Styling shelves is one of those tasks that never gets boring. Need a work break? Swap out your favorite tchotchkes. Feeling the itch to redecorate but don’t have the energy to rearrange furniture? Create a special spotlight for a stack of your favorite books. There are endless takes on how to get the most aesthetically pleasing shelves and we love to find a new pro-approved method. Interior designer Amber Lewis recently posted a peek at her own bookshelf refreshes on Instagram and there’s one styling moment we’d never seen before.
In one of the projects she shared, hidden among swooping ceramics and columns of books is a small, vintage stool (zoom in on the picture below to see it). We’ve spotted similar objects nestled next to bathtubs and living room fireplaces but we can’t recall ever seeing one situated on a bookshelf. Typically used as a perch for feet, or even reads and a cup of morning coffee, you don’t often get the opportunity to admire a stool just as it is. For something that’s such a staple, it’s about time to give the simple design its flowers.
Looking to get a similar look? If you’ve got a sense of humor and a passion for historic Herman Miller designs, this trio of model-sized Eames stools will earn a spot on your shelf. Alternatively, this pair of Wenge Wood Mini Stools serves up a somewhat unexpected shape, perfect for using as a paperweight for your to-be-read pile.
For something with a big pop of color, Steven Bukowski’s Pluma Stool for Areaware checks major boxes—just make sure you pair it with some equally book spines for maximum impact, or go monochromatic against a royal-hued built-in for a real statement. And never underestimate the power of a sculptural leg, such as the notched design on the Faye Stool from Ferm Living. It’s just the reminder we needed that stools are actually pieces of art.
