A few weeks ago, the book storage in my master bedroom looked a lot like this. It was a hot mess! Books that were once carefully and lovingly arranged in rainbow order were stacked and scattered askew. The large bookcase had glass doors that made getting books in and out more difficult and cumbersome than it needed to be, the bottom pane of glass was broken, and there wasn’t really any defined space to display my favorite treasures.
My precious photos and mementos were buried under an avalanche of hastily tossed aside clutter – hairbrushes, scissors, toys, and a Caboodle makeup organizer from 1995 labeled “Halloween & Stage Makeup” (seriously, how the heck did that make it up there?!). Luckily, I had recently been window shopping online, and I knew just what to do to reorganize my space!
I fell in love with the Barrister Lane Bookcase from Sauder Furniture the moment I laid eyes on it. The finish was exactly what I was looking for, a weathered grey-toned brown, and those little label holders had me at hello! I couldn’t place my order fast enough! Everything about the ordering process was smooth and easy, and I got a shipping notice just a couple of days later.
When the bookcase arrived, I was SO excited to see that it had been fitted with heavyweight cardboard corner and edge protectors. No dings, dents or damage to report – this baby was in perfect condition! We tore right into the box and got started sorting and organizing all of the pieces.
Many of the lettered and numbered pieces were marked, so we were easily able to sort the pieces at a quick glance.
Sawyer couldn’t wait to help me build it, so I let him get right to work. He took the instructions and proclaimed that building a bookcase was kind of like putting together a jumbo sized K’nex set.
…and he kept at it until he had assembled most of the bookcase (with a little help from me, of course!).
In just under two hours (that’s building and arranging time!) we had a whole new bookcase and display area! I love, love, LOVE that there are divided cubbies to help hold up all of my books (no more haphazard and slouchy piles!) and to act as designated small areas for displaying some of my prized possessions.
This little space is full of treasures that either belonged to my grandmother or that remind me of her. There’s even a framed photo of us together at one of our favorite places – there’s no way I’d have been able to show all of this off without it getting lost in the old bookcase!
Of course, there’s still loads of room for all of my favorite books, too!
There’s even room to display some of my favorite projects, too! I still adore this old porch light turned succulent planter!
I just love the way that it all came together! The styling might not be the most sophisticated, but it filled with items that are significant and special to me, so I am thrilled with it! The artwork hanging above the bookcase is the first framed art that my hubby and I purchased together back in 2001 when we lived at the beach, and the ship was a splurge (at the time!) that we bought to take up space on the oversize mantel of our first home bought in 2004. I love waking up and seeing all of these things that hold so much sentimental value, and I love that this new bookcase is the perfect display space for these wonderful memories!
