Diane Keaton's Gallery Shelving Proves That She'll Forever Remain the Master of Monochrome – it's Classic, Curated, and Easy to Recreate
It combines collected treasures, considered groupings, and a cohesive color theme
The late Diane Keaton became somewhat synonymous with monochrome – from her black and white outfits (we'll always picture her in a crisp white shirt and her signature black hat), to her brave interior schemes that have always hit the mark. Her Sullivan Canyon home (designed by Stephen Shadley, Cynthia Carlson, and Toben Windahl), with its wall-to-wall block shelving, is no exception, bringing together the building's raw industrial elements with the boldness of black and white to create an artistic statement.
Gallery shelving is just one idea for decorating shelves, and it can serve a double purpose of creating an aesthetic feature, as well as providing practical storage for your books, records, and collected decorative pieces.
Shop Diane Keaton's Gallery Shelving Look
These classic modular shelving units are perfect for replication Diane Keaton's gallery shelving, in stark white so they don't detract from the display you create and box-style shelves for creating mini vignettes.
Diane Keaton arranges a similar monochrome print to this one leaning against her bookshelf and because of its unexpected positioning it creates interest and intrigue. Small frames pieces work beautifully when lent on piles of books, too.
Diane Keaton's striking ceiling lights contrast with the rustic wood of her beams, ladder and table to clearly clearly root the space in an industrial aesthetic. This dome pendant has a similar look.
The rustic wood adds warmth and character to this otherwise industrial, monochrome space. A solid wood table like this one and Diane Keaton's gives the impression of an artist's workspace when placed near a gallery-style shelf.
Adding sculptural forms in the same color theme, like these bronze and marble bookends, brings a variation to your display that contrasts with the linear nature of books and the angles of the box-style shelving.
Whilst using your own collected books and pieces is preferred for this look, a decorative piece like these faux fashion books lend a nod to Diane Keaton's sartorial style whilst giving an authentic appearance.
To create a bold and confident statement like Diane Keaton's gallery shelving, Jorge Fontan, Architect and Owner of New York-based design studio, Fontan Architecture recommends starting with the shelving style itself: 'Slightly thicker shelves with concealed supports feel more architectural and refined than thin adjustable systems. The detailing contributes just as much to the overall look as the styling.'
And, when it comes to styling, Jorge suggests thoughtful curation that prioritises balance: 'think of each section as its own miniature frame. Instead of filling every compartment, treat each one as a curated moment. A single sculptural object, a stack of books, or a small artwork can often be more impactful than multiple competing pieces. Negative space is what makes it feel elevated. Overfilling the shelves will make them feel cluttered.'
One of the most visually interesting and stylish ways to display books on gallery-style shelving is to arrange them in a stack, to create a pedestal for decorative pieces. 'Layer books both horizontally and vertically to create height variation, introduce a sculptural element, and leave intentional negative space,' explains Brittany Rediger, Founder & Principal Designer of Oregon-based Rediger Design. 'This gives the eye a place to rest and keeps the gallery from feeling overworked.'
It's also key when you're using box-style shelving like Diane Keaton's to bring in a variety of shapes and forms in your display to create contrast. 'Because box shelving is built on strong right angles, contrast is key,' explains Brittany. 'Incorporate rounded or organic forms such as vases, art objects, or even trailing plants to soften the grid and add movement. Lean artwork, overlap frames slightly, or place a smaller object in front of a larger piece to avoid a flat, lined-up look.' She also advises following the 'rule of three, since odd-numbered groupings feel more dynamic.'
Of course, part of the appeal of Diane Keaton's gallery shelving lies in the cohesive color scheme. Brittany adds: 'A cohesive color story elevates the entire installation. Monochromatic styling can make a bold statement by highlighting form and texture, while repeating two to three tones throughout creates rhythm and visual flow across the shelving.'
Whilst we love Diane Keaton's monochrome look, decorating with books has gone beyond simply arranging by color, explains Kathryn Nelson, Principal and Interior Designer at Dallas-based design studio, KND explains: 'Gone are the days of color-sorted bookshelves and displays. We prefer to focus on topics and groupings that speak to each area of interest, such as a coffee table book collection on gardening, travel, or art. Quirky vintage finds and framed postcards make for fun conversation starters as well as items picked up from your travels. Don't buy boring random decor to fill the space – it should mean something to you and tell your story.'
To create a beautiful gallery shelving display like Diane Keaton's, consider balancing form, color, and negative space for an intentional feature that reads 'stylish' rather than storage, and get clued up on the open shelving mistakes to avoid before you get started.
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