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Books For Wallpaper? A New Decorating Classic

By
Real Estate Agent with SHAHAR Management

Stacks of BooksI came across an article recently discussing wallpaper that was pictures of books.  It is apparently becoming quite popular to use this theme in borders, as striping and in full wallpaper.   Being a book lover myself I was kind of intrigued by the idea as it had never occurred to me before. 


After all, why would you want a picture of a Booksbook when you could have the real thing?  The pictures vary from magazines, paperbacks, bright colored books for children to the ultra elegant classic works of literature.  I guess if used in the right room in the right way it would look fabulous but to me nothing is as good as the real thing. 

After all;  "A room without books is like a body without a soul" - Marcus T. Cicero


Books



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SHAHAR MANAGEMENT

 

Debbie Walsh, GRI, CNE, CHMS, REM | Office (845) 283-3036 |

website www.viewhudsonvalleyhome.com | search for homes

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Janell Kittleson
Rentec Direct - Grants Pass, OR
Rentec Direct

You know, I had a similar reaction to a trend I've seen where people use transparent plastic "stickers" on windows that give the look of stainglass.  At first I thought "Oh Lord, that's tacky!" but then I decided that to each their own.  I'd never do the books as wallpaper but then again I remember a friend from childhood had a magical giant rainbow wallpaper scene and we always loved it as children.  Guess it's all about how something makes someone feel... and to some, the thought of books is what they're after, not really the experience of books (weird, for sure!)

Nov 25, 2011 06:37 AM
Kwee Huset
Kwee Huset Realty - Venice, FL
Venice Florida Homes For Sale

Debbie, I like neutral and natural wall instead of wallpaper. Much more easy to decorate the home. Have a marvelous weekend.

Nov 25, 2011 07:07 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

I hope you are having an outstanding Thanksgiving weekend.

Autumn Colors in Kentlands.  Photograph by Roy Kelley.

Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs

Nov 25, 2011 09:08 AM
William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired

Hi Debra, One place where this really works is a powder room or small bath. I did it once in townhome bath and loved it. The door and frame were made to look like a bookcase frame and all the walls with matching book wallpaper. It was done by an artist that not only knew wallpapering techniques but completed the task with trompe l'oell. It was fabulous. I wish I had a photo of it, long lost. 

Nov 25, 2011 09:39 AM
Amy Robinson
London Pierce Real Estate - Scottsdale, AZ
Realtor, Scottsdale Arizona Homes For Sale

HI Debra,  I have not seen this before. It is very clever but I have never been a fan of wallpaper.   I wonder what room they use it in. The den?

Nov 25, 2011 12:11 PM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Debbie I agree something about a wall picture of books, doesn't even sound right.

Nov 25, 2011 12:20 PM
Dale Baker
Baker Energy Audits and Commercial Properties Inspections - Claremont, NH
New Hampshire Relocation Real Estate Information

Howdy and evening Debra

Debra, I'm not at all a fan of wallpaper anyways, so I sure would not want wallpaper which looked like books. Besides I actually have more than enough real books to fill bookcases from the floor to the ceiling and cover the walls of at least two rooms.

I have not seen that kind of wallpaper in any homes around here as of yet.

May each and every day bring you and your family many blessings!

Have a good one
Dale in New Hampshire

Nov 25, 2011 01:42 PM
Ellie Penaranda
239.776.5077 Downing-Frye Realty - Naples, FL
Naples Florida Real Estate - Waterfront & Beach Co

I've seen the wallpaper, but like you I love my books... I even like smelling the old ones.  One day I am dreaming I will dedicate a room in the house for books, floor to ceiling and even over windows and doorway... Nice post Debbie.

Nov 25, 2011 01:46 PM
Gary Coles (International Referrals)
Venture Realty International - Las Vegas, NV
Latin America Real Estate

Debra, I love my books so I don't think that I would care much for this wallpaper.  Of course it would cut down on the dusting. LOL 

Have wonderful weekend.

Nov 25, 2011 03:13 PM
Janet Jones
Just Your Style Interiors, LLC - Kihei, HI
Home Staging, Interior Redesign Kihei, Maui, Hawaii

Hi Debra--I love wallpaper and I love books, but somehow I don't love the wallpaper of books concept.  I think I am more like Dick (#3)--I want the tactile feel of a book--and a less busy wallpaper.  However, people will love this idea and if they are not selling then I so decorate with what you love--and prepare to remove it if you want to sell. 

Nov 25, 2011 06:10 PM
Suzanne McLaughlin
Sabinske & Associates, Inc. (Albertville, St. Michael) - Saint Michael, MN
Sabinske & Associates, Realtor

Great minds think alike.  I just reblogged a post of Pat Kennedy's about homes without books.  Your post was interesting in that I agree with Dick, as usual.  I have many, many books and couldn't live without them.  And, I even know where most of them are!

Nov 26, 2011 01:15 AM
Debbie Walsh
SHAHAR Management - Middletown, NY
Hudson Valley NY Real Estate 845.283-3036

John- I wouldn't think so either but you never know...if done right...

Kathy- I don't understand that.  I love old books, in fact I collect them but would never trek all over just to fill a shelf for show.

Dick- I love books too.  I have been an avid reader since I could first read.  I have shelves and shelves of books - HOWEVER I also have a Kindle which I LOVE.  It is nice because it is thin and light and if I finish one book I have the choice of over a 100 more to choose from with me when I am at a Dr.'s office etc...so that is a very nice feature.   :-)

Joni- I HATE WALLPAPER.

Janell- I would never do that either but like you said to each his own.  Thanks for stopping in!

Kwee- I totally agree!

Roy- Thank you-  you too!

William- Oh this does sound like it looked terrific...too bad no photo....    :-)

Amy- That is a good question - above William had it in a bathroom but I guess it would depend on your personal preference.

George- Yes unless they could look 3 dimensional I would think it would look alittle odd.  Unless like Amy suggested maybe in a den or office.

Dale- Me too!  Thank you Dale - you too!

Ellie- I would love a library of my own as well!

Gary- LOL Yes it would!

Janet- Right - I think it would just be too busy which is why it doesnt appeal to me.

Suze- I couldn't do without my books either.  Love to read!

Nov 26, 2011 03:50 AM
Diane M. Phillips Realtor 443-286-4365
Frankly Real Estate Inc. - Manchester, MD
Specializing in Carroll Co., MD

Debra ~ I'm with you! Books are wonderful, I wouldn't want to be without them.

Nov 26, 2011 10:58 AM
Barbara-Jo Roberts Berberi, MA, PSA, TRC - Greater Clearwater Florida Residential Real Estate Professional
Charles Rutenberg Realty - Clearwater, FL
Palm Harbor, Dunedin, Clearwater, Safety Harbor

When I lived in Germany, I had two entire walls of bookcases full of wonderful books..........many came back to Florida with me and have since been donated to various college libraries (since most were in German).

Nov 28, 2011 12:41 AM
Elyse Berman, PA
LoKation Real Estate - Boca Raton, FL
Boca Raton FL (561) 716-7824

I've seen this wallpaper but I, too, prefer the real thing.  Books are sacred objects, never to be tossed out.  They provide such pleasure at any moment in time.  Have a great week!

Nov 28, 2011 02:31 PM
EC, JF, Double R and Zoey the Cool Cat
Russel Ray Photos - San Diego, CA

That's interesting. I guess if you can't have all those books, why not the wallpaper.

I love going to restaurants where old books are part of the restaurant decor.

Nov 30, 2011 01:32 PM
Shar Sitter
Rooms With Style - Minneapolis, MN
Home Staging and Redesign Minneapolis/ St. Paul, M

I'm with you, why have a wall of fake books when you can have a wall of real ones! Or two or three walls like me!

Dec 04, 2011 03:05 PM
Debbie Walsh
SHAHAR Management - Middletown, NY
Hudson Valley NY Real Estate 845.283-3036

Diane- Love to read!

Barbara- When did you live in Germany?  That must have been wonderful!

Elyse- I totally agree!

Eric- I actually like that too now that I think about it.

Shar- Yes I would love to have a library one day in my home.

Dec 12, 2011 11:41 AM
Mary Lou Teague
HOME STYLE AND STAGING LLC - Knoxville, TN
Home Style and Staging Knoxville. TN

Debra I have to agree I would rather have the real thing also, it is even hard for me to get used to reading on my tablet instead of holding a real book. Thanks for sharing

Jan 05, 2012 01:05 AM
Debbie Walsh
SHAHAR Management - Middletown, NY
Hudson Valley NY Real Estate 845.283-3036

Valerie- I too love books and read as much as I can although sometimes very hard to find the time.

Mary Lou- I love to read on the Kindle or a book -doesn't bother me either way.

Feb 12, 2012 07:15 AM