My entire job involves looking at celebrity homes, and it's always exciting to spot a design feature or style that feels completely new and innovative – and the shelving in Anne Hathaway's living room has managed to do just that.
Setting a precedent for interior design trends for this year and beyond, the space has been designed by acclaimed Los Angeles-based designer Pamela Shamshiri. Rather than adding bulky furniture, the living room design elegantly highlights the home's unique architectural elements, and utilizes the room's soaring A-frame roof, with beautiful shelves being built directly into the exposed wood beams. This strategic use of vertical living room storage not only showcases a curated selection of antique books and art but also draws the eye upward, making the room feel larger and more expansive.
This brilliant approach to design turns the entire room into a gallery, proving that intelligent storage can be both a practical solution and a stunning focal point. In an era where maximizing space is key, this kind of design-led thinking is a true game-changer.
One of the things I find most compelling about this design is the way it makes the entire room feel like a cohesive, thoughtful work of art. The colorful pieces arranged on the high shelves echo the jewel tones of the sofas and rugs below, creating a beautiful dialogue between the room's perimeter and its core. It's a design that refuses to let the walls and floors simply be a backdrop – instead, they become an active part of the story.
This shelving also beautifully transforms the space into a personal gallery. It’s a genius way for Anne Hathaway to display her favorite vases, books, and art, making these cherished items part of the very structure of her home. While her living room furniture is stunning on its own, it’s this personal touch, woven into the fabric of the room, that truly elevates the design and makes it my favorite feature of all.
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While building custom shelves into a vaulted ceiling might not be an option for everyone, we can all learn from Anne Hathaway's approach to styling. The key is to curate a selection of personal effects that tell a story.
You can easily achieve a similar look with freestanding vertical shelving units, which add warmth and a significant amount of storage to any room. Explore some of our favorite pieces below.
Sturdy and versatile, this wood case is a booklover's home essential.
The shelving possibilities are endless with this gorgeous, acorn-finished wall unit.
I love the lightweight look of this wooden and metal shelving unit, crafted from warming mango wood.
To emulate Anne Hathaway's elegant bookshelf wealth technique, your greatest tool is restraint. While it's tempting to display every single book and souvenir, the most effective styling is always highly curated. This approach not only ensures that your best pieces stand out, but it also allows negative space to become a crucial part of the design.
By carefully selecting what to feature and what to store, your walls transform into a thoughtfully arranged work of art. Her living room is the perfect example of how intentionality and clever storage can create a space that is both stylish and completely unique.
