I’m so happy to report that the new bookcases at the beach condo are finished!
Because we live four hours away, it wasn’t a quick project. We dedicated every single weekend that we were at the beach since early March to building these.
The wall where they are located was a big blank space and was boring, boring, boring.
The bookcases are filled with an assortment of thrifty items that I’ve been accumulating for the last few years. Yes – I said years. I’ve dreamt of having bookcases on this wall ever since we renovated our beach getaway.
A painting by my Auntie Syl inspired me to use orange as an accent color. I love orange and any shade of blue mixed together.
Let me show you around just a little.
My sweet stepdaughter, Ms. B, surprised me with this painting that she did of a seagull for my birthday a couple of years ago. I finally found the perfect place to showcase it!
I love adding a small lamp to a bookcase. It really adds so much ambiance at night. I found this little one lamp at Maxway for a mere $12. I thought that I’d be repainting it somehow, but I think I’ll just leave it alone.
The little rattan tray filled with a combination of shells that we found ourselves and a bag of beach filler is sitting atop a book that has a lot of sentimental value to me. It belonged to my mother who had such an adoration for the ocean.
I found the large coral looking thingy at Goodwill. I “stole” it from the bookcase in my master bedroom at home. And the metal painted container came from One Kings Lane. I sure do wish they’d have another sale on these containers!
Because the walls in this place are a little wonky and because I wanted to make sure that both ends of the bookcase were flat against the wall, we chose not to put any kind of backing on them. Instead, we just painted the wall to give it the allusion of having a back. Worked like a charm.
Now here’s a question for all of you. Should I put knobs on the cabinet doors? I haven’t so far because I’m concerned that it will look too busy. I would use some sort of simple decorative knob if I were to add them. What do you think?
This wall has come such a long way, baby.
BEFORE
AFTER
Tracy says
It looks fabulous! Love the colors you chose. I think simple knobs would be okay to use on the cabinet doors. 🙂
Nancy Carroll says
LOVE it!!! I just love beachy things…they bring me back to nature. The bookcases really open up and completes the space! You have so many wonderful things to reuse of your Mom and aunt’s that make rooms so special. And you’re one lucky girl to have a handy man like Pookie!!
Anonymous says
You were right, they look great! You are very talented and have a terrific eye for color and detail. I’m very lucky to be married to you!
Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says
Gorgeous bookshelves and room. Love the colors. I would do clear or white knobs if you decide to add any.
Jana@Transformations From the Heart says
Love everything about your new bookcase! It looks awesome.
I probably wouldn’t do knobs on it, due to the way you have furniture arranged you would see them anyway. But then again I’m a person full of cabinets throughout the house without a knob on anything.
SavannahGranny says
Pookie rocks…err, shells, or is that nails. At any rate he is fabulous. I also thing I saw a sweet anonymous note from a rocking carpenter.
The books are over the moon. They are beautiful, fabulous job. I love the color on the back of the shelves and you arrangement is perfect. I really love those beachy items and the touch of coral color, Wow. I have been trying, reasonably priced, coral items to add to my bedroom. I have searched the net for real coral but couldn’t find the right thing. I do love that color combo.
Kudos to sweet Suzy and Pookie, Ginger
Tardevil says
I need to start blogging again. I’m always amazed when I look at your posts to see how similar our tastes are. We have so many of the same accessories. In fact, I bought the same bird for my beach house as well as those plates and shell filler. And, I was thinking of painting the door of my beach house that color. Love the original art work! Pookie did an amazing job! My vote is for knobs. Anthropologie has some aqua glass knobs that would coordinate nicely. I won’t tell you how I know. ;o) I heard a designer once say that every room needs a touch of red (a/k/a orange). I think it coordinates perfectly!
thistlewoodfarm says
What an amazing transformation! I love these bookcases so much! The pops of orange really make a difference!
Thanks for sharing!
blessings,
karianne
Lisa @ Before Meets After says
That looks amazing! I want my hubby to build something very similar like that for me too!
Shirley@Housepitality Designs says
Hi Suzy….they came out incredibly gorgeous….tell “Pookie” he did a fantastic job….Will be showing this to my hubby…Love the color combinations!…I am with Kim…a white or clear knob that would just “blend in” with the cabinetry would be great…
Barbara F. says
Hi Suzy, your bookcase turned out great. I also love orange and blue (colors of my fave baseball team). xo
annemarie says
So beautiful – could I borrow your husband for a week or two??? He is certainly a talented guy. I love knobs and would probably look at clear crystal type knows or maybe white to match the bookcase. I would live with it awhile until you definitely know which path you want to go!
Katy says
love it – the colors are so vibrant! Love the little coral lampshade – but what is Maxway??
I’m building a tiny beach house this year and I’m collecting art on Etsy. Love your stepdaughter’s painting.
Sue says
Hi Suzy ~ I think your bookcases turned out beautifully and add so much to your room. The colors you have chosen are just so much fun. I vote for knobs too, white would look nice.
Becca says
Suzy, Suzy, Suzy … they look AMAZING !! You and your sweet hubby make a fabulous team because you guys knocked it out of the park. I love the color you chose to paint the back of the bookcases, and the coral accents are fantastic !! I just had my parents bookcases (the backs of them) painted blue, too … truly makes white accents pop, doesn’t it? LOVE what you’ve done !!
Olga@Stardust-Decor&Style says
Such an amazing transformation! I can feel your excitement! Great job!
chateau chic says
Suzy, your bookcases are beautiful! I LOVE the color of the inside, especially for a beach house. You’ve styled them perfectly. I can just imagine how much you’re enjoying them.
Mary Alice
Sharon @ mrshinesclass says
I love the new look! Looks like the perfect getaway. I don’t know how you’re able to tear yourself away from the condo…or the beach. I’d never want to leave.
Sharon @ mrs. hines class
Jan says
I love the bookcases! They fit the room perfectly, and how you “styled” them — wish I had your eye for arranging things. I think plain white knobs on the doors would be practical and disappear basically, but my personal preference would be for burnished gold or sparkly cut glass 🙂
Princess Kate says
Looks great. Thanks for sharing.
Pat@Back Porch Musings says
Gorgeous bookcases. I love how you’ve accessorized them too.
Debbie@Mountain Breaths says
I love the colors you chose, and the construction is perfection. (Tell your hubby) I think clear glass knobs may work on the cabinet doors.
Shannon@Cozy Home Scenes says
Your husband did a great job making the bookcases and you did a great job making them look beautiful. That color is perfect for a beach condo and all the accessories are the finishing touch. I like your drapery fabric that is slightly showing. Thank you for showing your finished bookcases at Your Cozy Home Party. Hope you can join us next week for the Grill, BBQ and Picnic Party. There will be many categories not just food. Hope you can join us!!——— Shannon
marty (A Stroll Thru Life) says
Oh they look fabulous. I love how you have them displayed. Beautiful addition. Thanks for joining TTT. Hugs, Marty
Becolorful says
The colors here just sparkle and beckon us in. Adding that color to the back of the bookcases was perfection. Thanks for sharing this week on BeColorful
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Diann says
It all looks wonderful. The colors are beatuiful. Congrats for a job well done!
Erika says
I love each and every corner of this living room, you have made magic on it, all the colorful sea theme, it’s really beautiful, I love the photography as well, what do I not love from this?… It’s gorgeous.
Linda @ it all started with paint says
The bookcases are seriously awesome! I just love and adore and the ASCP color and the accessories … how clever to find coral from the aquarium section …
🙂
Linda
Emreen says
Wow ! Beautiful… Love the shell painting on the wall… .the collection of shells brings back many memories down the sea shore… and I luv the metal container that contains the succulent… Beautiful color combination !!!
Laura @ cookiecrumbsandsawdust.blogspot says
Looks good Suzi! Lovin’ the pop of blue background.
Laura
At The Picket Fence says
Sooooo fantastic!! I can almost hear the waves lapping onto the shore. LOL! It truly looks incredible and the colors are perfectly coastal. Thank you so much for sharing this with us at Inspiration Friday this week!
Vanessa
Kathryn says
Love them! I’ve been craving ocean-themed decor since before summer even started! I definitely would not have thought to find accessories, like your gorgeous coral, in the aquarium section! I think I need to go to Walmart…
Taryn @ Design, Dining + Diapers says
This is so beautiful! I love the vibrant colors together. Fabulous job!
Connie@shabbyforsure says
Everything looked so good I thought you had even added new chairs. I had to take a second look at them. Great job…Connie
Madge Bloom says
Gorgeous transformation! Thank you for sharing on Weekly Top Shot #35!
Sherry says
What a gorgeous room! I want to hang out there!! Very nice color combo…I’m impressed.
Nellie's Cozy place says
I am in love with your shelves. I love white and I love that color of blue,
they are fabulous and look wonderful in that space, and you also did a marvelous job of accessorizing them as well.
Know you have to be enjoying them so very much.
Great job!!
blessings, Nellie
This is my first time to visit with you.
Creative Raisins says
How fun is that I love all the bright colors you used
Meg I am..... says
Love, love your color combination! Walls and back of bookcase look so HAPPY together!! Have you seen the post floating around blog land that uses pottery barn crystal vase filler as a drawer knob on a bookcase?? WISH I could remember who’s post that was….. But I bet it would look great on your bookcases. (They’re not shiny, just soft white & texture-y)!
Anyway – I vote for a pull of some kind!
Stopping by from Never a Dull Day
http://megschmitt-neveradullday.blogspot.com/
Barbe @ Beez Rental Designs says
What a lovely space. Your bookcases are outstanding as is your decor in them. I would vote ‘no’ on the knobs if you don’t need them to open doors. Since they’re almost hidden why spoil the beautiful doors. But sometimes you just feel the need and in that case, I would say white or glass as mentioned by others. I found you at Savvy Southern and a new follower. Hope you’ll stop by for a visit.
~Bee~
Honey at 2805 says
You did a wonderful job on the bookcases and a perfect assortments in accessorizing them. HGTV would be delighted! Your room is lovely and I adore the colors you chose.
Thank you for sharing your creativity at Potpourri Friday!
Marlee says
I adore your bookcase and the way you styled it. Clear glass knobs would look precious on this and wouldn’t make it look too busy.
arrielle_p says
Wow You did a great job in making that bookcase in your beach condo! They are all so pretty! Very inspirational! 🙂
condominium makati
Domesticable says
This looks wonderful! I just finished ours. We looked at doing the base cabinets also but the one’s we found were not tall enough for what we were wanting!!! Great job. I’m just waiting for my hardware to come in and ours will be finished.
Thanks for sharing. Love your blog–I’m your most recent follower!
Lura
x
Jocie@TheBetterHalf says
I love these, Suzy! I’m debating painting the backs of my bookshelves too, although I won’t be building them too. 🙂 Found you through the saturday Social. 🙂
Would love if you came and linked up with us. We’re giving away one free week of ad space for one lucky feature, and our blog gets thousands of hits per day! Hope to see you there!
philippines properties for sale says
What a very impressive things you have here. Its perfect on beach special the paintings,I love it!
aj
Cynthia says
Nicely done! I especially love the BASES! I have a heater vent beneath the spot I want to put my wall of bookcases and you just gave me a great idea as to how to work around that obstacle! Thank you!
Liam Aiden says
Hello,
This looks so beautiful.Gorgeous rooms,Very nice color combo…I’m impressed.
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