You Can Tell a Book by Its Cover

. . . or lack thereof.
I love decorating with books.  Books are something many of us have—some of us have them in abundance.  Which makes them an easy “go to” for our decorating needs.
I’ve helped a few clients redecorate their home and often the simplest changes I make include repositioning the books on their bookcases or end tables.  I am usually met with comments like, “Now, why didn’t I think of that?”
I am especially fond of using vintage books to add interest and history to your decorating schemes.
Here are a few tips for using vintage books in your décor.
You  can use books elevate something small, like this postcard, to a level of importance.  (The green ribbon draws attention to the greens of the postcard.)
 
This would make a lovely display on a nightstand—a bedside carafe and small bird’s nest set atop a stack of vintage volumes is intriguing.


I also like removing the worn covers of some books.  I usually only do this when the binding has already been torn or become very loose.  I check for indicators of value—such as first editions—but readily admit I don’t know what I’m looking for most times.


I like the neutral appearance of a stack of naked books.  They will compliment a display without taking it over.
I will usually leave the cover or title page, but often it’s worth looking further and removing a few more pages for a more poignant commentary . . . 


I love finding books with handwritten notes in them.  This one simply tells us to whom the book once belonged, but often you will find notes from the giver to the recipient when the book was presented as a special, thoughtful gift.


And then there is the most basic of book displays.  I am not sure why I find these vintage books so fascinating, but I do.  I cannot pass-up a display of books.  Sometimes I buy them by the lot and don’t have the chance to peruse them until they’ve been on display in the shop.



I’ve also been known to use books to create other items, such as this Pages and Ribbons Garland:

(In fact, we’ve got another workshop scheduled so you can make one, too!  Check-out our Artful Origins blog page for details about this class and more.)
Recently, I’ve started altering books in other ways; it’s referred to “page folding.”  Here’s a quick tutorial to get you started:


Find the approximate center of the book (I usually see how many pages are in the book and divide by two—the answer is the approximate center.)  Fold six pages in half—I usually fold in pairs, folding toward each other—create a good crease.  These are your “center folds.”

Leave two flat pages before folding the next group of six pages to the left of your flat pages; then, leaving two flat pages again, fold six pages to the right.   Continue, alternating left then right of the original “center folds.”

Once you’ve folded nine or so sets of six pages—fold the pairs of two flat pages toward each other, WITHOUT creating a crease.  Just leave them kind of “bowed.”

Here is the finished product:

You can use it as an objet d’art or you can display items between the pages—photos, postcards, greeting cards, love notes!

If you need some more inspiration, you might visit You Tube for video instruction. (I would have videoed my tutorial, but that would have taken another month or so . . . I’m so techy!)  When you get to You Tube, type in the search “book page folding;” that will yield good results.
This is a very basic technique, but there are many other ways to fold pages that yield very fanciful results.  This “level” of page folding is a relaxing project that can be done in front of the TV.

Haven't linked with Debra at Common Ground in a while, but I think this one is "link worthy" so . . . be sure to visit!

be inspired

  
Thanks for your indulgence,

A Restful Repose

About three months ago, I purchased this nice, but less than perfect oak bed.  Pieces like this are ideal candidates for my paint brush.  I love painted furniture, but I do not paint pieces I feel have value in their original, untouched state.  You see, I have a fear of one watching the PBS show, Antiques Road Show, when the experts are studying a lovely piece of painted furniture and commenting, “If only it hadn’t been painted, this piece would bring $5,000 at auction, but in it’s current painted state, we have to value it at $200.” 

Consequently, I only want to paint pieces which, otherwise, might be over looked.  This bed, for instance, had made it all the way through the Nashville flea market and was still there on Sunday.  The veneer on the headboard was slightly warped and the footboard had been repaired where it connects to one of the rails, but otherwise it was sturdy and had lots of potential.

 

 

(Will I ever remember to take the “before” pictures in a timely manner?)

When I snagged this piece, I knew right away that I wanted to give it a Country French/French Country makeover, so I would be painting it with Old White and Paris Grey Chalk Paint™ . . . or maybe with French Linen and Louis Blue . . . or maybe . . .

Needless to say, the bed waited and waited for me to decide how to paint it.

It moved from the work area to the storage area.Then, during one of my Chalk Paint™ workshops, I had an epiphany!

Back story:  Travis (my workshop assistant extraordinaire) and I are constantly amazed by the way all of the colors of Chalk Paint™ work together. During our workshops we pull-out all 30 colors and use them in various combinations.  In this process, we have yet to place one color next to another and say, “Ooh, yuck!” Usually, it’s more like, “That is amazing—look at how nice that looks together!” (Then we set about looking for a piece to paint in that newly discovered paint combination!)

Okay, so you’ve peaked already and know that I didn’t use Paris Grey or Louis Blue.  No—my epiphany involved Old Violet, so that is what I chose for my base coat.  I then intended to add Paris Grey and Old White.  I knew I would distress it and, more than likely, I’d finish it with dark wax.

 

So there it is, ready for the next step . . .

Here’s where I changed my mind again!

I decided I wanted the overall look to be muted and thought the Paris Grey would be a little crisp looking.  I finally settled on painting the inset panels with French Linen, then topped with Country Grey.  I used a wet cloth to spread and blend the two colors.

I then added a stenciled motif in the center of the headboard using the French Linen again.  I applied it very lightly—wanting it to be very subtle.

 

I then applied the clear wax to the entire piece and commenced to sanding!

 

After reapplying the clear wax, I applied a light coating of dark wax and called it done.

Here’s what it looks like now:

If you take a close look at the footboard, you can see I did a lot of sanding on the inside—where I figured it would naturally have a lot of wear.

The same is true of the headboard—years of propping-up in bed to read, would cause the finish to wear-away. 

And one more photo of this beauty. 

I am very pleased with the results and once again amazed by the way all of these colors work so well together.  In fact, if you’ve used Chalk Paint™ decorative paints, I’d love to hear about your favorite color combinations.

I will be linking to  Vintage Inspired Fridays, I hope you visit and take some time to check-out some of the other links there.

Thanks for your indulgence,

Teach the World to Sing

The other day, a friend/customer (same thing, right?) told me she was looking for a globe. The next day, I happened into Miss Lucille’s Marketplace and found one. I wasn’t completely sure what type of globe she wanted, but this was a great deal I found in one of the booths of a wonderful Chalk Paint™ fan, so I thought, if she doesn’t want it, I am sure I can do something with it! So , it came back to the shop with me (along with a large silver plate pitcher, which actually went to my house . . .).
As it turns out, my friends was looking for something that had an “old world” look to it—which I naturally understand. So I had a globe to use for a project!
My first thought was to “age” it with some stain, then I thought about the ideas Patty had recently shared with me. My little hamster started spinning on his wheel and, a few minutes later, I had an actual creative thought!
That’s when I grabbed the Mod Podge®, a vintage book of music and a paint brush.

(The lighting on my work bench makes my photos look like I am working on a science fair project . . . “the rotation of the earth in relation to the sun”)



By far, one of the easiest project EVER! I still may add the words, “Teach the World to Sing” and paint the base, but I’ve already taken too long to follow-up on the project teaser I posted on Facebook the other day.
Funny thing is, though, I just saw a Pinterest post about adding glitter to Mod Podge®, which would have been a great “layer” for this project, eh? Going to have to find something else to Glitter Podge soon!
Do you have a favorite Mod Podge^® project?
I’m going to link to Vintage Inspiration Friday, because I love it!

Be sure to visit—you will love it, too!
Thanks for your indulgence,

A Vintage Inspired Cupboard

A few days ago I posted about the amazing Country French vignette Patty arranged in my absence.  Today, I want to focus on cupboard that started the whole thing.

A while back, I asked my friend Jeff (the guy that makes all of my custom furniture for the shop) to make this:

I gave him two salvaged windows I had been saving for the right project and, about a month later, he called me to tell me it was ready for pick-up.

Now, I had started this whole process (from inception) last fall. When I picked-up the piece, the backroom at the shop was consumed by Christmas, so we unloaded it at the house, where if stood on our back porch (aka—my creative space) for months, awaiting the verdict of my paint color choice.

 

(Naturally, I failed to take the before shot, so here it is after the painting process had begun.)

When I finally decided on colors, I used my old standby, latex paint.  Shortly thereafter, I purchased my first cans of Chalk Paint™ decorative paints and decided to add a coat of French Linen to the exterior and Provence to the interior.  LOVED!

It then began the s----l----o----w move to the shop. 

It hung-out in our dining room so long I had to fight the urge to start filling with vintage dishes.  It then rolled to the front hall—the casters, at the risk of sounding a little self-inflated, pure genius!   Finally, the stars aligned and my husband and son loaded it for the three-city-blocks trip to the shop.

There, we rolled in in and out of the shop (with the opening and closing) for a few days while I contemplated the white paint of the vintage windows.  It looked too graphic, but I didn’t want to cover it completely.  I decided to use the French Linen Chalk Paint™ to make a wash.

 

I followed with Soft Wax in clear and a little sanding on the entire surface.  I then used the Soft Wax in dark, hitting the new wood (pine) with more, so it looked like a darker wood. 

A final wipe down to remove any excess wax and  I had this . . .

I am very pleased with it.  I love display cabinets, but I often think things look too “off limits” behind glass.  That’s why I added the open display shelf at the top.  I think it looks like a custom made “built in” piece of furniture.  The vintage windows made this piece look old, but the display shelf is the “crowning touch!”  (So punny!)

I hope you enjoyed this vintage inspiration . . . for more, please visit Debra and a couple hundred of her closest friends for:

 

You will be glad you did!

Thanks for your indulgence!

A Country French Vignette

I left for our family vacation on the 29th of June. During the week prior to that Friday, I was running around like the proverbial “chicken without a head” trying to prepare for a week-long absence.

You see, I guess I have a bit of an ego. I like to think Hodgepodge needs me. Upon my return, it was painfully obvious I am superfluous to this operation.

Before I left, I made sure I put the finishing touches on the Chalk Paint™ decorative paint finish I was laboring over for this display case. I then rolled it into place and left notes for Patty to make it look good . . . boy, did she!

Here is the display I found when I walked through the doors Saturday morning . . .

Patty put together a Country French vignette to inspire!   (By the way, is anyone able enlighten me as to why we say “Country French” rather than “French Country?)

From these favorite melamine dinner and sandwich plates, to the soy wax candle, ensconced in a willow holder—the scene oozes French influence.

Our signature mixed-pattern silver plate flatware sets represent the casual elegance you’ll find in countryside of France.

The beverage urn makes it easy to serve your favorite fruit blend beverages. The Moroccan tea glasses, decorated in gold plate represent the “citizen of the world” feel so many Frenchmen/women can claim.

This reproduction ladder shelf represents the French ingenuity for repurposing items into an unexpected use—such as here, when it doubles as a server.

Evidence of my style—our velvet pumpkins can still be found throughout the store. They provide the perfect decorative accent for our transferware dinner plates. Note the bucolic scene as the plate’s décor—a beautiful half-timber home being the focus.

More transferware in brown to contrast the display shelf of our one-of-a-kind piece (a custom design), I’ve painted in Chalk Paint™ in Provence and French Linen. How a propos!

This display of books in a wire basket really caught my eye.

A few items common to a French pantry, a crusty loaf of bread, fresh cream (in the ceramic cow creamer) and eggs from the barn. The covered glass dish is perfect for the cheeses synonymous with the country!

Let’s step back and take another look.

Is your eye drawn to that barley twist lamp? Of course it is! I love the pillar stands constructed from railing balusters. Let’s get a closer look . . .

Oh yeah—still love.

There you have it. Patty is one talented lady and I am redundant.

Here’s hoping this means I can get away for more vacations!

Let me know what you think of the display or if you have any questions.

Thanks for your indulgence!