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Friday, January 18, 2013

Decorating with Books

by Heather

I love books. I read them to learn, to get inspired, and sometimes to escape. It's been said that reading a good book feels like the picture below, and I think I agree.
With a large collection of books -- fiction (love detective mysteries the most), interior design and entertaining books, and a new growing genre of "how to blog" books -- I'm always looking for ways to house them attractively. 

We have an office that also functions as a library, but the books outgrew those shelves a long time ago so now only the favorite fiction novels are kept there. I keep the books that I use for blogging tips near my desk, but most of the interior design and entertaining books have to find places elsewhere around the house.

The "library" shelves in the office
The shelves closest to my desk below
Whenever it's time to change the decor in the house (usually seasonally), I'll sit down with a cup of tea and open up interior design books to get some inspiration.  Current favorites are Patina Style (Brooke and Steve Giannetti), Vintage by Nina (Nina Hartman), Black and White (Celerie Kemble), and Hers (Jacqueline deMontravel). Most of these books feature wonderful vignettes using books as design tools to create interest, color, and height.  I find that as soon as I clear a table of Christmas decor, I want to create something new using the books who need a home and any other found objects. Heaven forbid there are any unadorned surfaces in this house.
On the dining room table, I used small concrete books (found at On the Veranda in Phoenix, AZ) to help raise the small boxwood topiaries under the screen cloches.  The concrete books are wonderful to use outside because they can withstand any weather, but I'm using them inside while it's too chilly to be outdoors.  I know, it's Phoenix and not THAT cold, but we're spoiled when it comes to weather.
 
Check out the detail in these books! The pages look almost real.
The living room side table gets outfitted with stacks of design books used to add height and interest.

Drawing design inspiration from Patina Style:
Love the clean simple display of books of a similar color

I've never been able to tear apart a book to use in craft projects (I'd rather donate old books to the local school library or give them to a friend), but I have to admit I'm intrigued by how others are creating delightful decorative items out of books.

I found this lovely little red book in Boston several years ago and was captivated by the crisp, clean folds that made the book an objet d'art. 

From BHG
How cute are these little goblins floating up from the pages?
Source unknown
What a perfect present for your favorite teacher! Just make sure it's not a school textbook that you're using :)
Source unknown
Don't you love the simplicity of this heart made from the pages of a book?  If the text was about love, it would be perfect.
Source unknown
I'd love to make this page table runner for a Book Club dinner.

One little project I did take on was creating my own stacks of vintage books (they were technically vintage already but I helped them along by dyeing the pages with tea) tied together with twine. At Christmas I dusted the spines with gold glitter.  To use them now, I just turn them around so the spines aren't on view.

With all of the decorative ways to use books, it's good to remember that...
 sometimes it's just best to read them aloud to your favorite little people!


Love,
Heather



34 comments:

  1. Interesting decorating with books..Honestly my favourite thing is to read them out loud to my favourite people! (furry animals included)

    Candice
    lillythroughthevalley.blogspot.com

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    Replies
    1. Sometimes my favorite little people act like little furry animals. Does that count?

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  2. Would love to have you come link to "Open House".

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  3. Hi Bernideen,
    I just linked up with you. Thanks for the invitation!
    Heather

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  4. Nice post! I enjoy my books too.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Beth. I checked out your blog -- great flowers and cakes! You have talent in both categories.
      Heather

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  5. Great ideas for using books. I love they way they look in your vignettes. Thanks so much for visiting me!

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  6. I wish I read more. Just don't have the time right now. I love what you did with these books. So creative.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Marla. I have to confess that with some of the design books, I'm more apt to look at the pictures than read the text.
      Heather

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  7. I love decorating with old books....too bad i don't read all of them :) I'm afraid if it doesn't have inspirational pictures, I tend to use it as decor. Thank you for sharing at Rustic Restorations Weekend!

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    Replies
    1. I enjoyed finding your blog and sharing my pictures with you! I think I'm going to buy some inexpensive books to use for craft projects after seeing all that can be done with them.
      Heather

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  8. I decorate with book and love this post!! Thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things hop xo

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Katherine. Congratulations on having your purse in the Wedding magazine!
      Heather

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  9. I agree. I love using old books for glossy coffee table style books in decorating. WE are a huge book reading family as well. Thank you for sharing at TTF. have a fun day!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Diann. It's so good to know that people are still reading books!

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  10. I love books also. I am an elementary library media specialist and books are part of me everyday. Thanks for sharing. You have some great ideas.

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  11. Thank you. I love the new finds you show on your blog today!
    Heather

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  12. I have loved books all my life - they're a big part of my life - Now I work part-time at our library and it is like a candy store to me! Love your inspirations and book decor designs!
    I do appreciate you sharing with Home and Garden Thursday,
    Kathy

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Kathy. I'd like to work in a library or bookstore -- maybe my next job?
      Heather

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  13. Great ideas! Thank you for joining Home Sweet Home!
    Sherry

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  14. Oh I love books too and I have stacks of them all over the place. I love your vignettes where you stack them to elevate something or just to showcase them. Gorgeous. Thanks for joining TTT. Hugs, Marty

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  15. I love decorating with books. Very cute post with lots of ideas! Thanks for sharing at Simple & Sweet Fridays. New Follower.


    Jody

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Jody. I'm gad I found Simple and Sweet Fridays. Sweet!
      Heather

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  16. Congrats! You've been featured at Simple & Sweet Fridays for this inspirational post. Don't forget to grab a button and have a wonderful week!


    Jody

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Jody. That's really exciting to be featured! We're pretty new at this blogging venture so this kind of positive feedback is wonderful.
      Heather

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  17. Absolutely cuties.

    Love the vintagy looking books. It added a more cozy ambiance.

    TY for sharing.
    /CC girl

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    Replies
    1. Thank you. Love your Valentine's tablescape done in black, white and grey!
      Heather

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  18. I just love these ideas!!! Thanks for sharing all this beauty!!! =D I'm your newest follower!!! =D

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, D. So happy that you're going to follow our blog!
      Heather

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