Sunday, October 19, 2008

Books

Nothing is better than the old books that have wonderful illustrations on the spines. They are like little bits of artwork. I enjoy searching for these at estate sales or flea markets. This grouping has old clipper ships and are from the early 20th Century. I paid one dollar each for the first three books that are standing, left to right.
I like to stack books in a vignette,...
...sandwich them inbetween vintage bookends..
..or use as a playground for mischevious squirrels.
I could spend hours reading all of my sewing and decorating books. So much inspiration to be found with each turn of the page.
One of my favorite decorating tips is to group books in similar coloration. I fell in love with "The Bishops Carriage" book for the sweet basket of flowers on the cover.
What are your favorite books?

38 comments:

Cindy said...

Lovely, lovely books! I am a book fiend. Right now rereading an old favorite Rebecca by Daphne Du Muir (not sure about the spelling).

c

Miss Jean said...

I have always loved books. I love my Nancy Drew books from my childhood and I love the Christmas story book I was given from my grandmother. Now Sweety's office of books is another thing.......

Right now I'm concentrating on The Dog Whisperer! "Here Maggie! I have something for you to read."

Back Through Time said...

I love old books and if I don't have enough here in my apartment I can walk out into my antique mall and find a few more, LOL.
I love all your books. Not sure if I have a favorite.
Michelle

Rosemary said...

The bishops carriage is a book i've been wanting from my local antique shop too! But the one i've seen is 40.00! wow!

Debbie said...

I love all my bird books. I guess I collect them as I seem to pick them up whenever I see one in a thrift store. I also like all my sewing/craft and decorating books.

Debbie in Florida

Kathleen Grace said...

I love decorating books, my favorite old time books are the ones by Gene Stratton Porter, A Girl of the Limberlost series. We read so many books that if I bought them for decor we would not be able to move! I love that pretty shakespeare book you have though.

Lallee said...

What a terrific collection you have of older books. I love my decorating/craft books too. I've thought about gathering them all and putting them in stacks on my desk like Kim has done so that they are all in one spot. One year I pulled off all the dust jackets on our hardbacks and grouped them by color. Mr. H was quite puzzled by it all. LOL

Kim @ Home Is Where The Heart Is said...

I would have to say that decorating books are my favorite!

Simply Shelley said...

Hi Becky,thanks for sharig all your lovely books. I love old books. Some of my favorites are vintage childrens books. They remind me so of such a more simple time when children found much pleasure in a good story book. Today is a different time for sure!Books are a marvelous thing,old and new,they are wonderful......

Have a blessed week,Shelley

Rue said...

Good morning Becky :)

I love old books for their looks, decorating books, gardening books, poetry books.... the list goes on and on, but my most prized posession is my original Gone With the Wind :)

I love to stack them eveywhere in the house, because to me a home isn't really a home without them.

hugs,
rue

Linda Summerfield said...

What an excellent way to group books! I love the ships on the binding.
I just read a wonderful book-
French By Heart, by Rebecca S. Ramsey
It is the true story of a family from
South Carolina living in France for four years, it is most entertaining!
Linda

SweetAnnee said...

OOHJ I love your books
I'll find pics of mine and post
for you hugs to
you & Dugh

I love to read. I can't name a fave
I can't even name a fave author now
but I do have some on my blog
and I did read EVERY Nancy Drew book

The Old Painted Cottage said...

I know I've said it many times before, but Becky my dear, you are the Queen of Vignettes. Leave it to you to come up with something so awesomely stylish and clever.

oxox
Jennifer

Heleen said...

You have some great books!

blessings said...

I have stacks and stacks of books and magazines and decorating books. When I was at Marburger I saw a few displays of old books tied together that were missing their covers. When I got home I thought I'd try it out but some of the covers are so pretty I can't bring myself to take them off.

Blessings... Polly

One Shabby Old House said...

I love to decorate with book. My favorite ones are anything with a Victorian lady or the words love on them.
I just like them.
Great post
Becky

Anonymous said...

I am with you about old books. I love them so much. Every once in a while I'll grab one of my old books that look so pretty and read a few pages. It's so fun to read the writing style of the time. x

Anonymous said...

I just love old books. I would dig forever,but my allergy just will not let me. Sometimes I do it and just pay for it =)

Eileen said...

You do have some lovely book displays. I especially like the red ones next to the plaid tin.. that is adorable! Is it in Duhgall's room? :-)

Becky.. I put an award for you in my blog. no obligations or games.. just come and pick it up. ;-)

Sue said...

I love decorating with books...any kind, oldor new. I have bookshelves all over the house, my L.R. has them floor to ceiling. My favorite is my collection of Sue Grafton..I have 1st. editions of them all...even her first..Most all are signed.

Tracey said...

What a nice post!
I LOVE BOOKS too!!
:) Tracey

Melissa @ The Inspired Room said...

Oh, love books! Love stacks of books for decorating and love books for reading!

Did I comment about Doogs being tagged in your last post? I came by but can't remember if I got distracted before I commented. I love Doogs. How fun that he got tagged! :-)

Happy day,
Melissa

Anonymous said...

Yes, I too love to re-browse my craft and sewing books. I always find something new I had not noticed before.

Patina said...

Oh, I'm with you Becky! I just love old books. I love the pretty covers they would put on them. And they are so fun to find.

Dena said...

Morning Becky,

I love your book collection!!! I usually buy them for the color or the title...or the pages...I think I love them for any and all reasons :)

Hugs,
Dena

Vintage Linen Treasures said...

I LOVE books and love to read. I've been wanting to start a old book collection, but didn't know quite where to start. After reading your post, I know exactly what I'll be looking for. As always, Becky, you are inspirational.
Patricia :o)

SweetAnnee said...

I just wanted to tell you I put your sweet lavendar in my pillow case and it comforts me EACH night..
deena

Sal said...

We are book mad in our family.
I love old books and I love poking around in old bookshops too ;-)

Rosemary said...

Love old books!!!
Can't get enough!
Hope you had a fun weekend!
Rosemary

Sandy said...

Hi Becky,
Thank you for stopping by for a visit. I LOVE old books! I have quite the collection myself. I agree with Cindy, Rebecca is a favorite of mine too. I recently found a first edition for a song and gave it to my daughter as a gift. The Story of Opal, The Journey of an Understanding Heart is another favorite by Opal Whiteley. There are too many to name, I have too many favorites!

Great Post!

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

What a wonderful collection of old books! I have just recently started collecing old books for the color of their covers and the art on them. I have a HUGE amount newer decorating and gardening books that I can spend hours looking through.

Pink Slippers said...

I too love reading books, looking for vintage childrens ones and finding new pretty ones.
Wendy

Jean said...

Books, Books, and more Books. What could be better. You have some wonderful old books. I have loved books ever since I was a child, and I still love them.
You have a great evening.
Jean in Virginia

Kathi said...

Ooh I love your books and how you've displayed them. I too, love old books. My very favorite are vintage home-ec and cookbooks.

Kathi

FarmHouse Style said...

Oh, me too, me too! I have books around my home in all of the ways you have pictured!

I noticed that your stash of inspirational books has some of the same titles as mine:-)

I would have to say that right now my favorites are two Farm House decorating books.....HUMMMMM, wonder way I would be attracted to those??? LOL!

Rhonda

Irish Cottage Dreams said...

Happy Anniversary!!
Looks like you had a great day out!

~kimme

Heidi said...

Well, I think you know that I just love old books and collect those with a red cover in particular. I also have other colors of course but keep the red books seperate. I have lately been adding to my collection and have a very special one to share in a blog entry soon. I love your books and they really are the greatest thing to decorate a room.

Hugs ~
Heidi

SueLovesCherries said...

I just ordered In The Bishop's Garden from eBay - love that cover!