SPRING INSPIRED DECORATIVE BOOKS FOR STYLING PAINTED FURNITURE AND YOUR HOME DECOR… PLUS A FUN GIVEAWAY!
Hi friends! I took a little break from painting furniture this week to focus on spring styling. I picked up some gorgeous spring inspired book bundles from my friend Carole at Toronto Shabby Chic and can’t wait to share them with you! [Giveaway Alert!]
To backtrack a bit, I’ve been receiving more and more inquiries about my painted furniture styling. I have to be honest. Whenever I get asked or complimented on my furniture staging, I’m super flattered and equally surprised. To this day, styling doesn’t come easily to me. Thank goodness it doesn’t take me a full 2 days to figure out where to place a book bundle and floral arrangement anymore, but it’s still something I can easily play around with for hours.
So, the other day on IG, someone asked me what app I’m using to stage my pieces. Whaaaat?? Don’t laugh, but, I didn’t even KNOW there were apps to style painted furniture! This girl [me] still does it old school — with real “props” and staging… 😉
Which brings me to these gorgeous book bundles.
Aren’t these beautiful!?!
Anyone who knows me knows I’m a bonafide book lover. I even love the smell of them. The older and smellier — the better! Just give me a good ol’fashion book with real pages to turn and a hot beverage [as Sheldon from the BBT would say] and I’m in heaven. 😉
I’m sure you’ve also noticed, I LOVE books for styling painted furniture too. They’re inexpensive. Readily available at any thrift store or garage sale, and they look amazing.
These book bundles with their spring-inspired decorative covers really take it up a notch though!
A BIG thank you to Carole at Toronto Shabby Chic for making these decorative books for me! I really appreciate it and LOVE them!
AND NOW FOR A SPRING BOOK BUNDLE
*****G*I*V*E*A*W*A*Y*****
To thank YOU for being the BEST SI BLOG FAMILY a girl could ask for I’d like to share one of my book bundles! Today I’m giving away 1 Spring Floral Book Bundle + a $50 Amazon Gift Card to one {1} lucky SI Blog reader! I hope this inspires you to create your own spring vignette for your home decor or furniture staging. 🙂
The winner will get:
1 Spring Floral Book Bundle + $50 Amazon Gift Card!
ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS CLICK ON THE RAFFLECOPTER BELOW.
COME BACK EVERY DAY AND ENTER AS MANY TIMES AS YOU LIKE!
I know you’ll love these spring book bundles as much as I do! And oh!… If you know of any furniture staging apps, feel free to chime in below. I’d love to check them out!
BE SURE TO DROP BY NEXT TUESDAY WHEN I’LL BE SHARING ANOTHER FURNITURE RESTYLE AND ANNOUNCE THE WINNER OF TODAY’S GIVEAWAY!
GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!!!
Happy furniture painting my friends! 🙂
Denise x
Hello again... I'm so happy you dropped by! Let's keep in touch! Follow me on social media or sign up for a dose of furniture painting inspiration and diy tutorials. :) 
Those are so gorgeous! I love old books, but it’s hard to find several that “go” together for staging… well duh! MAKE them go together! I’ve never thought about restyling a book. I guess I’m subconsciously in the same camp there as the diehard fans of wood furniture when they say “don’t paint it!” But the end result is just beyond lovely. 💜
Hi Denise,
What a grand GIVEAWAY!! Here’s hoping I win. 🙂 I would like to know what she used and how she creates such beautiful books. I have a ton of books because I too love a real book. Love Love Love them. Thank you for this chance to win!!
I’m not sure exactly what she uses so I’m not even going to guess. But Carole is the sweetest most generous person and I’m sure she’d LOVE to hear from you if you gave her a shout out Cheryl. Good luck in the giveaway! XO
Love your blog!
Oh, those books are lovely! They have started my wheels turning, lol!
Love your projects, never disappointed!
I really struggle witg staging “vignettes”, but I’ve taken a cue from you and use book bundles too! I hadn’t considered decoupaging them, but these look so very nice! (And easier than coordinating titles and colors!)
Thanks!
Hi Denise. I always look forward to your blog and am so impressed by your beautiful furniture, photos, and staging. I would never guess you sometimes struggle to put things together. So please, keep doing it the old-fashioned way! Absolutely gorgeous. I love the pretty books your friend Carole made for you. Wish me luck winning a bundle:)
Good luck Monique and thank you! You’re always so encouraging! XO 🙂
Also I have never heard of furniture staging apps either lol ! I must be living under a rock !
Right, Cynthia!?! Now that it has been brought to my attention, I’m noticing furniture painters using “mirror reflection scenes” on dressers and vanities with mirrors. Brilliant. I can’t tell you how many times I had to duck out of the way so my paint splotched self doesn’t reflect in the mirror. 🙂
Under a rock you say… in the real world I say. 😉
YES!!!! Love it Jenna! 😀
I love Carole’s book bundles ! You are both such talented & inspiring ladies ! 💕
Those books are so pretty. Makes me want to curl up with one now!
I think I just might
Good for you Gail!!! 🙂
Wow!! Those are so pretty. What a great idea for upcycling old books. Love your ideas and work!!! Thank you for the inspiration.
I really like the book covers, I usually cover my books with some stuffing paper that comes in packaging, and maybe sometimes paint with colored pencil marks and watercolor pain I would like to know where you purchase such
lovely paper.
Hi Theresa! I’m not sure where Carole purchased her paper but if you’d like to ask her she can be reached on her FB page here! I’m sure she’d love to hear from you and give you a hand. 🙂
Just keep inspiring us! I love your work and all that you do!
Those books are lovely! I love books and have always had hundreds, at one time probably over q 1000, but I’ve never really thought about using them as “decoration” despite seeing a number of ideas over the years. I think the light has finally gone on!! I need to give this a try. Thanks for this great idea. I enjoy reading your posts. I have to be honest and say that some of the projects are just not my style, but there are some very lovely ideas that I would love and there’s always something new to learn, whether it’s “me” or not. Thank you for sharing your ideas and all of the beautiful things you create!
Aw, thanks Teckla! And ya, we all have our own styles but I’m always looking to others for inspiration and ideas. I’m like you – love learning new things… and so glad the books have sparked a few ideas!
Very pretty. I like how versatile this touch can be to any room, any colors, any style.
I often find myself at my local thrift store(s) spending hours in the book isles to find a classic or other treasure that can whisk me away to another time/place and let my imagination run with the words. Love the way these books were styled. I have a bunch of 12 x 12 patterned paper that I may try decoupaging on some old books.
Oh, I’m right there with you Donna! I can spend HOURS at a book store, library or the book thrift section. It’s like I get in a zone and everything else fades away! If you give the book-decoupage a try, I’d love to hear how it turns out! 🙂
I don’t post much, but love to look at your blog. Love everything you do. Thanks!
Thanks, Bonniev… that means a lot! XO
I love how those books look. I have some very old books but they have cool covers so I will have to look for some that have messed up covers so I can try this. your staging always looks amazing!!
Thanks Vickie! 🙂 And ya, this is a great upcycle idea for plain books but some book covers are so gorgeous as-is. 🙂
Just because there is an app for something, doesn’t mean you need to use it. Keep inspiring us the old fashioned way
I totally agree with you Judy! 🙂 I guess I’m just curious. I like knowing and keeping up to date with all things related to painted furniture. Learning and trying new things keeps things fresh and interesting, but yaaaa, I’m old school. lol 😉
Love what you’re always up to!!!
The books are gorgeous! I painted several pieces of my furniture a few years ago. We’re moving to a new home so I want to repaint it again. Your blog is full of great tips and inspiration!
You inspire me with EVERY blog you write. Thank you!
Julie
Thanks, my friend! YOU inspire me!! XO
Denise, love your blog, your furniture pieces, and your staging; they are all amazing! YOU are m,y inspiration! I have a separate file for your ideas on Pinterest!
A separate file OMGosh…thanks Jackie. Gotta love that Pinterest, eh! 🙂 That just put a HUUUUGE smile on my face!!! 😀
Wow – these books are gorgeous! Is she (you?) going to do a tutorial and tell us how and what? I’m with you – love an old smelly book. LOL Thanks for the opportunity, Denise!
“… I’m with you – love an old smelly book.”…. LOL… glad I’m not the only one! 😉 And as for the tutorial, I’m not exactly sure how Carole creates her book bundles but if I ever try my own version in the future, I’ll be sure to share Marcia! 🙂
How creative, love the support you are showing a fellow artist!
Love your blog! Thanks for sharing
So pretty, easy to do too .
Left the wrong email
Are the book covers original to the books or at they beautiful papers applied to the books?? They are gorgeous and the bundle oictired is a wonderful combination. Thanks for showing us!
Hi Elle! Carole applies the beautiful paper to the book covers! 🙂
The book bundles remind me of my childhood in the early ’60’s when we were required to provide protective covers for our schoolbooks. Brown shopping bag paper was expected and most commonly used, but my books always stood out because my mother made my covers with pretty fabric and trims.
You must have had the BEST looking schoolbooks Ann! It’s those little extra details done with love that make all the difference! 🙂
I love these books!
the spring books look beautiful and add that springy feel for sure!
Denise- I love your blog!!! I have learned soooo many things from you! thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!
Hi Tess! Thank YOU! 🙂 Always nice to see you!
Denise,
I love the books…super cute. Now you need to tell us how to make them..
Funny that you say that Judy. My sister Andrea brought me over a stack of books asking me to this for her. The books sat around for weeks — and then I saw Carole’s and bought Andrea a bundle instead. 🙂 One day I might give this a go. If I do, I’ll be sure to make a tutorial on it. 🙂
Your books are beautiful, and I love you blog and your painted furniture.
Thanks Linda! x
I love the decorative book bundles! Would love a set of pink colored and florals! On the staging comment, I love your staging! It’s personal and the thought you putting it all together is better than any app!
Thanks! I’m curious about these ‘furniture staging apps’ though! They have apps for everything, don’t they!
Oh my Goodness! Thank you for sharing my book bundles Denise. You make them look gorgeous. I am stealing those pictures for my website 😉
It was great to see you again my friend!
Carole
Great seeing you Carole… and thanks again! They are gorgeous and I can’t wait to use them for my furniture styling. For now, they’ve found a home on my coffee table though! 🙂
The book covers look so pretty.
The books are beautiful! Are they covers of favorites or rejected volumes with pasted up covers?
Aren’t they! These books are for styling – not reading. I’m guessing Carole gets discards from thrift store etc. Upcycling at its best! 🙂
You are always an inspiration!
ABSOLUTELY love every project!
I am always inspired to transform furniture after visiting your site.
I love your blog, especially all the ideas and inspiration!!
love your work and your style. Impressive
I’m a book lover, too! I’d love to win these!
Just one more thing we have in common Kellee! 😉
Love your work, its given me so many ideas for decorating. Some things I already do. But new ideas are always great.
Love your posts. Very inspiring!
I like the way you stage your photos, don’t change a thing! But I’ll still have to check out the apps! The books are lovely!
Thanks Toia… and ya, I’m curious too! 🙂
I love your work and your styling as well. Thank you so much for the chance. 🙂
Fun project! Books are my go-to for staging and yours look amazing. Your work is always inspiring.
xo, Do
Thanks, Do! xo
I love this idea. Some of the books I have are not cute, and this is a fantastic idea!!!!
Hi Julie! Ya, this is a great idea for ‘not cute’ books! 🙂 … I have a ton of them too!
How sweet those books are! I also had no idea that there were styling apps! That must be an April fool’s joke!
Anyway, don’t start using an app, your style is just stunning!
I hope it’s not an April Fools joke otherwise I’m a REAL fool… LOL 😉 And no, I don’t plan on using an app to style/stage my furniture but I wouldn’t mind trying it once just to see how it works! 🙂