ELAINE KIRBY MCCLEARY
Kirby and Company, Darien
“Books, books and more books! This may seem obvious, but they’re everything, as they add warmth to a room and reflect the interests of the owner. Try grouping them by color and place in both horizontal and vertical stacks. The stacks provide the perfect foundation for a sculptural element, such as a spikey gold sphere or vintage bust. When choosing decorative objects, mix old and new; a vintage rotary phone may add the touch of whimsy you need. I also love coral and plants.”
LYNN MORGAN
Lynn Morgan Design, Rowayton
“When planning the space, first look at the whole picture. You want to keep the shelves architectural with the room. When arranging objects, keep everything symmetrical, as that will create balance. I like lacquer, wallpaper or paint on the back wall, preferably in an accent color from the room. A nice arrangement of objects includes vertical and horizontal stacks of books mixed in with accessories and boxes, although I love using paintings to mix it up. Library lights provide nice accents, too. While family pictures are nice, keep them to a minimum, and consider arranging book covers by color, or remove the jackets to keep the design simpler.”
CAREY KARLAN
Last Detail Interior Design, Darien
“Start with a contrasting color for the back of the bookcase or shelving. Use paint or a textured paper; either one will make everything in front of it pop. And don’t be afraid of widely spaced shelves as they offer you an opportunity to hang interesting art. For bookends, use found objects such as fire tool rests or geodes. Collectibles personalize any bookcase, so use them, but do place smaller pieces on a tray so they don’t get lost.”