There's one thing about actress Claudia Schiffer's internet presence that we love almost as much as her cat, Chip: the Argyle star's home décor.
Schiffer recently posted a photo of her living room, complete with a wooden grand piano and a minimalist rug, but our eyes were immediately drawn to her living room storage, specifically the open shelves she uses to display her small animal statues.
Open shelving is the ultimate way to display special items in common spaces while also providing storage that closed cabinets can't offer, and designers agree.
“I'm always super picky with my clients about functionality as well as beauty,” says Devin Shaffer, principal interior designer at Decorilla Online Interior Design. “Open shelving is no exception. In spaces like living rooms, many people think of décor as the top priority, but these rooms are increasingly shrinking in size, so functionality becomes important.”
Devin Shafer
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Interior Designer
San Francisco-based interior designer Devin Shaffer has a Bachelor's in Interior Design and is the Principal Designer at Decorilla Interior Design.
One of the great attractions of open shelving is the space it allows to highlight personal interest and transform the space into a home library (a treasure trove of bookshelves, anyone?) or conservatory.
“If you're a bookworm, add a favorite book as a decorative as well as practical addition,” Schafer suggests. “There are beautiful special editions available that can add sophistication and mystique (or you can get creative and create your own covers!).”
“If you love plants, play around with small pots of succulents and other plants. There is a wide variety and they instantly add life and vibrancy to a room. If you love Art Deco, adding colorful objects like vases, clocks and pieces with different shapes and geometric patterns can have a stunning effect.”
Open shelves used to display prized possessions.
(Image courtesy of Future)
While it may be tempting to fill your shelves with lots of knick-knacks, Shaffer recommends being selective about the items you display and letting them breathe to avoid overcrowding.
“The overall look should be unified yet simple,” says Schafer. “Embrace minimalism by leaving some areas sparsely decorated to highlight both decorated and bare spaces, and be sure to stick to your personal style. Open shelving is a great option to show a glimpse of life and personality in your home.”
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Midcentury wooden bookshelf
