The Art of the Display: Things Piled Un-Neatly


I'm liking things piled un-neatly into shelves lately.  There's a sort of casual look about it that I'm liking; something refreshing –rather than stored neatly.  Hard to explain, but here's a few pictures of what I mean.  Above a loft in Florence where architect, Alessandro Capellaro used vintage found boxes to create this modular bookcase which is filled with different sizes of reclaimed wood from Marie Claire Maison, photo by Nicolas Mathéus .

Club Monaco, Toronto - Photo: Margot Austin
Or this display of books at the newly revamped Club Monaco on Bloor Street in Toronto.  Love that they are displayed not showing the spines as one usually sees books, and then piled as they are. One could easily replicate this at home. Stylist and magazine editor Margot Austin spotted it on a recent visit and shared it on her blog.  Also from Club Monaco (in the two images below) the stored firewood in this entrance way (or vestibule as she called it - don't you love that word), and more books in the fireplace.  See more photo's at Margot's blog here.

Photo: Margot Austin

Photo: Margot Austin
Elina Dahl

Love these newspapers folded un-neatly in this rack. From the beautiful Swedish blog of Elina Dahl.

I know we've seen something similar piles with magazines (either wrapped in bundles and then piled or with belts) - but I'm liking the books best.  Such an easy thing to do and the look appeals to my aesthetic right now!  Do you like it?  Yay or nay?

Jan Halvarson

13 comments:

Lauren said...

I really like this effect in yarn stores with shelves of yarn. Piles are delightful sights, aren't they?

mamarae28 said...

Love this idea! Thanks for sharing! :)

Jan Halvarson said...

Lauren, oh yes i love yarn stores with all those piles.

Rachel - yay!

flwrjane said...

The books in the fireplace leave me feeling a little queasy.....

Too many crazies running around the Country these days. Burning books might be their next suggestion.

All else? Love.

Marissa Buschow said...

Ha! My 1st reaction to those sorts of piles is, "Holy crap just think how many brown recluses would live there..." Clearly a country girl.

Unknown said...

I'm a pile, but messy piles are only OK if they are contained (like the first three images), otherwise I just want to tidy them! Lol

Emily said...

My slight OCD would never allow me to do this with my own books, haha, but I do love the look of it... elsewhere, not in my house ;)

Faded said...

@Marissa: me too! "HOARDERS" really makes me cringe! Brown recluse aside, I love the look but given my wreck of a house it just wouldnt look the same. Not that it's going to stop me from trying it right now! :)

Natalie said...

I like this idea a lot, especially the books piled in the fireplace. It gives the room a more cozy, lived in feel. I have to say yay.

Elina said...

Your blog is fantastic! Happy you liked my photo :-) /Elina

Anonymous said...

Looks brill... not sure I can manage tidy piles though, mine always just look messy!

Anonymous said...

This is just silly-either have books available for reading or give them away.

sf said...

I totally agree with Anita, who posted a year ago - and I am all about the idea of piles of books, believe me! I have plenty, with the spines showing so I can find in a second the one I seek -
but she said "This is just silly-either have books available for reading or give them away." abd in my opinion, she hit the nail on the head.