Tuesday, January 4, 2011

33 Winter Greens

Who says I have to let the winter blues take over.  Don't get me wrong, I adore the color blue.  But not when it comes to my mood.  And winter can definitely have that effect on me... short days, lack of the required Vitamin D the sun provides, not to mentioned it gets to arctic records of coldness....

So as wrong as it may sound, I am already thinking spring like thoughts... Lots of green thoughts!  And that was the theme I went with when updating our shelving display!

Here is our pre-holiday display:


It was OK.  But I didn't realize the potential it boasted until I had so much fun decorating for the holidays!  That's when the "just there" shelves changed to "show stopping" shelves!


I decided that I really adored the new look, and was quite sad when I went to take it down.  I really evaluated what made me adore the new feeling so much more than before...

Here is what I came up with:

1.  More balance.  It was more symmetrical than previously.
2.  Wall filler.  The wreath really took up the empty vaulted ceiling space on the wall.
3.  Natural elements.  I liked that I was able to bring in some of the outdoors and create a more natural feeling.

Keeping those key things in mind, here is where I landed on the new display:


Told ya I went green!

I really liked the fun and fresh subway art and that I used a whiter frame, so the frame stayed and I just added some new decorative paper.


I have always been a fan of keeping out my prettier cookbooks, to add a splash of decorative color:


I just shopped my home for all things green or natural...


Notice that some things from the holiday display remained?  Like the mason jar tea-lights and the white salt and pepper birds?


Instead of using a wreath to take up that tall wall space, I switched it out with a bamboo platter.  Again, loving all the natural elements that came in!  Feels just like spring!  Goodbye winter blues!

A view from above?


I also have to mention, that I planted my first ever plant from a bulb, and didn't kill it.  Yet.  Seriously, my jaw dropped this morning when I actually spotted a bud!  Whoot!


So there you have it.  The evolution of a shelf!

     

Anyone learn any around the home decorating solutions, due to the love of a holiday display?  How do you learn your decor tips and tricks? A favorite magazine?  Favorite blogs?  By accident?

33 comments:

  1. Oh I love it. It looks so bright and cheery! Thanks for the free print out yesterday. I printed it out myself and I've been writing down all of my newest blogging ideas so I don't forget them!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Very cute!

    I love that it looks so cheery for being a "winter blues" style. I also love all of the natural elements!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Very pretty! LOVE the greens...my absolute favorite color, and so perfect for this time of year when the winter weather can get us down. :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Very pretty! I love green too!
    xo
    Kelly

    ReplyDelete
  5. This is gorgeous! The green is so cheery and spring-y! Last Christmas I learned how awesome my mantle could look, so all of last year I tried to be very intentional about decorating my mantle, shelves and book shelves. I can't believe what a difference it makes!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I LOVE this! Just stunning! I am partial to green.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh Jen....the new look is FANTASTIC!!! So fresh looking!!! :)

    I am a magazine junky!!! I have them stashed all over my house...and I rarely get rid of them because I go back and look at old ones when I'm bored or just sitting around watching TV. That's where I get most of my ideas and tips.

    ReplyDelete
  8. This is so pretty.I really like the color green.

    ReplyDelete
  9. HOORAY MORE GREEN!!!!!!!! My favorite color =) I like blue too... but green is so earthy and a little more chipper than blue =) love it!

    This was a fab little update <3

    xoXOxo
    Jenn @ Peas & Crayons

    ReplyDelete
  10. Beautiful!
    So where do you keep your other decor peices when not in use?

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi BT!

    Here is my secret: http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/2010/12/you-asked-clutter-cabinet.html

    xoxo,
    Jen

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thanks for the fast reply! My "clutter Closet" seems to be on top of my fridge. Though you gave me ideas on what I can do to replace my current mail and key baskets.

    I just found your blog via Moneysavingmom last night, and told my hubby I found my soul-mate, lol.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Very pretty! I'm preparing to take down my Christmas decor tomorrow (we have company still from the holidays, I didn't want to bring out all that mess until they were gone!) and this is very inspiring to change things up a bit.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I just recently came across your blog (from YHL) and I love your blog. I can't wait to read through your blog and catch up.

    Love what you did with shelves. I added green into my bedroom just the other day. I bought green curtains from Ikea and new rods, then I added a pillow and throw to bring the whole room together. I have to take pics soon and post them on my blog.

    ReplyDelete
  15. You have such a great blog. I just love getting on to see what fun and exciting things you are going to post. I have a question for you though...you used those cute little white flowers on your shelf here but also on your office space pegboard, where in the world did you find them?? Thanks for everything you post and dedicating some of your precious time to us readers, we really appreciate it.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Thank you for inspiring me to think outside of my own predictable little "decorating box". After almost 20 years of homemaking my sense of homestyle needed a boost of freshness. I love being able to latch onto an idea from your blog and make it work for my family with the things we already have around us. Of course it usually doesn't even remotely resemble what you have done, but it works for us. Thank you so much---again.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hi Shaleigh!

    Here is a link to the white flowers on Amazon: http://astore.amazon.com/iheaorga-20/detail/B0015TI1RE

    xoxo,
    Jen

    ReplyDelete
  18. Great job! Looks fantastic! What is inside the hurricane vase (top, left). It looks super cute!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Anonymous,

    The vase is filled with rice and then I popped an artificial floral accent in for fun! I think I found it at Michaels.

    Thanks!

    xoxo,
    Jen

    ReplyDelete
  20. I loved the Christmas shelves but these are super Zen and I'm loving that! Great job!

    Also...UMMM....Hello AMAZING flower picture!!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Thank you so much, keep up the fun!!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Hey Jen! I wanted to let you know that I gave you some link love over at Crafts & Sutch today! Please stop by to take a peek and grab a Sutch an Inspiration button too. :) Have a good day!

    Erin

    ReplyDelete
  23. Thanks for the info! Love your blog:)!

    ReplyDelete
  24. So light, airy and lovely! Beautiful arrangements! I heart green too!
    xo
    Kate

    ReplyDelete
  25. I love the green, it looks great!!

    ReplyDelete
  26. I just stumbled across your blog and noticed this buffet. Where did you get it? It's exactly the size and style I've been looking for. I've really enjoyed browsing your blog--you're now being added to my reader. Thanks! denisejmayen@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  27. Hi!

    The buffet was a Home Decorators find, I just updated the hardware to match our cabinet hardware and give the room some consistency. I believe they have since discontinued the one that we have, but here is one that is somewhat similar: http://www.homedecorators.com/P/Harwick_42_Buffet/210/


    Hope that helps!

    xoxo,
    Jen

    ReplyDelete
  28. Hi! I'm loving the wine glass holder/ shelf.... did you make it or did you buy it somewhere? I'm looking for one for my new home. Thanks! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Stephanie!

      You can grab all the details here: http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/2010/10/october-featured-space-kitchen_07.html

      xoxo!
      Jen

      Delete
  29. WWhhheeerrre did you get your buffet? I love it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Liz!

      I found it on HomeDecorators.com many many years ago and just did a quick hardware update to make it look a little nicer {it originally came with wooden knobs}.

      They still have many options available, but I always love to also recommend searching Craigslist for affordable sideboards and buffets. It's amazing what some stain, paint or hardware can do!

      xo,
      Jen

      Delete
  30. Where did you get those shelves? I'm in love!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! They are the LACK shelves from IKEA. :)
      http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/categories/series/09063/

      Delete

Thank you so much for taking a moment to join in on the conversation! I read and appreciate each and every comment, however, I will remove any comment that I believe to be inappropriate, malicious, or spam-like. I would love for this comment section to be used as a place to engage in purposeful dialogue, I only ask that everyone remains constructive and considerate.

All comments will be moderated and may take a moment to appear.