What Color Should I Paint My New Shelves?

So I really really need to whip the office into shape. Ben is planning to move his stuff 'n' things downstairs to make room for new baby plus old baby plus a guest room upstairs, but we're a ways away from making the former dining room into a functional office. Namely we desperately need to figure out how to fit doors to our double wide entry that opens into yet another door, but considering that conundrum is giving me a headache so instead I bought some pretty shelves. Behold.

Nice, yes? They're solid mahogany so the whippersnappers can't flip them over whilst riding tricycles through the house. Also, I like that they offer some closed storage down low. But that color is barfaroni and I must decide what color to paint them. To give you an idea of what's going on with the rest of that wall, I'm planning to add sconces to either side of the painting, toss in some pillows, and get rid of that monstrous coffee table.

I know. I know. I've been threatening to get rid of it for two months, but this time I really mean it. IT HAS TO GO THIS WEEKEND OR I MIGHT DIE.

Not that I am feeling melodramatic about the situation or anything. Anyway, if you recall my original plan was to install built in shelves around the sofa and paint them wall color, like so:

But then my buddy Christian suggested I get a pair of vintage brass etageres to avoid constructing a box around my already boxy sofa.

Yes, these would do nicely. The problem is that the office is very tiny and dimensions are tight -- I just couldn't find anything that would fit. Oh, and the other problem is budget -- the pair of shelves I purchased cost less than a third of one vintage etagere. Not having to double mortgage your home to buy one shelf = priceless.

So back to the matter at hand: what color should I paint the shelves that I already bought? I confess to having a certain yearning for a corally salmon color, like this:

But then I reminded myself that this is to be a man's office, and it's already bad enough that I have a giant painting of a girly lady hanging front and center. (Not that this guilt will stop me from buying some pillows in that delicious color...)

Also, these guys are a little hulking. I think it's best to choose something darkish that recedes into the wall... And although antique gold is still appealing, perhaps I ought just go with the wall color (Dark Harbor) in a gloss finish, as per the original plan? Karly thinks so.

Other choices might go a little something like this:

On the left is Black Iron (same color as our banister trim), and on the right is City Shadow (cool gray with maybe a hint of purple).

Ok guys. My job here is done. I'm tired of looking at paint colors, so it's your turn.

What should I do?

[Inspiration images via Maison 21's pinterest]

Split Personality Throwdown

Hi, my name is Erin, and I'm two people. Ok, well to be perfectly literal I do in fact have another person growing inside my belly (weird!), but what I'm talking about is the other person inside my brain -- her name is Stacy. You can blame this identity crisis on my mom, who called all three of her darling children by their middle names, thereby ensuring an uphill battle to maintain a consistent persona. Mostly I have learned to answer to any name by which I'm called, but still I cringe when I hear "STACY!" barked out at the Dr's office and know the clueless registrar means none other than Yours Truly. Let me tell you about Stacy -- she's a nutcase. She thought her name was really Anastasia and someone (talking to you, Mom) made a terrible spelling error. Stacy revealed herself in high school, tired of finally fighting the good fight to just be Erin, dammit. Stacy was kinda grungy, dyed her hair purple, got a nose ring, went on to college and did, ahem, the things college kids do -- namely pull in a near 4.0 in between partying. Hard.

She likes a lot of color and for you to feel slightly uncomfortable in her presence.

Because there is a special kind of cognitive dissonance that occurs in the push/pull between organization and entropy.

She's a wild child, but the floors better be clean or she will whip your ass.

And of course you know me, little ol' Erin. My last house was pretty much black, white and gray, with a hefty dose of brown, because that is where I feel safe and comfortable. I am a rational being, and I don't need any overly decorative crap chintzing up my life.

'

That's not to say that Erin, I, whomever, doesn't have a sense of humor.

She just thinks you might feel more comfortable if the lines are clearly drawn, if things are proper and orderly.

Nothing wrong with that, right?

Now, if you can't yet tell, there's a hole in my brain and I'm struggling to balance the two personalities within. For a long time, the neutral, sensible side has been in control. But lately the crazy party ho has been yearning to break free.

Don't worry -- no part of me is actually a ho. That was just a little poetic license.

Anyway, I learned long ago that it's better to balance Jeckyll and Hyde, lest a monster break free and run rampant all up in my house, or it get so dreary and overly polite in here that no one feels free to do other than take tea and eat crumpets.

Not that I would kick a crumpet out of bed.

And there you have it, I AM a ho -- a carbohydrate ho.

At least there are some things all my personalities can count on.

Stay tuned to see how the other issues resolve themselves. My house is a battleground.

Advice (both decor and mental health related) is always appreciated.

[little blue deer, Poppytalk, Kriste Michelini Interiors, NYT, The Aestate, NYT]

Please go to my Pinterest to visit all the wonderful friends I stole these images from.

I'm Not Dead Yet

I'm back from paradise, tanned (or ever so slightly less pasty) and relaxed (or perhaps at least vaguely less stressed out). Due to another crappy doctor's report the day before we were scheduled to fly out we really weren't sure we'd be able to go, but after much conferencing we hopped on a plane and I'm happy to report that the whole family survived the trip unscathed, even the fetus. My mom got married, we spent a lot of time by the pool, and everyone drank their weight in vodka. Except for me. Boo hiss. I'm having some issues re acclimating to the time zone, by which I mean that I would prefer to spend the entire day lazing in bed and catching up on tv, so don't expect any fabulous decor related news today (although I have been changing some stuff up, so expect many pleas for help later in the week). Mostly I just wanted to drop in and say, Hey -- I'm ok.

And also to point out that Ike is angling to become captain of the croquet world.

Fun times were had by all.

See you dudes tomorrow!