Do I have Bookshelf Wealth? You bet.

Trends come and go quickly, so it’s easier than ever to stay behind. The New York Times recently introduced me to a new TikTok “design trend” that I didn’t know my home exemplifies since before it had a name: Bookshelf Wealth.

Though I have many DIY projects that I’d like to complete for this space to evolve, I thought I’d give you a snapshot in time of the space as it is now, alongside descriptors given by a viral video on the topic.

Cozy, lived in

This trend is so…attainable. Yes, yes I do live in my house. It’s messy, often dusty. My children play all throughout it. It’s not a minimalist-aesthetic, ready-for-the-‘gram movie set. Patina abounds.

Books read, not for display

Check, check! I’ve surpassed my 52 books in a year goal twice now, and the ones I haven’t finished are still tucked away in cabinets or in my bedside table drawers. Only those I’ve read are on display, I’m not out here buying books for a “look.”

Untraditionally displayed art

My Granny had floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall family photographs atop one of her wood-paneled den walls. She’s inspired me in many ways, including copycatting that feature for my “adventure gallery” walls.

Never [hung] in a straight line

Accidentally nailed it! I hung the photos from our quarantine photoshoot in some simple table mount frames, yanked off the kickstand to make them wall hung and tied leather string with special knots for hanging.

Layered art

Keep the character of the home

This is easy to commit to in this room, as it didn’t have a bevy of cool original features that I could have destroyed for something more contemporary. I was lucky enough to read the great Kate Wagner of McMansion Hell’s article about renovation within the first few months of moving in to this home, and it changed my perspective on the topic. This is far more apparent in my kitchen, but this room still features that dated high-sheen brass fireplace screen in all of its glory.

Cozy seating areas

One day I’ll have enough people sitting in this room at once to fill every seat. I read about the salons in centuries past where people gathered to talk about literature, art, and revolution—what a dream! Maybe one day I could host such a thing, and in that case I’d have enough seating in this room. For now, our entertaining happens in the playroom (where the real TV is) and the formal dining room.

Mixing of patterns and colors

Mhmmm. I was doing that in my maximalist eclectic living room in my last house, too.

Task lighting

Awww yiss, these authentic mid century modern beauties…

And, because it’s still winter, my A Christmas Story leg lamp is still on display, too.

Quirky Collections on Display

In Homes & Garden’s write up on the tree, they quoted designer Avery Cox:

I believe a bookshelf only comes alive when it tells the story of the home and the family within. I try to steer clear of pointless styling and move towards a place of authenticity. The items do not need to be of a certain aesthetic so long as they resonate with you.

Avery Cox, Avery Cox Design

Her personal favorite shelving ideas incorporate a bit of whimsy, and she suggests displaying your quirkiest collections[.]

A collector I am! If you haven’t noticed from my fashion posts, I love to thrift and find treasures, like this sexy unbuttoned jeans pottery.

I love invitations to have fun, like this incognito Jonathan Adler Dart board.

And of course, my longtime pride, the TV console I pulled the tube out of to fill with books.

My dream is to have a library card catalog to fill with my notes about the books I read. I’ve been hunting for one in the right price range and pick up area for years, wish me luck on that. In the interim, I did get these library items for Christmas: a log for the books I lend out and a personalized stamp for my books.

Bookshelf Wealth controversy

Some argue that Bookshelf Wealth is just…built ins. Which is what I really want in this space, and what my intentions were when I bought those matching bookshelves (off Craigslist! For $50 all in!). One day!

Others have strong opinions on the trend:

Bookshelf wealth might be the saddest, most pathetic trend I have ever heard of. It’s crazy to me that we have to make a trend in order to make people do this — to actually read a book, to actually go places and purchase things as a memory of traveling, exploring.

Marissa Warner of @TheHomeNarrative, Business Insider

I don’t think she’s wrong…but I don’t really know about TikTok culture or the lives of those that are chronically online. I agree that not everything needs to be named, but if giving it a name and calling it a trend encourages people to stop thinking that their lives need to look like sterile movie sets or bland and uninviting business offices, I’m all for it. And even more for people reading well, living well, and putting it on display.