When it comes to people and places I never judge a book by it’s cover so to speak. At least I try really hard not to and have an open mind.
But when it comes to books I find myself totally judging a book by it’s cover. My friends always joke that if it has pink cover I’m going to buy it and sadly, because I love a good chic lit novel my bookcases are full of the hue.
Even with my more serious novels I love to see a great designed book cover and in my eyes Penguin always does a fab job.
I’m itching to get a copy of one of my favorite tales blown up for my living room:
I think book covers make for great artwork. Not only do they show off a bit of personality, but it’s a chic and cheap way to add a punch of whimsy to a room.
A quick google image search and you can find a variety of Penguin book covers that you can “borrow” and print out yourself or at a local print shop like kinkos.
If you can hold out until Oct 2010 them you can score these:
It’s a box of 100 post cards that could make for a massive gallery wall display!
I’m happy to see that I’m not the only one with book love, because our favorite LONNY pg 55 showcased a kitchen featuring this wallpaper by Tracy Kendall.
How about you? Do you think books are just for reading or would you use them for display?
*Sorry for the late blog post today. I was a bit under the weather today. Jon had to call in the reinforcements aka my mom to come over and play nurse while he headed to work.
I am DROOLING over that postcard book!!! I love, love, love to read and I think displaying a love for books in your home decor is awesome. It brings a smile to your face and is a great conversation starter.
I have a huge number of books EVERYWHERE in my house, because I love to read and I love to admire books- especially lovely old ones. It's great that vendors recognize that books have appeal for many reasons. Marie @ Lemondrop ViNtAge
Those penguin book covers are just adorable! My absolute fave book that I use for decor is my "I Married Adventure" antique. I'm sure you've seen these everywhere in design, but it still remains my favorite. 🙂
LOVE books and LOVE reading. It's hard not to judge books by their cover when choosing at the bookstore or library…after all, you never really know about ALL the good books! PS- who doesn't love a good girly book, especially on the beach!
Love that artwork. So cool. I'm with you… I can totally judge a book by the cover. I'm always so sad too, when a formerly pretty cover changes after it turns into a movie, with the actors spammed on the front.
I might be a little crazy but I bought the penguin notecard set off ebay a few weeks back from a seller in the UK because I couldn't wait till Oct.! I'm planning on framing my favorites!
I am a book worm too and LOVE to display them! I use them a lot for pops of colour on side tables or in bookcases. I really want a library/study, complete with the ladder on wheels! 🙂
If I wasn't a big fan of your blog already, this post would have sealed the deal! I'm in love with those postcards, and will wait patiently until October when I can buy them and plaster them all over my wall (OK, i'll prolly do something slightly classier… just slightly…)
I'm so with you. We got a big box of old American Heritage books (sort of like bound magazines) that the library was getting rid of, and they make a gorgeous statement on our living room shelves. Great post!
I am generally particular about the covers of the books I buy. For instance when I decided to buy the Twilight book I held out until I could find one with the original cover rather than the cover with the actors on it. A beautiful book cover can tip the scale.
I'm with you! I love cool covers and penguin always nails it! I got 3 of the Coralie Bickford Smith ones for Christmas. I've put the postcard book on my wishlist. You're correct, it would be amazing as a gallery wall!
I can never get rid of books, even my fiances law school books I am strangely attached to…They just look so old school and distinguished! Like an english gentleman. These penguin books are especially yummy
I love reading and displaying books. There is something about it that makes a space seem intelligent and cultered. I would have Pride and Prejudice blown up somewhere, haha.
I especially love buying interior design books, I have them all over the house and all my girlfriends and relatives love staying the night or visiting because we always end up drinking wine and paging through the pretty pictures. Books make a home. (I'm a chick lit girly too, love Emily Giffin, Jen Lancaster and even Lauren Conrad too!!)
I'm Camila, A SELF APPOINTED STRIPE AFICIONADO WHO HAS A soft spot IN HER HEART FOR BLUE AND WHITE GINGER JARS, THE COLOR ORANGE, AND ELEPHANTS.
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i really like that penguin is doing that! as a fellow book worm, i would love for my books to look a little prettier
I am DROOLING over that postcard book!!! I love, love, love to read and I think displaying a love for books in your home decor is awesome. It brings a smile to your face and is a great conversation starter.
I have a huge number of books EVERYWHERE in my house, because I love to read and I love to admire books- especially lovely old ones. It's great that vendors recognize that books have appeal for many reasons.
Marie @ Lemondrop ViNtAge
This is such a great idea…love the image of that bedroom. Also love lonny….it needs to come out monthly!
Those penguin book covers are just adorable! My absolute fave book that I use for decor is my "I Married Adventure" antique. I'm sure you've seen these everywhere in design, but it still remains my favorite. 🙂
I love your idea. I love books and magazines as decorative accessories. Totally. Marija
I adore books. And I think it's awesome that they're doing the postcards.
And I love the idea of printing a poster size book cover for art. How neat!
LOVE books and LOVE reading. It's hard not to judge books by their cover when choosing at the bookstore or library…after all, you never really know about ALL the good books! PS- who doesn't love a good girly book, especially on the beach!
I totally judge books by their cover – how can you not? And I love the idea of blowing up a book cover to display as art.
Love that artwork. So cool. I'm with you… I can totally judge a book by the cover. I'm always so sad too, when a formerly pretty cover changes after it turns into a movie, with the actors spammed on the front.
I might be a little crazy but I bought the penguin notecard set off ebay a few weeks back from a seller in the UK because I couldn't wait till Oct.! I'm planning on framing my favorites!
I prize my Nancy Drew novels…I even have bought a few Hardy Boys along the way…they are so nostalgic!! I LOVE this idea!!
Best,
Michelle
I am a book worm too and LOVE to display them! I use them a lot for pops of colour on side tables or in bookcases. I really want a library/study, complete with the ladder on wheels! 🙂
i love vintage books! always on my list at the flea market
I love that wallpaper! What a fun look :o) How cute would it be to blow up Dr. Suess covers for a kid's room?!
If I wasn't a big fan of your blog already, this post would have sealed the deal! I'm in love with those postcards, and will wait patiently until October when I can buy them and plaster them all over my wall (OK, i'll prolly do something slightly classier… just slightly…)
That giant poster version of the Penguin book jacket is fantastic! Thanks so much for the heads-up on this!
I'm so with you. We got a big box of old American Heritage books (sort of like bound magazines) that the library was getting rid of, and they make a gorgeous statement on our living room shelves. Great post!
I really love the large Penguin poster. Great find!
I am generally particular about the covers of the books I buy. For instance when I decided to buy the Twilight book I held out until I could find one with the original cover rather than the cover with the actors on it. A beautiful book cover can tip the scale.
I'm with you! I love cool covers and penguin always nails it! I got 3 of the Coralie Bickford Smith ones for Christmas. I've put the postcard book on my wishlist. You're correct, it would be amazing as a gallery wall!
I can never get rid of books, even my fiances law school books I am strangely attached to…They just look so old school and distinguished! Like an english gentleman. These penguin books are especially yummy
I love reading and displaying books. There is something about it that makes a space seem intelligent and cultered. I would have Pride and Prejudice blown up somewhere, haha.
love that idea! so great for a study or a library or an office! and what is it about a neat little stack of books that I find so appealing?
I definitely think books can be used for both reading and decorating!
I especially love buying interior design books, I have them all over the house and all my girlfriends and relatives love staying the night or visiting because we always end up drinking wine and paging through the pretty pictures. Books make a home. (I'm a chick lit girly too, love Emily Giffin, Jen Lancaster and even Lauren Conrad too!!)
So glad for the heads up on the postcards! What a great display that would make for the bare walls in our play/media room. Love it.
How cool! I love book covers and when searching for a new book its one of the first things that attracts me.
I love the idea of using the Penguin classics postcards for a giant wall display!