I a small house and a large garden have ...
Steve questioned the wording of the quote,
but I pointed out the time period in which Abraham Cowley lived.
Where does one keep books in a small house?
The answer is, anywhere and everywhere -
if it's a flat surface, there are probably books sitting on it.
if it's a flat surface, there are probably books sitting on it.
I have books on the mantel
and the window seat ...
on tables ...
and chairs (although that's my Ipad in a case that looks like a book) ...
This little fellow is surrounded by books in the bedroom,
but it's raining and the light is not good for photos in most of our rooms right now.
I counted 35 different spots in the house where books are
stacked in baskets, used in vignettes or lining shelves.
Suffice it say, I think anyone dropping by our house would quickly grasp that we like to read books.
I wonder what Abraham Cowley would think of our little house filled with books.
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Join me at
Poofing the Pillows for Thoughts of Home on Thursday
French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday
Carol, a room without books looks cold and empty to me. I like seeing books at every turn, as in your lovely cottage.
ReplyDeleteCarol, Some times our libraries are not very big...just very spread out. :):) I have books all over too. I love having books around. So many I have yet to read. Friends are a gift we give ourselves...that's a quote I like. Don't ask me where I heard it. LOL. Blessings to you and Steve , for a great weekend. xoxo,Susie
ReplyDeleteYay, you are getting rain! You needed it right? It has been raining here for 5 days. The dark is getting to me so it's nice to see your pretty cottage.
ReplyDeleteYou remind me that I want a typewriter so I can leave fun messages too. :)
Have a great weekend.
I also have LOTS of books, DH was an avid reader and so am I. We collected so many by going to the flea market. :-)
ReplyDeleteLove seeing so many sweet glimpses into your lovely home once again.
Have a nice weekend, a lovely Easter and a sweet spring ~ FlowerLady
Adorable post. We love books and as I look around I see that they are stored traditionally, on shelves. I must do something about that!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful quote-
ReplyDeleteand what a blessing to have that in your life.
As crazy as this sounds, your home could be like a library, with books coming in and going out.
That is what I say to myself because I can't live without books.
Thank you for joining TOHOT. I am so glad you are here.
I love books and they are everywhere here also.
ReplyDeleteI always feel sorry for people with no books (or music) in their house...
ReplyDeleteHow is that a life?!?!?!?!?
I have books all over my house, too. Every room except the bathrooms. I not only have them stacked on practically every flat surface like you, but have 5 bookcases in the family room, one in the living room, and one in one of the bedrooms. I actually worked in the family room these past few days, weeding some of the books out. I have 7 big bags full of books to take to Half Price Books to sell.
ReplyDeleteAs always, your displays are beautiful. And love that quote.
My books outgrew my book shelf long ago. In addition to pretty grown up fare, the former primary teacher in me cannot seem to part with the books from my classroom. SO many fun memories tied to those picture books...and then my kids read them and my nieces and nephews and now great nieces and nephews!
ReplyDeleteI love books... especially hardcover ones. I still prefer holding a book in my hands to reading something on a screen. Go figure.
ReplyDelete:)
Yes, living with books is also important in our home. Like you, we have them on shelves, under tables, on tables, in chairs, beside chairs, etc. I can't imagine life without books. This is a lovely post. I'm very fond of that fellow holding the blue and white bowl. Tell me about him.
ReplyDeleteI think you and Abraham Cowley would have been best friends. Love all your photos. I have books scattered everywhere, too. Maybe not in 35 places, though.
ReplyDeleteCharming post, as always!! Sally
ReplyDeletethey look cute where you have them...maybe one day you can find one wall that you and hubby could build a wall of shelves for ....
ReplyDeleteMORE books...:)
Well he would think it was perfect. Because it is.
ReplyDeleteYour books are are great. How do you remember where each one is? Do you have system for where you place which books?
ReplyDeleteJudith
Hi Carol personally I think a room without books has no soul. Your books are as colorful as everything else that graces your charming cottage. Enjoyable post.
ReplyDeletexoxo,
Vera
Well he would think it was perfect. Because it is.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure Mr. Cowley would like you are wise! Love books, books, books!! I hope your weekend is filled with better weather and plenty of free time. Blessings, Cindy xo
ReplyDeleteI agree that he would think it is just perfect! I love books too Carol, but don't read nearly like I use to. I buy vintage ones for color or topic. Gardening and décor books are my go to when relaxing. Love all of your lovely books!
ReplyDeletehugs,
Jann
Love that quote, Carol! We used to have wall shelves in every single room---even the living room and bedroom. After I got a Nook I know the books were simply cluttering and I needed to give them away. So I did and we eliminated all of the shelves. The dilemma was that I still had collections of gardening, decor and art books. So I, too, found a few screwy places to put them. I did glean a few ideas from you though. Funny bunch we are! :)
ReplyDeleteJane
You have such a LOVELY home and garden and so many beautiful books!! I felt a little like a snoop reading the titles as best I could on some of them!
ReplyDeleteReading is such a part of who I am - I would be lost without a book. And I like the ones I can hold in my hands.....with pages.....
Perfect Carol, You have amazing decore and perfect books! Keep sharing with us!
ReplyDeleteHave a great day!
Carol,
ReplyDeleteSome of my books are my best friends and my heart, home and soul would be lost without them.
Along with my garden my books have at times kept me sane.
Always a joy to see your charming home by the sea, as well as the tender manner in which you decorate it.
Thank you so much for sharing your style with us at Thoughts Of Home On Thursday.
Jemma
Good morning dearest Carol! Like you, we have books EVERYWHERE. The only rooms in this house without books are the bathrooms, but everywhere else, BOOKS! I am so loving your soft colors for the front room. I am on the hunt for slipcovers for my HUGE sage green velvet couch in the front room. Slipcovers will save the velvet but give me that softer look I so want!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your weekend! Anita
Where does one keep books in a small house? Before I even scrolled down I gave the same answer as you. One can never have too many books, although I have had to come to the point where I will only keep books that I will reread. I used to keep every book that ever came into my possession.
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine a home without books! I love that image of the quote in the typewriter. And I have that same black hand sculpture!
ReplyDeleteHi Carol, Love your display of books and the quote is perfect. I too enjoy placing my books all around the house in my displays. Sometime, I have to walk around to hunt for a book I am looking for. haha~~ great photos!! Have a nice weekend. xo
ReplyDeleteOh I love this post. So funny I have one started just like it. Books in small spaces! Thanks for coming over to my I love My Mixer post.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to invite you back. I'll be posting part two on Tuesday.
I think you'll like. I'll be writing about what I use my mixer for!
I'll be posting my book post soon. I loved your post.
Have a nice weekend.
I too love a house filled with books! I love your pretty house!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the weekend.
Julie
I can't imagine a house without books - it would be as cold as a house without love. Most of the books here are in bookcases or baskets or on bedside tables. There are books in the bathrooms and books on the kitchen table. There are always library books and books from friends and books to be passed along. I could live without a lot of things, but not without books.
ReplyDeleteI think he would be delighted! And probably astounded that you have running water and central heat as well.
ReplyDeleteAbraham Cowley would approve, my friend….You are very creative with your book storage, and I enjoyed your sharing your tips with us!
ReplyDeleteAlways calming to visit your lovely home by the sea.
ReplyDeleteI just love how you have displayed your books around your charming home!! Mine are in bookcases and now I realize How boring is that!! Thanks for the inspiration and thanks so much for taking the time to visit and to let me know that you did by your sweet comment!!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Deb
ReplyDeleteI was telling a daughter I have some many books but just can't get rid of them
I have books stacked over and under every table in this house I do believe.
Your cottage is oh so charming
Oh my goodness! I bought a wire basket months ago, like the ones under your table, because I loved it. I still have not done anything with it because I didn't know what to do with it. Books! It looks fabulous with books in it. Duh! Thank you! I love your book décor!!
ReplyDeleteI love how you displayed your books. I have serval that I used is displays around my house.
ReplyDelete~Cindy
I love books too. Lately I've been trying to clear out some, but it's hard to decide which ones I can let go of!! I like all the creative ways you use your books too! Hope you are having a lovely weekend.
ReplyDeleteI love that quote and BOOKS! We have them all over as well but we have plans to put in built in bookshelves at the top of stairs creating a library area in what is now wasted space. Emma, also being a lover of books, wanted a second bookshelf for her birthday. I guess she gets it honestly! I enjoyed seeing all the fun places you have a stack of books!
ReplyDeleteMy late husband and I were both avid readers, I still am. I resisted a Kindle for a long time. My sister gave me here old original and I now use it to read fiction every night before bed. I do still have a lot of books despite giving away cases and cases when downsizing a few years ago. I love books. The smell, the feel, the look. Enjoyed this post a lot.
ReplyDeleteI am sure a guest to our home wonders if we are both 'hoarders' when they see the stacks of books we have - I haven't been as artistic as you, so mine are just leaning towers but they bring such joy and adventures and romance that I just can't bear to part with any of them!
ReplyDelete. . . books in every room here on 34, said this friend and follower!
ReplyDeletei remember when the kids were in elementary school their librarian told them that books were friends! Abraham would comforted by a small home with friends revered, style by love.
I hope you are healing well, Carol.
w/L
I think she'd more amazed at the indoor plumbing LOL But seriously, I love a home filled with books. You can tell so much about people by what they read :)
ReplyDeletexo,
rue
Oh, yes, books are everywhere in my cottage as well... Even in the bathroom!
ReplyDeleteWe share a love of books! Must be a teacher thing...lol! Seriously though, I have them all over the house as well. I don't think I have a room that doesn't have books in it. Have a lovely week!
ReplyDeleteHugs, Vicky
That's funny that your husband questioned the wording on that quote because I did too! At first I thought a word was left out or something. I had to re-read it. You do have a lot of books. I have a lot of books but they are in once central location. I don't have them spread around.
ReplyDeleteI had to laugh...this is like my place. As to the overflow, with sloping ceilings upstairs I cannot have a tall bookcase so quite a few are lodged in a chest! But then baskets and boxes for sewing things or more books or whatever can go on top of the chest...it all works out somehow but as I looked around down here I realized how similar we are in this situation with small space but love of books.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely adore all the charming bookish vignettes you have created. Thank you so very much for sharing your wonderful post on Thoughts of Home on Thursday. It is my sincere hope that you will join in and share your sunshine again and again.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this different take on how and where to store books as often I read to keep them all in one place. I like your way better. You made me look up Abraham Cowley too.
ReplyDeleteNothing I love more than a house full of books - yours looks so pretty!
ReplyDeleteYou have a nice collection of books, I love how you have used them to decorate your home. It makes your home cozy and welcoming.
ReplyDeleteYour home is just so cute - fun - interesting - I just LOVE it! It's really a treat for me to stop by and see your sweet displays.
ReplyDeleteThose are such wise words and still just as relevant today. I love books too but I don't have them scattered quite that many times around the house! Sarah x
ReplyDeleteI cannot live with out books so they are all over my house! I am fortunate to have many bookshelves, but even so I want more. I like your decorative ideas with books, Carol--very clever!
ReplyDeleteWell, this is certainly a case of "great minds think alike," Carol! I am in the middle of a very similar post about books all over my house! A different slant, but, still similar. Hoping to get it out next week. Books do give a home personality, don't you think?
ReplyDelete