Decorating with Books


I've been organizing the books in our home, and came across a vintage book that was falling apart. I couldn’t bring myself to throw it away, so I took off the cover, tied string around the pages, and tucked in sprigs of summer dried lavender.





It has become a work of art to me. I love the dedication on the introduction page . . . To Leonora. What a beautifully romantic name.

I've decided that someday, I will travel to France, buy stacks of antique books that are falling apart, and create mounds of book displays throughout my home.

12 comments:

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Chère Nancy,
A trip to France for you is a must. You will fall in love and never want to come back....your brother wants to retire there! Lovely, lovely idea for the book. I took an old book and glittered the open pages and added some fiber yarn as a book mark...it has the quality and look of a fairy tale book sugared in white glitter. I see the wonderful poem your husband wrote about you on your side bar; once born an artist, forever an artist!! Come and visit my post when you can. Bisous, Anita

Laura @ 52 FLEA said...

Ah Nancy..
I can't tell you how much I love books...how many books fill my homes...how I'm drowning in books!! But you probably know that already! Your book is rich with texture in its rough binding...so simple with the string and sprigs of lavender.
I love that name Leonora...so much more romantic than plain old Laura!
:)

Elaine said...

Beautiful display. I hope you can travel to France soon and do share your old book displays. I look forward to seeing them.

Sandi said...

This is just beautiful Nancy! Simple and beautiful.
Hugs~

June said...

I've always had a thing for old books. My mother used to take my sister and I to a wonderful used book store in Boise where I was raised as a child. I remember loving the smell of the old moldering books. I still love the smell of old books.
My mother has given me many of her antique books and I love using them all over my home.
I love the idea of taking the covers off of them like you have here. Such a lovely piece of art.
Hugs

LiLi M. said...

You have created another beautiful vignette Nancy! I think the best part is that you have created something out of nothing. Making beautiful vignettes with your wallet overloading is simple, but you did a terrrific job! Mmm let's see which book I can tear apart...;-)!

Lori said...

that looks so pretty Nancy!!! i have a few things displayed on books that are old and crumbling...i love that look:)

Lori said...

oh, i am having the same problem with publishing comments too...i have found they publish easier when i do it when the comment is in it's short form...i hope they fix that glitch soon...

LW said...

What a sweet idea…
And a very pretty look.

I have a few books from the late 1800’s, which I use to decorate my house.
I went over to Corey’s to read about her 1700’s book, my heart be still I am so enviers.
A find like that would make me faint away…

Louise

The Feathered Nest said...

Hello sweet friend, this is so simple, yet so very elegant ~ I love it!!!!! hugs and love, Dawn

cathyb said...

Hi Nancy - I just just came back from Paris - you have to go - you will adore it... I also bought some old books and some old pages - I will be posting about them soon

BellaRosa said...

Nancy, Dio Mio, but how you take simple little things and turn them into such beautiful creations...I love seeing what new beauties you create...I finally found my old metal shopping cart like yours and now to look thru my stash of antique pillow cases and TRY to find a beautiful large millinary sp? flower like yours...you know they say the highest form of flatery is to be copied...please know that I flatter you much :) besos, Rose