Sunday, September 19, 2010

The Wonderful World of Books

I have loved books for as long as I can remember. I read the Laura Ingalls Wilder Little House on the Prairie series, Nancy Drew, Trixie Belden, the classics and just about anything I could get my hands on when I was younger! My Nana started taking me to the library at a very early age. She would read 3-4 books a week along with doing numerous knitting and gardening projects! I still always try to end my day reading a paragraph or chapter or two before bedtime. Books are just a wonderful way to relax, learn about something new, escape to another world or life, etc.! I have about 4 bookcases of books in my house right at the moment. If I had more room, I would have more! I also like to display books on tables, chairs, dressers, nightstands, etc. That started me thinking about different ways to display new, vintage or not so new books. I searched the web and here are some ideas-maybe you can use them in your home.

The traditional bookcase is a great way for storing books, but there are so many others ways we can display our favorite books.


This is one of my favorite ways I found on the web to display books! Put them on a tea/kitchen cart! You can also put other accessories on there to complete the display.


Dried flowers tied together with some French ribbon draped over these vintage books would look beautiful in your bedroom, living room, den, sitting room or just about anywhere in your home.


I have always loved ribbons ever since I was a little girl. Rich, luxuriant velvet ribbon would be my choice in a lovely blue color! This is a great idea if you have some vintage books that are not in such great shape. The ribbon will hold the books together and still make them look lovely.


Architectural pieces are a great compliment to books. Place an architectural element with a stack of vintage books and you've got a wonderful decorating group.


You can never have too many books or too many candles as far as I'm concerned! Fresh flowers fit in that category too!


Here is a great way to display some books in your bathroom-on a chair by the tub! I can just picture this bathroom with an old clawfoot tub, this lovely chair painted white and a stack of my favorite books for when I'm soaking in the tub!
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Well that's it for my book decorating ideas. I hope you decide to display some of your old favorite books or maybe some new books in your home. I think it makes a home look and feel lived in and cozy. Enjoy!

17 comments:

  1. I love books too and have them everywhere in my house. I really love the ways you show for display, and although I love the idea of books in the bathroom, I would be too afraid the humidity would ruin them, or my clumsy-self would get them wet :)

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  2. Hi Sherri~~what a neat post! I too have books every where! LOVE them.
    Your ideas are inspirational.
    I'm a fan of Jodi Picoult, and can't get enough of her books.
    Have a great Sunday.
    Debbie@houseatthelake

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  3. THIs was such a charming post, Sherri! Loving your new header, too! I am a huge lover of books, dear friend. I know you know that already.:) Birds of a feather we are!;) Lori

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  4. WOW! This post made my day! I have a vintage tea cart upstairs between two bedrooms and have been trying to figure out what to do with it. Now, I know thanks to you! Wait till you come see it!
    Hugs,
    Penny

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  5. I so agree with you, Sherri! I love books, too, for reading and displaying. Nice photos ~ very creative and pretty ways to display them.

    Hugs,
    Donna

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  6. Loved all the displays of precious books. I'm a fan of English murder mysteries and the new genre of culinary mysteries. I have read other types but for complete immersion I always go to Agatha Christie. Have a blessed day.

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  7. You have an amazing gift for decorating, Sherri! I have books lying around, too, but they don't look as pretty as yours do.

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  8. Hi Sherri! I love books too....I love reading them as well as, owning them! :) I, too, love to add them to my decor!

    Hugs, Carolyn ~ Cottage Sunshine

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  9. Hi Sherri
    I love books too. The p
    Rhondihotos in this post are so pretty!

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  10. Wow! Wonderful ideas for book displays. I love having books around my house but sometimes I just don't know what to do with them. I accumulate them so quickly. You have given some wonderful tips.
    Hope you are feeling better and having a great weekend.

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  11. I still want to get the stack of books lamp. I saw that on a craft show somewhere. Stack some old books, glue them together, drill a hole through and add the lamp works and a shade.

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  12. What a great post ... I love books! I have some old worn Edgar Allen Poe books with a black binding that I set out around this time of year. Love the ideas you shared.

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  13. Some of these ideas are fantastic! I just had to rermove a shelf from my temporary bookcase it was starting to buckle under the weight!!

    Victoria x

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  14. Hey Sherri...love all your books, I decorate with mine all over, so they'll be right where I want them and pretty to boot! :)
    Glad you liked my light fixture re-do, it was fun! Thanks for your idea about the bathroom mirror. :) I have thought about doing that about a hundred times, but sometimes I just wanna rip it down and get something different! I have so many other projects that get put in front of that one..guess it's about time I tackle it! I'm having surgery this week, so it will have to wait a while longer!
    HUGS
    Missy

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  15. This is a great post! I love books and have so many. As I was reading through your post, I was thinking of my own and which ones to use for each setting.

    Thanks for the great ideas, Sherri.

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  16. I so love the idea of decorating with books! I don't read that much and if I do it's from the self help isle..., but I'm a sucker for great covers!!

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  17. I am also a book lover. This post made my day. Even loved reading the comments- from fellow book lovers!!
    Very fun book for you to consider:
    House Beautiful's Decorating with Books. You will fall for every room -every page.

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