Sunday, November 14, 2010

Little Libraries


This is one of the joys and complexities of living with lots of books:  It seems there's never enough space to store them.  So every nook in our house doubles as a bookshelf.

little libraries

This is a little snapshot of what our living room looks like in our flat! 
(The girl in the photograph, above, is my daughter Isabella a few years back.)


Old stools find new life as tuffets and paperback props.
 (I should probably paint this one below, but I sort of like its rustic, workbench look)

Screen shot 2010-11-13 at 10.34.07 AM

I love that Cicero quote: 
A room without books is like a body without a soul.

*
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16 comments:

  1. MMMNovember 14, 2010 at 3:18 AM

    this blog is amazing and lovable!! keep going=)
    and have a look at
    www.modemuffins.blogspot.com
    XX
    MMM

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  2. MikiNovember 14, 2010 at 5:25 AM

    Lovely little spaces! :)

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  3. UnknownNovember 14, 2010 at 5:41 AM

    that is one of my favorite book quotes! here is another one!
    "Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counsellors, and the most patient of teachers." -Charles W. Eliot

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  4. GiuliaNovember 14, 2010 at 6:07 AM

    I wondered if that's what your title meant...looks like my apt. I have a very elastic notion of what can be a "bookcase." Old dining room chairs serve well, too. Being sturdy & all. xo

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  5. .......November 14, 2010 at 7:38 AM

    looove this so much

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  6. Hill House RamblingsNovember 14, 2010 at 9:38 AM

    Oh, wonderful! I especially love the paint splattered bench and the lovely, vibrant pillow. And yes, I agree wholeheartedly with that quote.

    H.H.

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  7. JenNovember 14, 2010 at 10:10 AM

    My book collection is definitely in need of a bigger home! Aside from 3 full bookcases in my living room, I also have about 10 boxes of books stashed in closets. That's not counting the boxes of books I'm storing at my parents' place!

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  8. Maggie MayNovember 14, 2010 at 10:37 AM

    that is my house too, exactly.

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  9. LivNovember 14, 2010 at 2:26 PM

    to avoid having a house "cluttered" with books i have to keep getting rid of them. it goes in cycles :) now i try to limit myself to using the library when i feel like a good read.

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  10. What he ate, what I ate.November 14, 2010 at 6:46 PM

    I love a ceramic bust. Reminds me of SNL.

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  11. alexkellerNovember 14, 2010 at 10:07 PM

    oh, this is tough. we have books everywhere, too. but we're getting a lot of things electronically now. it's tough. i lost my Kindle [it's so great at the gym and for travel] so i'm putting an iPad on my wish list. i find that i love the smell of books more [does an iPad have a smell?] and i also can't read online magazines easily - i get impatient.
    i think my next step is to have a wall of shelves built just for the books - i can't see them now with all the vintage wares crammed in.

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  12. HausfrauNovember 15, 2010 at 2:08 AM

    I certainly agree with Cicero, and I love all your little stacks and shelves! I have many, myself...

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  13. LenoreNeverM♡reNovember 15, 2010 at 11:50 AM

    I'm simply charmed by the arrangements darling!
    You can be a stylist or display merchandiser~

    xo

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  14. RajNovember 15, 2010 at 1:27 PM

    I love how you've got books all over the place! Such cute and quirky storing places you've got!
    It's a nice feeling to never be far from a book

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  15. Melanie's RandomnessNovember 15, 2010 at 3:29 PM

    What a cute quote! I just told my mom it. I have too many books & SOOOOooo not enough space to put them.

    Melanie's Randomness

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  16. AnonymousDecember 7, 2010 at 7:52 AM

    I love your little nooks and crannies where you keep your books. My house is exactly like that. Books piled into corners here and there - I think it gives rooms a unique look. :)

    ~*~*~

    Ceri

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