DIY DECORATIVE STACKING BOOKS FOR ROMANTIC STYLING!
Hi creative friends! With Valentine’s Day around the corner, I thought it would be fun to share these DIY Decorative Stacking Books. This is such an EASY makeover! And for all you book lovers out there (including ME!) — you’re going to LOVE how this project turned out. These ‘romantic’ book bundles are great for home styling OR staging your painted furniture!
It’s also one of my favorite days of the month. I’m joining my Trash To Treasure Crew!! I’ll be sharing links to their before and after T2T tutorials at the bottom of today’s post. My friend Jen also did a book project so I can’t wait to see what she’s done as well!
Here’s what I started with. I had these old thrift store books that were collecting dust.
I was going to trash/recycle them in my blue box but decided to create a romantic little vignette instead.
Here are my new book bundles! What do you think… super sweet, right?!
THIS POST IS SPONSORED/CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS TO PRODUCTS I USE. YOU CAN SEE MY FULL DISCLOSURE HERE.
SOURCE LIST
- Old Thrift Books – SALVAGED
- Oval Paint Brush
- Titebond Glue
- Kilz Max Tinted Primer (ReStore)
- Pink Champagne (similar)
- Putty Chalk Mineral Paint
- Silicone Moulds
- Modeling Material
Before I get into the easy how-to, I just have to share my L*O*V*E of BOOKS! The good old fashion page-turning kind. I love the feel of books. I love the smell of books. I read daily. When I traveled, I visited libraries in all the countries I visited. From the Ephesus Celsus Library in Turkey to the Library of Congress in DC, to a tiny local library in PEI where the drop slot was on the outside of their bathroom just to name a few. I love browsing book stores and libraries (which I really miss doing since the pandemic) and can spend hours getting lost in books on drawing, painting, design, decor, and lately from Amazon — even cooking… which I almost can’t believe because I’ve never been much of a cook. As you can probably tell, I’m a bonafide book lover. Any other book lovers out there? 🙂
DECORATIVE BOOK BUNDLES
To give these salvaged books a brand new look, all it took was some paint and a few decorative moldings.
I started by tearing off some of the covers that weren’t in the best condition.
For the hardcover books that were still in decent shape, I removed the dust jacket and I started playing around with some colors to see what I liked.
Then busted out my pre-casted moulds and picked out a few designs that looked good on the spines of the hardcover books. To make your own DIY Moulds and Appliques, I have a full post here.
To adhere the moulds, I used this Titebond Glue and some green tape to hold everything in place until it dried.
Below is a Kilz Max tinted primer that I picked up from the ReStore months ago. When I tried it on one of the books — it was the perfect pink. Soft enough to be romantic but sophisticated and subtle. If you’re looking for a close match, a similar color to this tinted primer is this Pink Champagne.
I painted the books in the tinted primer and some of the other books with this Putty. The two colors play off each other really nicely.
Here’s the finished look…
The hardcover painted books actually look like fabric!
I like that some of the books are textured while others have a smooth finish.
And now for some TRASH TO TREASURE FUN!
I know you’re going to LOVE what this talented team of ladies is sharing. They never cease to surprise me with their creativity! Below are their BEFORE photos. Visit the links underneath to see the amazing AFTERS along with the full how-to-tutorial.
1. Confessions Of A Serial DIYer
2. Artsy Chicks Rule
3. Salvaged Inspirations (I’m so happy you’re here!!)
4. Girl In The Garage
5. Prodigal Pieces
Here’s another look at the before and after!
ARE YOU A BOOK LOVER? AND WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THESE BOOK BUNDLES FOR STYLING? I ALWAYS LOVE HEARING FROM YOU SO FEEL FREE TO CHIME IN AND SAY “HI”!
Thanks for taking the time to drop by!
Wishing you a beautiful day filled with inspiration and Happy Painting.
Denise XO
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DIY Moulds and Appliques (VIDEO)
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ReLoved Magazine Valentine’s Day Feature
A Week Of Love And Furniture Romance
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DIY Furniture Appliques
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I absolutely love these books that you have here.
Is there a way to print your instructions out. I’ve been going through and trying to get it all together without much luck. Would you put a ‘print’ on this site to make it easier for those of us that need them in front of us? lol
Thank you!!
I’m so glad you love them, Donna! Its a super fun project as well. Many of my readers (who like hard copies) will take a screenshot and then print it out. I hope this helps and have fun!😊
Denise, this is such a fabulous idea.. I’ve seen other painted book with lettering on the spines but never with plaster molds. I think I might have to try these. As for books, I am a voracious reader I have stacks of books everywhere in the house and a few in the car just in case I am ever stuck somewhere with a little time. Thank you for coming to visit my blog! I am looking forward to learning more from your wonderful and beautiful projects.
Thanks, Elizabeth! And I LOVE your idea about keeping a few books in the car! 🙂
Love your idea with the books. I have been doing something like this for a long time. I haven’t incorporated moulds yet. I have a huge stash of moulds. I am inspired to do this. Love your site. You are so talented. I, too, upcycle furniture; however, I am 73 years old and have 3 pieces waiting to be done. I did my dining room set last spring and loved it. As I get older, I am a lot slower because of severe arthritis in my spine and hips. I have to rest a lot during my work. It is what it is, but I love it. I am a huge fan and look up your site regularly.
Hi Margaret! I’m so happy you like the books and have fun with your stash of moulds. They’re amazing, so versatile, and fun to use so I know you’ll do something fabulous with them whether it’s on your furniture or books. XOXO
They are beautiful, Denise! I too am a good old-fashioned hold the book in your hands kinda gal. My problem is that I have a tough time parting with them so this is a great idea for keeping them but with a new purpose!
Thanks, Marie! And I have a hard time parting with them too!
These are so pretty, Denise!! And the styling is perfection! XOXO
Thanks my friend! XOXO
So pretty! I too have a love for books. This diy sounds simple enough must give it a try. Thank you Denise
Thanks Rosie… and it’s super simple!😊
Love readings books… I always told my sons when they
were growing up…Readers are Leaders. 😉Always tried to make our home literature rich..whether it was the newspaper, books or magazines.. I always have a book at my night stand. I just love your idea of making your books “prettyified”.. Ii have wrapped my books in wrapping paper and in burlap.. never painting them..Oh boy ..another idea for me..eeks!!!
Burlap wrapped books… I’ll bet that looks amazing! And I love that saying Lorri… so true!😊
Aewsome and excellent!!
Thanks Denise!🤗
Very cute, Denise!! I, too, am a bona fide, card carrying, book lover and creative artist of everything. People make fun of my personal home library, as I have thousands of books, and have actually read them. We dont have any TVs, as we prefer reading. I usually read about 6 or 7 books per week, except in Summer, when my gardens are going gangbusters, and I’m mowing our acreage. When I was growing up, we had no TV, so I would read the dictionary, encyclopaedias, and National Geographics, cover to cover. Ahh, the good ol’ days!
That’s amazing Susan and it sounds like I’d be SUPER envious of your home library. You wouldn’t want to have me over for coffee or tea because I’d never leave!🤣 And 6 books per week is impressive! When I first moved into this house I didn’t set a tv up for a good few months and was amazed at how much more productive I was with my time… including time for more reading!
These are so pretty Denise! And I agree with Cheryl, that’s an impressive trim stash you have there! ~ Nicki
Thanks so much Nicki! And as for my ‘stash’ hehe, I find it SO much easier (and fun) to take a few hours to cast all my moulds and then I have them on hand for projects like this. It saves me a ton of time. 🙂
These are so pretty! Love the embellishments! xoxo
Thanks, Birthday girl! Enjoy your day my friend! XOXO
Hi Denise. What a sweet and romantic way to decorate with old books. Perfect for Valentine’s Day. I’m also seeing these cute stackable books in a nursery:). Thanks for the idea.
Thanks, my friend! And in a nursery… I didn’t even think of that but that would be so cute! XOXO
Oh, my yes! Love my books. This is a great idea. I have use daily fabric to cover special books for protection. But, I love this for decoration. Imagine, coordinating your books to accent a room! Terrific!
Meee tooo… 🙂 and I bet your fabric-covered books look amazing! And ya, I’ve seen some pretty impressive coordinated book decor on Pinterest! Looks fancy!
Book lover right here! When I was in college, I spent a summer hostessing at an Italian restaurant in Stillwater, MN. Spent most of my money at a little antique bookstore buying my favorite Shakespeare, Bronte sisters, and Edgar Allen Poe. I love those books! These are such cute decor, Denise!
Omygosh..that’s amazing Kellee! Those antique and private bookstores are fascinating! You never know what treasure you’re going to find! I would have spent all my money (and time) there too! 🤣
These turned out so pretty, Denise! Doing moulds crossed my mind for a hot second but I went in a different direction… yours look gorgeous and romantic! xo
Thanks my friend! And I’m glad we both didn’t do moulds or both didn’t do stencils…😂
Hi Denise! I love to read also but I have gotten rid of most of my books. These book bundles are so pretty for a Valentine vingennte. You have quite the mould stash. That is very handy. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks, Cheryl! I should probably clear out some of my books as well. I go through phases where I clear out old books and then I end up with new stacks of them again. One entire corner of my bedroom is wall high with books. They comfort me. 🙂
Confessed bibliophile here, so I just love this! Simple and easy to do.
Thanks and meee tooo my friend! I don’t know what I’d do without books. XOXO