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WHERE STYLE & ELEGANCE MEET
Bound Luxuries
We live in an undeniably digital age, one in which just about everything that can be read is available to read electronically. Yet, more than a few of us are holding on to a love of books that finds continual expression in our homes. It can become an issue, however, when those displays begin to overwhelm our bookshelves, leaving us with stacks of books that we don’t have a place for looking for a solution. Fortunately, books are one of the best and most affordable ways to add style and texture to your home.
Why would you store your books in boxes buried in your attic when you can decorate with them? There are several ways to use books to add style to your space. The obvious solution to most people is bookshelves, which raises more questions: should you go with set-in bookshelves, shelves that dominate a wall, or small accent shelves? Of course, bookshelves aren’t the end-all, be-all of book storage. There are baskets, floating shelves and so many more options to choose from. When looking at bookshelves, I recommend beginning with a blank slate. First, remove all the books from the shelves. Next, dust and clean the shelves. You now will want to consider adding depth to your room by removing the shelves and either painting the back walls of the book cases with darker shade of paint that coordinates with the walls of the room or perhaps a bold pop of color. Next, you will add the shelves back into the wall and adjust the heights to what is visibly pleasing your eye. If you have a wall of bookshelves, it is best to adjust each shelf to the same height vertically across your wall. This will make the space appear larger, more consistent and organized.
One of the biggest challenges is to look at all your books and edit those you no longer wish to keep. If you find yourself on the opposite end of the book owner spectrum, where you actually don’t have many books to display, you should find plenty of interesting options at flea markets, thrift stores and even the discount shelves at your local bookseller. For statement books, the bargain rows at bookstores have more affordable coffee table sized books while big box discount stores have them mixed in with their “home goods” section.
The current trend for decorating with books is to remove the paper jackets and organize your books by color. Book spines can be quite colorful and can be the perfect bright accessory in some rooms. Using this method adds pretty pops of color to the room, creating an interesting sense of visual contrast as well as a touch of playfulness. You can achieve this look using compartmentalized shelving or, try arranging books by color across one long shelf, creating a linear rainbow of hues. It’s a fun, artsy addition to any room. For a more personalized touch, try mixing in photos, pieces of art, vases and anything else you’ve managed to collect over the years among your book collection. It’s a strategy that works wonderfully in traditional styles which tend to favor a lot of decorative and visual elements in a space.
In some cases, colored book spines can be quite distracting to a decorative color scheme. If that is the case in your home, simply turn the books around and show off the cream-colored pages. This will create an elegant and monochromatic statement to any bookcase. Another great idea is to create your own book cover with craft paper or a subtle simple wrapping paper.
The art of creating a perfectly styled yet livedin room is one of the trickier aspects of design. But knowing how to do it can help you to keep your everyday living environment looking magical. Like art, books can be displayed on the floor for an authentic and unpretentious feel. If you are looking to create a more casual or bohemian style, create sky-high book stacks. These towering “Books of Pisa” are the ultimate in statement book stacking.
The next logical place to visit is your coffee table and end tables. If you have an eclectic group of books that are table-sized, this is the place to start for making a stylish vignette. You don’t have to be shy either. A single book can have an understated appeal, but stacks of books can look just as good. Pay attention to size as you build your stacks. On the coffee table, you’ll want fairly uniform stacks as opposed to book pyramids. If you have a lamp you adore, and it just isn’t the right height for your end table add books under your lamp to bring it up to the correct height.
One of the key factors for turning a stack of books into a statement is pairing them with other stylish accessories. Flowers are similar to books in the way they convey a lived-in sense of authenticity that gives a grounded reality to a space, making it look more like a home and less like a staged exhibit. Pairing small stacks of books with flowers in your favorite vase will create the perfect vignette to any space. For smaller vignettes, it’s helpful to frame the moment in a way that draws attention in no uncertain terms. Using a tray is one of the best ways to achieve this effect by encapsulating a small yet impactful element of your décor. Another trick for smaller vignettes is to build up, rather than out. Using books to elevate another accessory generates attention around the piece while creating layers of height and scale within the room. And while you may feel that this is a lot of attention to lavish on a candle or small plant, creating color-coordinated vignettes in simple palettes will bring everything together beautifully.
Try placing books in wicker baskets, or linen baskets in cubby holes. If your space is more rustic, put some small books in metal buckets. I’ve used them in several locations of my home to prop things up. This computer screen was too low so a couple of heavy volumes became the perfect solution. The options are virtually endless.
The bedroom is an excellent place to style your book collection. A bedside table adjacent to a beautiful luxe bed is the perfect companion for your stylistic book flair. Unlike in the living room, this bedside table provides an opportunity for a mini-library for all of your favorite bedtime stories. Of course, this is with the addition of other accessories like plants, small bowls and even the bedside lamp that gives this vignette its charismatic look -- crowded but controlled and effortlessly elegant.
What better way to be greeted every time you walk through the door than by your favorite books? Entryways are the perfect area to style with pieces from your library. Credenzas offer ample space for displaying your love of the written word, while the books help provide a backdrop for other accessories. The trick here is picking the right books. Skip the paperbacks and go for art and design books with a well-designed cover and a good amount of weight. Selecting topics and subjects that are important to you allow your guests to learn a little more about you at every turn. Don’t be surprised to find yourself perusing your own collection every time you come home.
What InspiresYou? It’s the question that matters most to us. Because we’re making something special. The one place in the world that’s yours.
