How to Decorate Your Home with Vintage Books

Old books are the best kinds of treasures! Gilded pages, leather binding, library markings, hand-written inscriptions--these all breathe the air of mystery and have a story to tell.

Better yet are those books that have influenced your lie and tell your story!

Here's how to use old books to tell your story in a stylish way--on your walls, in your den, wherever you want to have a conversation piece.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• old books
• a bit of nostalgia
• your imagination

1. 
    
   Nancy Drew, Interior Designer

   Make a list of those books which have most influenced you--beginning with childhood. No book is off limits! From Little Golden Books to Nancy Drew to comic books, even the "A" encyclopedia--you know best!

2. Go on a book hunt to find those books you no longer have in your possession. Try used bookstores, library sales, and of course, estate and garage sales. There are also some great websites to use that will most likely always have the books you're looking for. One of the best sites is abebooks.com. Usually one title search will bring several pages of results complete with the ability to sort by hard cover, edition, book condition, price, and more.

3. 
    
   Wind in the Willows

   Get creative! Put your thinking cap on and go through each room in your house thinking of the purpose of each room and connecting it to the books you know and love.
   
   For a child's room, frame illustrations from your favorite children's books. Colorful children's illustrations are quite powerful and can spark a child's imagination in a million different ways. Explaining to your child why you loved the story so much when you were little will create a bond and make bed-time stories extra special.
   
   Another idea for a child's room is to make copies of old black and white illustrations, cover a wall with them, and allow the child to color them in.
   
   For the hallway, consider framing old book covers and arranging on the wall in artful fashion.
   
   For the office, use old books a pedestal for a lamp. Even a book cover placed on a picture stand can "speak a thousand words."
   
   For the living room, consider tearing out pages of old books and covering the top of your coffee table with them. Top with a sheet of glass and wa-la--instant style!

4. 
    
   Consider a room-based theme.

   Consider a theme based on genre. For example: decorate your kitchen with old cookbooks, your craft room with Vintage Child Craft encyclopedia illustrations--those were filled with fun ideas, weren't they?

5. 
    
   Arty the Smarty

   Invite company over and let the conversations begin!

Tips & Warnings

• Don't cut up keepsakes or books that could hold significant resale value! Find duplicates or cheaper editions of the books that you don't mind taking a pair of scissors to.
• Don't over-do it. Perhaps choose one or two rooms to display your personal style with books.

[vintage]

on 7/14/2009 very creative idea, good article 5*

[barbiecrafts]

on 7/6/2009 GREAT article...how to decorate with vintage books has inspired me! 5 rr sub

[jamiekucharski]

on 6/30/2009 Home deco with classic books is beautiful! I have always wanted to display older pieces in an open home collection. Nice read! 5* and rec.

[krm479]

on 6/30/2009 I find it so difficult to get rid of old books. Thanks for the tips on displaying them around my home.

[hollyhood314]

on 6/29/2009 sounds veru spohisticated and classy nice suggetstions!