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PrintBlank Slate - Shelf life
Four designers take on four different designs to bookshelves.
Bare essentials
“This year our ‘blank slate’ is just that, a blank slate. We begin with two great ‘Eileen’ shelves from BDI. ‘Museum Simplicity’ was the inspiration for the minimalistic design. Just like the Da Vinci “Vitruvian Man”-inspired pieces (in the photo), good design never goes out of style. At BCBC Modern we like our unique pieces to be the bones for great design, offering fabulous furniture, art and accessories to transform any space into a home. The ‘blank spaces’ are for mementos, photos, etc., to personalize a space into something that is unique and meaningful to you.” — B.C. Lee, owner, BCBC Modern
Fun Fact: Da Vinci’s “Vitruvian Man” was inspired by famed architect Vitruvius Pollio in 1487.
Think outside the shelf
“Accessorizing bookcases can be intimidating ... it is one ‘blank slate’ that can be frustrating for novices to get right. In the GHD showroom, we showcase several impactful and dramatic bookcase ideas and styles. Ideas like removing shelves and hanging artwork in the back of an opening or using antique books and oversized items to add height and interest to accessories. Don’t be afraid to place furniture in front of bookcases to create a pleasing vignette. Lighting is a critical component to highlight key accessories, collections or create contrast and shadows. Also, using color and high contrast gives the eye some excitement.” — Gina J. Miller and Brenda L. Rice, co-owners, GHD Interiors
White delight
“Working at the SR Hughes showroom is great for projects like this because we have so many beautiful things to work with. I started with Piero Lissoni’s MEX bookshelf made by Cassina. Its white lacquered finish was the basis for how I accessorized it. I ran around the shop finding objects that were in the white and cream families — some of my favorites include the new Rina Menardi ceramic pots on the top of the case; their organic shapes contrast nicely with the straight lines of Lissoni’s shelving. Design books and magazines weren’t hard to come by here at the shop. Bookshelves aren’t just for books, of course; they’re vignettes for your art, pictures, interests and memories. A very important point: Bookshelves should be well lit. Fortunately, I had Oskar by Ingo Maurer, Tolomeo Clip Spot from Artemide and Tab from Flos; all of these lighting options are fantastic in their flexibility and function. Le Corbusier’s LC2 chair completes the space, again, emphasizing the concept and inspiration of great design.” — Jay Exon, showroom stylist, SR Hughes
On the horizon
“I started collecting the magazine Architectural Digest when I was 15 years old. My stepfather would bring them home to me from his office in downtown Oklahoma City. I would get lost in their pages for weeks until the next issue arrived. I have been moving them from apartment to house to house for years, storing them under beds and sofas. I always wanted a room to display my collection, so, when Robert (Cisar) and I were planning our new house, I sketched in bookcases in our sitting room. I wasn’t sure how I would display them until one day looking through a magazine I saw books in a library placed horizontally rather than the traditional vertical/library style. I liked the clean, simple look — thus I tried this with my magazine collection. It reminds me of a quote we used to say when you are trying and trying to find a design solution for something and finally realize … ‘Keep it simple, stupid!’” — Kirk Holt, owner, Cisar-Holt
