50 books...

 

Earlier in the year I came across a great idea, albeit it was not a new idea but it was a great one..  A list.. I know it is pretty simple when you start out but it became really difficult as I really looked at it.  It is a list of 50 things I would like to do in my life, I did not put a date on it, I did not call it a bucket list but just a list of items I wish to see, do or accomplish within in my life. This list became really hard to complete, I am talking about the actual list I think I made it to 36 items, because I was being serious, I wanted to see things that I truly wanted to do on there not just dreamy things that I would not put the effort into.  

So aside from all of that one of the items was to ready 50 books in a years time, I am a lover of books and own piles and piles of them, a lot I have read but quite a few are just waiting for their moment.  Well, I decided it would be a great thing to start right about now.  I thought it would be a great thing to share also and I was hoping you could help me out with some recommendations on great reads?!  I would love it if you would join me too- it is always fun to share a great book with friends.

What do you think - any interest?

My first on the list is Les Miserables, I would love to know if you have read it and what you think.

Looking forward to a wonderful new year full of new adventures with you here on the blog as well!

 

Great Gifts {design library}

 I love nothing more than a good design book (okay well maybe jewelry) but they are on the top of my gift list all the time.  I love to give and recieve them!!!  Every great designer has tons of them and why shouldn't we be the same way?  These are some of my favorite new books and some that are on my wish list this Christmas!

 

You can click on any cover to see details and pricing.

Enjoy!

 

Tree Bookcase

When I came across this built-in tree bookcase I knew right away that I had 

to share it with you just because I think it's so creative and unique. 

What do you think?

Tree bookshelf



How would YOU go about creating something similar to this?

Nathan Turner @ Pottery Barn {a book signing}

If there is one thing I love it is a good design book and meeting the designer/author is always a great way to spend an evening!  Nathan Turner is signing copies of his first book Nathan Turner's American Style at Pottery Barn in Beverly Hills on Thursday evening.  

Also in the coming weeks look for an interview here on the blog with Nathan about the book and a giveaway for greige readers.

 

Masculine lounge...

I fell madly for this room when I saw it in Atlanta Home and Lifestyles.  I love the masculine feel of the space and the contrast of the dark upholstery with  the white walls.  Another great detail is the way that designer Jimmy Stanton balances out the window with the stack of books and antlers.  

To see the rest of the show house visit their site.

image via

 

Pheromone by Christopher Marley {giveaway}

 While I was in Atlanta at the show I had a chance to visit one of my favorite artists Pheromone by Christopher Marley.  His pieces are amazing and I have been using them for quite some time in different projects.  I have not seen him at a show for a while so I was very excited to get up to date and see his latest designs. 

I ordered several mineral pieces for a project that I am working on as well as some bugs and butterfly pieces to place here and there.  

  

The feathers are by far one of my new favorites!

 

I ordered a few of his books too- so I picked one up for you!

For a chance to win a signed copy of Pheromone please stop by their site and let us know your favorite.  Also, you can get another chance to win by tweeting about the giveaway or posting on facebook.

Please leave a separate comment for each entry and make sure we can contact you through your profile if not please leave your email address.  Our winner will be drawn on Sunday August 19th.

Best of Luck!

 

The Country Bunny And The Little Gold Shoes

The Country Bunny And The Little Gold Shoes
by DuBose Hayward

published in 1939

Illustrated by Marjorie Flack

This book is a literary treasure. If you have not read this to your children, or to your grandchildren, or for yourself, you should! Happy Easter!

One day a little country girl bunny with a brown skin
and a little cotton-ball of a tail said, "Some day I shall
grow up to be the Easter Bunny: you wait and see!"
Then all of the big white bunnies who lived in fine houses,
and the Jack Rabbits with long legs who can run fast,
laughed at the little Cottontail and told her to go
back to the country and eat a carrot.
But she said, "Wait and see!"

Have you read this book?

Bookish: Upcycled & Repurposed Books and Pages

I have always loved books, and have to admit I am a "book collector!" I don't just love to read books though - I love the feel of a book in my hands - it's heft, the texture of it's pages, the gilt of the artwork and lettering on an antique pressed cover...and of course, since learning to read in childhood, the thought of what wonderful secrets could be hidden inside. 

I love books.

But what about altering and repurposing books? 

Years ago the thought would never have entered my mind because my books - they were sacred to me. But after years of going to used book sales and increasing my collection to the point of ridiculousness - I mean, I had books that I bought for $1 whose pages were loose and falling out but they had fabulous antique Art Nouveau covers -  it was at this point I realized, there was no actual monetary value in this damaged book - the only value it had was sentimental value to me, due to its cover art. To most anyone else, it would have been considered trash.  This is the perfect example of a book worthy of recycling into something completely new. Check out these examples of recycled, repurposed and upcycled books and book pages and I think you'll agree that art can indeed be created from an old, damaged book.

Lamp made from a stack of books - DIY instructions from HGTV

Book clutch

Bookcase made from books

Book page mobile




Book bench




Book cover headboard



Storage bin made from book spines by Roadsidephotographs via Etsy







Utensil holder made from an old cook book




rug

sheet music rose

Vintage books upcycled into wedding guest books (above and below) by Spellbinderie via Etsy

blackbird fly

Shelf made from a stack of old books

folded pages

Hollow book safe by Secretsafebooks via Etsy

Sculpture made from folded old books by Kenjio via Etsy

Sculpture carved from a book

Old book + brackets = shelves

i carry your heart

i carry your heart with me(i carry it in
my heart)i am never without it(anywhere
i go you go,my dear;and whatever is done
by only me is your doing,my darling)
                                                      i fear
no fate(for you are my fate,my sweet)i want
no world(for beautiful you are my world,my true)
and it�s you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you
here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows
higher than soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart
i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)   

e e cummings 

Vintage book shoulder purse by BeeZbyScranton via Etsy

book cut sculptures

Make a wall collage from a favorite children's book

sheet music ampersand

Birdhouse covered with pages from an old children's book. The roof is the book cover.

mobiles

From Apartment Therapy

Book carvings (above and below) by Hokey Stokes

how to age paper: DIY instructions

book page wreath

Shelves made from old books

Lamp made from old books

paper mache birds

book bathtub

book safe

Playhouse made from books Iowa City Public Library

bracelet

poinsettia book page wreath how to

Carved book by The Book Surgeon

portal

nails (how to)

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