Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Judging a book by it’s cover

When it comes to people and places I never judge a book by it’s cover so to speak. At least I try really hard not to and have an open mind.

 



But when it comes to books I find myself totally judging a book by it’s cover. My friends always joke that if it has pink cover I’m going to buy it and sadly, because I love a good chic lit novel my bookcases are full of the hue.

 



Now I’m a huge book worm so along with my chic lit books I have more serious tales such as Pillars of the Earth, Middlesex, and if we are being honest The Twilight Series.

 



Even with my more serious novels I love to see a great designed book cover and in my eyes Penguin always does a fab job.

 

I’m itching to get a copy of one of my favorite tales blown up for my living room:



thegreatgatsy



I think book covers make for great artwork. Not only do they show off a bit of personality, but it’s a chic and cheap way to add a punch of whimsy to a room.



 



A quick google image search and you can find a variety of Penguin book covers that you can “borrow” and print out yourself or at a local print shop like kinkos.

 



If you can hold out until Oct 2010 them you can score these:



 Postcards from Penguin: One Hundred Book Covers in One Box



It’s a box of 100 post cards that could make for a massive gallery wall display!

 



I’m happy to see that I’m not the only one with book love, because our favorite LONNY pg 55 showcased a kitchen featuring this wallpaper by Tracy Kendall.



 

paperbackswhite by Carteco Design Centre.

 



How about you? Do you think books are just for reading or would you use them for display?

 



*Sorry for the late blog post today. I was a bit under the weather today. Jon had to call in the reinforcements aka my mom to come over and play nurse while he headed to work.

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29 Comments:

Blogger monique said...

i really like that penguin is doing that! as a fellow book worm, i would love for my books to look a little prettier

February 16, 2010 at 7:51 PM  
Blogger Heather said...

I am DROOLING over that postcard book!!! I love, love, love to read and I think displaying a love for books in your home decor is awesome. It brings a smile to your face and is a great conversation starter.

February 16, 2010 at 7:57 PM  
Blogger Marie said...

I have a huge number of books EVERYWHERE in my house, because I love to read and I love to admire books- especially lovely old ones. It's great that vendors recognize that books have appeal for many reasons.
Marie @ Lemondrop ViNtAge

February 16, 2010 at 8:15 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This is such a great idea...love the image of that bedroom. Also love lonny....it needs to come out monthly!

February 16, 2010 at 8:19 PM  
Blogger Courtney said...

Those penguin book covers are just adorable! My absolute fave book that I use for decor is my "I Married Adventure" antique. I'm sure you've seen these everywhere in design, but it still remains my favorite. :)

February 16, 2010 at 8:46 PM  
Blogger Marija said...

I love your idea. I love books and magazines as decorative accessories. Totally. Marija

February 16, 2010 at 8:55 PM  
Blogger Natalie said...

I adore books. And I think it's awesome that they're doing the postcards.

And I love the idea of printing a poster size book cover for art. How neat!

February 16, 2010 at 8:57 PM  
Blogger Katie @ Noodle and Boof said...

LOVE books and LOVE reading. It's hard not to judge books by their cover when choosing at the bookstore or library...after all, you never really know about ALL the good books! PS- who doesn't love a good girly book, especially on the beach!

February 16, 2010 at 8:57 PM  
Blogger Christen said...

I totally judge books by their cover - how can you not? And I love the idea of blowing up a book cover to display as art.

February 16, 2010 at 9:07 PM  
Blogger PS~Erin said...

Love that artwork. So cool. I'm with you... I can totally judge a book by the cover. I'm always so sad too, when a formerly pretty cover changes after it turns into a movie, with the actors spammed on the front.

February 16, 2010 at 9:23 PM  
Blogger Lindsay said...

I might be a little crazy but I bought the penguin notecard set off ebay a few weeks back from a seller in the UK because I couldn't wait till Oct.! I'm planning on framing my favorites!

February 16, 2010 at 9:44 PM  
Blogger Michelle said...

I prize my Nancy Drew novels...I even have bought a few Hardy Boys along the way...they are so nostalgic!! I LOVE this idea!!

Best,
Michelle

February 16, 2010 at 9:46 PM  
Blogger glamourpuss said...

I am a book worm too and LOVE to display them! I use them a lot for pops of colour on side tables or in bookcases. I really want a library/study, complete with the ladder on wheels! :)

February 16, 2010 at 10:17 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

i love vintage books! always on my list at the flea market

February 16, 2010 at 11:05 PM  
Blogger Dreams of Perfection said...

I love that wallpaper! What a fun look :o) How cute would it be to blow up Dr. Suess covers for a kid's room?!

February 16, 2010 at 11:11 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

If I wasn't a big fan of your blog already, this post would have sealed the deal! I'm in love with those postcards, and will wait patiently until October when I can buy them and plaster them all over my wall (OK, i'll prolly do something slightly classier... just slightly...)

February 17, 2010 at 1:33 AM  
Blogger alison giese Interiors said...

That giant poster version of the Penguin book jacket is fantastic! Thanks so much for the heads-up on this!

February 17, 2010 at 5:56 AM  
Anonymous DC by Design said...

I'm so with you. We got a big box of old American Heritage books (sort of like bound magazines) that the library was getting rid of, and they make a gorgeous statement on our living room shelves. Great post!

February 17, 2010 at 8:11 AM  
Blogger Susie @ Maddie G Designs said...

I really love the large Penguin poster. Great find!

February 17, 2010 at 8:28 AM  
Blogger Cara said...

I am generally particular about the covers of the books I buy. For instance when I decided to buy the Twilight book I held out until I could find one with the original cover rather than the cover with the actors on it. A beautiful book cover can tip the scale.

February 17, 2010 at 9:04 AM  
Blogger Ms. Bright said...

I'm with you! I love cool covers and penguin always nails it! I got 3 of the Coralie Bickford Smith ones for Christmas. I've put the postcard book on my wishlist. You're correct, it would be amazing as a gallery wall!

February 17, 2010 at 9:30 AM  
Anonymous Bailey @ peppermintbliss said...

I can never get rid of books, even my fiances law school books I am strangely attached to...They just look so old school and distinguished! Like an english gentleman. These penguin books are especially yummy

February 17, 2010 at 10:17 AM  
Blogger Scientific Housewife said...

I love reading and displaying books. There is something about it that makes a space seem intelligent and cultered. I would have Pride and Prejudice blown up somewhere, haha.

February 17, 2010 at 12:13 PM  
Blogger Milltini said...

love that idea! so great for a study or a library or an office! and what is it about a neat little stack of books that I find so appealing?

February 17, 2010 at 12:18 PM  
Blogger Chic Coles said...

I definitely think books can be used for both reading and decorating!

February 17, 2010 at 1:45 PM  
Blogger Laurie from Laurie Jones Home said...

I especially love buying interior design books, I have them all over the house and all my girlfriends and relatives love staying the night or visiting because we always end up drinking wine and paging through the pretty pictures. Books make a home. (I'm a chick lit girly too, love Emily Giffin, Jen Lancaster and even Lauren Conrad too!!)

February 17, 2010 at 2:02 PM  
Blogger Emily A. Clark said...

So glad for the heads up on the postcards! What a great display that would make for the bare walls in our play/media room. Love it.

February 17, 2010 at 7:11 PM  
Blogger Connie @ SogniESorrisi said...

How cool! I love book covers and when searching for a new book its one of the first things that attracts me.

February 18, 2010 at 11:05 AM  
Blogger Averill said...

I love the idea of using the Penguin classics postcards for a giant wall display!

February 19, 2010 at 1:40 PM  

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