Decorating with Books

See full size imageMy husband and I both love reading, and accordingly, have amassed quite a collection of books over the years.  We made sure when designing our new house to have lots of built-in bookcases to house all of our books.  When we moved, I swear most of our boxes were filled with books.  I am definitely a “real book” reader- haven’t even tried the Kimble or whatever its called because I just love the feel of a book in my hand and, when I read in bed, I just prefer holding an actual book and turning the pages.  Old-fashioned? Probably, but I like it that way.  And I love decorating with books.  You can tell a lot by a person by the books they read.  In my house, you would guess I’m into God/religion/spirituality, decor, parenting/babies, fashion, and cooking.  My husband’s books are all about business, law, and history.  I’ve gotten a lot of inspiration for decorating with books from blogland and I especially love those “rainbow” bookshelves and wanted to try my hand at it.  I’m pretty familiar with my books, so I’m sure I won’t have any trouble locating them even though they aren’t categorized by subject.  Here’s my rainbow bookshelf in the upstairs hallway.  All I did was group the books into rainbow order by their spines and then arrange them on the shelf.   I reworked it a couple of times, and ended up with this: basket, book, James, walls, J bath 001 basket, book, James, walls, J bath 002 Here’s the close up: basket, book, James, walls, J bath 007    basket, book, James, walls, J bath 004  basket, book, James, walls, J bath 006 Here are a few other places in my home that I’ve used books as decor.  Living Room Living Room July 2010 009   Books 001 Kitchen    Books 007 James’ Nursery  Books 023   Books 025 Books 026   Here are some of my inspiration images: color-bookshelf- Brooklyn Limestone *Flicker via Chotda 5-15-08bookshelfext.jpg Eccentric Scholar via Apartment Therapy  malenecharles- Design Sponge christinemartinez- Design Sponge  *Malene Charles & Christine Martinez (both via Design Sponge) eringateslivingroom_thumb[2]  *Erin Gates former home.  Elements of Style                 kellydoust1- Design Sponge atlshowhouse_thumb1 *Kelly Doust via Design Sponge       Leah Richardson *Leah Richardson  north_vancouver10_thumb[20]                  *David Jimenez Picture_1- J Crew *J Crew *First image via science blogs. ********* I’m sharing this post with these fabulous blogs: A Few of My Favorite Things * All Thingz Related * Blue Cricket Design * C.R.A.F.T. * Fingerprints on the Fridge * Infarrantly Creative * Just A Girl * Keeping it Simple * Mad in Crafts * Me and My Bucket * Miss Mustard Seed * New Nostalgia * Remodelaholic * Seven Thirty Three * Serenity Now * Super Stinky Boys * Tatertots and Jello * The Inspired Room * The Shabby Chic Cottage * The Shabby Nest * Thrifty Decor Chick * Today’s Creative Blog * Under the Table and Dreaming and at these parties.

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37 Comments

  1. August 6, 2010 / 6:00 pm

    This is my first time to your site, and I have to say I LOVE the rainbow bookshelves! I've never seen that concept before, but now I want to do it in my home. 🙂 Thanks for the inspiration!

  2. August 8, 2010 / 5:35 am

    Great post! I wish I had some built-ins!

  3. August 8, 2010 / 3:05 pm

    Wow. You've got a lot of books in there. I think you're a very intelligent person. A person who has a lot of passion for reading learns a lot and therefore is known as intelligence.

  4. Sonya@Beyond the Screen Door
    August 16, 2010 / 4:48 am

    I agree with you! I LOVE reading and especially like the feeling of holding an old book and knowing others read it before me! I even like the smell! Weird I know!
    Great post!

  5. August 16, 2010 / 11:11 am

    Love this idea! I know all my books and will find them in my shelf! So why not sort them by color instead of author or subject? Thanks for sharing!

  6. Deanne
    August 16, 2010 / 8:18 am

    I have never thought to organise my bookshelves by colour- they always tend to be by subject. They look very beautiful done in a rainbow.

  7. August 16, 2010 / 1:51 pm

    I love it! I saw something like this on Martha, but it seemed so impossible. I guess if you've got enough books and enough shelves, you're bound to have a variety of spines to organize into the rainbow…

  8. August 16, 2010 / 6:31 pm

    I had to giggle when I seen your bookshelves.
    I have all my clothes in the closet done the same way and the hubby thinks I am insane. I secretly sneak into the close and rearrange his…lol.

  9. C.R.A.F.T.
    August 16, 2010 / 4:51 pm

    i LOVE this 🙂 I'm going to feature you next week at MMM !!!! and I'm making my own rainbow tonight 🙂

  10. August 17, 2010 / 2:15 am

    I organized my boyfriend's bookshelves by colour and I think he thinks I'm crazy. Also, now he can't find anything because I've messed up his sorting.

    But damn it if it won't be cute once I move in to his condo!

  11. August 17, 2010 / 3:52 am

    This is my first visit, you were linked next to me on Skip to my Lou's site, but I LOVE this idea. I have a bajillion books. This would be such a neat way to organize them! 🙂

  12. Annie
    August 17, 2010 / 6:40 pm

    I love the look, but the books in my overflowing tall bookcases aren't nearly as colorful as those in the photos. My books are sorted by category (quilting, gardening, cooking, etc.) and I'd never be able to find a book if I had to stop to think what color the cover is.

  13. August 17, 2010 / 9:20 pm

    This is my first time visiting your blog, and I love the rainbow shelves! It is such a unique way to showcase all your books.

  14. August 18, 2010 / 2:55 am

    Very pretty! What a neat idea!

  15. Ginger
    August 18, 2010 / 12:46 am

    I love to read too, but unfortunately, we do not have a lot of room in our small house for a bunch of shelves. And thus, we must recycle our books regularly at 1/2 Price Books. Thanks for linking up to Mad Skills Monday!

  16. August 18, 2010 / 6:53 pm

    What a neat idea! I too, love to read, although I wish I had built ins, I have made ways to incorporate books into my decorating.

    Stop over for a visit sometime!

    Cara

  17. August 19, 2010 / 3:05 am

    I love it! I want to try it, but I don't think my collection is as colorful as yours. Hmmm. Well, I love it in your space- absolutely fabulous!

  18. August 19, 2010 / 5:01 pm

    I can't wait to leave work today. I must go home and create a rainbow book display. We have three bookcases in our family room that I am sooo not happy with the display. This is a great idea!

  19. Amy Bowman
    August 19, 2010 / 3:06 pm

    Hi Megan!
    Ok, that is just really too awesome. Now I wish I didn't get rid of most of our books 🙁 Oh well, I will just stare at your picture and enjoy the beauty of yours and try not to be jealous!:)
    Thanks for linking up to "AP Tuesdays" @ New Nostalgia! Would love to see you again next week!

  20. August 20, 2010 / 4:04 pm

    I just spent a ton of time alphabetizing all of my books, but now I want to go back and do this! It looks awesome.

  21. Amy Bowman
    August 23, 2010 / 10:34 pm

    Your post was very popular this week at "AP Tuesdays" I will be featuring you tomorrow! Thanks for linking up such a great post!

  22. AliceAnderson
    August 25, 2010 / 4:09 pm

    I love your shelves! And all your inspirational posts. I've been meaning to finish painting the library. Since that involves moving three bookcases I think I'll reorganize mine by color as well. I've always loved rainbows and books!! 🙂

  23. The Blackwood Cottage
    August 27, 2010 / 3:47 pm

    Wild photos! Love it, hugs from St. Louis!
    machelle

  24. michaela
    August 27, 2010 / 11:21 pm

    b.e.a.u.t.i.f.u.l.
    You have great design taste and talents. Keep up the good work!

  25. August 28, 2010 / 2:45 pm

    That is so fun! Hmmmm….I might have to try this. I'll have to convince my husband first.

  26. Lauren
    October 24, 2010 / 5:52 am

    Your photo of the rainbow bookshelf is what got my hooked on your blog. I am obsessed with this concept and want to do it right away! I agree with you about the Kindle- books are one of the last things we have that aren't technological and I like that about them. Also, I love the look of full bookshelves. I always think homes without books are strange. Great blog and beautiful house!

  27. January 26, 2011 / 2:48 am

    What a neat idea. I have never seen this before. It's a rainbow of knowledge!! My Daughter would love this since she loves all things rainbow!

  28. July 6, 2011 / 10:02 pm

    Your site offers a lot of unique insights and information. I have never really thought about it like that. Please keep updating your homepage.
    I will be stopping over every time you do .

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