Mtn….Too right, I like that drop down desk where it was in your last but one house! Sorry, could you watermark pix with Old, Current, or Maine? 😁

Regardless of cost, would still not wallpaper a wall completely out of context. Besides, what’s the first thing people do when they buy a house? Remove all the wallpaper.

Still think the ornate bookcase will take emphasis away from the maps and become the focus of that spot in Maine. The bookcase can’t help it— it’s an attention hog by virtue of its size and style.

Do you have a relative other than one of your kids who would really love that piece?

I actually like the BBSTX mock up better. But, in my defense, this is more what I was envisioning:

ahh, my bookcase is shorter

Well, then clearly you will need to buy a new bookcase to achieve my design, ha ha!

I do have *another* bookcase. It is not much taller, but it is wider than the piece I used in the mockups, but not as wide as The Behemoth. I think the color and informality are wrong given the proximity to the DR table I have in the foyer.

I love this last bookcase but i think you're instincts are right-- it's not a good look for the foyer.

Oh my, I'm way behind here...

You could always sell the larger bookcase with the house??

Side chairs.. was thinking you had Parsons in DR ???

Mockup w maps looks over the top maybe due to all the books and map placement. Needs more "breathing"room or maybe too large for that wall.

Ararpaho,

I do have parsons in the CT DR, hmm. Tan and black gingham. kinda like them there and they also may be too large (the smallest bookcase of the three, since now we are talking about 3 bookcases, was bought for my son's nursery and is actually rather dimunitive).

i have lusted in my heart after that mural for years.

Agree with @bbstx - not here. Maybe you can use in your next place.

Smaller desk in hallway with chairs and/or art.

The large bookcase is pretty but honestly it is too big for the hallway, and I like the map wall area as is. If the DDs want, maybe store? But I have found the things our three said they wanted and actually took were vastly different after a few years. Rip off the bandaid and sell before listing the house. I know it is hard to let go of some things, but it can work out for the best.

Funky, I love that bookcase too. Just to be clear, we are now discussing three bookcases. Small (dark), medium (creamy) and Behemoth (needs no further descriptors).

The angle of the bookcase photos is problematic here, but I could see this in Maine. I have 2 maps I could move from another wall to "surround it". It would be easy and fun to style.

I have found the things our three said they wanted and actually took were vastly different after a few years. Rip off the bandaid and sell before listing the house. I know it is hard to let go of some things, but it can work out for the best.

You're right. Look at how much trouble I am having finding a good spot for it. Not only that, but in this discussion now spanning 3 bookcases, two of them I like very much and have zero intention of parting with, not even a discussion in my mind. It is telling that I don't have the same feeling about The Behemoth.

We're having brunch with the girls tomorrow and will discuss.

If it's the caryatids they can always get something with caryatids on it later.

I think it is, Pal. This piece has been in their homes their whole life, and I think as little girls they loved that part because it was something they'd never seen anywhere else. Very good point!

Ohh i love this! Hey, karyatids don't come cheap I notice! And of course most examples are awfully garish.

OMG though, these karyatids are uhh, not so comely. Mine are much prettier!

Love the creamy bookcase in Maine w maps!

Now back to CT ... lol

I just saw this on IG and it reminded me of this thread. So lovely. Similar vibe.

Another:

Funny that does feel familiar. One thing that seems apparent is that my Behemoth probably needs something above it, but that would only add to the mass problem I have in this space... given that we have low ceilings here.

Speaking of children and their perhaps wanting things, this is the albatross that I’ve carried around my neck for the last 20 years because DD thought she wanted it. Now she doesn’t want it.

It isn’t moving with me when I leave this house!!!!

Wait a minute! I keep meaning to ask and then forgetting. @palimpsest, get back over here and explain ”8 dozen green vellum glaze vases.” Is this some cultural reference that I’m too unsophisticated to catch? I even googled it (we all know that google is the epitome of sophistication) and nothing came up.

LOL, BBstx. It is gorgeous. And you know what, it is coming back. I call it.

All of this reminds me of Victoria Elizabeth Barnes, remember her?

https://victoriaelizabethbarnes.com/

I used to follow Victoria Elizabeth Barnes, but then she got depressed and only wanted to talk about her cats. I’m a fair-weather follower.

BBSTx, I think they are a blue/green pottery.

Meantime, since I can't play with the stuff in CT, I've had my eye on my map wall here here. I moved these items (baskets and trunk) from the MBR. They hold towels and linens, so actually should be more broadly accessible out in the hall vs in the the MBR. I love shopping my own house!

Well now, I love that trunk! Thinking horses for the entryway w #1 #2 above each. If the sizes allow.

P.S. Jinx we may have to "duke" it out for that metal horse :) altho is your house :)

That looks great, Mtn!

Arapaho 😆

Mtn, love that and all of your art in the other post. Beautiful!

Is there something wrong with only wanting to talk about your cats?!!

I love the trunk, but i would remove the pillows.

Will look at that but i think it will look like all the maps should be lower … nooooooooo

The trunk is perfect, but nix the pillows. Wouldn't worry if it looks like maps should be lowered. Maybe insteed of pillows, you could put three things (not wicker) on top of the trunk. The pillows make it look more like a piece someone might want to sit on - and not know better.

VEB - I see she hasn't blogged or IG in several years. That's a shame. I would like to see her kitchen finished.

You can sit on it. Its very substantial

That's good to know, but I would still remove the pillows (and the two newer wovens beside it). Less is more.

It would be interesting to see it without pillows or flanking baskets. It is such a pretty trunk. Even though I am a more is more type, I wonder if the pillows/baskets are distracting to the beautiful map gallery wall?

Ok, ok!

I’ll go up there and get the pillows and baskets, and ”store” them for Mtn while she decides.

First, I have to head south to get bb’s giant cabinet. Then I might hit Fla on the way to Maine, and get Allison’s horse that matches mine. I’ll have twins.

Roadtrip! I need a semi. And I still need to make a pizza delivery to Mtn’s DS in Connecticut.

It does look a little like a gift shop! Out to dinner but will try it!

Jinx, I can have that armoire emptied in about 30 seconds. Let me know when you are coming!!

I was thinking PB, but was nice and didn't type that thought. :D

The trunk and the pillows are a big let-down for me, and gets a "no" vote. I like your original maps display. It doesn't need anything else. Don't mess with a good thing.

I like that the gallery of maps has nothing below iit, making them the sole focus. You could even take the three maps from the adjacent wall and put them under the bottom row of the main group.

I like the wall of maps as is.

Don't force this...just because you have it doesn't mean you have to use it.

Ok I didn't like it with just the trunk, so i did this: (the books are the old atlases from which I took the maps; each map represents a family trip.

I like it like this, but I am going to live with it a bit and see. The set up I had is just off to the right on another wall, so I can switch it back easily.

However, moving it from the foot of our bed has a knock on effect. My DD1 has a settee in her CT BR that I think could work in our MBR here. It would give us an indoor place to sit and look at the view. That would add a function id very much like (right now the only chair in the room looks at the bed.

I agree the map gallery wall is lovely on its own. I also like the idea of the trunk or a bench there. Enhances the gallery feel to me but, of course, absolutely not necessary.

I’m sure the basket to the left isn’t for dirty clothes, but for some reason, that is what it calls to mind.

Its rolled beach towels, and in person thats obvious though i see your point. out for the day will take pic later

I would remove the round basket entirely.

Re the trunk below your gorgeous map wall. I’m quoting you from an earlier comment way back in this thread.

”But honestly i like it as it is. I don't want this place to start to feel heavy.”

I think the first picture of your map wall is perfection .

What would you think about the big basket with the smaller basket centered on top? (Take the round basket and the atlases out of the equation.) What an awesome idea, framing the places you've been as a family!!

I don’t like any of the baskets there. Lets try something else. Next! You have something way cooler I just know it.

ETA: Or, leave it. It’s pretty.

Someone said bench... This one is in Maine

( I cannot seem to put the pillows down. I told you i have a glut of them)

These next two benches I have at home in CT . The first one is a hunter green (painted)

This one is also green. It might also meet JTerris' request for "cool" However, it is currently in my vestibule in CT (Look...we are back to my center hall project.. the vestibule leads to the foyer with the table which continues on thru the back hall and back door where the bookcase is!)

Here is a mock up

Speaking of bookcases, we went to 6 open houses today and I had to laugh at bookcases. in the super-staged places, the bookcases are almost empty ( i count a dozen here)

And then there are largely untouched ones:

In the map area, I'd love to see a bench shaped ike this (may be to farmy, though.)

and a side table made of vintage suitcases with legs attached. Something like this:

Of course, that would mean removing two of the five maps on the bottom row, but I think it would look cool and play well with the maps.

This may surprise you, dearest Jojoco, but I am not currently planning on BUYING FURNITURE!🤪

umm, ok, thank you.

I do own two vintage croc suitcases.

Anyway, here is where I stand.

Maine map wall ...the long basket is replacing the little table because not only do I prefer it, but it makes a little more sense there functionally and gives me an open spot in the MBR which might be useful.

CT bookcase - the Behemoth will be replaced by the small one, flanked by two chairs of some kind and two pieces of art. No mural. 😩 .There will be a delay before i can try this out because I have a busy next 2 weeks including guests.

Thank you all, as always, for so gamely helping me with minutiae!