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Put a Shelf Under It

Got stuff? So do we.  But I say that very lightly.  I’m not a fan of things that clutter up a space for no good reason, although I do love framed art, plants, and Henry.  In that way, I’m a bit of a catch 22.  Browsing the mean streets of the flea markets, I often find myself with trinkets in hand, convincing Scott that we do have a place to put this adorable lil’ thingamabob.  As much as I argue my point and my man questions my motives, that little voice in the back of my head begs me to put it down.  My eureka moment came last Christmas when we received a pretty neat little bike sculpture from my mother-in-law.  She prefaced the gift unveiling by saying, “Now, Kim, I know how much you can’t stand ‘stuff’ lying around…but you’ll like this.”  Okay.  Is it that apparent? I was a little startled that I had become known as the girl who doesn’t like “stuff,” but Scott and I have come up with the most simple solution for this problem.  Put a shelf under it.

One idea: three succulents scored from the Home Depot at three bucks a pop, planted in Ikea Mandel pots, also three smackers.  The pretties are layered with a sentimental favorite photo of my rock star grandparents.  The fresh, white frame feels crisp against mint walls and green, mother nature.

succulents_web1

Another idea: A framed photo from Scott’s aunt as a wedding gift.  The gold frame is unexpected in our mostly stainless steel home, and the bicycle shout out is especially fitting, since our vows and reception decor centered around a bike theme.  The manzanita branch was painted a pale yellow, leftover from our fish tank, and the simple glass vase is filled with shells scored from our honeymoon in Jamaica.

bicycles_web1

Our main living space is an open concept plan which leads straight into the kitchen.  Because of this, we have only three walls that make a living room.  To put this into perspective, let’s just say we have a 5’x7′ rug that grounds our furniture with little room to spare.  What better excuse to bring in a shelf or two, three, or four?  The above mentioned photos, plants, and art are proud on display, yet they didn’t even eat an inch of our floor plan.  At the same time, the wall shelving adds a bit of pizazz that a nail in the wall just couldn’t live up to.  You’ve just seen a few details, now here’s the room as a whole:

living_shelves_web1

As you can see, this married team has become the number one fan of the Ikea Ekby wall shelf.  The industrial look and clean lines caught our eye almost two years ago, and we’ve never looked back.  You’ve learned that our sideboard is quite the handy dandy means for storing albums, beloved books, and pay stubs, but what about those things that add oomph to a room? Those bits that add to the lovliness of your space?  Set it on display.

Check out our colorful globe we scored a few weeks back at the flea.  Within a week, we added a wall shelf to the office just for her.  Luckily, we had the extra hardware and wood plank in the back of our coat closet, and we installed the third shelf (we already had two) in under 15 minutes.  Bonus points: the extra unit added a much needed touch of height to the room.  From left to right: installation, three shelves detail, and office whole.

office_shelves_web1

In the almost two years that we’ve carved out our tiny home in this yellow-brick-building, we’ve watched as our shelves rotate from wall to wall, move side to side, come down altogether, and get anchored up again.  With a little spackle and a dab of touch up paint, these fierce planks of wood can be swapped around in a jif, leaving no traces of scars on the wall.  As our mood changes, new “stuff” goes up and old “stuff” comes down.  Talk about instant gratification. Er, transformation.

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  • Scott8.10.09 - 2:14 PM

    That trusty Black & Decker sure gets a workout!ReplyCancel

  • Renee Gooch8.10.09 - 4:15 PM

    Your shelving layout is making me rethink things…I’m going to Ikea next week!ReplyCancel

    • Kim8.10.09 - 4:46 PM

      Renee, yes, I can see how the shelving can work wonders in your office!ReplyCancel

  • Jenny8.11.09 - 8:24 AM

    Love It…like usual. Don’t fret, I hate clutter/stuff too… we are long lost twin sisters…minus your “asian-ness” and my “albino-ness”!! Love Ya!ReplyCancel

    • Kim8.11.09 - 8:38 AM

      Thank you, Jenny, it’s true – long lost twin sisters. Miss you like always!ReplyCancel

  • Dave8.11.09 - 5:34 PM

    Kim,
    You and Scott are fearless! Your eye for displaying stuff is remarkable. Keep Scott busy with projects. It will keep him out of the GREAT Chicago bars.
    Love,
    DaveReplyCancel

  • Dave8.11.09 - 5:48 PM

    Kim,
    Good job keeping Scotty off the streets. Your eye for color combinations is remarkable. Why would anyone want to match their shoes to their top?
    Love,
    DaveReplyCancel

  • Kim8.11.09 - 6:56 PM

    Dave, you’ve learned a lot since I met your son! Shoes shouldn’t match their top – they just have to go.ReplyCancel

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