Last Spring, I posted about this
tablescape I did for a Book Club event. As it was being dismantled, our built-ins received a new coat of paint. They went from builder blah to Sherwin Williams' Status Bronze. The new tone was just what I wanted, rich and deep, but dark accessories set against it tend to disappear.
To remedy that, I added the chartreuse elements from the tablescape to brighten up the dark recessed areas.
Our neutral decor employs vivid green accents, so the homemade book jackets and leopard-print covers add textural interest and liven things up.
I'd add more intentionally-matched covers, but something holds me back. Maybe a fear that it's too contrived? I know I'd miss the mish-mash appeal, and the purist in me says it's sacrilege to fancy-up books with pretty covers. But, I have to admit, it appeals to my inner perfectionist. Designers and critics have argued this point as well.
Texture and interest aside, I favor a naked spine anyhow, and yes, don't worry-- we're still talking books! I'm not down with flashy jackets, so I strip any distracting covers from the books that grace our shelves. Nude books have more character than those sporting a funky-colored jackets to me. But what about adding pretty duds to your books?
I admit I am drawn to this cohesive look of coordinating covers. Covers that mesh with the decor and blend with the room. Calming. Non-distracting. Easy on the eye. Kind of minimalist. It wouldn't be easy to maintain, as book assortments seem to grow by leaps and bounds. However, I found an example at an Atlanta show house recently to share with you, which illustrates this well.
And here's a long shot:
Trying to locate a book devoid of its title could be tricky, but don't you find books set spine-in on shelves, with ends exposed like this rather attractive? Covers could always be labled.
The neutral tones exampled here would mesh wonderfully in decors done in beach colors. I love the soothing shades of the decorative paper covers too:
And here's another view of the twin bookcase arrangements the designer used in this upper hallway of the show house:
Books not only provide hints about those who reside in a home, but have their place in interior design too. I mean, you can't read every single book at once, so why not put them to use? I love seeing a nice stack of large books on the floor doubling as a side table. And decorators often rely on small stacks of books to provide lift and stage on which to perch accessories. An adorned book is fetching, and there are lots of neat ways to accent books. I'm sure you've tried some of these: Magnifying glasses, elaborate book marks, paperweights, and more. This shot from another show house...
reminds me of this etched glass paperweight my late Father-in-law gave to me:
And, I pandered this shot of an ornate bookmark of mine on Flickr:
I've taken some of these ideas away from show houses.
I'm resisting the urge to, once I wind down this post, find some ugly books, (if there is such a thing), and make them over.
But all this talk about books brings me to another question. We love books for many reasons, and we've established their worth in interior design. (Isn't this Book Bling cute?)
How then, could I be thinking about buying a Kindle? While I don't necessarily feel books will ever become extinct, I worry a bit about the idea of electronic books. What about my plan for beautifully-coordinated jackets? Stop buying books and ditch that? Would I miss the mustiness of an old book? Their naked spines? The wonderful photographs and illustrations-- how can these possibly translate in electronic form? Would I miss the occasional slough of a brittle, yellowed page? The swish of a page turn? Do wine spots bleed onto Kindle pages? Better yet, can a Kindle properly prop up my favorite tschotchskys?
And now my questions for you, my sweet lambs: Would you buy an electronic book, and if so, which type of book would you find acceptable in electronic form? Last request: Can you pretty please share your favorite ways in which to display or organize books in your home? I'd love to see them, so please add a link!
Ciao Ciao!
