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Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Books and Their Covers

Having fun with my vintage book collection.  The hot look for the book is coverless.  I got some old books at the thrift store for 50 cents apiece and ripped their covers off.  Shocking I know, if you haven't been over to Pottery Barn, Ballard Design, or my personal favorite Restoration Hardware you might not have noticed this look.  Think of it as another way to recycle that which may be headed for the dumpster anyway.  That would have been the fate of my books in a few weeks.

But, if you really do have an aversion to tearing up a book I do have an alternative for you. 

See the covers on these books.  I created them to look old out of brown paper sack book covers.  Just like the ones you made in grade school.  See how I did it here.

I updated this little lamp.  You can read about that here.
And what is not to love about an old clock and it's time worn face.  
Loving my whites today over with Kathleen at Faded Charm.
Will also link to:  Go and visit these great blogs.
Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday  at Coastal Charm
Junkin Finds at A La Carte
Thrifty Thursday at Tales From Bloggeritaville
Frugalicious Friday  at Finding Fabulous
 Found a new Party over at:
Anything Goes Party at Type A Decorating
at

43 comments:

  1. Annie JoyJanuary 25, 2011 at 10:20 AM

    I love the book cover idea and will probably try it. Reminds me of what I did years ago. We were wallpapering my daughter's room and had some left over; I made book covers for her books, adding a solid label on the spine with the title. You could do that with a vintage look wallpaper -- especially with a multi-volume set. Thanks! Annie

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  2. AmandaJanuary 25, 2011 at 10:33 AM

    I love that first vignette photo! It's so cozy and elegant! I am laughing though because I just passed up a big old book in the free bin at the thrift store because the cover was falling off! Thank you for filling me in on this new trend...I get it now, and I love it! When I drive by that thrift store again today I think I'll stop by and see if that book is still there waiting to be rescued ;)
    Best Wishes!
    Amanda

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  3. Bonnie@Creative DecoratingJanuary 25, 2011 at 11:10 AM

    I love your vignette! I have been buying books at the thrift stores based on their color of binding and non-offensive titles!! I have thought about covering them like we did in school. Wallpaper is another great idea. Thanks for sharing!

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  4. Blondie's JournalJanuary 25, 2011 at 11:36 AM

    I was wondering how it was possible to pull the covers off books without ripping the whole thing apart {and my nails}! This is a better alternative and I must admit, I do have a guilt thing about it. I'm off to read your tutorial. Thanks, Sherry!

    XO,
    Jane

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  5. Honey at 2805January 25, 2011 at 12:04 PM

    You created a beautiful vignette and I love the tutorial for how to get that aged leather look from paper for the book covers. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  6. SueJanuary 25, 2011 at 6:32 PM

    I love the look, but it would be hard to destroy a book...ouch! Everything looks so pretty, I guess I would be okay if it was a thrift store buy. I have been seeing them in the catalogs. Your vignette is very nice.

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  7. EllenJanuary 25, 2011 at 6:49 PM

    I'm so loving the first picture! Wow, what an impact the vignette makes. So simply and well put together - great eye Girl!

    xoxo,
    Ellen

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  8. TeteJanuary 25, 2011 at 6:56 PM

    Great idea. I archive what I find and keep it until the next hand comes along, and I almost cry when I see things destroyed just to decorate.
    I love this look. I will doing to mine now! Thanks!
    Hugs- Tete and Happy WW!

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  9. Daphne Nicole & Lynda CadeJanuary 25, 2011 at 7:02 PM

    I just love the look of the books without their covers... I just recently purchased some myself! I love your antique clock too, it's absolutely gorgeous!!! Happy White Wednesday!
    Daphne

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  10. Jacqueline~Cabin and CottageJanuary 25, 2011 at 7:08 PM

    I love everything in your arrangement! So pretty to look at. I'm crazy about the books and your labels on them. The cloche, the clock, the works! Even the trim on your lamp shade!

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  11. AnonymousJanuary 25, 2011 at 7:24 PM

    Lovely.... just lovely. I'm your newest follower. http://moogieland.blogspot.com/

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  12. Raspberries and Rose PetalsJanuary 25, 2011 at 7:28 PM

    Beautiful vignette! Love the tutorial - thanks for sharing it with us!

    Happy WW!
    Hugs!
    Lori

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  13. LaJanuary 25, 2011 at 7:53 PM

    Very nice vignette, Sherry. Hope you are having a wonderful day. La

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  14. Brenda PruittJanuary 25, 2011 at 7:54 PM

    Sherry, I love this idea! And I'm really impressed with that lamp you did!
    Brenda

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  15. AnonymousJanuary 25, 2011 at 7:59 PM

    Yup - I am one of those who has an aversion to tearing up old books.
    I have a different Anything Goes party linked up on my blog. I'll have to check yours out.

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  16. bjJanuary 25, 2011 at 8:03 PM

    Yep...I am lovin the look! I have a few books that have torn covers anyway..and I am keeping eyes open for damaged ones at the thrifts.
    I love your pretty clock...:) You just reminded me of one I have in my closet. I am getting ready to redo a mantel and this is gonna work out great. Thanks for the inspiration, sweetie...

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  17. bjJanuary 25, 2011 at 8:12 PM

    OK, I pretty much HAVE to have a couple of those amazing book covers but, after reading your instructions, I would have it glued to the top of my head, the rope stuck up my nose and purely frazzled. (not a craft bone in my entire olden body) If EVER you put any in your shop, would you kindly let me know? They are adorable...
    Now, going to ready about updating a lamp...

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  18. Annie LouiseJanuary 25, 2011 at 8:13 PM

    I love your grouping, those books are gorgeous!
    Jeanette

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  19. MarthaJanuary 26, 2011 at 3:51 AM

    I like your alternative. I have a hard time tearing books apart!!!

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  20. Sandi~A Cottage MuseJanuary 26, 2011 at 6:25 AM

    I really think PB and Ballard are getting ideas for their catalogs from blogland!! Love the vignette you have created!! Have a nice day!

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  21. Tammy @ Type AJanuary 26, 2011 at 10:02 AM

    thanks for linking at type a, love the books. where did you get that lamp. it's beautiful.

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  22. UnknownJanuary 26, 2011 at 10:14 AM

    Your books look great, well done!

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  23. stefanieJanuary 26, 2011 at 11:09 AM

    they are gorgeous!!!!

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  24. Bella's Rose CottageJanuary 26, 2011 at 12:20 PM

    Hi Sherry,
    Your vignette looks beautiful! Love the books... it's something I have been wanting to try :-)
    Hugs,
    Bella

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  25. AnonymousJanuary 26, 2011 at 2:28 PM

    I love your vignette. I've had trouble finding vintage books with pretty covers. Although I did see some, they were in a store where the store lady made her dog attack me for trying to pet it. (No joke, she signaled it), so obviously I will have to keep looking.

    However, I expecially like how you decorated your cloche with the rolled papers. I am just not creative when it comes to what to put in these things, so I'm glad so many bloggers share their ideas.

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  26. V I N T A G E O L O G I E January 26, 2011 at 3:48 PM

    I'm totally diggin' this look right now ... great job and thanks for the link to the tutorial ... awesome!

    xo
    Jill

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  27. LesaJanuary 26, 2011 at 5:19 PM

    Ha-- I wrote a scathing but funny post on my bookblog last summer about Restoration Hardware torturing books!

    Love your books! And they haven't been abused! ;o)

    Would you mind if I shared one of your photos on a bookblog post with a link to this post and a link to your tutorial? I think my readers would love to see this!

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  28. Blue Ridge Altered ArtJanuary 26, 2011 at 5:54 PM

    Love you vignette and the book covers. I will have to give it a try. ~~Sherry~~

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  29. Vintage Linen TreasuresJanuary 26, 2011 at 8:38 PM

    I first the the coverless book look a couple of years ago in Round Top, TX. I loved it so much that I ran to the closest Goodwill to buy up some books. I'm going to have to try your book covers. It looks wonderful!
    Patricia :o)

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  30. The Quintessential MagpieJanuary 27, 2011 at 10:44 AM

    I love it, Sherry! I think it is a wonderful look, and I love how the new lamp looks in the vignette, too.

    I have a thing for books, and since I generally love the graphics on new books, I think I would opt for something that wasn't great lit to do this. You're right. If they're headed for the dumpster, you're saving it anyhow! But my favorite thing is the way you made those covers out of paper and then covered them in that other paper with the cording to look like leather on the spines. BRILLIANT! I clicked over and will have to go back to that tutorial.

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

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  31. An Oasis in the DesertJanuary 27, 2011 at 12:50 PM

    I really like the look of books (even newer ones) without the jackets. I removed jackets from a number of books that I have that I like to have out for easy pick up and read, and I was amazed at how cool they looked. I like the scrolls of whatever that you have under the cloche. Looks great!

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  32. DiannJanuary 27, 2011 at 5:41 PM

    It still makes me think I am going to get yelled at for tearing books! LOL I love the book covers you made.

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  33. Linda @ A La CarteJanuary 27, 2011 at 6:05 PM

    Fabulous vignette! My favorite is the little clock. So sweet! Thanks for joining JFF this week. hugs, Linda

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  34. SusanJanuary 27, 2011 at 6:22 PM

    Your vignette in the first photo is awesome!!

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  35. Susan FreemanJanuary 27, 2011 at 6:50 PM

    So charming!!

    Love,
    Susan and Bentley
    xxoo

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  36. Ms. Bake-itJanuary 27, 2011 at 7:44 PM

    what a beautiful vignette! I absolutely love books and the thought of tearing one up or ripping off its cover sends chills up my spine! I like your alternative and may try it.

    ~ Tracy

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  37. Linda @ Itsy Bits And PiecesJanuary 27, 2011 at 8:21 PM

    Fun vignette, lots of goodies!

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  38. Christine @ sugarandtrash.comJanuary 27, 2011 at 8:58 PM

    I had no idea about the coverless books! I love the clock, your whole vignette looks great.

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  39. QuiltpiecerJanuary 27, 2011 at 10:43 PM

    Great post ... love the charming vignette! Thanks for the tute on the book covers.

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  40. KarieJanuary 27, 2011 at 11:01 PM

    I like this idea. I have covered books before but I like the leather worn look. Thanks for sharing the tutorial, I am going to do a couple of these books. Karie

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  41. Debra@CommonGroundJanuary 27, 2011 at 11:13 PM

    I love the look of the coverless books too, but I only remove them if they're in terrible shape. Love the vignette, the lamp is just gorgeous. Thanks for linking up with VIF!
    hugs,
    Debra

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  42. Life Goes OnJanuary 28, 2011 at 7:47 PM

    I love the books with the covers off as long as you find books falling apart. What is the harm and this is from a past bookstore owner. Love it

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  43. debJanuary 30, 2011 at 2:31 AM

    Love your vignette! and I love old books. Getting used to the coverless book, I usually can find them for free at our library when thy have there sale,♥♥
    *hugs*deb

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Thank you wonderful people who take the time to comment. I appreciate them and love to connect with you.