Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Let's Put an End to Things !!

I look around my home on a daily basis and wonder what can I move or change to spice things up. One thing I cannot live without is the ever presence of books. They are a main staple in my life. From those I read on a daily basis to the decorative ones I scatter here and there.

While cleaning the other day I realized not only do I have quite a few books, I also have a "small" collection of bookends. Are you ever surprised at how a small thing turns into a collection?

There is a logic as to why books are stored vertically. The boards that form a book's cover are more likely to deform if placed horizontally, especially if the surface they're placed on isn't flat or there are heavy books stacked on top.

Having said all of that, I would love to show you some of the bookends I have scattered here and there. Now, we know I dance to the beat of a different drum, I like to think outside the box and use the unusual in my home. Last spring while out and about I discovered these gorgeous sconces on sale. Now normally, they would hang on the wall and I thought why not use them as bookends. Don't they make quite the statement? They can serve double duty, if I tire of them as bookends I can use them on the wall later in a display. Genius huh? :-))
Don't you love all the details? Remember in an earlier post I told you I had pulled all the runners and napkins off my furniture? This picture was taken before that little task was performed. I'll share with you soon the difference. I'm really liking the "lighter" look and the beauty of my wood pieces showing off their beauty. I had to move these cuties to the dining room table to get a decent picture. You might recall seeing them sit on a piece in front of the dining room window. You can see that post here.


Pretty cute huh?

The details are incredible. I love her patting the puppy.

And this guy playing peek-a-boo!

These beauties were ordered from Nell Hill's in Briarcliff. Janet searched the store over for me to find them. I spotted them in one of Mary Carol's post and fell in "love"! The box their sitting on was one of my grandmothers, I added the old books for the vintage touch.

Moving across the room to the stereo cabinet, you'll find a deer and a green compote used as bookends.
I like the look of one laying down and the green compote on top, adds a bit more excitement to the vignette.
Let's head to the sunporch and I'll share with you the frog bookends. I know Michael of Gollum's would love these. I've had them for over 20 years. Made of bronze and full of whimsy, I fell in love with them. My girlfriend laughed and laughed the day I purchased them. You see, I think someone needs something to look at each day and just laugh.

Back inside we'll head to the kitchen. Quite awhile ago I started adding roosters to the decor , I've edited "a lot" of them out over the coarse of the last couple of years, but the rooster bookends are a mainstay. These are made of heavy bronze with tons of details built into their character.



If you love books and use them as decorating tools in your home, think outside the box and add something fun and different to use for your bookends. Until next time....
hugs ~lynne~


21 comments:

Blondie's Journal said...

You have a fantastic collection of books and bookends and I like how you have them displayed. I love a home that always has interesting pieces to look at! My favorites are the children playing peek a boo and the hound dogs {love MCG}. I always love seeing your warm and cozy home, Lynne!

XO,
Jane

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Lynne so creative and thinking outside the box!

Thoughtfully Blended Hearts said...

Love all of your book ends...one of the things I've done is get rid of nearly all my books since I got my Kindle...boy do I regret that...what was I thinking??? You have some gorgeous books!!!

onlymehere said...

I always knew there had to be a reason that libraries throughout time have stored the upright and now I know why! I'm not a fan of laying them flat anyway bz I think they look better upright. Love the bookends too! You're home is always a treasure to look at!

www.MaisonStGermain.com said...

Love your creative thinking:) I posted about my library too and have to rethink things now.
~Debra
Blog: Capers of the vintage vixens

PAT said...

Lynne I love this beautiful post and your bookends.

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

I just love seeing all your fun and wonderful ways you have of doing things my Dear friend...I still say your the best at this..I would love to bring my BIG purse girl stay in my toile bedroom and shop your house...How are the 2 B's doing girl..I pray all is well in your world today and each day...I have missed ya and am so glad to be home from Dawna's house...It just never seems to stop for me Lynne...some times I hate being retired as I'm the one called all the time ha ha!! Love ya Lynne so much...Many BIG Hugs to you...Gl♥ria

Karen said...

Lynne, so glad you shared the sconces! I too love books. I really love the idea. Wonderful post.

Kat said...

I love the sconces used as bookends - what a brilliant idea. You have such a wonderful collection. I adore the frogs, they remind me of "The Wind in the Willows" - one of my favorite books of all time. Kat

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Great post. This is so full of inspiration. I am in the process of trying to redo the bookshelves, and I do have a few things I can use as bookends. How fun. Love all of yours and your books are fabulous too. Great job. Hugs, Marty

xinex said...

Hi Lynne! I love your bookend collection and what a great idea to use sconces to hold books!...Christine

Glenda/MidSouth said...

You have lots of great ideas for bookends - thanks for sharing them with us. Thanks for the reminder about storing books. I had read that before, but had forgotten.
Hope you are having a great week.

BECKY said...

Oh, Lynn, what beautiful book ends! And I would never have thought to use any in my kitchen area, even though I do have books on my baker's shelf! I love the roosters! And..the blue and white plates, and the darling little lamp....and..and.!! Thanks for sharing!!

Unknown said...

Oh, I am visiting for the first time from Laurie's place. I am a lover of old books, so bookends are another great collectible of mine. I love the peek-a-boo ones, they are charming. Your home, books, and bookends are perfect.
Karen

Pinky said...

You have given me the idea to see if I have any sconces to use as bookends! Thanks!!! I love all of your bookends. The 2 children are so sweet! XO, Pinky

Linda (Nina's Nest) said...

Hi Lynne, I love books and bookends, too. I think they add such warmth to the setting. You have a nice collection. Oh, yes, I did cover the chairs myself. Linda

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

What a wonderful collection -- I love them all! Thanks for your visit.

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Oh Lynne, I've missed seeing all of your pretties. I don't know why I haven't been over here. Your book ends are all beautiful, but I'm in love with the little girl and boy playing hide-and-seek. What a clever post title! Hope you and your family are doing well. laurie

Dolores said...

Wow, you have a beautiful and unusual collection of bookends!
Think of you often, hope all is well!

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

Your books are gorgeous, Lynne! I love books ~ as an avid reader and as someone who just appreciates their look. I love how you've used yours. From the glimpses I can see of your home in these pictures, it looks really lovely. I'd love to see more, but I'll backtrack posts in case you've shown it off before.

nannykim said...

Well, I love your bookends--they are quite unique and pretty! I had to laugh because we so love books. Spindle cottage has one wall full of bookcases behind louvered doors and then another area covering half a wall. It has several other ones bookcases too. SOOOOOOOO, as I am decluttering for a move and a downsize it has been very hard!! I also have a hutch full of books/ Now I see why a kindle would be handy or a nook. However I wonder what happens when your kindle breaks--do you loose all of the purchased books? I have gotten rid of tons of my books in the past few days, but I know I will have to get rid of many more! But I will make decisions after we actually purchase the condo..