decorating by the book
I once read about a study that was done on how to get your kids to read. Was the key, reading to them every night? Making them read to you? Starting them young? What was the key to teaching kids the joy of reading? The scientists were very surprised to find that none of that mattered as much as one very simple thing. Having books in the house. By simple virtue of having books in the house - not even kids books - children turned out to be the biggest readers. The adults in the house didn’t even need to be huge readers themselves - it was simply the number of books in the house that made the difference. That being said, I can’t imagine a house full of books without an owner who loved to read. I imagine it’s just another life lesson of ‘actions speaking louder than words’. Kids or no kids, books are a wonderful addition to any house.
They not only add depth and character, but beauty as well.
I’ve always loved the idea of a ‘dining room/library’. It’s a great way to give a seldom-used dining room more purpose, and what a rich atmosphere in which to dine!
Black shelving is dramatic…
…but I’ll always be a sucker for white.
Bookshelves make for a double-duty room divider if you’re short of space.
And they provide a natural backdrop for bringing colour into a room.
For some, that means serious colour!
But for dabblers, books make wonderful pedestals for objets on tables…
Or on chairs…
Trolley’s…
Consoles…
And of course, coffee tables…
Books can even make a coffee table!
Or side table!
Books are a great way to warm up a mantle-scape…
Or fill in a big empty hole!
Wherever you choose to display your books, they’ll help make your house, a home, and it’s probably the easiest thing you’ll ever teach your kids.
Comments
Thanks, love all these great ideas…. We’re moving into our new home in a few weeks, its old and will suit lots of these styles and I definitely want a large fitted bookcase… I can’t wait to decorate!
Books are the heart of any house. I love the pictures you’ve included showing books all over the place! We have our own books as well as my mother’s, my grandmother’s and my aunt’s.