Well hi there! What a day I had yesterday. It started with a Core Barre Class (which was my first time and totally kicked my rear) and ended by completely redecorating our den. So, needless to say, I am a little sore. 😉 We are finishing up our living spaces today with one more challenge. I have been getting some great feedback and can’t wait to get started on our sleeping spaces tomorrow. If you have completed any of the previous challenges, I would love to hear about them and see pics of your pretty spaces on Up to Date’s Facebook page. You can find all of the challenges in the links below if you have missed any of them.
Week 1 Living Spaces
Challenge #1: Move a Piece of Furniture
Challenge #2: Hang Something New on Your Wall
Challenge #3: Style Your Coffee Table
Challenge #5: Style Your Bookcase
Week 2 Sleeping Spaces
Challenge #6: Change Your Textiles (bedding)
Challenge #7: Change Your Drawer Knobs
Challenge #8: Have Your Clothes Ready to Wear
Challenge #9: Dress Your Dresser
Challenge #10: Be Ready for Guests
Week 3 Eating Spaces
Challenge #11: Set Up a Tea/Coffee Station
Challenge #12: Spruce Up Your Seating
Challenge #13: Organize Your Pantry. Fast.
Challenge #14: Style Your Buffet/Sideboard
Challenge #15: Treat Your Kitchen Window
Week 4 Bathroom, Laundry room, and Office
Challenge #16: Make Your Bathroom Pretty
Challenge #17: Organize your Laundry Room
Challenge #18: Repurpose Something!
Challenge #19: Conquer Paper Clutter
Challenge #20: Organize a Junk Drawer
Okay, let’s do this!!
Love Your Space Challenge #5
Style a Bookcase
Option 1: The rule of thirds. Remove everything off your shelves. Evenly distribute 1/3 of books, 1/3 of pictures, and 1/3 of objects. To brighten up the bookcase, use little paintings and prints instead of photos, and color code your books. Make sure you leave enough negative space so all of your pretty things have a spotlight. Less is usually more!
Option 2: Throw out the rules, go for a curated look! If you have a lot of lovely books, fill a few shelves with only books but add some “breathing room” with a few accessories on a couple of shelves or display pictures with command strips on the frame of the bookcase.
Option 3: Books aren’t your thing. Collect similar objects from around the house to display as a collection. Tip: If you have a dark wood bookcase, try using white or lighter accessories and picture frames for a pretty contrast.
And one more pretty bookcase (and room) for your inspiration! 
Jenna Burger Design
For more ideas on decorating with books, check out this post.
My Outcome: All week I have been making changes to our living room on the main floor. Today (and for the first time ever in blogland) I am sharing our den with you. In the past I have shown you the bookcase on the main floor…
and now you get to see what goes on in our family room!
I organized the books by categories and then colors, keeping warm and cool tones separate.
This project may take a little time but is worth the result. Are you up for the challenge?
This post is linked to Weekend Block Party!
Rachel says
January 7, 2014 at 9:44 amThat idea of thirds is interesting! It’s just like taking a photograph! Makes sense 🙂 Thanks for the tips!
Kathy says
January 7, 2014 at 5:47 pmGood things come in thirds! 😉 Thanks for stopping by.
AManda says
January 7, 2014 at 9:47 amGreat post. I love to display a bunch of ecclectic things in my house and this is a perfect pretty way to do it. I love that little mirrow you have behind the white vase.
Kathy says
January 8, 2014 at 5:09 pmThanks for the sweet comment Amanda! My style is definitely eclectic. 😉
melanie says
January 7, 2014 at 10:51 amNeat ideas…wish I had a bookcase to style!
Kathy says
January 8, 2014 at 5:10 pmThanks Melanie! Did you check out the link for ideas decorating with books? There are some non-bookcase ideas in that post!
Dawn ~ Spatulas On Parade says
January 7, 2014 at 11:01 amI love the splashes of yellow/orange in your family room. A color I did not like for years but recently has really been an attraction for me. I have used burgundy, dark green and a royal blue. I’m ready for a change. Thanks for the inspiration.
Dawn
SGBC
Kathy says
January 8, 2014 at 5:12 pmThanks Dawn! I have mostly cool colors through the house but I fell in love with those floral pillows when I saw them 5 years ago. I do love jewel tones!
Drea says
January 7, 2014 at 11:37 amThanks for sharing the inspiration and photos of your living space! I’ve been trying to think of new ways to add more “pretty” and personality pieces to my living space and I found just what I was looking for here.
Great challenge! I’m going to be looking back to this and pinning for reference 🙂
Kathy says
January 8, 2014 at 5:49 pmAwesome Drea! I would love to hear about what you are doing or see pics!
Jenn @ Party of One says
January 7, 2014 at 12:25 pmI love the pictures of your home! You’ve done a great job & I’m loving the color scheme. I’m so enjoying this series!
Kathy says
January 8, 2014 at 5:13 pmThanks Jenn, I’m glad you are enjoying them! It sure is keeping me busy. 😉
Paige says
January 7, 2014 at 1:21 pmThose bookcases are beautiful!!!
Kathy says
January 8, 2014 at 5:13 pmThanks Paige!
Lori @Vintage Charm Restored says
January 7, 2014 at 1:56 pmThat’s a great challenge.. with Christmas coming down it’s easy to rearrange a few things in my built-ins and create something fresh1! Thank you!!
Kathy says
January 8, 2014 at 5:14 pmMy thoughts exactly Lori!
Reginia {PoisedinPrint.com} says
January 7, 2014 at 9:00 pmI like options 2 and 3 but I love what you’ve done to your space. Looks very professional and pretty.
Kathy says
January 8, 2014 at 5:35 pmThanks Reginia! It’s not the prettiest room in the house but its starting to shape up! 😉
NEATLY-PACKAGED says
January 7, 2014 at 9:06 pmAbsolutely gorgeous! I will save this for when we move into our new house 🙂 Thank you for sharing!!!
http://neatly-packaged.blogspot.com/
Kathy says
January 8, 2014 at 5:15 pmYou’re welcome! Are you moving soon?
Krystal says
January 7, 2014 at 9:57 pmI love the shells in your bookcase! I pinned this to review later, but I have had “organize bookshelf” on my list for months. I need to finally take the plunge!
Kathy says
January 8, 2014 at 5:32 pmThanks for the comment and pin krystal, good luck with your bookshelf!
Kimberly H. Smith says
January 10, 2014 at 9:36 amPinning this! Great idea and love the book displays, Kathryn. #SGBC
Kathy says
January 11, 2014 at 11:42 amThanks Kimberly! Decorating with books is one my favorite things to work with.
Sarah says
January 14, 2014 at 3:48 pmI love this. I have been itching for a new bookcase, but I’m not sure how it would work with my little one running around knocking everything over. Maybe one for the bedroom!? Thank you for linking up with the Weekend Block Party. I hope you’ll join us again this week!
Kathy says
January 14, 2014 at 4:51 pmThanks for the sweet comment Sarah! I always put our valuable items on the top shelves and when the kids were really young we used the bottom two shelves for toy and children’s book storage with baskets that hid the clutter.