What's On Your....Bookshelf

This month, for the "What's On Your" series we're showing off bookcases.  I certainly don't think I really know what I'm doing when it comes to decorating bookcases, but they're one of my favorite parts of my home and most peoples homes I visit.  I think they can be so hard to decorate!  I truthfully unpacked boxes when we first moved in and put most of this stuff in place as I unpacked, and other then a few tweaks here or there, I haven't given much though or attention to these areas since!

A few (really dark!) photos of one of my bookcases below....

We have built in bookcases on either side of our fireplace.  They're really not anything fancy, but once they're filled you don't really notice that.  I tend to like bookcases filled with tons of books, plus a few personal items tucked in.  (I know some prefer bookcases with more decorative pieces, less books - personal preferences!)  My book club makes fun of me for only buying hardbacks, but I dream of having a "library" in my forever home so I'm adding books once month at a time!  Rooms lined in bookcases to me are the absolutely coziest!

A wedding picture, a few pictures of Virginia, miscellaneous vases my mom has gifted me through the years and a piece of art by my cousin's wife also are tucked in. 

Be sure to visit these other bloggers sharing their personal bookcases today too.....

Brittany at Brittany French

Kristy at   Design Chic

Brenna at   Domestic Charm

Elizabeth at   Little Black Door

Sarah at  702 Park Project

I've considered painting the back of my bookcases a fun color, but my house has a lot going on in it so I've stopped! :)  What do you think of this idea though?  Kind of fun!  Thanks for having us participate Sarah - it's always so much fun!

~Mary Keller

What's on your... Coffee Table

Next up in our series "What's on your... " we're sharing what's on our coffee table.  I will admit my coffee table is not very glamorous but it works for us right now so here you have it.  Most days it has a few books, maybe a to do list and a cup of coffee or glass of wine.  I've included a few details below if you're interested.

On the table:

Wild

36 Hours

Our Wedding Album!

Underneath: 

Style Statement

Charleston Then and Now

One Hundred and One Beautiful Small Towns in Italy

Splendid Flowers

Italy (our wedding guest book!)

The only flowers I always have around are Trader Joe's orchids. I can keep them alive for a good amount of time (with a few ice cubes a week) and they're so cheap for the color they add to a room. I love them! I would love to be one of those people that always has fresh blooms but it just doesn't happen aound here. 

The table itself is a hand me down from my parents. I've been using it for years and can't even remember where it came from exactly. Years ago it had a very light natural wood color that didn't really go with my other furniture so my parents helped me refinish it a little darker so it blends more with my other furniture.



Last and certainly not least my favorite wine glass. I searched forever for these glasses after our honeymoon in Italy. Everywhere over there serves wine in small table glasses and I love how approachable and casual it is. Takes me right back with every sip!

To see more of "What's on your coffee table" pics, check out the other bloggers below. 

Kristy at Design Chic

Brenna at Domestic Charm

Cathy at The Grit & Polish

Sarah at 702 Park Project

Thanks Sarah for organizing! Looking forward to seeing what everyone else keeps on their coffee table. I always love the pretty styled coffee tables you see in magazines but there's something nice about seeing what everyday life looks like too!

- Heath

What's On Your....Kitchen Counter

Next up in the series "What's On Your..." we're sharing what's on our kitchen counters.   Most weeks the only thing that is only our kitchen counter is a big bowl of fruit, lots of our favorite olive oil, a bottle of wine and dish soap.  (As a matter of fact, once we were enjoying dinner with friends at our kitchen table, and our friend said, "I have a question, do you guys really go through that much fruit and olive oil?!"  We're obsessed!  I can tell looking at these pics below I've got some work with accessorizing to do!  Things are looking a little bare, and I know I'd like to at least add a few plants.  A few pics of what's on my kitchen counter below, and also I shared more pictures of my kitchen renovation here if you're interested!

The one pic above left is really difficult to see, but it's one of my favorite parts.  This area isn't really my kitchen counter - it's really a butler's pantry but I still love it.  I keep a growing collection of glass tumblers here, perfectly in pretty sight and reach for J.D. to make me an evening cocktail!

To see more "What's On Your Kitchen Counter" pics, check out these other bloggers below:

 

Brittany at Brittany French

Kristy at   Design Chic

Brenna at   Domestic Charm

Amy at  Eat Sleep Decorate

Olivia at  Lacquered Life

Elizabeth at   Little Black Door

Cathy at  The Grit & Polish

Sarah at  702 Park Project

 

Thanks Sarah for organizing!  I can't wait to see everyone's.  I know I need to add some accessories to give the kitchen a little more warmth so I'm hoping to steal a few ideas.  I went to a friends recently and her kitchen had a few BIG potted plants that I loved, so I know that's one thing I'd like to add eventually!

~Mary Keller

p.s. more on collections here!

What's On Your....Bathroom Vanity

We're kicking off a new series today along with a handful of fun bloggers called "What's On Your..."  We're going to continue this series monthly seeing little sneak peeks insides of everyone's home.  (Maybe I'm nosey, but I love getting little glimpses into people's personal space!)  First up for February is "What's On Your Bathroom Vanity."  I'm showing a few pics below of my bathroom "vanity."  Truthfully, both of my tiny bathrooms have small pedestal sinks.  They really don't have a vanity, so when J.D. and I first moved in, he switched out the hardware to what you see in the pics below and added that little glass shelf.  That little shelf is the closest thing I'll have to a bathroom vanity for years!