Bookshelves, memories, and a buttload of paneling

I was getting lots of things done this week, when this picture popped up in my “memories” of me with my parents in 2017, down at Strands Beach in Dana Point near where they lived.

We used to walk down there daily (when I lived there or when we were visiting) and now it is the place I go to watch the sunset and ponder life (and think of them) whenever I am in town. Oh, my Mother and all her scarves. She was a character.

But I started thinking of my Dad and he was in the back of my mind most of the week as I worked. One day, I was sitting in the snug (a little space a step up from the main family room) that I am making my sitting room, or most notably, ‘the library’ because I have too many books.

Currently there is a small area that has a built-in cabinet that I built some shelves above for my wood box collection and some books. But clearly, not enough, for the book hoarder I am. This is the current little built-in, tucked in behind the fireplace. Needs some moulding on the bottom doors, but it will all get finished and styled out soon enough.

The only other wall (think of L-shaped walls where the rest is open to the adjacent rooms) will have the couch on the back wall, along with a vintage rack I had piled quilts on. More like shoved on, since they haven’t really been touched since we moved in back in February. Still renovating.

Anyhoo, then came my epiphany…I know myself. I have too many books, like big coffee table style decorating books. Not little paper backs (that’s what the library is for in my humble opinion).

Why was I not building bookshelves along that whole wall? Wait, what? Yes, WHY WAS I NOT BUILDING BOOKSHELVES? Duh. I quickly measured everything and drew out my plan in “my book” (spiral bound, holds every note and measurement I do) and began daydreaming about how great my books would look up there. Which made me think of my Dad.

The house I grew up in had ‘a library’. Which was basically a fifth bedroom that my Dad converted to a library. He tore out the closet, and within the space, had plans to fill it with these ornate, dark walnut bookcases he would shove in there. I think I was about 6, and this memory I have of this day is so freaking vivid that it’s weird!

He got the two in there, and the third one really was too big for the space left. Maybe just like a half inch. I remember him smearing some sort of black grease on the walls, and full strength shoving this final bookcase into place so they all fit side by side.

I remember my Mom coming in and commenting that whoever bought the house after them would have to cut those out if they didn’t want them there. Good thing they lived in that house for like 30 years! And they never came down in an earthquake! I wonder if they are still there? It’s now been well over 50 years since he put those in there, surely someone has removed them by now.

I am slowly getting to the painting phase, as soon as I finish all these building projects. I am still unpacking boxes and shoving the stuff in places to be out of the way, so nothing is really styled yet. More like piled. Slow process, but getting there.

I also got some wallpaper samples that I have been waiting on for the laundry room, and think I might just do this cute little one on the left. It’s a Laura Ashley pattern and fits my English cottage thing I’ve got going on. I’m going to try the English yellow thing in here. Mustard really. The house likes it. What do you think?

The week got rounded out with me finally finishing all the recycled paneling that I was putting in the mudroom. If you have been here awhile, you may remember the stuff that was rough sawn cedar and attracted all the dust and dog hair in the house from the previous owners. Ew.

But when I pulled it off the wall, I discovered the backside looked amazing, and I had tons of it! So I was able to preserve most of it, and finally had to work on that project because where I was storing the pile needed to move. 

It is cedar and the room smells like a sauna, but I am going to paint it, probably a shade of green. So clearly, this is going to require some oil-based blocking primer first so those knots don’t bleed through. Will probably use some shellac, and a definite mask.

I did take a day off to attend the funeral of my friend that passed away, and there was a lovely luncheon outside in the country at a local winery after that was really pretty, where we could all hang out and talk about him. It was another emotional week, but I feel pretty good because I handled it like a boss!

Inspiring quote I read this week:

“If you are a collector, let other people share your pride and joy. Don’t sprinkle your collection out of sight in a meaningless jumble. Notice how groups of small objects, when they are well-arranged, become important and effective. Remember that repetition is a form of emphasis. Collect what you will, but see to it that you arrange your hobby to its best advantage.” –Dorothy Draper, interior design pioneer

Action needed:

So what little collection needs your attention this week? Time to pull it all together, unload a shelf, and redo it with fresh eyes! If you collect it, it deserves a bit of your attention.

These are the things that I’m loving this week:

Another super cute option from these faves. I love how they fit and feel!

I always love a good sale on things I can’t live without. This style is a must!

If you’re in the market for a refresh, this one is soooo charming!

Okay friends, I am going to keep my roll going and hopefully finish up the last of my woodworking projects this week, as long as I don’t add more. But I will be out of space soon. I have some trim, a few built-ins in my studio, and a few tweaks to do and then I will be paint ready! Woo-hoo!

Thanks for joining me again. Drop a comment below and let me know what you are up to, I would love to hear from you!