It was Michael's birthday this last weekend. He loves books more than just about anything (evidence), so we squeezed in a few stops to his favorite antique and used books stores as part of his b-day celebration.
I know. We're party animals, what can I say?
While he was browsing the smarty pants sections, I found some cool, new-to-me art and design books. (I'm excited to share some of them with you in a couple of Book Club posts!) One of my favorite finds was a set of three books from Martha Stewart. They were published in the 90s (almost 20 years ago!!), but they feel incredibly fresh to me. I had to scan in this page to share with you. Girlfriend was DIYing picture ledges while I was still in high school.
I've been wanting to make a similar photo ledge wall in our house. We've been here for a few years now, and I'm ready to switch some things up a little, including taking down the gallery wall. I love having a place to share my favorite art finds, but I'm craving something more personal in here. I would love to print out and frame more family photos - mostly just candid shots.
We did something like this in my mom's formal living room. We printed out old wedding portraits of our family members and baby pictures of the grandkids. And then we used two rows of two IKEA picture ledges and just caulked the seam in the middle.
I'd love to figure out a great low bookshelf or long wall-mounted credenza for underneath the ledges that I'm hoping to make for my living room. I moved the formerly red (also formerly white) and now pale mint credenza up to the studio, and I am missing having a big anchor piece in the room. I'll have to figure something out there. I also bought a new rug that arrives this week and I'm going to paint our coffee table and do a few other quick-fixes. I'm most excited about this picture ledge project though! These are a few of my inspiration images:
Can you even believe that Martha image though? There are so many goodies in that book series that I'd never seen before!
JUST moved to my first house and was going to do a gallery wall around my tv but maybe I should change it up? The picture ledge does look more polished. Think a ledge could work around a tv or would that break up the clean lines?
ReplyDeletespeaking of fresh: the wedding shots and grandkids as the theme. perfection! and surprised to see 90's vintage being so chic.
ReplyDeletei'm a less-is-more-girl with these photo walls and shelves. I mean sure, a good handful (ie: your mom's) . . but several dozen make for a busy wall less enjoyed. i think anyway.
loved the post ~
Now's the time to say I think your green bathroom is so Martha Stewart, but with a little modern twist. I LOVE Martha Stewart! (she made our move to Connecticut, way back when, exciting rather than scary because I knew she had had a home there :0)
ReplyDeleteI did some photo ledges back around 1999 for my apartment that I shared with roommates. A father of one of the girls hung them for me. We had a friend take fun, black and white photos around town of the 4 roommates and it looked great!
I clicked on the link to the books, and Amazon told me I bought one of them in 2002. Which I totally did and I even remember where it is (5 moves later) Now I know what I'm re-reading tonight!
ReplyDeleteI have been looking up the wall mounted credenza ideas on Pinterest and found some really beautiful options that I know you could def DIY-like Ikea's BESTA storage options, and some people have just mounted Ikea upper cabs on the bottom of the wall and wrapped in wood. I'm thinking of doing something similar in my foyer. Thanks for blogging, Jenny! I've followed you for years, literally, like pre-New York and you are such an inspiration and just fun people. Take care!
ReplyDeleteI have all of these Martha books! I was OBSESSED with Martha in the early 90s. There was a promo going on with Minute Maid orange juice. You would have to save up a certain amount of bar codes from the juice container, and then send them in to get your book. I drank TONS of orange juice to get my books! I still have them. I think they've stood the test of time, and I regularly get rid of books that are out of date.
ReplyDeleteI will forever love the old Martha Kids magazines, I was in high school and stock-piling them. ;-) I didn't take into account that when I would actually have kids, I would be SO TIRED and not nearly as crafty! ha! Love the ledges look, one of my inspiration pics for them is India Hick's fab shelves, so chic!
ReplyDeleteSince I am probably your oldest reader, I know all about those Martha books. I have every single one! The nice thing about Martha is that she never goes out of style.
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure Martha have never been called Girlfriend before. Lol. You're the coolest.
ReplyDeleteLove Martha! I just read something (probably on Pinterest) that she didn't become "Martha Stewart" until she was 35. Before that she was a banker...Amazing, don't you think??
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Really so beautiful and decorative post shared here .The picture you have shared of living area are too good.Thanks for the blog keep updating more like this.Sharing something for all about bathrooms as there are many innovative small bathroom makeovers sites with which we makeover our bathroom with creative bathroom ideas and bathroom design and get your bathroom looks wonderful.
ReplyDeleteMartha has always been the bomb. What a great find and happy you shared your discoveries. I had to force myslef not to hoard her magazines.
ReplyDeleteI debated for a long time, between a picture ledge and a gallery wall recently, but in the end settled on a gallery style because I felt the ledges were just a bit too casual for the look I wanted, BUT now that I'm reinspired about ledges, I pretty certain I have the perfect space in another room I hope to makeover this fall.
I have those books, and the fourth one, too! I got them for Christmas one year when I was in high school. I wondered recently if I was the only one who thought the stuff in there still looked really good.
ReplyDeleteI love photo ledges. Perfect for other things alongside photos too!
ReplyDeleteyou have completely inspired me. I've been struggling with book storage and i adore these low to the ground shelves. thank you jenny!
ReplyDeleteI'd love the design of your chandelier
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