Me, my shelf, and I

With interiors expert Geraldine James

Words: Charlotte Core

Since we’re all (unwittingly!) showing off our home décor more than usual via Zoom and Hangout calls, there’s no better time than now to give our shelves a bit of a spruce-up. For quick-win tips on how we can liven up our living rooms – and put our own personalities on display in the process – we turned to interiors expert Geraldine James. Then, the Selfridges team got to work creating our own brilliant #shelfies (if we do say so ourselves)…

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Geraldine James’ 5 tips to nailing that #shelfie

1. Start with a story
It’s always wise to have a theme or a story in mind – be it nature, collectables, or nostalgic memorabilia.

2. Play with perception
Make sure you have a selection of objects that vary in height – otherwise the display will look too uniform.

3. Pick ‘n’ mix
Mix up your textures, such as wood with glass, or paper with handmade pottery. This approach always draws the eye as it looks so tactile. If you want to put up shelves, consider using recycled or reclaimed wood, which gives a lovely texture and a bit of individuality.

4. Stay off-centre
This is so important: start with your largest item and place it off-centre, arranging the other objects around it. Trust me, this works!

5. Get creative with colour
[With shelves], colour can be added to your home without taking the plunge and painting a wall! I’ve been collecting green objects for displaying in my otherwise monochrome kitchen and they really add interest.

Shop Geraldine’s #shelfie favourites

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#shelfie by Geraldine James, published by CICO Books. Photography © CICO Books

How do you decide what the focus of a shelf should be?
I’m always guided by the room the shelf is in. Keep the look and feel the same as the overall décor [of the space], whether that’s monochrome or natural.

What advice would you give to someone who has a lot of clutter?
Take everything off the shelf, thoroughly clean it – as well as all the objects – and make a decision on what you want the story to be. Separate all of your things into groups, and it’ll become apparent what works. Be ruthless with what doesn’t – if you like it, store it away for later. If not, donate to the local charity shop.

If you have regular video meetings with the same people, it’s so fun to change the background slightly, or add something new each time!

– Geraldine James

#shelfie by Geraldine James, published by CICO Books. Photography © CICO Books

Do you change up your shelves regularly?
Yes, I change mine all the time! Definitely seasonally, but sometimes I might just be inspired to use something from the garden, or from a trip to the beach, just to give it a new look and feeling.

How has sharing images of our homes on social media – as well as via video conferencing calls – changed the way we style our homes?
There are nearly 2 million hashtags on Instagram for #shelfies – a clear indication of how popular they are! During this period of lockdown, where we’re seeing into the homes of just about everyone, it’s really illuminating. If you have regular video meetings with the same people, it’s so fun to change the background slightly, or add something new each time!

Geraldine James' brand-new book #Shelfie is available now.

More brilliant #shelfie homeware

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What does your shelf say about you?

We asked team Selfridges to share their #shelfies with us.
Get inspired, then snap your own #shelfie and tag @theofficialselfridges on Instagram.

George Walker

Editorial Lead

"With more time spent at home, I’ve been moving things about to surround myself with stuff that I really love. For me, that means printing out images of my family that have been hidden on my phone for years, lighting scented candles I’ve been saving for waaaay too long and re-reading some favourite books (my recommendation? Ali Smith’s ‘Spring’ – one: because it’s a timely reminder of the sense of positivity the season brings – even now – and two: the David Hockney cover art makes it the perfect shelfie prop, right Geraldine?)"
Tui Lin
Senior Creative Producer

"I‘m a firm believer in surrounding myself with things that spark joy (thank you Marie Kondo), more so than ever now I’m spending all my waking hours at home! As the bookcase is the first and last thing I see when I wake up and go to bed, it was important to me that I fill it with positive memories, inspiring books and, of course, an obligatory scented candle…"
Shawn Davey
Senior Art Director

“I’ve collected a group of favourite items to rest my eyes on during lockdown. These range from the highly useful (the Supreme American football), to the nice smelling (Tom Dixon’s room fragrance and Comme Des Garçons and Byredo candles) and the high-brow (a 1991 Issue of Fuse typographic magazine).
Simonas Berukatis
Assistant Photography Manager

”I found this bookshelf four years ago in Kensington, London. Since then, I‘ve moved a couple of times and this shelf has followed me. It’s lived in the kitchen, hallway and now in the living room, where it holds a small collection of mine and my girlfriend's cherished research books, archive pieces and inspirational things."
Amy Sollitt
Associate Editor

"I love architectural-style ceramics so my kitchen shelf is an homage to a few of my favourites, from Natascha Madeiski to Raawii and Hasami Porcelain. My husband is a minimalist and l like stuff, so it took us a while to agree on what would go on it! Even now, we're still adding and taking away bits (the shelf extends across the kitchen wall, so there's quite a lot of space to switch it up) – but that‘s part of the joy of creating a #shelfie, right?"
Kieren Dickins
Senior Art Director

”I have stacks of books all over the house, but this is the one place where they are most organised – I colour code my books instead of putting them in alphabetical order because I’m dyslexic. I’m trying to make my way through all the new books that I’ve bought recently as I don’t want them to sit there unread. One special book I found recently is called ‘Collecting Colour’ by Narayan Khandekar. The collection of colours in the book contain over 3,000 natural and synthetic colouring agents, and shows the origins of the pigments and their cultural uses. Aside from books, I have ornaments that I’ve collected over the years from my travels, and photos of my family who I miss dearly.”