Today I’m sharing a simple project that gave me a way to relove some old books I no longer needed. I made these colorful painted vintage books with a little chalk type paint, a few stencils and some creative waxing as a unique way to update a vignette on my sofa table for spring.
This project wasn’t even planned, I just happened to walk by a stack of dark beat up old books and thought..hmmnn. So, I whipped out some paint and got busy. I gave them each a coat of paint and let it dry. Be sure to paint the edges and just inside the book cover too:)
Next, I embellished the covers on my painted vintage books with a few stencils I had in my growing stencil stash. The damask stencil on top is the same one I used on my White and Gold Distressed Damask Dresser I just finished.
The pages were kind of ratty so I took some Bright Gold Royal Designs Stencil Creme and gave the pages a nice thin coat of pretty gold. Which looks great against the new spring colors.
I had fun with the wax and got creative. On the white painted book I added gold mica to clear wax. It aged the wax a little and buffing brought out the slightest gold shimmer.
Pretty!
Next, I mixed white paint into the rest of the wax for the other two books and worked it into crevices in the covers.
Of course now I have to figure out to stack or not to stack? I love the spring colors and the stenciled designs so much I kind of hate to hide them by stacking them!
What do you think?
This is a fun project on any book, it doesn’t need to be a vintage one. I can see painting the cover of a favorite journal book to personalize it, or even a notebook to update colors for spring using any one of the ideas I used above. I used to feel it wasn’t OK to paint vintage books. I have so many old books, and these were not valuable or in good condition, so I don’t feel bad. Painting them was a way to relove them and breathe fresh life into a few of my old tattered books.
What are your thoughts on painted vintage books?
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Pili says
I got rid of a ton of books in our last move and I’m pulling my hair right now. I think I have to give a deeper look at what I still have because I love the idea!
Wendi says
Hi Pili! I KNOW you’d do something awesome with this idea. The best thing about old books is they can be found for next to nothing. I spent .25 on these. Have fun creating and thanks so much for your sweet note and visit!
Linda at Mixed Kreations says
How pretty! I haven’t ever thought of painting books and stenciling on them. I really love how they turned out. Makes me want to go out and get me some old books. Pinning!
Wendi says
Hi Linda, the best part about using old books is they are really cheap! I paid abut .25 for these. It’s not often we find home decor for a quarter! LOL Thanks so much for your visit:)
gail says
I just bought some books last week so I could do this. I already have some… but the ones I use are colors I like.
I wanted some just to paint!
love your books Wendi!
gail
Wendi says
Isn’t this a fun project? I love that I can make books the colors I want to accent for decorating. Looking forward to seeing yours too:)
Natasha says
Such an amazing and fun project, can’t wait to try it at home. By the way love the lovely colors, they pull the room together.
Wendi says
Natasha… thank you! I loved the colors and little accents like this make a big impact on a room. Plus, it’s no biggie when I want to change colors..all I need is a little paint:)