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Thursday, September 2, 2010

Shelf Life





Even Thomas Babington, the 1st Lord Macaulay, and 19th century British essayist was familiar with, and indeed wrote about," the dust and silence of the upper shelf." Most of us are familiar with that dust. I most certainly am. And not only on the uppers!



And for collectors, as we almost all are, shelf life is a way of life. How many shelves do you have? And what is on them? Most of mine are filled with vintage inspirations of one kind or another. Some are on their way (eventually) to my shop, and others are for inclusion in some future creation.



Shelving is one of the very first items of furniture needed for setting up house. So much so that in America, with our great wealth of personal property, a lot of it is now built in, albeit with cupboard doors on.



You have your type A's like Charles Lamb, an even earlier British essayist, who craved order on his bookcases, and referred to Two Races of Men, one of which whom were "borrowers of books--those mutilators of collections, spoilers of the symmetry of shelves, and creators of odd volumes." Well, I don't loan books either.



And what DID Emily Dickinson mean exactly when she wrote this?

I cannot live with you--
It would be Life--
And Life is over there--
Behind the Shelf--



There's a lot going on with my shelves. Sometimes it's just me thinking out loud.



Some objects stay where they are until something besides dust grows on them, or they change locations almost minute to minute.



It just depends on their shelf life!





















Thanks for stopping by! Ciao! for now!

Jacqueline

I'm linking to Debra's first Vintage Inspiration Friday Party, Cindy's Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday, Color Outside the Lines for Vignette Friday, Bargain Hunting and Chatting With Laurie for Favorite Things Saturday, and Funky Junk Interiors for Saturday Nite Special, and House in the Roses for Show off Your Cottage Monday!




31 comments:

  1. Oh, I love to study your vignettes. Evidence of a life well lived.
    Sherry

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  2. No wonder your tablescapes are so beautiful....you have so much "inventory" to choose from! Your editing is very focused, and it gives such a constant "look". I love it!

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  3. Hi Jacqueline... Back to back we are again:-) Love your post.. You always have a unique way of things... like your backward books...The aged pages are lovely and YOU always see these details... To know you is to read between your shelves!! And you have a fantastic set of shelves, carved and gingerbread Beautiful!!
    Bella

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  4. I found your blog through Common Ground. Love you things you have displayed. We have a ton of shelves downstairs that line an L hallway and I have a lot of knickknacks mixed in with the books.
    I also wanted to tell you about our new Giveaway Friday (goes up Thursday evenings). It's a convenient place for bloggers to link their giveaways and a one stop shop for readers to find them! Hope to see you there.

    Allison
    Atticmag

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  5. Your shelves are simply amazing! The little box on top of the stacked books is beautiful! What is that made out of? I think I *need* one of those! LOL...Have a great weekend!
    ~Des

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  6. That is the coolest book case/ shelf I have seen in a long, long time.
    You have it set up just right- love all the little treasures it holds!
    Tete

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  7. Would this be considered Eastlake? All the little details in the wood have me "atwitter". Dressing a bookshelf is an art in itself and you do a wonderful job. Placing your books backwards surely allows for more continuity and I'm loving all the elements you have chosen. Now I've said it before, but YOU, JQ are such an inspiration for me, plus I always know I've learned something when I leave.
    Thanks so much for joining in on the party tonight!
    hugs and love,
    Debra

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  8. Great post! I was enjoying it and then blown away with the pictures of the sides of the shelves! So pretty!

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  9. THat is gorgeous. I love all the detail on the shelf, and all your lovely displays...very cool!

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  10. Just love the photos and the post so reminded me of all the work I need to get done around here for the holidays...:)But I also got a few great ideas too...thanks Jacqueline
    Tina xo

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  11. Jacqueline this is stunning. I love the vignettes in the case, and that final picture of the case against the wall. It's inspiring, and that's what Vignette Fridays is all about! :) Thank you so much for participating this week! I hope to see you next week, too! :)

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  12. I am so falling for tone on tone colors anymore. Your shelf is beautifully decorated.

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  13. I'm following you now - enough said!

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  14. I found you through Artie, and I'm going to thank him. I'm now a fan and a follower.

    Your quiet and beautiful 'shelf life' sung its heartsong to me. Thank you for such a lovely post and for sharing such beauty.

    xo Isa

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  15. Love the Babington quote. My philosophy has always been, "Everyone sees different dust/dirt." My 6'5 husband is always the one who reminds me that the top of the refrigerator could use some love...from my perspective, the top of the frig never gets dirty! LOL. Thanks for sharing your charming designs. Cherry Kay

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  16. Your photos and displays just leave me gasping. Beauty gathered all in one place is kind of hard to believe!
    Brenda

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  17. And if you live in west Texas, then you begin to embrace dust, spec by spec it becomes a constant. And dust can collect from one minute to the next. I loved traveling through your shelves, it was a delightful journey.

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  18. I love your book shelf! And I love looking at every detail in your decor ~ so pretty! Thanks for sharing your book shelf and all the pretties on each one.

    Pamela

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  19. Lovely! I really like how you have done your shelves. Very pretty!

    ~Liz

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  20. That is an amazing shelf. I like the books turned outward....hmmm

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  21. Not only are the details on this shelf exquisite, the vignettes and photos are wonderful. Thanks for the lovely tone on tone inspiration!

    SNS sidebar highlight for this beauty!

    Donna

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  22. What a great quote! Yes, all these collections do seem to attract dust. That's OK, it just gives me the opportunity to hold these treasures and give them some TLC. Your shelves are filled with wonderful offerings, and I love the details on the sides of the case.
    Have a great holiday weekend. ~ Sarah

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  23. what a great display. i love the earthy muted tones!

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  24. wonderful post!!

    thanks

    blessings
    barbara jean

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  25. The ends of your shelf are really something. Everything looks so inviting.

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  26. Thanks for your sweet comment regarding Jayce. He appreciates your exquisite taste in clothing.
    Seriously, I have many blogs that I try to read as much as possible. But, I must confess that when I do have a minute, yours is now first of my list. Your photos are beautiful. Your vignettes are incredible and I love the way you weave wonderful literature into your posts. No matter how stressful the day.....your blog is like a mini vacation to a favorite place. Thank you for sharing!

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  27. Jacqueline, this is such a beautiful shelf. Love all of the carved detail on it. Your vignettes always have something unexpected, and they always look so pretty. I'm loving the dominoes in the pretty transferware. So glad you linked to Favorite Things Sat. laurie

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  28. Oh, I love this lovely little bookshelf and you've the most wonderful things on it. You really know how to make pretty! :)
    Be a sweetie,
    shelia ;)

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  29. Hello there! I love your post! I love the objects and the books displayed backwards! So Cool! You always do a great job! While looking at my September Victorias there were some pictures that made me think of you,
    God Bless,
    Kathy

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  30. I love shelves and bookcases...I guess we all do. Mine are full and seldom change...well, time to go dust..:))
    I love your pretty bookcase.

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  31. This is such a lovely post. Thanks for sharing your talents.
    ~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

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