Hi everyone! Hope you’ve had a good week so far. I’ve been looking for some white books to use when decorating and just couldn’t find any. I have yellow books & black books that I use mostly to lift things up, but just couldn’t find any light colored ones. So I decided to make my own. I’ll show you how to make these really easy altered books for your decor at the end of the post. It’s a great way to upcycle old books that are damaged or that you’re never going to read!
But first I want to show you how I used them on my faux fireplace mantel.
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I’m aiming for a light summer look!
I’m tried to use light colors to give my mantel a lighter look for summer.
The candleholders with the apple green tapers were ugly brass ones that I got at Goodwill. I few passes of spray paint and some plastic boboches make all the difference don’t you think?
These white iron flowers are from Big Lots last year. I bought them at the end of the season clearance but don’t remember how much I paid for them. The original stickers says $10 so maybe I spent $8? I know most of you savvy shoppers have patience and buy at the end of the season too!
I put a mirror in my faux fireplace last year (I think). I changed out the darker candles that are usually there for some white ones.
The white piece in the center is one I’ve had for years and years. I’ve seen that some of you also have it. I took the mirror out and am just using the pretty frame. The mirror I got at Hobby Lobby a while ago but I think they still have it or something like it.
How to Make Painted, Stamped & Scrapbook Paper Covered Books
For the French scrip book I spray painted an old book with some flat white spray paint.
Then I took a stamp and stamped the front and sides. That’s it! The possibilities are endless and if I had more than the 4 stamps that I have, I would have made more of these. I will be going to Hob Lob next time stamps are on sale and getting a few to use on other books!
The other books I decoupaged with various things. I used some toile wallpaper on one, some old sheet music on another and some scrapbook paper on others.
Cut your paper to size. If you are doing a rather large book you will need to piece together your paper unless you’re using wallpaper/giftwrap.
Apply decopauge medium and the place your paper on top.
As you can see this piece of scrapbook paper was too short so I had to add a little piece.
That part will be on the bottom and the nice part will be on top.
Above is the top. I also sanded the edges a bit to give it a more worn appearance.
You can use any pattern you want. I’m going to do some books in a black & white harlequin pattern.
They’re great for adding to your displays and very inexpensive to do!
Thanks for spending some time with me today. I hope you try this project and let me know if you do as I’d love to see it! Have a great weekend!
It looks so fresh and airy in the lighter colors for the summer months. I LOVE that pretty center piece. I would like to find one as well. Very nice job and mantel display Manuela! 🙂
LOVE that idea Manuela! They look great!
Hugs,
Penny
What a great idea! thanks for sharing!
Love it! I'll definitely have to add this to my project list.
Mary Ellen
VERY nice!! Love those books, will be bookmarking this for sure! Great job, it's lovely!
I just love your blog. I own a boutique flower shop and am always looking for creative ways to raise my displays without resorting to plexiglass. I will try your book covering project soon. Thanks a million! Mimi
Love your books, Manuela! I have wanted to try covering some, but didn't even think of spray painting them! Most of mine are black underneath their paper covers. I'll have to try this. I have a rub-on of script writing; maybe I'll try that one. I'll be the harlequin pattern one looks great when you're done.
I had trouble uploading photos the other day with the new editor! About made me crazy.
These are such great ideas, Manuela!
Thanks for sharing them!
Nice ideas and redos. Like the idea of covering the books. Someone else in blogland covered some books with paper, but I can't remember who.
Enjoy your weekend.
They look great and so easy to do…I'll have to try this. Thanks for sharing!
Rondell
Hi Manuela! First I wanted to let you know that I had trouble with blogger a few days ago…couldn't comment or even put a new post on my blog. It was working fine after about a couple of days. Love what you did with the books…that makes it easier to buy all kinds of books since you're not buying them just for the cover color. I also like the idea of spraying the brass candlesticks…I have quite a few real heavy ones in varying heights so that would work great. I hope you've been having a good day…enjoy your weekend! Maura 🙂
Very nice Manuela. I have so many old old books and I'd like to do that too. Perhaps one of these days. Just stopped by to wish you a great weekend. Enjoy.
So fun and summery!!!
I'm hosting a new meme called "SUmmer Sundays". It's all about what summer means to YOU. I'd love to have you come and join us.
– The Tablescaper
Woot! Everything looks great! You should have your own tv show every week with all your ideas and tutorials and creativity! Beautiful! Loved my visit as always! Have a fun weekend.
Your mantle looks fabulous! I love the books…never thought of painting them! I have looked everywhere for the french script stamp you used. We don't have a Hobby Lobby near us and they don't sell them on-line. Thanks for the inspiration.
xo, Sherry
I just bought that stamp! I now have another idea of what to do with it, thanks to you! This is a great idea and your mantle looks great!
What a wonderful idea, love it! I have a few books and the supplies on hand just might find myself making those tonight. :o)
What wonderful ideas and gorgeous results! I love having a fireplace to decorate! Love the books! Thanks for sharing your secrets! ♥
Oh my love what you did with your books.!!!
Love the book covering idea! Yours turned out so good. I have that same piece, but mine still has the mirror in it. I have had it for years and still love it! It hung in the foyer of my previous house and hangs in my foyer now.
I love the entire mantel and everything you have on it. Great job on your book project, too.
I love, love these books! You are so clever and creative. Will just have to try this. The mantel looks beautiful ~ very light for this time of year.
Thanks so much for sharing! I hope you have a blessed weekend ~
xoxo
Pat
What a fun idea, Manuela! So many ways to go with this!!
I love the look of your summer mantel. And your books are wonderful – what a great idea!
~Adrienne~
great idea! i am working on conforming some of my old paperbacks too right now. it's a big job, but i'm trying to get my living room to neutral – ish. thanks for some fresh inspiration.
I love the whole thing! My favorite part is the books, of course. I think this is a perfect use for them. I am definitely going to copy. I save interesting papers and patterns, and one in particular would be perfect in this application. Your ideas ALWAYS inspire me.
Oh, Manuela! Genius! I am getting out my spray paint and my Le London stamp this afternoon! Is that not the most versatile stamp ever created? Love it! Thanks! Happy weekend!…hugs…Debbie
All I can say is Wow! Your talents are endless. I love the stamped book and the decopaged ones too! I would never think of that but they are gorgeous!
Learned some neat things with this post! Thanks!
Your mantle looks just gorgeous!
Thanks so much for entering my giveaway, it allowed me to discover you and your beautiful blog!
Have a wonderful Saturday!
Anne
Very clever idea and one can easier adapt it to fit in with their decor.
Your mantle looks very fresh and summery. Enjoy your weekend. =)
Manuela, love what you've done! I stamped on brown paper and made a book oover, but I love the idea of painting the book – great! I have also seen the covers completely taken off 3 books and then the books are tied together with twine – also cute. Love the decopaged music, too. Fantastic post. Linda
Everything looks so pretty. When I first saw your fireplace photo I though those were either some very big candles or that was a small crawlspace doorway to the hall and stairway. I didn't realize it was a fireplace, I thought it was some type of doorway. It looks great!
Blessings,
Marcia
It looks lovely, as ever! And what a neat idea with the books! You really amaze me time and again. (I had a feeling you'd like that book – I think I may check it out soon.)
Manuela, you are the most creative lady! I just love this, the mantle looks so pretty..what good ideas! Come say hi 😀
Look how easy and charming it all turned out. Amazing what some paper and white pant can do. Love it all xoxox Clarice
Everything you have always looks so expensive. I'm amazed at the prices you pay for things. Linda
Hi Manuela – I'm home from my African safari and trying to make the rounds and catch up with blog friends.
I love how you changed the books to look so fabulous – I'll have to get one of those stamps and do something with all the old books I have lying around.
I had the most amazing trip of my life, every moment was memorable. I've posted lots of pics of the awesome wildlife and places we stayed……….and have lots more coming up!
Hope life is good dear – like you, I'm staying busy in the garden now as everything grew so much with all the rain whilst I was gone!
Hugs – Mary
A Breath of Fresh Air
What a wonderful idea!!!! Keep um coming girl!!
Jennifer
LOVE these books! And I always love your tutorials! I have so much fun looking through your older posts, LOL!
Your summer mantle looks great! And I love the pic with your dining room peeking through, the toile is gorgeous and makes me happy just looking at it! 🙂
Kristi
Oh, I wish you lived close to me because I have all manner of stamps! I buy them on sale at HL too. These are so pretty, and you manage to come up with the best frugal decorating ideas! Have you about given up on WLW due to the problems you were having?
Brenda
Saw you on Decor Chick! LOOOVE your mantel!!!!!! I do not have a mantel in my house but am so tempted to go buy an electric fireplace just for the mantel =) hehe
Just beautiful!
Love it! Would not have thought to spray paint books!
I really like this idea. Thank you so much for sharing!
-Rene
Love the books!!! I know what I will be doing today. I love using books to decorate with.