Home Home Decor Ideas How To Style Open Shelves By Southern Living Editors Updated on March 10, 2017 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn Decorating expert Phoebe Howard shares the secrets behind her curated and compelling arrangements. 01 of 07 Phoebe's Formula: Keep it Simple Photo: Laurey W. Glenn Combine books and objects. Books can be neatly arranged horizontally or vertically. Top stacks with small objects, and then throw in larger items, such as vases, for variety. Keep shelves relatable. Take cues from the room's palette to connect your display to the overall space. Try painting the backs of shelves with an accent color, and always select objects that color coordinate. Express your personality. Phoebe says, "Shelves are a living decoration. Fill them with books that you want to look at again and again and items that reflect your interests." Edit, edit, edit! Every so often, strip shelves down and start over. "Keep only the items you love." she says, "and give objects plenty of breathing room." 02 of 07 Get the Look Photo: Laurey W. Glenn Warm Red Hardbacks $13.99/foot; booksbythefoot.com 03 of 07 Get the Look Photo: Laurey W. Glenn Tortoise Shell Natural Pair 12" H × 8½" W with 6" × 4" base, $333.96/pair; interiorhomescapes.com 04 of 07 Get the Look Photo: Laurey W. Glenn Preserved Boxwood Globe 11¾" H × 8" D, $75; restorationhardware.com 05 of 07 Get the Look Photo: Laurey W. Glenn Walnut Burl Boxes with Black Lacquer $90 to $140; Pacific Connections, 415/285-2873 06 of 07 Get the Look Photo: Laurey W. Glenn Teco 2 Buttress Vase (TAPC06) in Orange, 6½" H, $75; www.prairiemodstore.com 07 of 07 Get the Look Photo: Laurey W. Glenn Faux Coral In Ivory, large, 13" H × 9½" W × 7 1/12" D, $59.95; zgallerie.com Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit