Could we see a pic of the other end of this room again, pls? I know there is a floral sofa and maybe other collections? If you do paint the bookcase it would be helpful to see how it would fit into the room.

I like it as is, but lacquer red should be so very cool too.

I must have erased some pictures because this is the only one I have that shows another part of the room. Instead of laquer red I was thinking that a color close to the base of the porcelain rabbit, which would also blend in better with the border of the carpet, might be a more ideal solution. I suppose that would be a terracotta or brick red.

that's one of my favorite colors-no wonder I like it too

Is there anyway you could afford to have a stand made for the shelves? If you got the porcelains up higher (eye level), they would have more impact.

As for painting it - is it just the camera or my monitor that is seeing a lot or rose in your chintz on the sofa?

I think it looks fine as it is. I'm not sure it would be worth the trouble to paint as the plates pretty much fill the space.

Have you looked on cl or in second hand stores for a bookcase that is a better size? I would not even spend money painting it as you really could use a horizontal. However, if you looked around for awhile, I bet you could find something very inexpensively that would work well, even if it does need painting. Otherwise, I would live with what you have, it's fine.

oh yes, i agree w Anglophile, an open metal stand for the shelves would showcase your wonderful collection much better!

Thank you all so much. I like the idea of looking on Craig's List for something inexpensive that would be more suitable. It's true, the whole thing is too close to the floor and too skinny. Yes, there is a lot of rose in the love seat, and that might look funky with a more rust red color. I hadn't thought of Craig's list or local second-hand stores, but that might be the best solution. I so appreciate this forum, you've all been wonderful and helped me with numerous projects, large and small.

open metal shelves..I got one for DS's room-I needed something fitting a very narrow space, small footprint yet large enough to accommodate books etc...I got it from Ballards, it was on sale-very reasonable price, it is versatile, is inside-outside if I ever want to use it differently, and comes in three finishes-I chose verdigreen. but I'd be very wary to put porcelain on it. too open, not enough support. I usually much prefer Craigslist for case goods-but couldn't find anything there because was so restricted in terms of dimensions. if not for breakables, probably would recommend it. beloved porcelain collection..no.

I would put legs on your bookshelves...you can get them at hardware stores and can be stained or painted the same color as your shelves...would bring the shelves around six inches taller....if you decide to paint...that would be okay but for sure I would bring the vase and tall umbrella stand closer to the shelves...to make it look more of one unit insread of three.

I think wood goes best with the decor in your home. How about a mix on each shelf with some books and a piece of porcelain. Sometimes too much of one thing is too much. And the vase and umbrella stand next to the bookcase. They are beautiful.m

Someone might have suggested this and I missed it, but how about moving the bookcase into the corner and creating a vertical vase-and-picture display on the remainder of the wall, including wrapping over to incorporate the bookcase? Painting the bookcase, of course, as the composition calls for. Ball feet for the bookcase? I like the potential of this idea. You might never want a larger piece. :)

Another option would be to leave the bookcase there but hang the plates in a general arc around it, either symmetric or looser.

Btw, I always go straight for nice, old furniture, but good luck finding a used bookcase, of any size, without devoting significant time and some extra bucks to it. Maybe your region is different, but in my experience there are very few decent wood ones out there (even relatively few made of particleboard), and if they're decent the price typically reflects demand for rarity. Old ones are often too shallow to hold modern books but could be great for porcelains, etc. The most common type that you do see, though, are tall pieces in the generic-modern golden oak sold everywhere for a couple decades. I'd buy yours to tuck in somewhere if I came across it, but I haven't. At least, the ones I have are all displaying stuff for sale and not for sale.

Also btw, I like your style and what you're working with a lot.