All my decorating books are still packed up from when we were getting our house ready to put on the market last year {we’re off the market now}, and I have no bookshelves to put them on at the moment. Until I can find something suitable for my living room, I found some inspiration in these pictures.
Country Living
Pottery Barn
And why not? I have my large square coffee table {that I had painted black this past winter}; plenty of room for some books. So I went in search of the boxes containing my books and using these inspiration pictures came up with this.
Here is the coffee table “before”, but after I had painted it black.
Here’s the “after” with the books. A small change but one that makes a difference for me, because now I can have my decorating books out and available.
I added some of the accessories I had on the table back in and included that little decorating book in the center.
I tried to keep like shapes together and kept the stacks equal heights.
This will do for now. I have my books easily at hand, they are neatly arranged, and because of the space they take up, think of how much dusting I’ll cut down on.
Notice that screen in the background of the last picture? I have a short post coming up about that soon, and how it actually worked out for me when I did a “let me just keep it here for now” placement.
Don’t forget to enter my Cottage Charm Giveaway! This blogwide giveaway ends on May 29, 2010.
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Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps On The Porch
It’s So Very Creative at It’s So Very Cheri
Tabletop Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life
Be Inspired at Room to Inspire
Hello Kathy~Oooh how I would love to sit in your gorgeous living room reading through all those books of inspiration.
ReplyDeleteSweet wishes,
Sara
Kathy, I think this looks great! I love decorating with books and sometimes it is as simple as piling them up on a coffee table. Looks like we have the same taste in design books. I think I have almost everyone on your table.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Sherry
I have just started trying to decorate with books. I a have a couple displays but just haven't quite got it down yet. I will keep trying! Thanks for the inspiration!!
ReplyDeleteI told you, we are twins separated at birth!
ReplyDeleteLove the coffee table scape! The hardest thing for me to do is my coffee table and I am constantly struggling with it! Love the books!
Lou Cinda :)
I love this Kathy. It looks so great. I love my decorating and organizing books, but my kids would bother them too much if I left them out. I guess I'll have to wait a few years. I have that little one in the middle and love looking throughit.
ReplyDeleteI love books too and I love the way you used them in your decor.
ReplyDeleteI love it Kathy, you gave some awesome examples. I use books, but I want to incorporate more...I really like what you did with the coffee table, looks fantastic!
ReplyDeleteVery nice, Kathy! Welcome back!!
ReplyDeletexxoo
I love having books on the coffee table. When I have a minute to sit and rest, it's nice to have a book to flip through. Have you seen photos of where people stack books up next to the couch and sit a tray on top, making a make-shift side table? I think that's pretty cool too.
ReplyDeleteBooks add so much to a home and it's suprising how many homes I see that are totally void of all books. Like your collection too!
ReplyDeleteI think a room without books feels naked, but that's just me. That, and flowers. Love your livingroom, by the way, with the black table and white couch and the books, of course.
ReplyDeleteLooks great, I love books of any kind. Your living room looks so comfortable and inviting. I think I could sit there and go through those decorating books for hours without leaving.
ReplyDeleteSandy
Looks great! I LOVE books of all kinds, and use them all over the house incorporating them into my tablescapes. Some of them are so pretty, why hide them all away on bookshelves!?
ReplyDeleteHi Kathy, i think all your books look fantastic on your table! I love to decorate with books....Kathy
ReplyDeleteHey Kathy! Well you are speakin' my language here with this post. I am a bit of a book-a-holic. I specifically can't get enough of old books. I have quite a collection and some of them I recently looked up and are worth a bit of money! Yippee! But I could never part with them. I think they make my home look so much more lived in.
ReplyDeleteYours are great and I love how you made over your lovely coffee table.
xoxo,
Kim
It looks great Kathy! I love stacking my favorite books on the coffee table. And I always have a stack of reading books on my nightstand.
ReplyDeleteI love using books too. They can add just the right texture and height when you need it.
ReplyDeleteLooks great!
Totally love it KATHY! Yours looks better then any of your inspiration. I thought yours was from a magazine at first. WAY TO GO! JGG
ReplyDeleteHi Kathy! Thanks for stopping by...your table looks like it was out of a magazine! Your table has become my inspiration, thank you!!
ReplyDeleteHi Kathy,
ReplyDeleteI love how the books look on your table. Very Potterybarnish. Mine would never stay that neat!LOL
We took our house off the market too. We live in a golfing community and the houses in our price range stopped selling. We just got tired of the "lookey loos." and decided to take it off the market until things looked better.
hugs
Sissie
Oh I just love it. I think square coffee tables are so hard to decorate and this looks fabulous. Love your accessories too. I love having my books hands, I know you will love this. Thanks so much for joining the party. Hugs, Marty
ReplyDeleteYou have some great reading! It looks very nice right where you can use it too.
ReplyDeleteKathy, this looks so great. I love decorating with books too. They add such a layered, cozy touch. I've got books on my coffee table too!
ReplyDeleteKristine
This is beautiful,Kathy. I love decorating with books, too.
ReplyDeleteHi..I’m Barb….I am from FF.. I am your newest follower. I hope you will get a chance to visit my blog @ santasgiftshoppe.blogspot.com
ReplyDelete& get inspired by something for your family/home. I hope you will follow me as well. Nice to meet ya
New friend!!
Hi Kathy, I like to use books too to decorate with. Of course if I keep buying books they have to go somewhere.
ReplyDeleteVery nice and very clever! The table makes a great storage and the books are decorative....Christine
ReplyDeleteYour table looks great, Kathy. I use books for decorating, too. And, as long as Pottery Barn keeps showing them, it is a thing that will stay in style for awhile.
ReplyDeleteThey quit showing pretty containers with wine corks and now everyone else has quit using them...I still do, tho, because I like them..:)
That looks really great. I love decorating with books too! I also love your inspiration pictures-thanks for sharing them!
ReplyDeleteBest wishes,
Natasha.
Oh I just adore decorating with books!
ReplyDeletesmart:) they look great...love books and decorating with them just makes sense!
ReplyDeletehave a great day Kathy:)
I just love the look of books in a home and I love how you've arranged your on your coffee table! So nice!
ReplyDeleteBe a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
Hi Kathy, I adore books and your displays are just perfect. Lovely!!
ReplyDeleteBarb ♥
I love books stacked up like you have them. It looks inviting and smart.
ReplyDeleteI love decorating books and enjoy having them handy like this to pick up for a few minutes (or hours!)
ReplyDeleteVery pretty!
Katherine
I just love decorating with books - I think I might actually use them a bit too much! Great ideas.
ReplyDeleteChelsea
Hello sweet Kathy - I'm a new follower of your fabulous blog via BNOTP! Love your living room. That couch looks so cozy. And I like the way you've arranged the books on your coffee table! Great inspiration.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing. I'd love for you to come by for a visit - having a giveaway!
http://emmacallsmemama.com/2010/05/bff-giveaway/
Blessings,
Marie