Old Books- I have always had a love for books and old weathered, dusty smelling, dog eared, peeling old leather in particular.
My dear friend Mrs.Shyne, whom I have mentioned several times had a love for books also. I received a call from her years ago. She was going to clean out several lean to sheds that had lots of old books. Would we like to come and get some? Oh my, I wish I could have loaded my car full of them all (which Millicent would have love for me to do) but we were getting ready to move to Colorado so I had to be picky and just get a box full.
After taking Christmas down I had the desire to pile a lot of those books on the mantel for some reason.
My silver trophies that I won from Dusty Lu's giveaway of a Victorias Sthoer gift certificate giveaway.
We use our wood stove insert as our primary source of heat in the winter so a fire is going pretty much constantly. An iron kettle sitting atop brings much needed moisture in the air when filled with water (sometimes I remember to drop a few cloves and cinnamon sticks for a wonderful scent throughout the house.
I just piled the books every which way and
placed a few pieces of tarnished silver around .
2 different candleabras on either side
old keys-
silver pitcher with twigs -
I feel like I am in an old castle library -
a comfy chair by the fire completes the look.
I am playing with using textures on pictures as Picnik is letting us use this for free till they close down in April.
Jesse our dog loves the fire and sleeps as close to it as possible. He will all of a sudden realize he is too hot and get up to flop down a few feet away.
Old books-
I actually have read many of these on the mantel.
There is just nothing better then an old book!
Please don't forget to sign up for the wonderful Shabby Apple Giveaway -
I will be picking a winner January 31-
Go HERE to leave a comment on the Giveaway post.
May link to these parties
Under the Table and Dreaming for the Sunday Showcase Party, Thrifty Decor Chick for Before and After Monday (first Monday of the month), Boogieboard Cottage for Masterpiece Monday, Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday, The House in the Roses Show off Your Cottage Monday , A Stroll Thru Life for Tabletop Tuesday, Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday, Knick of Time Tuesdays, Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays, What's It Wednesday at Ivy & ElephantsWhite Wednesdays Faded Charm French Cupboard for French Inspiration on Thursdays, The Shabby Creek Cottage for Transformation Thursdays, Favorite Things Thursday at Katherine's Corner ,Kathy at A Delightsome Life Home and Garden Thursdays, No Minimalist Here for the Open House Party on Thursdays, My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday,French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday, 2805 for Potpourri Friday , The Thrifty Groove for Thrifty Things Friday, Debra at Common Ground , Sherry at The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday, Tatertots & Jello for the Weekend Wrap-up Party , Funky Junk Interiors for Saturday Nite Special
29 comments:
Your mantel is awesome. I love decorating with old books. They had a touch of warmth to any room.
Mary Alice
Where's the red chair for me to sit by the fire in? Everything looks so cozy! If you are going to Pueblo anytime soon, let me know - I'll meet you for coffee or lunch if you have time. Sally
I am in love with those books, Mary! I love books and since moving to Ohio, where I find antique booths, I am always looking for some old books to add to my collection and decor.
Mary - Love all the old books and tarnished silver. It really makes me want to grab on of those books and relax in the share and a spend an hour or two!
Hi Mary,
This is my first visit to your lovely blog...I found you through Susan Between Naps on the porch, I am the one next to you (Home is Where the Heart is). Its a pleasure meeting you!
I love your fireplace and mantel filled with beautiful old books.
I have become your newest follower.
Have a sweet day, Elizabeth
Mary,
Here, here, here's to books...yellowing, brittle pages of paper and black print. Illustrations or no illustrations. Whatever the condition from ancient~to~new...here's to books! Your mantle does have the resemblance of a loving library and that comfy chair appears to be the perfect place to perch ones self and devour a book on a cold Colorado day, indeed! I adore this post!
Fondly,
Pat
Oh darn too bad that you could only get a box full. What a wonderful friend to know how much you would treasure them. i love how they are displayed with the tarnished silver. I could come and visit with you right in front of that fireplace!
Thanks for the sock idea - sometimes I can't think out of the box.
Stay warm!
Leann
I am fascinated with old books they look awesome come see what I shared at http://shopannies.blogspot.com
I'm just eating your vignettes up Mary! I love the old books haphazardly placed! Too bad you couldn't have filled the whole car full huh? But the books you did choose look amazing! I'm going to pin some of these, I just love em! Vanna
Oh Mary Ellen, your fireplace is gorgeous and your mantel is stunning. I love the look of all the old books and the silver. So pretty. Thanks so much for joining TTT. Hugs, Marty
It just doesn't get any better than this. LOVE all the pics today. Thanks for sharing.
Yes, I can feel the castle feeling too.
Awesome ideas....I'm your newest visitor, follower and friend... I'd like to invite you to come visit and follow me when you get a chance. Have a fantastic evening.. xoso sandy
I LOVE old books and silver too. I think your mantel looks gorgeous! Love it!
Lou Cinda :)
Thanks so much for sharing your very cozy castle-like library/living room photos. I DO love the way you arranged your old books...very classy-looking with the candlelabra and silver items. I saw your post over at "A Stroll Thru Life".
What lovely photographs! Your books and silver are priceless, awesome post!
Hi Mary,
Old books are such a treasure, and they can be quite pricey at antique shops. Yours look great paired with the tarnished silver. I feel I can never have too many books. :)
I really love your fireplace with the wonderful bookcases on either side. It has that Craftsman Bungalow look about it.
Thanks for sharing your lovely pics and have a great day!!
Denise at Forest Manor
Beautiful books display!!! Love your decor!
Hugs
Charo
Your mantle is wonderful, Mary. Love all the books and silver! Thank you for sharing this lovely post at Potpourri Friday!
Sooooo beautiful!!! You did an amazing job styling this. Well done.
I love old books too - all shapes and sizes! I would have loved to help her out too! You did a fabulous job - you have a wonderful fireplace, mantel and shelves - thank you for sharing with Home and Garden Thursday,
Kathy
I, too, have a fondness for old books. Your vignettes with the books and vintage silver are terrific. ~ Sarah
You had me at "trophy"!
Love your groupings and your photos are awesome!
I'm such a pet lover, I just love the dog (Miniature horse) he's huge in front of the fire place. OMG I can't imagine passing up a shed of books, but I get it if you were moving. You are so right about the paint sprayer, it uses hardly any paint, what a savings!
Carol
From one bibliophile to another...Well Done!
Lorraine
Mary, I'm a new follower, and also a lover of old books and silver. Your mantel is just perfect. Gosh, you have a really long space to decorate. All your wonderful elements have a really warm and cozy feeling.
Have a great weekend,
Babs
Hi Mary Ellen! Oh, this is just so pretty and comforting. Looks like home to me. Those are lovely olden books and you poked them up on your mantel just right! I love your builtins on each side of your fireplace too! Your home is so warm and I can feel the love!
Thanks for popping in to see me and you're always a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
I found your blog at Funky Junk's link up. I love old books too. My husband and I both collect them...sometimes by subject, sometimes by color. I will be following you!
Hi Susan- Thanks for coming over via Funky Junk- isn't Donna the greatest!! Bet you and hubby have a great collection of your own book- they just have a beauty and history that I can't pass up!
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