips and techniques for bookshelf displays, such as odd numbers work best, symmetry is not the goal, scale of objects is important, etc. Thanks to each of you for your thoughts and input! Now....onto my family/rec room refresh! Stay tuned for that post, coming soon....

I like your attitude, Rebecca! :)

I haven't read all the posts, but two thoughts. One, you want the visual mass on the bottom ... the bottom shelf should have the heaviest, or heaviest-looking, and darkest items.

Two, if you like the look of books but read most of them on Kindle of paperback, call you local libraries and ask when they have a book sale coming up. I got some great looking books for a little playhouse project for my girls ... in shades of pink and blue, hardback. I think maybe 1-2 each and for a good cause!

I think putting the books in the basket vertically, spines out, would be nice. I'm also one that would like to see more books, but I have a serious book problem. Like I had to build a new room to house all of them type problem. You can always cover books in paper or fabric if the colors are off. Bring in a burlap type feel.

I think somewhere between your third photo and your first would be the perfect balance. Maybe just two or three small items inserted there. I think you nailed a clean farmhouse style, too, so don't feel like you somehow missed the mark!

If you don't have books, I would NOT get filler books just to load the space with things that have no meaning for you. That just seems phony. I would rather see, and look at, objects that mean something to you, even if it is a trinket you saw and liked at Walmart. JMHO

Must agree that this was a great thread where we all learned from each other.

Personally, I own a lot of books and am an avid reader. Not everyone is, and even among people who are, a lot of people no longer buy physical books. I took a long time before I started to read on Kindle, and I still think it is suboptimal in many ways. But now I would say I buy actual copies for maybe 1 out of every 3 books I read.

I think of decorating with books for their form as no different then specifying muntins in a new window. No one needs muntins to hold up panes anymore, but we like the way they look. And maybe our favorite books are digital files summoned by icons, but we still like to look at books, too.

I can't believe this is a trend. It makes me cringe.

I agree, with you, Mtn, about liking to look at books. But I like to look at ones I've actually read. I purposely have not thrown out many of my books-- dating back to before college-- because I look at them on the shelves and in a way they represent my history. Even though I probably won't read many of them again.

Back before e-books, I loved looking at people's bookshelves because what they had on their shelves told me something about the people. Obviously, today, with most people buying e-books, even the lack of books on the shelves tells you nothing. But when someone has obviously bought a bunch of books for decorative display, my first thought is that this person is not a real book person. I know I could be totally wrong about the person, but one can't help the impressions that pop into one's mind. Somehow the idea of muntins that don't serve a functional purpose is quite different to me.

Oakley, that picture is painful to look at! I'm an avid reader, but I confess, I don't really read "good" literature, I prefer mystery novels as a mindless escape. But I much prefer books to ebooks mostly because I like to read in the bath as my favorite way to unwind and de-stress. My other favorite pastime to unwind, is this site!

As somebody who doesn't(and wouldn't) read e books, and is firmly stuck with paper ones-my bookshelves become harder and harder to style lol, and I should probably start giving some books away...but some, I'd never part with. They followed me around the world..literally..some of them look the part too:) So what-I still remember that feeling of awe when I opened them for the first time, be it 30 or 20 years ago..for that reason, I keep my kids' favorite books too even though they're less likely to enjoy these fairy tales now. Each really great book, you re able to re read many times, and find something new in it yet again.

If I saw your Grisham, Rebecca, it would warm my heart, because it would remind me of my Mom-she loves Grisham, and each time she visits me she buys yet another Grisham in a library store..)) So who cares whether it's Grisham or not, paperback or hardcover-do what pleases you, and what conveys who you are, it's your home. You never know what people will think about worn out Grisham-it just might suddenly bring someone closer to you that you thought, for all sorts of reasons. Or he might be so absent minded he won't notice the books at all, and maybe the shelves too..I know people like that:)

And if somebody's not that much into books that's fine..some of my friends are big music connoisseurs, but hate poems for example, would never read anything if it's a poem..I don't understand in music (I do listen to it of course; I just don't have no deep understanding, no real passion) but love poems, and deeply enjoy them. Each of us can share something with another that might temporarily take this another to a place different and maybe not comfortable but new and enlightening maybe and not like anything else.

I don't care for this style to be sincere but I did follow the thread, to some degree..I do admire your attitude though. Your home will always be warm and people will flock to it..whichever way you style your shelves :)