looks great. if you collect more lovelies while you are a tenant in this beautiful space, add them. but i think its really ok to have the upper spaces unfilled.

Remove a few of the shelves and put a few tall items in the bookcase.

Unfortunately, as the renter of this home I won't be able to remove any shelves.

Just pick up books at flea markets & used book stores to add willy nilly here & there. It will soon take on a look of prominence in this lovely stairway landing. And congratulations on the fine work you and your family are doing for the country.

Are the shelves adjustable?

If the shelves aren't adjustable, I would fill the upper cabinets first. Then the bottom shelves can hold things you use more regularly. You can put the stuff in baskets on the lower shelves as well. Agree with moacometlady, clear the windowsill until the shelves are filled.

Unfortunately, the shelves aren't adjustable. Moving my grandfather's things off the windowsill and onto the shelves was a surprise suggestion to me. Won't the windowsill look unfinished? Also, I like the idea of baskets on the bottom - I hadn't even thought about that. But, what would I put in them?

I love that you have given you grandfather's items a central location. To my eye, they provide a neatly organized focal point that isn't obstructing the view, and look fine where they are. I like the idea of filling some additional shelves with thrift shop books, but don't think you need concern yourself with filling every shelf - leaving an odd few empty is helpful for something this size.

Sandradclark suggestion is the perfect answer. I buy books at thrift stores for the color of the binder for decorating purposes (I also freeze them for at least a week) or microwave to insure you aren't decorating with some unwanted pests in the books.

An incredible piece to have in a home.

Please continue to share your ideas with me. But, I have to share something with all of you. We just received a letter from a retired military officer that we have known for a very long time. He is selling his farm and downsizing and has offered his military history books, to my husband...that reflect three generations of Colonels in his family!!! Amazing timing! And what an honor for him to offer such a special collection to my husband.

See... what goes around comes around. You honor your past instead of going to Pawn Stars in Las Vegas (haha) and selling off your family history and something nice comes your way. I admire you very much in an age where people want to rip out original features in home, paint over original brick and basically whitewash the past.

Any more feedback on baskets on the bottom? I'm not necessarily opposed to the idea, but I don't know what kind of baskets and/or what you would put in them....are they functional or decorative?

You might also try just moving some things off of a shelf to another shelf. They don't have to be completely filled. Books might also take up more space laying flat and stacking just a few. This works if they aren't books you are going to be using frequently so maybe on some of the top shelves. Add some pictures in pretty frames and you're done. Less can be more.

Wonderful piece. I'd put a nice big houseplant on the windowsill and move the photos and other items into some of the empty spaces. The more nice books, the better, maybe more family photos too.

rutabaga4 - Baskets would be functional. Purpose would be to hide anything not worth displaying. Ex. small books, magazines, unframed pics, CDs, computer cables, etc. Since the bottom shelves are wide, you could even mix in other decor. Ex:

Here are 2 more:

Baskets are in the bottom left corner in the pic below.

Thank you so much for the pictures, that really helps me visualize what they might look like.

I had not thought of a houseplant for the windowsill....something to ponder :-)

What a lovely problem to have! Until you get more things you want to display, consider spacing things out more. For instance, all across the bottom, I like the way the larger books lay flat. Do that all the way across, removing the 5 little books that are standing upright. You don't have to fill the spaces so full. The next set of shelves up you could display all your red books (on two upper outer shelves). Put them centered on the long shelve, getting matching bookends to keep them standing up. On the 2nd from bottom outer shelves, put in one decorative object like on eagle in each. Something that is instantly recognizable. The next center shelf, directly below the sabers, display some photo albums that are laying down. Or some books that are against each side of the space with invisible bookends and one thing, like the helmut in the center. Or if it doesn't fit right, the gold plaque by the window. The outer shelves in that row, put some books that lean against the center wall with bookends. Next row, leave the sabers, they look great there. On the outsides, display the bronzes with faces, one in each. Then going up from there, alternate books, then item, books then item and alternate the sides which they stack up against. They don't have to be symmetrical to the other side as you have the window and view. I would not put anything in front of the window unless you have to because it doesn't fit on a shelf. Don't forget to add framed pictures (you have some already), but I bet you have more. You can also add pictures of current family or places you've been. It can be a mix of military and travels. Just play around with what you have. Take a picture to re-evaluate. You can be more objective from a picture. Good Luck!

Thank you Barbara. You have so many wonderful suggestions. I am curious why you suggest that I not put anything in front of the window? It seems like it would be a lot of wasted space. Is it okay to have all of the red books on the same shelf even though they are two different sets? The three on the right are smaller than the six on the left. You have giving me a lot to play around with. I'll definitely play around with it this weekend.

I wouldn't put anything in front of the window unless the shelves are filled. I'm guessing the items have sentimental meaning and you don't want them to get lost in the expansive bookcase. Totally understand. If you want to showcase something on the windowsill, limit it to 1-2 items. Otherwise, the items lose the attention they deserve. If you want the items to stay together, put them on a larger shelf.