Welcome to my longest written post ever.
A few weeks ago Erin Loechner who is best known from Design for Mankind but also writes for AOL’s Shelter Pop, posted my bookshelves on Shelter Pop and titled it “Cheap Tricks: Flip Your Books“. I was so excited that she found my bookshelves aesthetically pleasing. I had seen the idea of flipping your books backwards a few times, and I thought that it was a nice break from all of the color in my bookshelves. (Now saying that, I did this to maybe 20% of my books.) A few days later I received an email from sweet Erin, asking if I had seen the comments being left on the post. WOWZER!! I didn’t think flipping 40 books backwards would cause a design uproar.
(Image of the audacious move.)
Let me give you a couple examples of some of the comments.
“as a master carpenter, i see these so called “interior decorators ” all the time on renovations, and it never ceases to amaze me that they actually get paid (sometimes over paid ) to do this no talent job, while i’m always doing structural and precise high end moldings, and getting paid peanuts, oh well, nobody ever told me life is fair.”
and
“Amen! My first thought was: Is she kidding with this crappy idea? And my second thought was, who has books in which all their pages are edged in gold gilt? I happen to have real books of all kinds and all covers and all papers, and I’d say less than 10% of mine have gold gilt edged pages!! If you want to shift your bookcase to freshen its look, have some books upright, & have others flat & stacked, and have the books grouped by size uniformity and subject type… But ALWAYS have the SPINE & title showing!
MY bookcase is to house books I actually read, not to have it look like kindergarteners put the books back incorrectly (and no, it WON’T make it look pretty to do it the way this article writer idiotically suggested!)…”
Um, gold gilt??
Can people be that mean? Why yes, because when you are behind a computer, you feel like you can say anything, right?
Now let me explain something about myself. I love design and I love thinking outside of the box. Somethings I try and I love and some things are very temporary. But when it really comes down to it, who cares! Everyone has their opinion on the topic of design. Like I have said on this blog, everyone’s style is unique to them. That is the beauty of interior design. People should live in homes that are beautiful to them.
No book was harmed in me turning them around and I don’t think that they felt rejected in this process. In fact it might be a nice rest for them. Also, I love books and I love reading and so does Erin! (Just clarifying that for the person who commented on Erin and I not reading a day in our lives.)
So, with that being said, it sounds like some of you need a vacation. Maybe a break to get your joy bugs back.
And genuinely, thanks Erin for being amazing!
Watch this for some laughs. I love my husband!
77 Comments
Haha!! That video is so funny! I would love to see those people homes that are bashing you! I’m sure they need some help with design/decor in their homes! Love this post and love the flipped books! Bravo!
i’m at work and don’t have sound on this computer so can’t hear what your husband’s saying but i still can’t stop giggling! i could lip read some of the things he said though! great post and never mind the sad people out there. i’m sure you don’t flip the books you read regularly…that wouldn’t be very practical. as for the gold-edged books…where are they??
I couldn’t get the video to load, I’m sure it was funny
I can’t believe how mean some people can be! I’m with you 100%, it’s your home, your style, and your right to share! Plus I loved the idea and it looks fab
Keep up the good work Kirsten, glad you don’t let it discourage you
your husband is hilarious
)
and btw, love your idea!
your husband is your knight in shining armor. he is so funny. it’s interior design and supposed to be FUN! i liked the idea when i saw it.
Constructive feedback is always useful but otherwise, keep it to yourself people, I say. I think your bookcase looks beautiful, and I love that you can laugh them off.
I can’t believe people get so freaked out about one little idea. I think it all boils down to one word, that is jealousy (especially evident in the first comment!) I have to say I’m a little jealous too! Your blog and decorating style are so cool!
A fan in Japan!
P.S. LOL over the video!!!
Love it! He’s excellent, and nice delivery. I remember seeing on HGTV someone organizing books by color. It was a huge wall and it looked pretty cool. How dare they!
Oh dear. I went to the Erin’s post…good grief. I got a lump in my throat just reading what people were saying. The insults to your intelligence made my stomach turn. No matter, you’ve handled yourself beautifully in all this which is a shining, or dare I say…gold gilded (gilt?), representation of what kind of person you are! Keep it up…I love what you do Kirsten! S. is hilarious by the way.
i just went to your original post with the bookshelves and every comment was glowing. amazing how, once translated to a more “mainstream” blog, rather than one with a niche set of readers, the criticism flies. i guess it just takes a trained eye, with an appreciation for playfulness and creativity, to appreciate style.
thank goodness for this design blog community! keep it up!
Oh Kirsten! People can be so cruel (and dare I say a bit jealous?)
You do a great job, your house is gorgeous and you have fantastic style…you have so many supporters. Keep taking risks and having fun!!
Oh, my. People. I love your sense of humor about it and the suggestion that people get their “joy bugs” back–that’s classic! Your husband is awesome! It is unfortunate that sometimes the Internet can be so mean. Love your blog!
People are freaking nuts.
I am constantly amazed by the amount of negative comments that arrise on Design blogs (AT, I’m looking at you in particular). Like you said, everyone has their own sense of style. What works for one person may not work for another. Even if you think the idea is horrific, just move on. Why the nastiness.
While I understand that this idea isn’t for everyone, and maybe I wouldn’t do it to my own bookshelf, it looks lovely in your home and totally works with you aesthetic.
Ignore those meanies.
And you husband is adorable…
Oh golly. You know there are many important problems in the world that ought to get us all ired up rather than the ‘problem’ of the way you like to put your books on your bookshelf. After all, it is just a bookshelf in your home. Just a bookshelf.
HA! I loved the books when I saw them the first time, and your husband is hysterical!
The first post though, seriously, “as a master carpenter”, he probably makes “peanuts” because he’s a jerk. I wonder if he carries that attitude onto the job site? Pft I’d pay him peanuts too-scratch that, I wouldn’t hire him at all! Maybe you do well because you do beautiful work, AND you’re a beautiful person!?
I saw that mirrored dresser piece too (that I also loved!)… what if you had a mirrored bookshelf, and you pulled the books out just far enough so the spine and title were showing. Would that make the second poster happy? lol (J/K) people crack me up, but it’s also very sad that there are so many unhappy people out there, that they just can’t appreciate what other people do, even if they wouldn’t do it themselves! I love your work and check out your blogs whenever I can!
oh gosh just about wet my pants!!! he is so stinking funny!! oh controversy…people in Hatti r just trying to survive the day w/ loss of family and possession..yet soem peops instead of addressing real problems spend time upset at a book, what a sad waste of life.
hahah! thanks for making my morning.. I loved the video! way yo go backward books!!!
Kirsten I love your bookshelf! It is so clean, fresh and dreamy! Unless you are reading all your books at one time, books are just as much decor as anything else-they sit on shelves right and tables right? Exactly!
Shane-great video!
Love your attitude about it. Hilarious! I laughed so hard. And I’m with you….who really cares what other people think! It’s YOUR home.
haha! thanks for the laugh this morning! I love the books turned around I think we should all try it! in design there are no wrong or right answers- that’s what makes it so fun and inventive! you go girl!
oh, your husband had me laughing!
This whole affair–and especially the video of your fella–is hilarious. I frankly think your bookshelf looks GORGEOUS and it’s only a matter of time before I copy this idea
Funny! I think the bookshelf looks great!
I think your bookshelf looks gorgeous!!
Mean people feel so brave behind their computers – yuck!! Keep up the good work!!
Your husband is hilarious. Loved the video!
Oh dear god! I fucking love this! You & your hubbie are adorable! And to all those naysayers I say….”NAY!”
I have commented before on your gorgeous style & will say again that I think it is beautiful. Will you come to my house and turn some of my books around for me? 
I loved your style before but, now I adore you & it even more! My hubby would have done something similar if he felt his beloved was being attacked for no good reason. So good for him! I hope you have a great day hun & as I say about all of the meanies out there….fuck em.
xo
Melis
ps I hope my language didn’t offend
The silliness of mean comments just makes me want to curse.
oh my gosh. ridiculous. people are ridiculous. you are incredible Kirst…love you and your crazy husband.
Classic….seriously! I love it! Your hubbs is just too funny and you keep what you are doing Girl…your are so fab and your talent is beautiful! People seriously need to find a hobby because the hobby they have ( book bashing) is not working for them. I guess what the real problem was they just need a hug and told they are loved!
Wow! Can’t believe people can be that mean! I LOVE the idea of turning your books backwards…and your stuff always look wonderful! Keep up the good work!
I’m so proud of you Kirsten, and your book shelves look great!
Isn’t styling all about aesthetics anyways? Why get so upset and
offensive when it’s not like you walked into their homes and flipped
their books!
Silliness.
Your home is beautiful and I think your fans outnumber your critics
10-1!!
XOXO
I agree, some people need a vacation…or a therapist to work out some of their issues. I love the bookshelves and all of the other great inspiration that you share with your readers. Your husbands video was too funny!
Sarcasm! I love it! Sooo funny…”who thinks of that!” I am moving to Boise in May, I hope our paths cross you guys seem like lots of fun. I love people who can laugh at themselves. BTW keep experimenting!
That was great, Kirsten!!! Very funny!
Maybe they also have a hard time with people organizing their books by color. All that book segregating. It’s almost racist towards books!
Holy Cow Batman. I have never stepped foot in your house and seen it looking anything but beautiful and inspiring. Your bookcase looks amazing, life itsn’t about looking like everyone else anyway!!! Good grief!
jealous, those critical people are just jealous of your brilliant ideas. the video was completely funny! shrug it off, some people are just rude.
LOL! who wrote the script? He is good!!
and your idea was clever
Good grief! These people are too much haha…A smart person would know how to dislike an idea without name calling, or labeling the idea as stupid! lol Simply say this idea is not something I would personally embrace! oh well! Move on SG-you’re ideas are really well thought-and I appriciate the risks you take. I craked up at the person who said it would cause your visitors to be unerved? Ha a bit ocd perhaps on his part? Like someone will get shaky or frazzled seeing book pages vs. spines! Too funny!
I feel that John said it well though…even though he directed his sympathies towards Erin-I think he at least articulated his opinion well.
i love the uproar this caused! and btw – what is really nice about how you’ve flipped your books is it gives a sense of uniformity with the colors on the shelf. and i like that!
what i might add, but this is only b/c of the headspace i’m in these days, are some pops of color…
ahhahaha! your husband is cracking me up, i just laughed out loud! i mean, really, WHO CARES? why do people get so worked up about something that’s not even in their house. it’s your house so you get to do what you want!!
my favorite part of the video is the gold gilt ricochet animation… your husband is hysterical!! I’d like to know why the master carpenter is reading design blogs if he thinks it’s a no talent job… and p.s. I like your bookshelves!!
I can’t stop laughing. Your husband is amazing. I have to watch it again. Thank you for the giggles. Glad you kind find the humour in all this.
I don’t mean to be rude, but this is so absurd, it is kind of funny. The people who left such comments are in some serious need of a reality check. Seriously. I think yours was a great idea and I might even try it in my own home… when people ask me why I’ve done that, I’ll tell them I was inspired by a great designer/decorator.
Also, I LOVE your husband. Oh-gosh, that came out the wrong way. Not as in love-love… not the creepy internet kind of love… you know what I mean. right? He is great!!)
xxo
wow, people are mean. When you said that she contacted you asking if you had read the comments I thought you were going to go on about how pleased you were with the wonderful compliments people were giving you. Jeesh, people are rude. I think you’re right that they think they can say anything because they are behind a computer.
sad people, very sad. I appreciate your ideas. Even the ones that I dont feel apply directly to something that I would be interested in. That is what makes the world wonderful, we all see beauty in different things. Appreciating people, their ideas and their differences is what brings joy to my life. Thank you for sharing your creative ideas.
Simply Grove,
It is in my estimation that many of the great trends of our time, in both decor and fashion, were at first rejected and misunderstood by many…because they are unique, different, and lets face it, just plain awesome….my bet? Give it a year and we will all be turning our books around.:)
(and side note) I have to say, between your style and your husband’s humor, you two make one dynamite couple!
Great job Girl!!!
down with meanies! seriously!
i’m kinda in love with your husband…in a totally innocent way of course
I’m sitting here eating chips and homemade salsa and I almost just choked on a chip.
I mean, REALLY? Really, people? (I think Amy and Seth from SNL’s Weekend Update need to do their “Really?!” segment on this subject, although Shane did a great job!)
I have seen the “turn the books around” look before and, while I’m not a huge fan of it, it is simply not offensive enough to write nasty things about. OR about an innocent, talented designer who happened to try it out for fun on her bookshelves and is nice enough (and brave enough!) to put herself out there and share her love for design with the entire internet world!
Don’t let it phase you and keep on keeping on, Kirsten….
As you know, I have been “out of the blog world” since October. I’m so excited to get back involved now that we’re getting settled in our new State. What a PERFECT post for me to come back to! hahaha! I am seriously confused by people’s responses to design ideas. And way to go Shane for making this humorous (just like you guys)!!! Love you and love your style!
oh brother…seriously…… i love it.. i kinda tried this at my house awhile back but didn’t make it nearly as pretty as you did. i love it and love your style….and your hubby is hilarious! keep up the good work!
x trina
HILARIOUS!!! That video had me laughing hard!! I love it! I can’t believe the negativity… I think your idea is great and it looks beautiful! It’s nice to switch things up every now and again!
Thanks for the laugh!
Seriously????? Seriously????? All of those stupid comments for…..books backwards. What??? Well, if its any consolation, I think that you are the raddest decorator this side of the Mississippi!!!
Love your idea! Visit your site every day. Forget about those people with no humour in life.
Q
Oh my gosh I just laughed so hard out loud it startled the snoozing dog!!! Your husband’s video was hilarious! The comments are comical. Where do people like that come from – under rocks? ha ha ha…I get my fair share of mean comments too.
LUV this post. And LUV your shelves!!!!!
Aww I loved when you posted the idea to turn your books around! One day those schmucks will be doing it too:) btw… that video is great!
Love it! Your husband is too funny! Really are people that ridiculous to get so upset about a design preference? Glad you were able to make light of it, enjoy your space! =)
Oh, can I love your husband too, he is hillarious. I can’t believe people were so mean to you Kirsten, thank god you and your hubby have a sense of humour about design (it is meant to be enjoyed) and about the comments.
Cheers
Engracia
Why is it that the strange and grumpy ones always have to voice their lop-sided opinions anyway? i’d like to turn their books around. ;}
i love your creative and original ideas!
Ha ha ha!! Your husband is a comic genius. truth.
i love the books, so simple but really beautiful.
makes me wish my bookshelf was white.
please keep posting the little things that make our spaces unique and ‘us’
So cool!! It was all cool but the movie its just the best!
seriously people…you can love your books, just don’t LOVE your books {wink, wink}!! and we want more SAG on SG!!
I love that your husband stood up for you on this. That gold glimmer in the video? SO hilarious! Also, I really didn’t think your idea was something to get THAT upset over… people try new things all the time. What’s the big flippin deal? Everyone’s entitled to their opinion, but I think with how popular blogging has become, people are starting to forget about manners. I’ve run into this a lot… you just sort of have to let it roll off your back, as hard as it is. Especially when some of these comments feel like personal attacks, ughh.
Great comeback with the video though. And I happen to like the flipped books. Keep thinking outside the box, lady… that’s why we all love you!
this made my night! Actually laughed out loud. I can not believe the mean comments!!
and the video was hilarious!! especially the gold glimmer shining in the back! your husband rocks!!
AND I LOVE THE IDEA YOU FLIPPED YOUR BOOKS!
xx
callie
oh forgot,i have about 30 books with gold gilded edges!! they sell the classics at barnes and noble with the golden edges! plus i found old books in a house i live in when i first moved to chicago and the owner say I could have anything out of the basement i wanted that it was all rubbish……
i walked away with beautiful old books with gilded edges and old glass christmas tree ornaments! all free!
xx
callie
well for 40 books its a nice idea; but i have several thousand. still people cover books in paper, why not just flip them. now mine are all different shades of white and yellow, but the white in yours looks quite pleasant.
Wow, some people have really sad lives. The fact that they needed to put such rude comments out there like that just goes to show that they have issues. Don’t let the ill – mannered get you down! You are Awesome! Oh yeah, and Karma is a bi-otch. If they put bad energy out there like that, it’s going to come back and bite them in the butt sooner or later.
Pfff …
People are stupid.
But oh my, your husband is hilarious !
Best from Paris,
x x x
___mathyld___
You both are amazing!
I agree with elle. Whats the difference between covering them and flipping them?? Oh people. Why do you feel the need to judge judge?! Keep rocken it Kirsten!!!!
I want that side table! Do I need to learn to weld?
Don’t let those comments get to you! You do such a great job with your blog and I enjoy reading it for ideas every day. Keep up the great work!
That is freakin hilarious – well done!
Hahahahaha…great way to turn the criticism into an awesome post…and video!!!
hmmm…interesting; people post comments criticizing others who are mean and negative. and how do they do this? by being mean and negative themselves. sometimes we all need to look in the mirror.
oh, and btw, it is a big man/person who can admit that sometimes they make mistakes…and while the ‘turning the books around’ idea may be consider edgy; it really is not a great design idea. ::shrug:: no one will remember this.
Haha! I love your husband’s video! Keep up the amazing work-I LOVE your blog! You are incredibly talented
Debra could not have said it better, “people post comments criticizing others who are mean and negative. and how do they do this? by being mean and negative themselves.”
Dear Kirsten, I have a supportive link, showing you, that your design -nose is up to date, state of the art….. I proudly present the following. Read the headline first: “Display your books like art” and then have a look at the photo. http://www.livingetc.com/decorating/DISPLAY_YOUR_BOOKS_LIKE_ART_article_292622.html
Have a nice day, kindest regards
Tanja
PS: what a great guy!
hahahaaa! i bet those people are going to be sooo mad and even more jealous when they find out that you are not only super talented…but gorgeous and sweet too
I LOVE YOUR BLOG!
I love that you try new things, I am so glad that you took this opportunity to share some unkind, and even hurtful comments from those who don’t know you. It’s astoundingly sad to think that people can be so rude. I think if it’s your house, do it like you love it or why do it at all. Thanks for the inspiring blog.
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