Adding architectural features like open shelves

Open shelves can add so much detail and interest to a space, not to mention they provide excellent storage and functionality, and they also can be used to create architectural detail. In a former home, I had these shelves built in a den and it added a great deal of book storage, but it also created an architectural focal point in the room. Before these were built it was an empty space, and I love looking for nooks and crannies in a house to build in interesting features like this.

And in the kitchen I added open shelves that went floor to ceiling. Again, lots of great storage, but it provided an excellent space to display some of my favourite items too.

And in this kitchen I added open shelves in two areas - one space a column of floor to ceiling shelves - great for extra display of dishes or cookbooks. When you have a space to add shelves, you have a chance to really customize the area to fit the open space, and decide on width, depth and thickness of shelves.

And in the same kitchen some floating shelves above the sink add visual interest with lots of pretty items.

ASK DEB NELSON: WHAT DO I PUT ON MY COFFEE TABLE?

One thing I love experimenting with is a coffee table display. Like mantels and bookcases, your coffee table can have an attractive, stylish display of items. I tend to change my around a lot – but typically always have a plant or flowers (especially in the summer depending on what I pick from the garden) and a stack of books. Other items that can work are candles, a tray is always nice to help 'ground' the items and other small decorative objects. Strangely I often seem to have one natural item – a large rock, drift wood, sea shell, a pinecone or antlers. It's a place you can easily try a number of items until you find the look you like.  Here are a few of mine over the years.