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Well, I'm certainly confused about why designers on HGTV shows put books in shelves with the spine facing the back of the shelf so the book's title & author cannot be read. This approach seems to have started with Genevieve Gorda, then it was picked up by Sabrina Soto -- and maybe others. I generally love their work, but this thing they do is totally ridiculous and looks absolutely terrible. Can they possibly think this is cute? Someone please help me to understand why they do it.

Because they can.
Seriously, those two and several others are a gimmick a minute.

My take is, Just because something CAN be done, it doesn't mean it SHOULD be done.

I expect this is an off-shoot of the Belgian/lack of color/overly neutral rustic style - ya know, gotta hide the book bindings cause they might have some color and the bindings are neutral and have 'texture'. Obviously only popular with non-readers as it would drive a reader crazy to try to find a book on the shelf.

Bugs me 'almost' as much as ripping the covers off books and tying them with twine as 'decor'.

Have to admit I have a small collection of hardcover books I purchased at yard sales/thrift stores to use as risers for displaying decorative objects. The only books I purchased were black or beige. As a reader I don't usually choose books by their color but these were for decorative use only. Some have interesting titles tho and if I ever need a good read I know where to find it - right under that tchotchke in the vignette! LOL

I don't think turning books backwards is any stranger than filling a bookshelf full of books purchased only for their leather bindings of a specific color as was done in previous decades. In both cases, it's a design statement to provide texture and/or color.

As a voracious reader, I just shrug my shoulders and skip over those ideas as my bookshelves are full of books that I read with no room for decorative statements.

I think it looks awful. As a reader, I can't imagine trying to find a book on those shelves -- but wait -- they're decor not to be read!

And I abhor tearing a book apart to tie with twine to put on an end table as decor!

But I'm a book lover and I treasure books both old and new. And I must admit that sometimes I use them as risers for they do make good risers as long as you put them spine side out and don't tear the covers off and tie them with twine!

We have lots of books at Linderhof -- most are well loved and well read!

Martha

I agree with joyluck, I think this idea originated with the Belgian/ Axel Vervoot (how in the heck do you spell his name - can't remember) look. Sometimes really old books in Europe have lost their leather covers and you get that tied with twine thing - only it is original. I have seen that in flea markets in Europe.

Tearing off the covers of perfectly good books is what happens when someone comes up with a "copy it for cheaper" idea. and no way did Gorda or Soto start all of this, they copied it.

But DaveT91, I agree that turning book spines to the back of the shelf is ridiculous, for real life it makes no sense. What could be more frustrating when you are trying to find a book! In a photograph for a catalogue full of Axel Vervoot look alike stuff it is part of the props and styling. So I guess it makes sense there, in the same way setting the stage to focus on a product makes sense. Not selling books after all, so lets get them neutralized.

Have not seen the shows but it sounds like a really stupid idea. That's when you know the people have never read a book in their collection. I can't imagine buying a book for the color of it's spine, how ridiculous. You mean people really do that?

I too would like to complain about this misuse of books. . . totally ridiculous!

However I also have been guilty of "disrespect" (one of todays buzz words, what happened to Lack of respect? Oh well a different thread perhaps) of books in my use of them this way.

I had DH saw the ends off these books and I glued them to the end of the bookcase in an effort at tromple l'oil (except no one notices) I chose only books that were really of no account and with humorous titles (again if anyone chose to read them) still DH hated to deface any book.

I guess what they did is o.k. if they were using the books as a textural element in the room. However since they put them on book shelves it would only confuse people as who would know if they were using a first edition, a signed book, or a pot boiler from the 1930's?

Speaking of love of books I want to recommend my current read. It is "Innocents Abroad" by Mark Twain. I find myself laughing out loud in bed at 1 a.m. DH read this recently and enjoyed it very much. It is historically interesting and very funny.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: lady of shallot,

quote:

Originally posted by zone9alady:
Have not seen the shows but it sounds like a really stupid idea. That's when you know the people have never read a book in their collection. I can't imagine buying a book for the color of it's spine, how ridiculous. You mean people really do that?

Don't you remember, Zone9alady, when they sold "yards of books" for people to use in their libraries? They were usually old sets of encyclopedias, sometimes in languages other than English. Here's a web site that specializes in books just for looks.
http://www.bookdecor.com/

quote:

I can't imagine buying a book for the color of it's spine, how ridiculous. You mean people really do that?

I have to admit I am doing that right now. I have an idea for a Halloween decoration/arrangement/display and I need a few old spooky looking books. I have been looking through thrift shops for books in Halloween-ish colors with titles that are also Halloween-ish. So far I have only found one. It is an old deep grey book called "Midnight". I may have to scrap my idea until a year in the future if I can't find a couple more books. We'll see. But Yes, I am totally buying books for the color of their spine (and the words on the spine)

quote:

Originally posted by Graciepj:
Don't you remember, Zone9alady, when they sold "yards of books" for people to use in their libraries? They were usually old sets of encyclopedias, sometimes in languages other than English.

So funny! I am going to admit doing that. Ha ha. When we bought our house we were young - in our 20's and there was a big built in bookshelf in the family room, and we had no where near the number of books to fill the shelves. So I bought a whole bunch of old encyclopedias really cheap, that matched the decor in the room. The spines were stamped in gold and looked really sophisticated to me. (repeating that I was in my 20's) Anyway, I was so pleased with the look, but then everyone who came to visit asked me why I had so many sets of encyclopedias. I got so tired of that question, and answering, "no I don't collect encyclopedias, I just thought they looked nice." It was kind of embarrassing. Eventually, when the number of books we owned grew I was able to replace the "decorative books" with real ones.

I laugh about it now, but it seemed like a logical thing to do at the time. Ha ha.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: cocok,

This idea is for those who are too lazy to make plain white or brown or ? to cover all their books, and their books are something like porno, far out political, or some such that they don't want people to see''''Just kidding--but agree it is rally a stupid idea.

COCOK--try used book store-in my area all the libraries have used book stores--if you find one where people donate books tell the people who work there what you are looking for and they will save them for you if they take in any.

Another idea--make a book jacket with scrapbook paper, and title with those stick on scrapbook letters.

quote:

Originally posted by cocok:

quote:

Originally posted by Graciepj:
Don't you remember, Zone9alady, when they sold "yards of books" for people to use in their libraries? They were usually old sets of encyclopedias, sometimes in languages other than English.

So funny! I am going to admit doing that. Ha ha. When we bought our house we were young - in our 20's and there was a big built in bookshelf in the family room, and we had no where near the number of books to fill the shelves. So I bought a whole bunch of old encyclopedias really cheap, that matched the decor in the room. The spines were stamped in gold and looked really sophisticated to me. (repeating that I was in my 20's) Anyway, I was so pleased with the look, but then everyone who came to visit asked me why I had so many sets of encyclopedias. I got so tired of that question, and answering, "no I don't collect encyclopedias, I just thought they looked nice." It was kind of embarrassing. Eventually, when the number of books we owned grew I was able to replace the "decorative books" with real ones.

I laugh about it now, but it seemed like a logical thing to do at the time. Ha ha.

Cocok, You experience just proves that even at a young age you were aware of design trends, perhaps even without being conscious of your knowledge, and applied them in your decor. There were many famous designers doing it, so you were in exalted company.

quote:

Originally posted by Graciepj:

quote:

Originally posted by zone9alady:
Have not seen the shows but it sounds like a really stupid idea. That's when you know the people have never read a book in their collection. I can't imagine buying a book for the color of it's spine, how ridiculous. You mean people really do that?

Don't you remember, Zone9alady, when they sold "yards of books" for people to use in their libraries? They were usually old sets of encyclopedias, sometimes in languages other than English. Here's a web site that specializes in books just for looks.
http://www.bookdecor.com/

There are several companies online that sell books by the yard so it must be popular with many people.
I buy books for color to use in decor as risers, might still buy more too as I find them.

quote:

Originally posted by cocok: I bought a whole bunch of old encyclopedias really cheap, that matched the decor in the room. The spines were stamped in gold and looked really sophisticated to me. (repeating that I was in my 20's) Anyway, I was so pleased with the look, but then everyone who came to visit asked me why I had so many sets of encyclopedias. I got so tired of that question, and answering, "no I don't collect encyclopedias, I just thought they looked nice." It was kind of embarrassing. Eventually, when the number of books we owned grew I was able to replace the "decorative books" with real ones.

I laugh about it now, but it seemed like a logical thing to do at the time. Ha ha.

Hey, too bad you didn't realize you could just have turned them all spines in! LOL I regret giving away my old 50's encyclopedia set in the 80's as the bindings were blue leather and would work well in my color scheme.

Didn't know about the "Yards of Books", that's a new one for me. LOL!

quote:

Originally posted by joyluck:
Hey, too bad you didn't realize you could just have turned them all spines in! LOL

You are hysterical joyluck!

Not much of a reader (for whatever reason)? What the library look plus hidden storage? I realize most here would think this faux book idea silly, but no more odd than the hidden spine book idea (tho definitely more costly). Want a handsome display (minus the art objects interspered which I find more visually pleasing unless you like the library/bookstore look)? On the plus side, the dusting would be far easier. Have no clue the cost, but think...you could feature a custom color display (I'd suggest neutral). I wouldn't consider this route, but as always, I toss these finds out for someone who might or for pure entertainment.
Personally, if I was concerned about the colors of my books, I'd spend the time to make jackets
like many here suggested vs. showing the page side of books on shelves. It's far more practical. Anyway....check the faux book idea out ...if you wish.

http://www.originalbookworksusa.com/fauxbooks.php

Froo that reminds me of the law journals in a lawyers library. It's a nice formal look. I did checked the prices...YIKES!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: zone9alady,

I recently went through redoing my bookshelves - about 5 total. I took off the covers and organized by size, etc. to make a nice display of bookshelves with accessories, etc. It looks great, but is completely impractical. We used to have our books sorted by category - easy to find when you wanted one. Now, we have to look over every single book to find one. I'm considering going back to the way it was and just trying to organize those in each category in a nice way. I would be totally lost if my books were turned backwards - however, as many have noted, these books are not for reading - only looking.

Aaaaaaaaaa! Designers are crazy sometimes.

Cocok, I love encyclopedias. I have two sets in my classroom, that just take up space, but I don't want to get rid of them.

I will admit (unapologetically) to buying used books, both in the past and present, to use decoratively...used for their color to fill bookshelves and used as risers for other displays. I do agree that the trend (short-lived, I'm sure) to turn them backwards is taking it to the extreme.

As I was cooking dinner tonight, I thought of this thread as I examined this cookbook display on my counter. I didn't buy these books for display; they were books that I had on hand and wasn't using as cookbooks (mostly gifts, and some very "vintage"). When I was redoing my counter displays a year or so ago, I asked my younger DD for help, since she is very talented and has helped me with decorating from a young age. She immediately pulled these books together for the colors, and I have loved this display ever since. It gives me pleasure every time I look at it. The colors of the cookbooks play together well, and echo the colors of the Kahlua bottle in the wine rack.

So I guess my point is that I personally don't have a problem with using books as decorative objects.