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Decorating with Book Bundles

By Anita 32 Comments

I love this idea of repurposing old books!!  I have seen book bundles so many places in blogland, and was looking forward to making these myself.

 

French miniatures

We inherited a lot of books, so I had to figure out how to incorporate books into my decorating, so this seemed like the perfect idea for a few of the books.

The first step of course is to get the books; we already had them, so that was done.  The second step for me was to decide which books to rip apart for lack of a better word.  I didn’t touch my FIL’s important theological books or any books that were special to us or those that had aged covers.

I selected books that we did not plan to keep or books that had damaged covers.  I know some people think this is a terrible thing to do to a book, so if you are one of those people, you might want to look away just now.

I tried this technique with paperback books and hardback books.  It is obviously easier to remove the front and back covers of paperback books, but removing the paper on the spine is very difficult on the paperback books.  And if the cover was colorful, then it isn’t going to go with the creamy neutrals of the old paper.  I actually used a metal brush meant for a grill on the books spines to remove the paper covers.

I used a box cutter to remove the covers for the hardcoer books.

Then I stacked the books into little bundles,

and tied them up with twine.

As a nod to the previous owners of these books, I added a silhouette portrait of my FIL and my MIL.

It was a wonderful way to add some neutral touches to my home, and a way to keep more of the family books.  Oh don’t worry, I only removed the covers from a just a few books.  The vast majority of the books we inherited still have their covers.

This one is about one of Mr. CH’s ancestors.

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Filed Under: books, Project

Comments

  1. rkbsnana says

    January 16, 2012 at 19:52

    I have never seen that done. Loving it though. I love where you put them too. I’d be interested in seeing what’s in the country preacher journal.

    Reply
  2. ℳartina @ Northern Nesting says

    January 16, 2012 at 20:03

    Funny thing Anita I just made another bundle today myself. I love adding them all around! Your display looks awesome, I love how you incorporated them into your vignette!

    Reply
  3. On Crooked Creek says

    January 16, 2012 at 20:34

    Anita,
    Lovely display!
    I am a former librarian…so yes, my heart was being ripped away with those covers! Who knows, though…perhaps someone will be intriqued, remove the twine and read the books again!
    I do appreciate the gorgeous look in your decor and adore the framed silloutte of your in~laws!
    Fondly,
    Pat

    Reply
    • Anita Cedar Hill Ranch says

      January 16, 2012 at 23:48

      Sorry Pat, I know this isn’t for everyone.

      Reply
  4. THE FARMHOUSE PORCH says

    January 16, 2012 at 20:38

    Looks good! They make great neutral, inexpensive fillers!

    ♥Linsey

    Reply
  5. Town and Country Gals says

    January 16, 2012 at 20:45

    Anita,
    they look wonderful with your decor! I’ve seen the look also and love it but don’t know if I’d be able to do it! I’d be more then happy to have some if someone was to do the tearing and ripping for me!
    Rebecca

    Reply
  6. Lauren @ My Wonderfully Made says

    January 16, 2012 at 21:11

    Love the book bundles — I just did some myself for my Valentine mantle. I have SO many books, I’m always looking for ways to use them up!

    Reply
  7. Sophia's says

    January 16, 2012 at 21:36

    I just love book bundles! These look great. I’ve been meaning to make some myself and you’ve inspired me to get it done!

    Beautiful…

    Kristen

    Reply
  8. Karen says

    January 16, 2012 at 22:07

    tooo cute.. never thought of doing that.thanks for the tips

    Reply
  9. Britt says

    January 16, 2012 at 22:28

    The writer and book lover in me almost couldn’t finish reading this post, but the interior decorator in me loves this! Puts such a cozy feel to the room.

    Reply
    • Anita Cedar Hill Ranch says

      January 16, 2012 at 23:49

      Britt, I know, it was hard for me to do it, to be honest.

      Reply
  10. Dayle says

    January 16, 2012 at 23:43

    As a writer, I was almost in tears seeing those bookcovers cupt off (they’re my favorite part of old books), but you created something pretty. 🙂

    Reply
    • Anita Cedar Hill Ranch says

      January 16, 2012 at 23:51

      Dayle, I have tons of books that I did not mutilate. You might prefer the post I am going to do on how I displayed the other books.

      Reply
  11. c l says

    January 17, 2012 at 00:04

    I was going to post but broke bonding off a front tooth and luckily the dentsit fixed it, but to the tune of $270. Yikes!
    Anyway, it is pretty but it also disturbs me! LOL My Dad buys and sells rare books so… I know they were nothing special but just hard to see.

    Reply
  12. Deanne says

    January 17, 2012 at 00:30

    I actually bought some old mills and boon at a garage sale to do this to, I must find them and make my book bundles- yours look so good!

    Reply
  13. Janie says

    January 17, 2012 at 01:02

    I have seen book stacked as end tables but never like this..I like it…I love stacking old books bundling them makes it even nicer…

    Reply
  14. Anonymous says

    January 17, 2012 at 01:43

    I can’t comment like I used to! If anything, I have to be anonymous. This “threading” thing is truly messing with me and my attempts at commenting! As for the books, I was an English major and had a hard time making my book bundles too. But I did get over it because I love them as decorative accents in my home. You can see mine here:
    http://charmbraceletdiva.blogspot.com/2011/03/pottery-barn-inspired-book-bundles.html. Thanks for sharing!

    Kathleen
    http://charmbraceletdiva.blogspot.com

    Reply
  15. Betsy@ coastal-colors says

    January 17, 2012 at 01:45

    I love these book bundles! I know some flinch at doing this, but I do think they’re beautiful! I love the silhouettes; they’re amazing! Your vignettes looks wonderful!

    Reply
  16. Doniene says

    January 17, 2012 at 02:01

    So cool!! I love old books and place them around, but the bundling is a neat idea! Thanks for sharing.

    Did you get rain? We had some – Praise the Lord!

    Blessings

    Reply
  17. Sonya@Beyond the Screen Door says

    January 17, 2012 at 02:56

    Hey, Anita! Love the look of these twine wrapped books. We did something similar at my daughter’s wedding. Loved the way they looked. I took it a bit further and distressed them a bit with paint to make them look even older. Even though they weren’t books worth keeping it was still quite hard to tear the covers off and dirty them up! LOL!

    Reply
  18. S says

    January 17, 2012 at 12:09

    Pretty display, but not matter how damaged a book might be, I could never rip off the cover. I’d hear my Mom’s voice in my head saying we don’t abuse books like that. I am all for covering them with pretty paper though. In fact, you’ve inspired me to do that.

    Reply
  19. Tracey says

    January 17, 2012 at 12:42

    Love this idea.. they look wonderful!

    Reply
  20. Sue Frazier says

    January 17, 2012 at 13:34

    how pretty! thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  21. Farmhouse Style Living says

    January 17, 2012 at 14:05

    I love books, but I do have to say that I like this repurposing. I have a project for some books that I want to do. You make a planter out of them. Just have to find the right books! I may borrow your idea and do a few bundles also. Great job!

    Reply
  22. Joy says

    January 17, 2012 at 14:48

    Love that vignette. Very pretty and of course I love books 🙂

    Reply
  23. W. Latane Barton says

    January 17, 2012 at 15:09

    I cringed a bit at the sight of those books without their covers but as I read on, it got to be okay with me. Pretty way to save books you might otherwise throw out. Good job.

    Reply
  24. Laurel @ Ducks in a Row says

    January 17, 2012 at 17:28

    This is a beautiful way to use those books! Stopping by from a bowl full of lemons!

    Reply
  25. Tina says

    January 17, 2012 at 19:22

    I love this look! So pretty.

    Have a great week.

    Reply
  26. ❁Velma ~Down Our Country Road❁ says

    January 18, 2012 at 00:24

    Obviously, I’m living in a cave because I don’t recall ever seeing this decorating idea. Cute. I like it. I really love your vignette!

    Reply
  27. Ann from On Sutton Place says

    January 18, 2012 at 02:23

    I have not done this yet…I think yours turned out great and the twine is the perfect touch. I made a bundle with books I covered with paper…it doesn’t have the charm yours have though. Thanks for sharing how you did it. Love the silhouette of your inlaws.

    Reply
  28. Bonnie@Creative Decorating says

    January 18, 2012 at 16:50

    I love the book bundles. Books just add something great to a vignette!

    Reply
  29. mamaroses says

    August 11, 2013 at 19:02

    I looked the other way 🙂 but I am sure my Mom is going to be gleaning and will have plenty to take away from this!

    Reply

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