Sunday, March 21, 2010

It isn't really home...

...until the books are on the shelves:

books
Screen shot 2010-03-21 at 8.46.34 AM
Screen shot 2010-03-21 at 8.46.08 AM
This is my favorite part of unpacking: arranging the shelves. I always start out with the intent to keep things minimal, even monotoned. But I am a magpie at heart. So there's more color to come!

PS: A few of you asked about the screensaver on my computer in my last post. It's a Japanese noren called "The Great Wave," by Hokusai. It came with my Mac, but I've now uploaded it onto flickr, if you want to use it as a screensaver too. Just click the picture below:

Screen shot 2010-03-20 at 10.45.22 PM

Hope you're having a lovely Sunday...

37 comments:

Anonymous said...

I wholeheartedly agree! So glad you're at the book arranging stage of settling into your new home!

Anonymous said...

Your blog ..... it's amazing and soooo inspiring as usual!

Agneta

Ps. I have an ongoing jewelry contest on my blog. Welcome! Ds

stephanie said...

I love unpacking books! Whenever I'm in a strange mood I will rearrange them differently, too. I usually stick to alphabetical order by last name of the author, but right now they're in a different order because I didn't want to do my homework last week! xo

Carina said...

I am currently working on clearing out some of my books/reorganzing them. Very excited!!!!

Giulia said...

Yes, indeed. I'm cleaning stuff out & sending a batch of books to my mother who will enjoy them a lot. Then I can pick up the books on the floor (for more years than I care to state publicly), & pop'em onto the shelves. So glad you're doing well.

ciao-meow

La chica said...

I totally agree with you...

Traveller said...

What is it about books? Just seeing a shelf of neatly arranged, colourful books makes me inordinately happy :)

Anonymous said...

I'm envious of how colorful your bookshelves are! And what amazing books you have stocked!

vicki archer said...

I am so happy and touched that my book is on your shelves ....and with such wonderful company. Glad the move has gone well and the boxes are unpacked, xv.

English Muse said...

vicki...i love your book!! (i loved it even before i found your beautiful blog)...i went on a frenzy trying to find the umbrella on the cover. finally found one like it in notting hill!

Cassandra Dias said...

Oh books...I really need to make a trip to Borders or Barnes & Noble to pick up some new ones!

Valeria said...

nice books! they are all so colorful and look so interesting!! :)

http://misspennylane-valeria.blogspot.com/

Belle Armed said...

I agree, books do make a home.

I guess that's why my favorite room in my fathers house is the library. I could sit there for days without getting bored.

Laura Trevey said...

I love the wave image!!

Bobbin Talk said...

It looks like home now...

mysterymoor said...

100% agree. And I use the same image as my background!

Patty said...

That's a really nice collections of books and I totally want that statue!

Han said...

On that top image what is the stripey book two to the left of Shanghai Girls - it looks very cool! Yeah okay judging by covers but I would read the blurb if I could now that my attention has been attracted lol.

I feel the same about it not being a home until my books are on the shelves - my OH just gets irritated he's all for minimalism!

Anonymous said...

I completely agree with you!
I'm also a fan of your book selection as well. Is that Julie and Julia I spy?
Lovely blog!

kimberj said...

I love the arranging part as well. However the hubs and I differ on how. I'm very bohemian, sort of I'll know what I like when I like it and don't ask me to explain it. He is very much a minimalist and is never quite sure if he likes something. Makes me nuts :s

Christine said...

A new home just isn't complete unless my books are unpacked and nicely arranged. Hope you're enjoying your new place!

Christine@TheFiveSenses.org

starcakeastrology.blogspot.com said...

i want to read that book about barcelona hotels!

David said...

I have heard him someone describe themselves as a magpie - I like that. I also like that we have the same taste in screensavers - I've always liked this one. Congrats on the move.

David said...

"never heard" - oops

Maia said...

From one magpie to another...I understand. And I love your rainbow of color! It's a happy look.

Brandi said...

I actually can't sleep in a new home until my books are organized. Is that weird? It's gotten worse over the years as I've collected more books. Luckily, since my most recent move was cross-country, I was forced to leave some books behind at my parents' house -- I got to bed much quicker this time.

krys kirkpatrick said...

Oh I agree. I am experimenting with less though. My goal is to build a little home on wheels. So looks like I will have to do with less, which I hope will be freeing!

Unknown said...

Ah books just really make it feel like I home. I totally agree! Bookcases are the most comforting thing for me in the house.

Ziad Ali said...

i couldn't agree more!
i must admit i can get a bit obsessive with my books, i put them all in alphabetical order....
Pearl xo

Hausfrau said...

Lovely! All the color is great. I know how you feel; I must have my books around me as soon as possible after a move.

Anzu said...

Totally agree! Like the ornament as a book end - looks great. I've got quite a few of the same books. Would love to read a post from you on your favourite books by the way

Destination Inspiration said...

I like all the colour on your bookshelves Tina! And some of the titles of your books too, yes please! Where'd you get your geisha statue? She's amazing

C. Anne said...

I love having a peek at the bookshelves of others! Happy Times-Lee Radziwill, I've wanted to read that for quite awhile, now I'm motivated to go get it!

LenoreNeverM♡re said...

So true darling!
The wave image reminded me of Kansai Yamamoto back in the 80s~
Fab week, hope you have time to relax this week after all the packing & unpacking...
HUGs*

Chelsea Talks Smack said...

AMEN, I completel agree.

leni said...

your books look so lovely on the shelf!

Just Sweet Love said...

oh my goodness, I just read Shanghai Girls by Lisa See. Amazing and heartwrenching! Loved it!