enJOY it

an archived personal and craft blog from Elise Blaha Cripe.

wall of shelves.

Shelvescomplete

When I shared our main room as part of our "house tour" at the end of May, I mentioned the "empty corner" that I didn't quite have a plan for yet.

Emptyarea
Tobefilled

As you can see, it was dead space in the corner that lead towards the kitchen. We considered adding seating. We considered adding a desk. We considered adding traditional bookshelves. All of that could have worked, but none of it was really needed. So instead we went with another "not needed but super fun" idea – a shelving unit to house various plants, art, pottery, candles and photos.

Shelvesempty

I was so inspired by this shelving unit and so that is exactly what we went with. I bought three black tracks & 14 brackets at Home Depot and had wood cut to size (two 78" pieces, three 45" pieces, one 36" piece). I stained the wood with just one coat of Minewax Espresso. Last Saturday morning, while my parents were in town, we got the shelves hung (the tracks are all mounted on wall studs) and then I played around for awhile until I was happy with what was on them.

Above is a 46 second video of my arranging process. The organizing part is truly my favorite part. I set my camera on a tripod and took photo after photo as I shuffled stuff around. The song is 1-4-3 by Rabbit. 


Shelvesprogress

I pulled stuff from other spaces and cupboards in our house, framed a few new photos, added a few plants and included a few clearance Nate Burkus vases recently picked up at Target.

Shelvesdetail2

The big plant up top is a hanging plant from Home Depot. It's crazy huge and I hope it continues to thrive, but we'll see how it does not being near a window. 

Shelvescompleted

I am most excited that I was able to get that framed Chez Panisse art displayed.

Shelvesmirror

And it felt great to get that mirror up on the wall.

Shelvesdetail4

It has been up a week and I am still startled every time I turn the corner from the bedroom each morning. I'm thrilled to have filled another empty wall complete and happy to get some of our photo albums and "stuff" out of cupboards.

*yep, yep! This wall, like many areas of our house, is not child-proof. We know! We'll figure out what works best for our family when Ellerie is on the move.

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57 responses to “wall of shelves.”

  1. Erin Joy Avatar
    Erin Joy

    Gorgeous, Elise! That huge plant, I believe is a Philodendron and they do very well out of direct sunlight. I have several and find that if they’re right in the light, they suffer. Also, they need less water than one thinks…mine are practically ignored for a month at a time and are beautiful 🙂
    Your home decorating is so inspiring!

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  2. Jen L. Avatar
    Jen L.

    Too fun! Love the use of that space. So loved the video. Of course, I think your art work and style is divine – one of the reasons I keep coming back to your blog. Only time will tell what little E needs by way of childproofing. You are an in-touch mom; you’ll figure it out as you go.
    Cheers, Elise.
    Jen

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  3. Ffion Avatar
    Ffion

    Looks fantastic! Wow, a lot of thought and experimentation went into that process, thank you for sharing! Goes to show that a nice composition doesn’t just fall from the sky!

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  4. Carrie Avatar
    Carrie

    Holy crap, such a cute video. I don’t think I have seen you do one like that before…it’s good!
    And I agree with Erin…your plant will most likely be fine since it will still be getting some indirect sunlight.

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  5. Debra Avatar
    Debra

    This is so nice! Love it.

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  6. Lauren Avatar
    Lauren

    You could always try switching the plant out with another one closer to a window every few weeks or so. I’ve been doing that with a few in our house and the rotation pattern seems to be working. It also makes the plants stand out more after I’ve moved them since I’m not used to seeing them in the new place!

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  7. andrea Avatar
    andrea

    amazing. It really looks just great.

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  8. Manda Townsend Avatar
    Manda Townsend

    Love this Elise! The video is incredibly clever.

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  9. Cary Avatar
    Cary

    Love your creativity with the decor and the video. I also see Ellerie’s toybox or a childs table and chair set under it someday!

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  10. Sam Avatar
    Sam

    In kindergarten, my teacher brought in one of those plants for an activity – we called it a Rapunzel plant. Each student cut off and took a small cutting home, then drew the roots out in a glass of water, then planted it.
    I think my mom finally threw the plant away a year ago… and it was giant. I think it went most of its life in a corner without sunlight OR water and it still threatened to take over half the house.
    This long story is meant to say – I think your plant is going to make it.

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  11. elise blaha Avatar
    elise blaha

    🙂 love this story!!

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  12. Bambou Orchidee Avatar
    Bambou Orchidee

    Elise, this is awesome! I love it, thank you so much for sharing. And I really love the way you made this little video (especially loved (and laughed during) the photo series when you made several teeny-tiny changes of the little succulent on the third shelf). Thank you, I’m a huge fan!

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  13. AnaGlezGcia Avatar
    AnaGlezGcia

    Jajaja, I love the “indecision plant moment”. The result is great, and the video, I have no words… I also like a lot the mirror on the other wall, have you ever told the story? I wish I could grow plants like you do…mine always die… 😦 Have a good day!

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  14. Kayla Aimee Avatar
    Kayla Aimee

    I love it! And seriously, Scarlette is almost 3 and we never childproofed that sort of stuff. I mean, we got outlet covers and blocked off the fireplace but we literally just told her what things were “no touch” and we have chess sets and picture frames and whatnot all on our shelves within her reach and she doesn’t even bother them because they’ve always been off limits. She is much more interested in coloring all over my walls anyhow.
    I love the video so much and also am jealous of all your plants. Jeff told me I could not buy any more indoor plants because I keep killing them all. We’ll see how my new fern does.

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  15. Mac Avatar
    Mac

    FYI, that big plant is going to do great! I’ve had the same species in my bathroom for a year. My bathroom has no windows, AND we keep the door shut most of the day to keep our toddler out, but the plant keeps growing!
    And I have to have to admit, I’m one if those bitter mommas of toddlers with blood shooting out of my eyes at how NO BLOGS POST baby proof decor. My first child never bothered our decor, but this new one just destroys everything! I even hide some of their toys from him if I don’t want them ruined! When you get to that phase, please show us your real house! I feel like most mama bloggers have one version for the photo op and put everything away as soon as it’s over. If you find somebody posting tasteful baby proof stuff, please link it! Some of us are desperate!!! LOL

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  16. lindsey Avatar
    lindsey

    what a fun video! looks awesome!

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  17. mandie Avatar
    mandie

    I love this! I’m currently trying to decide how/what kind of shelves to install on our living room walls- they’re pretty sad and lonely right now. Yours look great!
    And about your not kid-proof wall, I created an open pantry system in March- before I knew I was even pregnant. I know we’re going to have to change it eventually, but for now, it stays, and I love it. 🙂

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  18. Carlee Avatar
    Carlee

    I really love this! I have been looking for ways to add stuff to empty wall and I want to do more then just add single photos. This is a great idea.
    Carlee
    http://thelittlesloth.blogspot.com/

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  19. Mareen [eeny] Avatar
    Mareen [eeny]

    love this wall. looks amazing.
    definitely have to keep it in mind for my future apartment.
    the plant up there should be fine. my mom has one just like it and it grows like weeds wherever it is placed.

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  20. Megan Anderson Avatar
    Megan Anderson

    I love the shelves and the video of you putting them together was so fun! The balance is amazing.

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  21. Leah G Avatar
    Leah G

    Such an inspiration! We have a couple of similarly empty spots in our home and I have been on the fence for years about how to handle them.
    I adore your video. I think the indecisive plant part is my favorite, too.

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  22. kristen Avatar
    kristen

    The shelves look SO great, Elise! And I LOVED the video!
    xo

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  23. Tiffany B. Avatar
    Tiffany B.

    That is awesome – great job. Love the video!

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  24. Carrie K Avatar
    Carrie K

    i love love your house tours…it makes me so jealous of your beautiful big empty walls and open space 🙂
    this shelving is perfect…

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  25. Elise Avatar
    Elise

    I love love your style! Those shelves are so rad and that video is adorable!

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  26. Angie Avatar
    Angie

    You have great taste!!
    My favorite part of the video is when you put that succulent and then you turn it and again, and again until it is exactly the way you want it!

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  27. brianna Avatar
    brianna

    I love that the shelves look like they’re floating. Nice job!

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  28. gingersmith7624@comcast.net Avatar
    gingersmith7624@comcast.net

    Elise,
    I’ve been enjoying your blog since you were in your last trimester. I’m a wife, mother, and grandmother (my granddaughter, Lea is now seventeen months old). Your blog is lovely, as is your sweet family and home. I share your passion for green plants. I’ve found myself being inspired by your decor. And I love how you write to your precious little blessing. Congratulations to you, hubby, and family. Just wanted you to know you have a new follower! God bless you.
    Ginger

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  29. Jessi Avatar
    Jessi

    Haha. I love all your child-proof disclaimers. Believe me, most of my house isn’t child-proof and we’ve got 2. Not even an issue. People are far too worried about how other people parent 😉

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  30. brandie Avatar
    brandie

    We never really had to baby proof anything for our two girls. It was never really an issue with them getting into stuff. My nephew, on the other hand, is a destruction machine.

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  31. Alinor Avatar
    Alinor

    love the cute video! awesome space! i need more plants (and that’s like 95% because of (thanks to?) you!)

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  32. Skye Avatar
    Skye

    Fun video! I loved watching your arranging process. This is the perfect solution for that corner. I love your style. 🙂

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  33. May Avatar
    May

    I love all the green you bring into your home. I think it’s good for baby too. You make beautiful spaces!

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  34. Tami Avatar
    Tami

    i hope people aren’t harping on you about all your “dangerous” non baby proof things…and not that you are looking for parental advice but we did not baby proof our house, a simple no a few times and our kids learned. no baby gates etc

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  35. Brittany Avatar
    Brittany

    I seriously love this! I just bought a new house and have a lot more space than I’m used to. I’ve been looking for inspiration to fill up my walls, and this just might be one idea I use!

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  36. JillT Avatar
    JillT

    Love the vimeo. Love the arrangments. You TOTALLY had me fooled with the “bronze”+love+3. I was thinking. . .”that’s going to need to be sent to the archives in a few years” 🙂

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  37. JSKF Avatar
    JSKF

    This is awesome! Coincidentally, just before I saw this post my husband agreed to put up similar shelves in our house this Saturday! And if you got your plants from the Home Depot on Balboa, it will likely do really well. We’ve had good luck with them from that store. And if you don’t, bring back the dead plant and get a refund. Easy as pie!

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  38. Kathy Avatar
    Kathy

    The shelves look fantastic and a great way to fill up dead space. The “decorating” is an art and it’s something you are very good at. Thanks for sharing and in the meantime you have a while yet before your bub is going to be on the move so enjoy it while it’s like this and adapt as you go. Regards Kathy A, Brisbane, Australia

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  39. Pascale Avatar
    Pascale

    this looks very very nice. Love it! 🙂

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  40. elise blaha Avatar
    elise blaha

    I will for sure keep it real. 🙂

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  41. elise blaha Avatar
    elise blaha

    thank you so much.

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  42. peta Avatar
    peta

    It looks awesome! I love your style of decorating. I am about to move so I am sure I will be turning back here for new decorating ideas.
    As for the shelves – you can always teach Ellerie the concept of ‘No’. Teaching kids to understand the concept of some things being off-limits is actually a gift to them. More parents should try it.

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  43. Giulia Avatar
    Giulia

    ahhhh i can’t get over how creative you are! that video is so fun:)

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  44. Judy Avatar
    Judy

    We watched the movie Tootsie the other night and saw that Chez Panisse poster in his apartment. I knew I recognized it from somewhere…

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  45. Suzanne Avatar
    Suzanne

    I think your little video is just fantastic! Way too cute and I really smiled when you kept switching the little pot back and forth and then settled in next to the smaller one. Just love it!

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  46. Helen Shields Avatar
    Helen Shields

    Love the shelves. Love the feeling of getting stuff done, organised and pretty 🙂 Just wanted to say with my first I child proofed with my second and third I did nothing at all and do you know what they never got hurt. I was just super conscious of what they were doing and used “uh no” with a head shake every time they went towards something they shouldn’t, they soon got the message. As you say you will figure out whats right for your child each one is different.

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  47. brittany Avatar
    brittany

    love this! can’t wait to do something similar when we’re finally out of military housing.

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  48. Lori Avatar
    Lori

    So great, so creative. SO why I read your blog first thing everyday. Thank you for continuing to share with your readers in this space.
    As far as babyproofing (and I’m sure you so don’t want to hear about it), but I actually did have to make changes for my uber-curious children. I love that for so many of your commenters it was never an issue, but for some reason, for my children, there was no amount of “no touch” and redirecting that worked. Maybe I wasn’t doing it correctly? 🙂 Anyway, however it plays out, however you handle it, you’ll no doubt do it with joy and grace. I just wanted to add another voice to the discussion in case anyone else reading is starting to question their parenting/sanity regarding babyproofing. They’re not alone. 🙂

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  49. Dana F. Avatar
    Dana F.

    Love your video! So fun! The shelves turned out great.
    And I just wanted to say how silly it is that you have to footnote about baby proofing your home. So tired of the scrutiny and bully-ness that comes from putting yourself out there and sharing your life. Of course you’ll figure it out when the time comes. I’m just sorry you have to explain that in advance. Seems to me like you’re doing a wonderful job as a mama already. Ellerie certainly looks happy and healthy! She’s a doll.
    I’ve been a mama for almost 7 years and you, Elise, are teaching me or reminding me of something with each letter you write to your sweet girl. So, thank you.

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  50. joanne p Avatar
    joanne p

    that was so fun!

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