DIY Restoration Hardware Book Decor

I visited Restoration Hardware a few weeks ago for the first time ever, and I promptly learned two things:

1. Restoration Hardware is the most amazing awesomesauce place in the whole wide world.

2. For every plate of awesomesauce that Restoration Hardware sells, they charge a million billion dollars.

Whew!

That place is pricey.

Though I only came out of the store with a stack of catalogs, (hallelujah they are free!), I did see a recurring theme in their stately decor.

Books.

Or for a more defined description: Trashed books.

Books were strewn everywhere, and not a single one was left unscathed. With covers torn off, and string and twine wrapped multiple times around, they definitely made for a bold yet simple decorative piece.

Just check out some samples from the catalog online:

(Pictures via Restoration Hardware here.)

Well, I might not be able to afford an $1,800 19th century old world artistry deconstructed wingback chair, but I sure as heck can rip the covers off a few books.

Am I right?!?

Who’s with me?!?

Anyone?

Here’s what you need:

A spool of twine…

And books.

You will also need a box cutter, which I didn’t take a picture of because I have yet to meet a box cutter pretty enough for a photo shoot.

All right, you got me. I forgot to take a picture of the box cutter.

Don’t forget to send your mother a picture of the trashy book covers and say, “Mom! You totally used to read books like this when I was a kid!”

First she will yell at you, and then she will say she will never ever babysit again for you to go see yet another Twilight movie with your giggly girlfriends.

Touché.

Now, this project is super duper easy, as long as you cut the right part of the book. Don’t cut the pages, just cut the edge to remove the outer hardbound cover.

Just… like…so.

If you cut it right, the spine should peel right off from the cover.

Ta-da! Now hang on a sec while I save that trashy cover in a special hiding place…

Kidding!

(Awkward.)

Next, take your twine and wrap up your books. I did sets of four as that’s what I saw in the store, but you can vary your numbers.

The older the books the better. My 80′s romance novels seemed aged enough, and the .25 cent garage sell price tag was an added bonus.

Voila! I can’t wait to make space on my fireplace mantle.

Not bad for $1!

At Restoration Hardware they also had some fabulous rolled paper in vases that I am going to try out next.

I don’t think I will be using trashy romance novels as you might actually be able to read the pages.

Meh.

I bet nobody will notice.

 

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