A LITTLE BOOK DIY





Sometimes when I have to style a room, books need to be bought.  Most people do not have a plethora of these laying around their home.  I often go to the Goodwill or the flea market.  Yes.... it would be wonderful if I could just go out and load up on all new beautiful books but that is just not reality.

In my opinion...they really help to warm up a room.  

On my hunt the other day I found gobs [a whole bunch] of the readers digest books for 2.00 each.  You know the ones with the pretty colorful paper on the outside.


I ripped the whole display apart [crawling around on my knees] looking for the perfect ones to go with my plan.  

Yes I did.

But....when I was putting them in the room...I could not get past the dark leather part.

It was too much color and they were way too dark.  So I took them out and planned on not using them.

BUT....I had a brainstorm....WWKD?  
That is "what would Kim do"....a blogger who flippin paints everything....and more than once I might add.  She is unbelievable.  I once asked her if she had paintbrushes extending from her arms instead of hands....

Anyway....what did I have to lose.  I will paint out the edges.  Proceeded to tape them off and got out my chalk paint.

I was starting to get excited..... but they looked a little bland so I got out the trusty "rub n buff".

Oh yes I did....

And that was the answer.  

To MY problem anyway.  Y'all have to figure out your own...I got way more than my share to work on.

Take a look.

I don't have a step by step.....I know you can figure this one out folks.

I did wax them also.....and lightly distress.....

Now I have to go get more cause I want some.


Yes I know everything does not have to match....but the unpainted ones just did not look good in this room...you are gonna have to trust me on this one.  When you see the whole room I think you will agree.

So easy.......what cha think???


46 comments

Pura Vida said...

you and that dang Kim...make me want to go to a garage sale and buy all the books I gave away that were in this house

Janna McCalley said...

What a great find!

Beth @A Little Country House said...

so cool! I want some too!

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

Hahahahahahahahaha!! Hey, I use rub n buff, too. Love the books. I have a basket filled with books and antlers, too.

Abby M. Interiors said...

You are freakin' amazing. Your clients are crazy lucky to have you!

L.Duncan@Home23DuncanBoys said...

Girl you are my hero!!!!! I have some that I love the color to, but then there's a few that I would love to do this to.

BTW, When are we going out to lunch?!

Patty Day @Pattys Epiphanies said...

This is great! Rub n buff has been a long old friend of mine.

Carla Aston said...

Great idea Sherry. I just love these. You are so industrious!

Emily A. Clark said...

These look so good and you've just given me a great idea for the books on my smaller bookcase in the living room.

BTW, you are my kind of DIY'er! I love that your tutorial is "you can figure this out yourself!" Ha! :)

Dana Frieling said...

Brilliant! Such a easy fix that turned into pure greatness!

pam {simple details} said...

Lots of, 'Duh, why didn't I think of that!' going on right now! Genius!

Bethany [at] Powell Brower Home said...

whooaa! im gonna have to try this!

Katherine @ Grass Stains said...

I think you're brilliant! And you should ABSOLUTELY do some for yourself now. :)

Deserae said...

Brilliant!!! Now why didn't I think of this?!?!?! LOL Can't wait to see the room now!!!
~Des

Kelly@Bungalow Blue said...

Great find and what a great transformation!

Karen at Home Sweet Hollywood said...

OMG...how exciting to find a stash of books like that! I want some too! Love what you did to them...makes all the difference in the world. They look awesome.

Kelly said...

You MUST be talking about my sister! Ha! I can't believe she hasn't done that yet herself. Painting books......brilliant idea! They look so good. I can't wait for you to reveal this room.

Renee said...

LOVE this! Can't wait to hit Goodwill later today!

http://casastephensinteriors.com

Unknown said...

Sheer genius. Wow.
They look amazing!
You are amazing! Great Job!

casey at loft and cottage said...

You are incredible! I would have just saved them for another room, but these look incredible now! LOVE!

aimee {sixteen fourteen} said...

Painting book?! What the...? Friggen genius!!!

Mary Ann Pickett said...

They look so good. You could sell them. I am excited to see the room.

michele said...

yer a a cool cool clever chick. and i agree...paint EVERYTHING.

smiles.

michele

NanaDiana said...

I think you are a genius...either that or slightly crazy- in which case I like BOTH of you! The joke at my house is not to stand still too long if you don't want MOM to paint you! xo Diana

Molly@The Nesting Game said...

Sheureka! You did it again!

I love the Readers Digest Condensed Books. I'm always on the hunt for pretty ones, but my collection is only 2 at the moment.

http://thenestinggame.com/2011/09/25/rdrs-dgst-cndnsd-bks/

You're a rock star.

designchic said...

Oh my gosh...who would have thought? I think my parents must have a million in their attic...going to pick them up tomorrow - so hope I can get mine to look like these!!

Victoria said...

I love the idea, Sherry.
Best...Victoria

Lisa @ Shine Your Light said...

I love to paint everything under the sun but books - that is one thing I never thought of!! They DO look so pretty with the white & gold spine!!

Naz said...

This brings back memories of my grandmother's bookcases with her Readers Digest books. This is a nice update to an old classic.

Taylor Greenwalt said...

What a great idea and it looks great on your ottoman.

Unknown said...

Great job and idea! Would've never thought to paint a book! So clever :)

www.lifeofamodernhousewife.com

Anonymous said...

That is so cute! You could also get calligraphy pens and write fun fake titles on the spines of the books! "50 Shades of Bleached Blonde"! "Crime and Punishment and Shoes"!

Brooke @ Inside-Out Design said...

Holy crap Sherry- you're a genius!!!! I've been wanting to get a ton of these because I looove the covers but the spines are what has stopped me- those just ruin the whole look in my opinion. But holy freak your painted ones look good!!!! Did I tell you already you're a genius?!?

traci zeller designs said...

LOVE. I love the covers of the books, and this makes them even better! I have a couple stashed away for a future project, and now I know what to do!

How2home said...

This is such a great idea! I need to give this a try, i salvaged a lot of readers digest from my professor and some of the have the same pretty paper cover like yours but some are burgundy red and forest green (the whole book cover) Do you think i can just put a coat of paint over it like you did?

Marianne said...

You blow me away! So incredibly brilliant.

Laurie said...

dang purdy!!

Brooke @ Inside-Out Design said...

So, I'm still all inspired today by this project so I blogged about it!
http://inside-outdesign.blogspot.com/2012/06/painted-books.html
You made me so excited to buy some of these!!

Elizabeth @ The Little Black Door said...

I want some of them too, you little genius you! Fab idea! And I love your tutorial btw. :)

Lissa Pierce said...

Awesome idea! They look completely different and toned down. It just amazes me that you can paint anything these days. I love the look of these!

Jen said...

Decorating is the least of your problems if you who don't have any/enough books in your home.

for the love of a house said...

I'm not a fan of the paint everything trend, but this is genius!!!
happy weekend!
joan

Unknown said...

These are amazing! I can't wait to try this!!!

xo Mary Jo

Cassie {Hi Sugarplum} said...

I think you're amazing...and SO STINKING LUCKY to find that many RD books!!!

René said...

Oh my word - Reader's Digest perfection! You are da bomb!

Mike said...

Interesting I never thought of using books to decoration a room. I find for myself books just take up space and make my room look unorganized and messy.

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