But it didn’t have hidden storage. Sometimes I can’t be bothered to hide things in decorative boxes, you know? Sometimes you just need to HIDE things, but still have them accessible. Well, I came across a fantastic idea using a Billy bookcase from Ikea, with some fabric on the glass-panes on the bottom half of the bookcase — but more on that to come, once I purchase the thing!

I wanted to do some searching on bookcases, to see how other’s organized their bookcases, and the uses of said bookcases. Thus, Inspiration: Bookcases!

So perhaps you are a pack-rat and are just giving into the fact that you have a HUGE collection of STUFF and just want to show it off:

Or maybe you have a collection, but are a bit more refined and take a more traditional approach to it, by paring it back a bit..

Perhaps you don’t use a bookcase for books, but holding extra dishes?

Or a room divider?

Some people live in old buildings with built-ins that offer great architectural details…

Or maybe you add them yourself with trim and molding and a great POP of wallpaper or fabric…

Do you have any fun bookcases? A combination of hidden and open storage ‘cases? What is your style?

Don’t you love it when you randomly stumble upon something online? Something cute, fancy and drool-worthy?

Well I do, and I did it just now. I wanted to share Oh Joy’s shop with you all. You may recognize some of her work from places such as Urban Outfitter‘s where she designed the zodiac pillow cases as well as the glasses you can purchase. Super sweet.

But in her personal shop, she has some fantastic little notebooks, folders, and note cards.

All of her products feature either whimsical patterns or shniy overlays. The scalloped edges on her notebooks and a bit of character and girlish charm. The graphic designer in me LOVES the shapes and patterns she has created, from the graphic leaves…

To the intricate-looking agate pattern…

To what might be my favorite, the stones:

All of her products are reasonably priced; the notebooks going for $13.50 for 72 lined pages, to her folder set of 8 (4 of 2 patterns) for $20, to some sale products ranging from $5-$8.

They would make great gifts, for a friend or for yourself. I’m considering picking up a notebook or two — definitely beats the Quill Steno pad I’m using now — so stylish!

Photo by juhansonin

Bookcases, for example. I do not understand the purpose of coordinating books by color. Shouldn’t they be ordered by author, or series, or topic? I don’t want a CSS book that is green put next to my Asian cooking book. It makes no sense! I don’t want to look at the green books, or the orange books — I want my cooking books!

Another one that perplexes me is the clothing in the closet thing. I organize my closet by style: sweaters, nice tops, jackets, dress pants, dresses, etc. I can see all the colors in the closet, I want to be able to find a specific piece not necessarily something that is purple. Maybe it’s because I don’t have a ton of clothing, it makes it easier to find what I need.

Do you organize by color? Or do you organize by style, function, etc?