Sometimes I get confused looks from visitors and friends because I keep my books turned right side in like this in my home. But I don't care because I'm absolutely crazy about the uniform, monochromatic look it creates. My home is decorated with muted tones and simplicity just like this space so the mismatch of colorful books just wouldn't work with my aesthetic.
People always ask, "how do you find the book you're looking for?" Call it instinct of a book lover or a person who knows her library inside and out, but I can tell by the color of the paper and the thickness of its pages exactly which book I'm looking at!
I'm so happy I stumbled across this picture because the next time I come across a skeptical visitor, I can show them that I'm not crazy after all, but instead, totally on trend! ;)
23 comments:
Hi Crystal,
I totally get this! I actually contemplated doing this, and I still might, but for now I am using the covers of the books to give some color to my otherwise white interior.
An other idea, I read this in Island Life a long while back, but it stuck with me... India Hicks covered all her books (hurricane project = no electricity) in craft paper, so they are uniform...
Just an idea.
Northern Light
I would have never thought of doing this, but it makes sense!
I've seriously been considering this... So much more attractive! And, we don't need to take ourselves too seriously... right? Love it!
The look of the white/yellow/brown pages makes the home so warm and peaceful! And no, you don't need to be like others and this way of organizing books is very unique!
What a great idea Crystal! I am totally having an ah ha moment here because my main problem with displaying books is that i don't like all the mismatched colours, but I still want to display them... i'd just have to remember which book is which!
This is definitely an intriguing idea - I love my books but not sure I could recognize by the pages yet! Right now mine are arranged by color...may try flipping them because this is so unique!
I have been struggling with the "too much color" issue in my bookshelf as well! I was thinking of covering all my books in brown paper bags, giving it texture and a more muted tone, but in the meantime (while I collect all those brown grocery bags) this would be a great idea! I'm so happy I'm not the only one, too!
I love it. I especially love books with that metallic sheen on the page edges. I remember rubbing the edges of my Bible when I was little, enthralled by the pretty silver color. My moms was gold edged. I always thought they looked so special.
I don't think I could practically organize my shelves like this...but I super dig it. After seeing some sneak peaks of your space I totally get it too...
What intrigues me here is the idea that one doesn't show off how diverse one's book collection is or how well read, by not showing the book titles.
I also like the brown paper bag idea. I loan my books out and this would make it easier for them to find their way back to me.
Love your relaxed approach to it, C! Fun and laid back!
Ha, my bff does the same thing...now I understand, thanks!
Love it!x
this picture will be a great weapon indeed :)
haha this does look cool! i used to stack my books that way as a kid--my mother always got so mad!! should have shown her this.
xx
youareashootingstar.blogspot.com
I never would have thought of this, but it looks great!
Hi Crystal-
I totally get what you're saying! It's what works for the look in a room. Only other way would be time consuming by covering all your books in neutral paper or textured wallpaper or neutral fabric!
Take care!
Michelle Zuniga
I am also enjoy visiting your great blog.
This is a great idea! I had tried to cover my books in brown paper bags last year but I honestly ran out of stamina. It's really time consuming if you have a lot of books, like me. I never thought of turning them this way.
I never thought of this but the jumble of colors in a bookshelf can really create a messy look and feel; great in a family room or library but not so much in a dining room or living room. Great idea.
What a great idea! I've never seen that before. I generally take off the book cover, but this is a much better solution!
Ooh I love this look, I've never seen any one do this before. And I suppose that if you were not a book-lover, you could buy any old books just to create the look!
Nancy
You're definitely not the only one! I tried it out on my shelves:
http://shockthebourgeois.blogspot.com/2009/09/decorating-by-book-or-not.html
But, alas, my boyfriend said "absolutely not," and that was that. I'm stuck with boring old spines-out bookshelves!
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