A Devonshire Design

The One where I try to explain all my social networking....

2012-01-30T11:55:00.000-05:00

I have been lapse is blogging so far this year because I have a focus. And right now that focus does not include blogging - which I love - but which often takes a backseat to so much other social networking.

Yes, I said it- SOCIAL NETWORKING.

I am loving right now, Pinterest, and Facebook, and Twitter - quick & easy ways to get the information out there without having to be witty.

Wait, am I witty? Not sure of that...

Anyways, I like each of them for different reasons. Twitter, for example is that quick hit, make fun, comment on something relevant that you hope fills the universe with your positive vibes..or your snarky vibes. Facebook, great for business networking, catching up with friends (real and virtual) and finding out about interesting events and such. Pinterest? Well, this is cool for those websurfing times and finding something interesting and not wanting to lose it....make a Pin board, yea!

I am also finding Pinterest great for my decorating clients, as I can find pieces I love and feel would work for their space, save them and direct my client to the board. Clever, eh?

I know, right?

Don't even get me started on GetGlue or Foursquare (love the perks I get on there) or I am sure a gajillion other things I am missing. I am to busy juggling these things...and blogging for my audience of 100 or so people - who never comment BTW.

Show a girl some love, eh?

While I try to explain all my social networking.

The One where Women drive me Crazy

2012-01-17T20:15:00.000-05:00

I am part of several groups that are mainly women's groups and sometimes...well, I could just scream. I just don't understand why these groups can't be run the same way as a regular business meeting. Why, oh why do we have to be "careful" and "mindful" and all those other things?

Let me talk about a few things that really should be different:

1) Meetings need agendas. A meeting cannot be successful without everyone understanding the purpose and what is to be accomplished. Don't send me a note that we are having a meeting on Wednesday without telling me why. How can I be prepared? For that matter, how can anyone be ready for a vague request?

2) Four women cannot talk at the same time. There has to be an order of some kind. Someone has to be the referee and keep the order and not be afraid to do so. So many of the meetings I am on - whether a call or in person - turn into a free for all with multiple women talking and side conversations. Would you do this at work?

3) Speaking of side conversations.....let's try our best to stay on topic. If there is an agenda and we can keep it to one person holding the floor at one time, then we actually have a chance to end a meeting on time. Wouldn't that be nice. Call a meeting for 7:00 and be done by 9:00? Maybe you would have more women interested in joining the group!

I could certainly talk about this subject for hours, but I think that if we could somehow work on these three items many more women would be happy to be part of our groups and they would grow not shrink. We need to stop shooting ourselves in the foot and think like a businesswoman, that's how we thrive!

Maybe then I won't have to further discuss how women drive me crazy......

The One where I start off the New Year right

2012-01-06T10:55:00.002-05:00

New Year, New Goals....yea, yea yea....

We all have that epiphany where we start the new year with lofty personal and professional goals only to fall flat on our faces right around the Super Bowl (very bad date for dieters..lol). However, this year I would like to ensure that the goals I put in front of myself are reasonable and attainable.

We all remember those SMART goal sheets we got from our employers...and how we all hated them.

I will not be doing that. But what I will be working on this year is the word "Growth". Yep, that's it - one word. I will be using that word as I work on my vision for each month and then for my reflection back each month.

Speaking only for myself, the choice of a word provides the opportunity for interpretation. For example, if at the beginning of a month my goal is to lose 2 pounds a week and I only lose 6 pounds total, I can look back at the end of the month and determine what my growth was or wasn't. Did I get better at meal planning? Did I not grow in my food choices - was I stuck in a food rut?

You all know my goals for the year regarding my Cookie Lee Jewelry business (see this blog post) and I know that for January my personal goals are to wake each day with a positive mindset, lose 4 pounds, talk with my son & hubby in encouraging ways and to read daily.

So yea, this is the one where I start off the new year right.

You, Vocalpoint and the People's Choice Awards

2012-01-03T21:05:00.000-05:00

I love awards shows - do you? Isn't it great that we are in award show season? One year we actually had a wine and cheese party for every award show we watched!

We got a little tired of wine & cheese. But now you can join with all of us who love Vocalpoint and be part of the first award show of the season - The People's Choice Awards.

I really enjoy the People Choice Awards because it's a mix of Movies, TV and Music. Plus you can vote of some of the categories. This year Vocalpoint is having some fun by letting you vote in their poll and then publishing the results after the show! Just go here to cast your votes.

Not only that, but you can vote LIVE during the show! So tune in on January 11th at 9/8c on your local CBS station.

Then go back to Vocalpoint and see the results...I know I will!

All opinions are mine and I have not been compensated in any way for this post.

Why is Bambi in the middle of the Road?

2011-12-31T08:16:00.001-05:00

It was a great day, work in the morning, then shopping at the mall with my DS as we spent some of those gift cards and returned some gifts.

Then, the surreal happened.

It was at the time mind boggling and this morning, the day after, it continues to be foremost in my mind as I try to recreate what happened on the way home. And the first thought that popped into my head?

"What is Bambi doing in the middle of the Road?"

and then..."Oh Shit".

As we were driving home, at dusk, on a road with no lights, chatting away about how mortgages work and what we were going to do that night, it appeared and with a car next to me I had no where to go but right over it.

The wheels went in the air as I applied the brakes to try to avoid making it any worse than I knew it was going to be. I threw my hand across my DS (even though he was wearing a seat belt) and as the car landed I just knew it was bad.

For the car. Thankfully, we were okay. And as we pulled off the road, we proceeded to watch several other cars do the same thing we did, like watching an ongoing train wreck and there was nothing you could do to stop it.

The police and my insurance company were great. My DS got to talk to the insurance company as I dealt with everyone else and that was a great life lesson for him (It's not usual for a 19yo to just call in an accident, you know?) The officer was shocked that no one else had stopped or reported that the deer was there. He also provided much comic relief with his description of the deer carnage that was "stretched for a mile" along the road. The tow truck came and away went my car. The office was nice and drove us home and made us laugh the whole way.

Walking in and getting a big hug from my hubby helped so much, because those internal shakes had set in. They stuck around for quite a while, but this morning are gone.

Today, the sky is clear, the sun is shining and we are fine. That's what really matters.

But I still wonder "What was Bambi doing in the middle of the road?"

My Cookie Lee Jewelry Business Plan Planning

2011-12-26T18:58:00.000-05:00

I think that it’s time for me to really move forward with my Cookie Lee Jewelry business and to do that I need a business plan. So I am utilizing the “10 Questions for a Strong Business Plan” from Julie Anne Jones (copyright Julie Anne Jones, Inc.) and sharing it here. I believe that the sharing will make me more accountable….well, it has worked before (see Living Room redesign) and stop laughing.

No please, really, stop laughing.

Done? Thank you. OK, here goes…..

1) Do I have a goal for the number of parties I intent to hold each month? Yes – 4-6

2) What is my ideal sales month? I would like to average $600 shows so that my hostesses get the best benefits

3) Do I have a purpose? Why am I in business? I am in business first because I really like the jewelry – without that I know that this would not be successful; secondly I am in business to help support my family and pay for my son to attend college. I enjoy getting out there and meeting people and helping them to start their own business or to just have fun with friends and get great jewelry!

4) Do I have a set schedule for my business? No, I have a vague schedule, but it is not set in stone. On a scale of 1-10, how well do I stay on track in committing to my schedule? When I use a schedule, I am an 8.

5) Implementation: On a scale of 1-10, how well do I practice and implement what I learn? 8 What practices have I put off implementing the I KNOW will bring me greater results? PHONE CALLS, I need to schedule and implement the plan for making phone calls.

6) Do I make excuses for not applying energy to my business? No What are the excuses costing me? I have really been working hard on my Cookie Lee Jewelry business for the last few months and am carrying that momentum forward in the new year.

7) On a scale of 1-10, how well do I follow through with my agreements? 9 Am I of my word? Yes What will I change? I will not make a commitment unless I can keep it.

8) Am I fearful of failure or rejection? Yes, I think that everyone has some fear of failure or rejection. Have I searched for the limiting beliefs that block me from succeeding? Yes and I am now working on outloud positive self talk and positive thinking.

9) Do I know my goals for this week? Yes and I will publish my weekly goals on Facebook or my blog. This week’s goals are to make 10 phone calls to invite women to book a home or office show and to ensure that I return all phone calls within 24 hours.

10) What is my action plan? What will I do to make these weekly goals a reality? I will write down each message that comes in and not assume that I can remember them without noting the date/time of the call. I will make the list of the 10 calls to make and set the time aside on Wednesday to make those calls. I will do this every Wednesday.

So there is the beginning of my Business Plan for 2012. Please share with me your thoughts and if you do any business planning for your business.

Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T07:06:00.001-05:00

I could do that list of things I am thankful for....

I could list all of the people that make me grateful.....

But what I just want to do is to remind everyone that we are all in this together and that none of us can succeed unless we work together.

So, no matter your religion, your politics, your orientation or your beliefs - sit at the table today, or volunteer at the shelter, or donate your meals and be glad that we live in a democracy.

and that your voice can be heard.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Proud to be a Daughter in Law

2011-11-11T11:11:00.001-05:00

On this Veteran's Day, a once a century 11/11/11, I want to share with you why I am proud to be a daughter in law.

My wonderful Father in Law, David Napoleon, Sr. is a World War II veteran (like many other FIL's & MIL's out in the universe). He served in the Pacific, and based on the stories he has been willing to share, it was not ever easy. Sure they had some fun times, and some of the stories are not for repeating in front of small children, but for the most part, we are so very lucky he is here - and that my husband and his sister exist for that matter!

He was very young when he enlisted and did not have too much of an education at that point, but he was smart and knew how to fix things - mechanically inclined. Even today, he would rather take an oven apart to fix it himself than pay someone to do it - and he does.

He was dropped on an island in the Pacific with other men and they had to take care of themselves until relief or supplies showed up. He was left in the sun with no protection and today pays the price with his skin and several instances of skin cancer.

But he is part of "the greatest generation". The men and women who were not afraid to enlist and do what was right for this country, who saw the greater cause and fought for all of us.

Just like so many of our men and women serving today. God Bless them all.

And a special thank you to my Father in Law, you make me proud, because of your service and dedication.

Random Thoughts - The Snow Edition

2011-11-01T23:55:00.002-04:00

Here are some random thoughts that have been floating around and managed to hit the surface during this lovely snowy weekend.

1) Why do call centers suck? Just asking, as my darling son have been navigating the hell that is the HP help desk and has gotten different answers from each and every call center person. How does he feel right now? Frustrated!

2) I was tired of the Kardashians before and now with all this sham marriage crap, I am even more tired of them. Please go away, my eyes are burning!

3) Family can be as thoughtless, if not more thoughtless than any of your friends. Enough said.

4) I wake up every day with a smile on my face and a promise to myself to live the day in a state of gratitude, sharing the optimism I feel.

5) October snow? What was up with that? Although it did make for a cozy Saturday with my husband.

6) What has happened to commenting on a blog? I still go out there and make comments and I think it's so cool when I get a reply via email.

7) I think that manners are disappearing. In our era of talking fast, typing in shorthand and walking around with a phone in our face, we have forgotten common niceties. When's the last time you got an RSVP, or received a handwritten thank you note? UGH!

8) I am really liking some new shows this year - 2 Broke Girls and Hart of Dixie. Both have made me laugh out loud and that's something we all need these days.

9) Have I ever shared my favorite place? Can you guess?

What thoughts are bouncing around your head? Please share.....

Who Really wants to be back in High School?

2011-10-29T08:00:00.000-04:00

In the last few months, I have struggled understanding certain situations. One as a “full on” participant and one or two others more as an observer.

I don't understand how cliques get formed. Is it because there is something in common, is it because there are leaders and followers, or is it because one needs to fight or struggle against something? And can that something be a person? I have tried hard to understand why people were motivated to do the things they do. (Myself included) What makes someone make a choice, especially a choice that seems so “outside” the rest of the clique?

For example, it's hard to be somebody who cares deeply about something and not at some point become the person who stops the growth or potential for growth. You do the same thing for many years in a row, you tend to think that your way is the best way and, in some cases, your way is the only way. That's when you need to walk away, yet so many of us cannot. In most of these cases, the clique is not working against you personally – it is trying to help you see that you're the obstacle to growth.

Conversely, when you're in the clique, you become part of a “Mob” mentality and that can be overwhelming for people outside the group. Whispers, gossip, sitting under together are all part of the picture. You think people don’t notice, but oh…they do.

As an adult, it's almost like being back in high school again.

And really, who the hell wants that?

In order to grow, you need to be more aware of the things you are doing that can be perceived as being part of a clique. And perhaps stop. You also need to be more aware of when to let go - when you're no longer the solution - when you need to step away.

There so much growth potential there and yet we all struggle so much against it.

Musings on a Birthday

2011-10-19T06:57:00.001-04:00

Well, it's the day after my birthday and I can't believe that another year has gone by. Every year I wonder what my birthday will bring and this year was no exception.

Ever since I was a little girl I have loved my birthday. I look forward the phone calls, the gifts, the cake, the party and all the other hoopla that goes along with your birthday. Some years my birthday fell short - I have to admit - I mean who doesn't have that real sucky birthday.

Let's reminisce. I was around 11 years old. I was wearing a pretty purple dress, I was very excited about my birthday party and my mother chose that day to let me know that we were moving to New Jersey. While I have come to really love New Jersey, at the time all I knew was that my parents were getting divorced.

Happy birthday!

Jump ahead to my 31st birthday. Both of my parents had just passed away, and I was sitting in the bathroom at ADP with my best friend taking a pregnancy test. My birthday present that year was my best ever, my darling son Max. So in five minutes, or however long those tests take, I went from a sad birthday to a happy one.

One of the great things about a birthday is looking forward to the phone calls from everybody. I have calls that I've kept from my sister, my brother, and now my grandchildren singing happy birthday. I wish I had had the technology to keep the calls from my mother or my father wishing me a happy birthday. How wonderful it would be to hear my father wish me a happy birthday today!

Today, those phone calls are replaced by Facebook wall postings and e-cards. In some ways that's better, because for someone who loves birthdays like me you get so many more acknowledgments of your special day. In other ways, I still look forward to the special phone calls and those special cards - things you can hold on to.

I have been lucky enough to spend my birthday in Paris with my husband, celebrate a milestone birthday with friends and family, and have quiet birthdays. All birthdays are special - even the sucky ones!

It's Arrived - The Swap Goodies!

2011-10-17T22:47:00.000-04:00

How was excited was I to come home from a weekend of visiting my grandkids to see this great package from my Swapoween partner - incognitus scriptor and I was so very eager to rip it open and see all the goodies!

And it was all wrapped up (as you can see below) and it was like torture to open each item. But then I realized it gave me time to "ohh" and "ahh" over each and every thing!

and here is how it all looks all pretty back in the box - but unwrapped! One funny thing is that I sent her cupcake wrappers and decorations and she sent me cupcake mix - strange but true.

I plan to be decorating for Halloween indoors for the first time this year, thanks to all of the cute items I received - Thank you so very much!

And a thank you to our hostesses - My So Called Chaos and The Goddess Life (which you can check out for yourself -
(http://www.mysocalledchaos.com and http://artemishi.blogspot.com))

Happy Halloween everyone!

If Only.....

2011-10-06T16:38:00.003-04:00

Many of us feel that this is the only thing we wanted Facebook to do!

Thanks, Somecards.com.

Who Doesn't Love a Good Swap?

2011-09-29T17:15:00.001-04:00

I am so very excited, I am part of the Swapoween2 Swap that is now in progress at two great sites - My So Called Chaos and The Goddess Life (which you can check out for yourself -
(http://www.mysocalledchaos.com and http://artemishi.blogspot.com)).

Now you ask yourself why it took so long for me to post about this? Well - there's that small thing called Rosh Hoshana. I've been cooking, cleaning, and working ahead (at those paying jobs) to be ready for the next ten days of awe. If you celebrate, I wish you L'Shana Tova.

And the good news in all this is the fun Halloween shopping I will get to do for my swap partner. So excited....because,

Who doesn't love a good swap?

Catching up with Life

2011-09-22T14:53:00.000-04:00

So here I am wondering how it happened that I did not win the Best Blogger title - I mean come on, just because I was up against some of the biggest and most well known Delaware Valley Lifestyle bloggers? Should that really matter?

Of course, you know that I was just being delusional. It was really just a honor to be included in the running and to be named a finalist - well, that was too cool.

I really do want to thank the CBS Philadelphia 2011 Most Valuable Blogger contest for including me and providing me the opportunity to meet and visit with a whole lot of new readers.

And I want to thank my new readers - I know you were here - even if you did not comment! (But I sure wish you had!)

Speaking of which - are comments dead? I see less not only on my own blog, but on all the other blogs that I read and watch. Have we reached the end of interactive blogging? Is there another phase on the horizon?

Well, those are questions for another day. And trust me, I will ponder them!

2011-09-13T06:37:00.000-04:00

Remember how I shared the good news about Vocalpoint? And how you should join to get some great deals that are on the way? Well, here you go! Vocalpoint and Del Monte are offering you a buy one, get one FREE coupon for Del Monte Fruit Cups.

About Del Monte^® Fruit Naturals^® cups:

You'll want to drink every last drop out of these fruit cup^®
snacks. Picked at their ripest, the perfectly prepared fruit
swims in 100% fruit juice packed with vitamin C.

Snag the savings:
http://www.vocalpoint.com/FruitNaturalsCoupon

Let me know what you think - cos' I know that anytime I can grab a carry around snack that is actually good for you - well, I get happy.

Thanks VocalPoint!

I Vocalpoint, Do you?

2011-09-11T20:54:00.001-04:00

I have been a member of a great money saving, tip filled, giveaway site for a few months now called Vocalpoint.

And Vocalpoint has something special to off you this Tuesday - but in order to get it you have to be a member! So I just think you should click here to join!

This way I know that you will get to share a special deal with me on Tuesday.

Hormones, Raging Hormores.....

2011-09-08T08:27:00.001-04:00

Does anyone here remember the Armour Hot Dogs jingle from a few (okay more than a few) years ago? It went something like this:

"Hot Dogs, Armour Hot Dogs,

What kind of kids eat Armour Hot Dogs?

Fat kids**, skinny kids, kids who climb on rocks...."

Funny thing is this song has been running through my head all morning, except my version was more like this:

"Hormores, Raging Hormones

Why does this have to happen to us?

Hot Flash, then cold, no interest in sex..."

I could just go on and on with more verses, but I think you get the gist. and I am more certain you know the refain: "This is getting old!". Because just when I got used to 24 hour a day hot flashes, for the last day or two I have been cold with very few hot flashes. Or maybe I am experiencing normal body temperature and don't recognize it because I have been hot for so long!

I am tired of waking up each day and not understanding how I feel. And not being able to explain or convey it to my hubby without him thinking I am rejecting him. I am finding that conversation to be the hardest one of all.

I wish I knew, but what I do know is that I am glad to have all of you and all of my friends to talk to you about this. I think that without all of these outlets and sources of information, comfort and friendship I would go crazy. And I know I need to keep laughing...and singing.

"Hormones, Raging Hormones......"

**Of course, this was before it was not politically correct to use the work "fat" when describing children.

Random Thoughts - End of Summer Edition

2011-09-06T07:05:00.000-04:00

Back again in September with my "look behind - plan ahead" edition of Random Thoughts.

1) Wasn't this a great summer? We had such mice weather - well, at least until the earthquake/hurricane/tornado week - that I actually got a tan! While we did have that stretch of hot days, it makes summer so much more fun when the weather is nice and not soggy or cloudy.

2) Did you get to see this movie or have you read the book? I first read "The Help" when the book came out about two years ago and I loved it. I shared the book with a lot of people and eagerly looked forward to the movie and this summer was not disappointed. I highly suggest everyone go see this and take their teenage children - there is a history lesson mixed into the story.

3) As hard as I try, it always seems like the weeks we have a vacation or getaway planned is a non-pay week. Therefore no matter when, it feels as if we are stretching our dollars - really far - when we go away. I really have to look at the calendar more carefully when planning a trip/vacation/getaway!

4) Was watching the MTV awards the other night and I was looking forward to hearing from Britney Spears and was disappointed that she did not get some time to talk. It seems like the hot commodity is Lady Gaga and to be honest, it's already overkill. Why we, as a society, continue to prop up and showcase the new hot thing - to death, is just perplexing to me.

5) Well, you know the fall makes me think of Back to School or for adult - Back to Reality. As part of my BTR, last night I did the seasonal changeover of the purse - and the ritual removal of the ankle bracelets. I know it's old fashioned, but I do like those fashion rules.

Don't forget to vote for me in the CBS3 Most Valuable Blogger award - voting is open until September 9th and you can vote once a day! Thanks!!!!

Hurricane Irene Aftermath - Hightstown

2011-09-03T12:16:00.000-04:00

I wanted to share some of the aftermath of of the Hurricane Irene flooding. If you check out the tree above you can see the mud line and how high the water was here. Below is the Water Treatment plant that was totally submerged in the pictures I posted earlier.

The two pictures above show the force of the water that came over the dam/bridge. Those walls were steel pipes in reinforced concrete posts - and they were just ripped to shreds. The photo, well to be honest, just was a nice opportunity to take a shot I might be able to use later in a decorating or staging project.

This is Main Street once the water receeded. One of my favorite places in town, Molto Bene, really suffered some serious damage and I hope they can reopen in the near future.

Below is the one during/after shot that I though showed the extent of the flooding. This is the same view - you can see how the water was above the fence and had filled in the parking lot of the treatment plant (and the greenway).

More Living Room Re-Do Sneak Peek

2011-08-31T11:32:00.002-04:00

This is the wall across form the large picture window. I really like the composition and the photographs. I took them myself on a cruise - the are close ups of blown glass orbs. Great colors to brighten the wall. The larger pillow is the inspiration that I used for the redesign.

The best news is the cost of this whole wall. The mirror was purchased on clearance at HomeGoods for just $35.00, the frames and photographs were $9.00 total, the box shelves came from my home staging stash and the tchockes are from my home, with the exception of the green bamboo votive holder from PartyLite (which I got for free as a party hostess!) Total Cost $44.00

Any thoughts?

Hurricane Irene - Peddie Lake & Hightstown

2011-08-28T10:03:00.000-04:00

Pictures from Downtown Hightstown, NJ and the historic flooding of Peddie Lake:

Just Amazing....

Hurricanes and Parenting......

2011-08-27T21:23:00.000-04:00

When I heard about Hurricane Irene coming up the eastern coast of the US, I started to track it.

Not because I was worried about New Jersey, but because I was worried about my son - you know, the one in college - in Myrtle Beach! The path had it landing right on the NC/SC border, which would have reeked havoc on the Myrtle Beach area.

I started to watch every radar, listen to every weather channel, track bloggers who blog about the weather and well, generally drive my husband crazy. Will the school let us know if they are evacuating? Should he go inland to shelter? Should I think about flying him home?

How much can one person panic....well, apparently a lot.

Then I realized how crazy I was getting. I had to let it go, trust the school and my son to do all the right things. So I let it go.

Do you know what my son worried about all week? Getting his books..and his pillow.

By the way...as I sit here typing this the hurricane is battering New Jersey and I am soaking up the water seeping into my office (ground can only hold so much, right?).

It's going to be a long night....

The "Sweats"

2011-08-24T14:15:00.000-04:00

I dread the "sweats". I never thought that this part of menopause would be so difficult or go on for so long.

I have always been one of those erratic period women, never knew from one month to another what it would be like and how my mood swings would be. To be honest the best two stretches of my life were when I was on the pill for about 10 years and the nine glorious months I was pregnant with my wonderful son.

The pregnant time was made even more wonderful as my IBS symptoms seemed to just vanish as well!

But for the last 3 1/2 to 4 years, I have been working my way through the peri to menopause route and I honestly thought that once I reached Nirvana - ahhhh - that the mood swings and hot flashes would stop.

Well ladies, that is a crop of crap fed to us by male doctors.

I am like the sweatiest person ever. I stick to everything. I glisten.

I now believe that there is a heating pad attached to every article of clothing I wear and it turns on regularly just to F**K with my head. I now believe that I could eat soy morning, noon and night and it would only make me bulk up - not sweat less.

I have tried Black Cohash - nothing. Back in the day - black hash did more for me. Maybe that's it - maybe I should be smoking the Black Cohash!

So I continue to sweat. and smile.

At least until the next mood swing!

Using Bookcases in your Room

2011-08-23T07:09:00.000-04:00

So many of us love books, to read, to enjoy, and most of all to display. A book is something that you may want to go back and read again - or it may be that the color of the cover caught your eye and it would look great in your room.

But how do you display those beautiful books (like this one)?

Bookcases, of course. I am a big proponent of incorporating bookcases into almost any room design. Not only to house your books, but to add another layer of decorating. Shelves can be used to display beautiful items in addition to books. This asymmetrical set works by creating visual art with the shape and with the contents.

Look at how the bookcases below not only provide needed display and storage space, but look at the color focus throughout. The use of the orange really sets off the books in the middle. It does not look to full or too empty and the white bookcase sets beautifully against the taupe walls.

The bookcase below is visually stunning even when empty. This could be used as a focal point in a room that does not have one naturally. Picture that pop of white against a darker wall color, and the ability to store larger books adds to the appeal.

Finally, I am including the Study from the 2008 Southern Living Show Home. They state "The high-ceilinged study features two-story built-in bookcases." When you build in bookcases around the room such as these, you open up the floor plan and the furniture in the room can be placed as if no bookcases exist.

Remember that bookcases can serve several functions: Storage, display, or art. They can certainly add visual interest to any room. Just remember to keep those overstuffed bookcases in your local library!