Todd Romano's Manhattan home in Elle Decor, Jan '07
Christopher Spitzmiller's home
Friday, March 16, 2007
Paper Lined Bookshelves
An old designer trick is to paint the backs of bookshelves a contrasting or darker color in order to create depth and interest. This trick definitely comes in handy if you're displaying objects in the bookshelves. Remember how great Todd Romano's antique Queen's Ware looked against the black backs of his bookshelves? Another look that I'm really taken with is the use of decorative paper on the backs of the shelves. I remember seeing a room published in which the decorator (I believe Steven Gambrel, but please correct me if I'm wrong) lined the shelves with marbleized paper. The design on the paper gives such interest to plain shelves and makes them seem more dramatic. I most recently saw the paper trick again in Christopher Spitzmiller's glorious apartment which has convinced me that I should try this someday!
Great idea! That's what I can do with the vintage wallpaper I found. I don't have much and it's fragile, but I love it... I have it on my blog now.
ReplyDeleteLove this idea!!! Any idea where to find marbelized paper like this?
ReplyDeleteFairfax- That's a wonderful idea! I'll go check out your blog and see what it looks like!
ReplyDeleteSarah, I think I remember reading that Steven Gambrel possibly got some at Kate's Paperie? You might be able to get some at a shop that sells Florentine paper???
ReplyDeleteI love this concept and in particular I love the top image of Todd Romano's shelving with those wonderful pieces on show!
ReplyDeleteI love this idea!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the shout of from Nick Olsen at the Domino Mag. blog!
Thanks Alyssa! I want to try this idea too!
ReplyDeleteI LOVED Spitzmiller's apartment when it was featured in Elle Decor. Love the shelves, love the wall color :)
ReplyDeleteGreat posting! A great source for marble paper is www.papersites.com they have a wide variety, bu have some from France that is very old school and quite chic.
ReplyDeleteMark- Thanks for the info. Will go check it out!
ReplyDeleteGREAT mention on Domino!
ReplyDeleteThanks Alyssa and Fairfax!
ReplyDeleteHello, I came to check out your site after your comments on Mark Cutler's blog. I really like the vintage feel to your 'musings'... Great blog :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the kind words Maison Lunatique!
ReplyDeleteWOW. I can't tell you how often I've gone back to look at the wall colour of that fabulous Spitzmiller apartment. Shelf paper is good but the yellow paint is astounding!
ReplyDeleteS.- I'm with you on that paint color. That yellow is amazing! Actually, the whole apartment is pretty terrific!
ReplyDelete