So, I was given a $100 gift card for the work I did on a project and it’s been burning a hole in my pocket.
I went to TJ Maxx to see if there was anything interesting. There was. First off, I encountered a woman who was berating the poor store manager, demanding an additional markdown and asking to speak with his boss. I think she was either drunk or crazy. Or both. But it was interesting.
Moving on, I browsed the pillow department and scored some pretty pillows for my sectional (finally), and I’m test driving them to see if I like them in my family room. And if I don’t, they’re so pretty, I’m sure I can find another home for them.
But who can go home from TJ Maxx with just throw pillows, when you have a gift card in your grubby hands? Not me.
I also found a pretty hand towel for my powder room and one of those “bags ‘o goodies” that has a bunch of fun and funky things like balls wrapped in twine or made of twigs, to put in an apothecary jar or a glass bowl. You’ve seen them. Right next to the bags of shells and glass pebbles. You’ve bought them. I know you have.
Since I had my pillows and my hand towel, the beachy bag o’ goodies just seemed like a good idea. And since I had these beachy goodies, I might as well restyle my bookcases since I recently repainted the walls and all.
Here is the entire space. I still haven’t decided what color to paint the beige insets here. I’m thinking white, to match the trim, and then paint out the back of the bookshelves in another color.
I started with one side – this is where it began:
And a beach photo of the boys seems appropriate, along with shells from that very beach. The candlesticks were spraypainted in a glossy aqua.
The books on the top shelf are the same ones I had before, just covered with scrapbooking paper. Well, almost covered – they’re on the top shelf, so you can’t see that the two laying on their side aren’t completely covered. Shhh. No one needs to know. The clock is another TJ Maxx find from awhile back that I just couldn’t resist.
You can see the Beachy Bag ‘o Goodies found a home…
14 Comments
Lisa
June 30, 2011 at 12:37 pmJenny, it's like those pillows were custom made for your family room. They are perfect! I love the details in your house like the arch over your built-ins. So much character!
Comeca Jones
June 30, 2011 at 12:46 pmWhat a fun outing!
Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions
June 30, 2011 at 1:00 pmI think those pillows go great, especially with the wall color you have now, Jenny! Love 'em! When I have a gift card, I find I'm more picky about what I will buy, probably because I know I could use it up {and then some} in one visit.
Kathryn Griffin
June 30, 2011 at 1:12 pmI love it all! I'm a blue girl at heart, so any shades of blue really thrill me. If you get a moment, come visit and read the post called Earning my Stripes. It's all about my favorite colors: blue, white and beige! Have enjoyed your blog for quite some time!http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/
ℳartina @ Northern Nesting
June 30, 2011 at 1:12 pmJenny love the new pillows, they are perfect in your family room! Your bookcase looks great too, love all the aqua touches very pretty! Martina
Colleen
June 30, 2011 at 1:15 pmLove the pillows and love the colors you added to the bookcases. Nice job!
Stacey
June 30, 2011 at 1:38 pmHow lucky! TJ Maxx was the perfect place for that gift card. Your shelves look amazing! I love the way you are working the aqua in there.
the cape on the corner
June 30, 2011 at 1:54 pmoh yes, i've often caved for the bag o' goodies. bag o' beachy goodies. bag o' fall goodies. i am indeed a sucker!
dandelionpicker
June 30, 2011 at 2:23 pmLove your living room – so cute! Do you remember what color/brand that blue paint is?
Crystal @ Ordinary Days
July 1, 2011 at 4:05 amOh, that looks so pretty! Love the clock and all the other blue accessories. Very nice. 🙂
CAS
July 1, 2011 at 1:24 pmI'm new to your blog, visiting from Oak Ridge Revival, and a new follower. I really like the new pillows and the lovely colors you have going on in this space. Very relaxing.
Joyce
July 1, 2011 at 10:44 pmLove the cushions, and the bookshelf looks great, looking forward to seeing what colours you end up choosing.
I was eyeing off your photo frames- I like how they arent all matchy but still match iykwim…gives me some ideas! Thanks
Lynn
July 6, 2011 at 9:42 amI like the consistency of the color accents. Pulls the whole arrangement together. Very pretty. I also like your idea of painting the back of the shelves. One thing I have seen done also is to make a liner with burlap or bamboo placemats over cardboard (cut to fit the backing size) and then put that at the shelf backs. It makes a very pretty textural accent. I have been thinking about doing that for a simple change without painting.
Kelli @ RTSM
July 21, 2011 at 11:32 pmI love the aqua candlesticks! The covered books look awesome too…and no one will ever know you only covered the top!