5.04.2009

.seen, but not heard






I have been pondering....

This is a decor related question.  I have 9,564 books, maybe 9,565 even. There is no limit to the books I covet.  Love to read, browse, share...you get the picture. What I am not sure about though is books and design in the home. What do you think about objects, sometimes one, sometimes what seems like every accessory in a living room, placed as a decorative splash on top of books?  Does it say swanky, or does it say- don't even think of touching me. I want to be seen and not read. Do you think they are silently screaming get this %$#@ off of me? Should you decorate ON your books?

Thoughts please.....

23 comments:

  1. I may even have 9,566 books. I love books...all kinds, but they do get a bit much without the wall to wall built-ins. I've actually been considering selling some of my antique ones on etsy. Can I do it? Obviously, I'm not helping, am I?

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  2. I know what you mean. I think it's supposed to be swanky, but also says, "just pick this thing up off me and take me off the shelf... read me, then put it back, if you really think it looks good there. but yes, read me please!"

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  3. G-Another wonderful post. Miles Redd's living room (the second picture) I adore. I love books everywhere, but I like having them look like a design asset and not a distraction. Maybe the books are crying-I want to be stylish as well as intelligent! I love books on a shelf, with a decorative item next to them acting as a bookend. I also like a beautiful object on top of a stack of books.

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  4. G-I should have added to check out my post today on Mary Jane Pool's gorgeous apartment and her books and magazines!

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  5. g.
    I love nothing more than books in design, they seem to fit anywhere... don't worry, to me the more the merrier...they are necessary the fabric of who we are... They are our silent friends but say so much:)
    xox's
    janet

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  6. i have tons and tons of books. we put them wherever we think they work. i say definitely decorate with them...it always worries me when i don't see books in a home.

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  7. Love the things you see in your mind and elsewhere...I have just added you to my list of favorite blogs!
    Kirsten

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  8. hot DAMN you have a lot of books! way more than me! i love them. i don't always put stuff on top of them. but i have put a few decorative items on the books that are in the 6' squared set of ikea cubbies in the front room.

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  9. I don't think anything in my house is too precious not to be touched. So if I've placed something on top of a book, I would hope you'd move it aside to pick up the book and leaf through it.

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  10. I love these rooms! My dream is to one day have a "study" filled with books!!

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  11. This article reminded me of a time, not too long ago, when we had a "green" architect come to our house for a quote on our reno/addition.

    He and his assistant seemed absolutely FLOORED when I said I wanted a wall of shelves (library; living room; dining room; wherever they fit in the plan)...

    They both tried to make me "re-think" it and the assistant actually asked me, "well, how many books do you really have???"

    The nerve.

    They were never invited back.

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  12. Droll girl-I will lend you some if I can put a drunk barbie on top
    (haha, you have to read her post today... and always)
    Kelley-you should have THROWN a book at them as they walked out.

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  13. The terrible problem is always the DUSTING (it's even worse in piles). I'm an amateur at around 1,000 books though :) I like a few decoratively placed books, but dislike more than that. It leads to damage (no, books are not coasters). Like the lamp "shades" in first pic - very clever.

    And Kelley, books are "green!" It's like free insulation - can't believe the architect turned up his nose at that! You made a good decision!

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  14. For those of us who have so many books, there isn't much of a choice.

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  15. I have loads of books too, that I need to go through a well...

    dallas
    http://dillydallas.blogspot.com

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  16. Your post makes me want to count my books. The one thing my children know that I shall never abandon or say no to - are my books.
    I always say yes to books and I am always amazed at how many people use them as platforms for objects. I love when I see something witty perched on a book - but I am never afraid to pick up a book or the object. Books were meant to be read, to be cherished. (that includes your wonderful journals too!)
    pve

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  17. Ofcourse you should decorate with them!
    I have this "little" coffee table book addiction LOVE to decorate with them.

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  18. PVE-Thank you, kindly. I so appreciate it!

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  19. I hope it doesn't say please don't touch, I love books everywhere and anywhere. In our home they literally cover almost every surface, but they are never simply for decoration. My oldest son is a bit of a book-aholic, well more than a bit, and not a day goes by when he doesn't ask if he can order something from Barnes and Noble, frankly, there is rarely a time when I say no. So I say, use them everywhere.

    Thanks for stopping by my blog today, I'm glad your comment brought me here! :0)

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  20. I have books and magazines everywhere and put all sorts of things on them. Love it like that - great pics and post, xv.

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  21. I love putting our books on display and styling them with objects here or there. I think if books are a collection you love, like with anything you love in decorating, you can elevate them and make them work in a space. Even if you have many, many, many (like me, too!)

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  22. We also are avid readers with far too many books in our house. We don't put things on top of books, because the books get taken out and handled far too often. But all our bookshelves are low, skirting the room, and the tops of the bookshelves are fair game for all manner of objéts.
    BTW my grandparents had an original of that Le Corbusier chaise (it was originally called the "relaxing machine") in their library, and it is always my favorite thing to think of in a library. Permanently engraved in my psyche.

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  23. I have many many books as well, so it's impossible NOT to decorate on them. I have that same chaise in plain leather in front of my bookcase; it's the perfect reading spot.

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Yes, yes, tell me!