Thursday 22 October 2009

Can you ever have too many books?



Hello everyone! You've probably guessed that these past couple of weeks have been busy ones for me. Not much time for posting or visiting blogs. There has been quite a lot furniture being moved around the house and work going on in my workroom (I must find another name for it, it sounds industrial when in fact it is a cosy little haven!). We are getting much closer to finishing the lounge AND...my workroom.

I thought I'd share close up pictures of the bookcase in our lounge. I LOVE books and keep acquiring them...There are more books throughout the house...







































I hope you enjoyed the little bookcase tour. When I go to some one's house or stay in a B&B, I am always drawn the selection of books that is there. Always looking to discover something new or interesting.

A bientôt!

Isabelle x

50 comments:

Lisa said...

Definitely can never have too many boooks, well I hope not because I can't help buying them!
Lisa x

Lisa said...

Definitely can never have too many boooks, well I hope not because I can't help buying them!
Lisa x

Lululiz said...

Loved your bookshelf tour! I am another book addict, there are books in every room in the house, yep, bathroom and little girls' room included.

Laura @ 52 FLEA said...

Fabulous book tour! Of course, the answer is no, one can never have too many books.....I am addicted to collecting all kinds! Thanks for sharing your collection Isabelle!
Take care, Laura

Thedarkerside73 said...

Gorgeous bookcase! and Of course you cant have too many books! - well I certainly cant. The girls have two large bookcases in their room, and we still have loads more to find a place for. And that just theirs, dont even get me started on mine! lol.

We are in the process of decorating in the Boo Bear Shed at the mo. The Dinning room has been decorated. We have lots of furniture to paint though, and we are waiting to be able to get a load of lovely bookcases. But I want them in white, as I think they really show off what's inside them better. Although they do do a red one that I do rather like....... oh dear choice can be a terrible thing! lol.

Thanks for a looksee at your rather glorious bookcase!




MBBx

Beth Niquette said...

I adore books. My book space has gotten smaller and smaller with the needs of family and ministry. (sigh)

I'm also married to a man who has never read a novel! He has a learning disability, so does not understand the magic of being transported into another place and time. (sigh)

I LOVE your photos of books. I'm envious of your bookcases and collection! Wonderful!

Michela said...

Oh Isabelle, you have so many interests! The choice is so wide!

Unknown said...

How many books are too many? I have two large bookcases full to bursting, one slim but tall bookcase full of psychology books, my pc desk is groaning under the strain and I even too the doors off a built in cupboard and the shelves are now three deep in books. Not ot mention all of my craft books in my work room. No, you can never have too many books. Pam xx

Clare said...

Our books seem to breed! We have far too many and we even have some still boxed up in the garage from our move!!Just another job on the endless'To Do' list!

KC'sCourt! said...

Books! I love books any sort of book! I daren't buy any more books.

sarah-jane down the lane said...

No you absoloutely cant never ever have too many books! They are such brilliant echoes of your life aren't they? I look at my bookshelves and see all the different icarnations of myself from fairytale loving Narnia obsessive to self conscious student, to art and literature buff to gardening obsessions and funny things and picture books and so it goes on....
No, you can never have to many books!

Love Sarah x

PS why not call it "the haven" sounds perfect!

@nne said...

Books are life! Greetings from Crete!
Anne
creta-amaltheia.blogspot.com

{Love, Love, Love} said...

Nope! You can never have too many books! x

Lori said...

Isabelle, you have quite the collection of books there...i see a lot of titles i would like to own...i love books too!!!

Mary Poppins said...

Ohoo thanks for sharing, what a delight for the eyes. I love books though many are in storage whilst we are having the never ending building and decoration work go on.

Hugs

X

Anna said...

Lovely bookcase, so much to rest your eyes on!

Anna x

sue said...

No you can never have too many books, I see you have been spending at the Vintage Magpie,lucky you.

Sue

Serenata said...

You can never have too many books in my opinion, although saying that we have run out of space for them and have had to pack a lot away in boxes, but one day I WILL have a library! :-)

Sal said...

You have a wonderful collection of books,Isabelle!
We are book lovers too...and bookshop lovers!
Hope all is going well for you.
Sal x

Unknown said...

Books are the most understated piece of integeral furniture...a second hand book seller told me they used to sell them by the yard for interior decorators!! Personally I like the creative process of the collecting and reading of them, like you seem to; you get fascinating ones on set sometimes which are just being 'furniture'...also, my painting looks very happy next to the telephone boxes too; a home from home.
x
ps. I was wrong before; it's a really rare K4 on the station platform I think!

andamento said...

Loved the bookcase tour - I am so nosey!

Have you any favourites amongst them all - I'm always looking for new book ideas.

Lyn said...

No, I don't think you can have too many books. I would love a cosy library with all my books on shelves in topic order at the moment there are just piles of them everywhere! I like they way you mix other things in with the books on display.
Love
Lyn

Niki Fretwell said...

Hi Isabelle,
You have a wonderful collection of books surrounded by some lovely treasures. I love the fact that one of your titles is 'At Home with Books'!!

Enjoy the half term hols,
Niki x

Bleudelavande said...

Hi Isabelle your collection of books is amazing!!! I LOVE books too and me too I have books in all the rooms of my home!!!
Tank you for sharing yours!!!!
Take care

Unknown said...

I love books and your display of them looks wonderful!!!

:) T

LiLi M. said...

Mmmm the problem is not books, but where to store them :-O! I have a big library custom made book case, from floor to ceiling from wall to wall, but it is full and I keep buying books, help! Love your collection though! Have a nice evening!

Pomona said...

I have just had some fun looking at your shelves and noticing how many books we have in common! My house is completely overrun, but I have become more strict with myself - I have a clear out every year and take some to a charity bookshop to make space for new ones.

Pomona x

Tilly Rose said...

glad to see another book buddie.....you definately can't ever have too many books! My favourites are craft, sewing, cookery, gardening, and herbal crafts. I also love hunting down any old books in bookshops.......the more photos they have the better! (great inspiration)
Happy reading.....x x x
P.S You can't beat snuggling up with a good book by the fire on a cold and wet day!

Josephine Tale Peddler said...

Isabelle, Be still my beating heart! You have combined two of my passions so beautifully, books and pretties. I love the way your bookshelves are arranged with all your treasures as well. I see we have many books in common (no surprise:)) I always feel sad when I visit people who don't have many books. Books to me add character, soul and education to a house. I will never be a fan of E-Publishing for that reason. I love the tactile feel of a book! Despite the fact we live in such a teeny house we still cram it with books and so it looks like a library! And we also have the wonderful Daphne du Maurier in common as well. She is a superb storyteller! Have you ever visited Allison at My Cozy Home? The link is on my Blog. She is like an American kindred spirit. If you ever get time do pop in! I have really loved reading all the comments from book lovers everywhere. What a joyous post! And I have been coveting bunnies from The Vintage Magpie and Nikki's dolls for some time. Take Care and enjoy your weekend. I am also posting about books today when I get a chance but children's books! And I must add, I do love your list of favourite books on the side. I will have to add to my collection. xx

maria cecilia said...

Hello Isabelle, I love everything you have in the shelves, not only your preciouss books but so many other beautiful things.
Muchos cariños
María Cecilia

Sarah said...

I completely agree - you can never have too many books! I love some of your treasures on your book shelf.
x

renaissance said...

No one can never have too many books, I just wish all of mine did fit in the bookcase (bookcases)!

Victoria - Florence and Mary said...

You certainly can not ever have enough books!!! Well I hope not anyway as I've neared my limit!!

I love looking at peoples book collections so thank you for sharing.

Have a great weekend

Victoria xx

Art4U said...

Nice to see a fellow book lover!
Having so many is wonderful, except when moving home as I just did lol.

OhSoVintage said...

No you can't have too many books and I always think it strange if I go to someone's house and there are no bookcases. I like to see what people have on their bookshelves too although I soemhow feel guilty at knowing their reading habits, like it is a secret! Many years ago in the 70s as a young naval wife I was invited to tea at a very high ranking officer's wife's home and noticed 'The Joys of Sex' on her bookshelf which really surprised me at the time!!

Sylvia said...

Beautiful bookcase with lovely things. I also love books.

Have a nice evening,
Sylvia

Tracey McBride ~ Frugal Luxuries® said...

Such a lovely topic for a post! I concur: In fact, I will always make room for more books!! As it is, I'm (almost) embarrassed to say my current book count is in the thousands. They have taken over the linen closets in the upstairs hallway...the hall itself is lined with well-filled bookshelves...and the walk-in closet in the master bedroom has, long ago, been transformed into a miniature library cum office. Truth be told, my dream house is one where filled bookshelves fill (nearly) every wall!

When I was young, my father told me you could tell so much about a person by their selection of books. I've found this to be quite true and, like you, am always drawn to books that are displayed when visiting others. As well, I find myself turning catalogs, magazines, and design books upside-down and side-ways in order to read the book titles in the photographs on their pages!! Thus, it comes as no surprise that I thoroughly enjoyed your little bookcase tour.

Thank you!

Warmly,
Tracey

sarah { abeachcottage } said...

loved this post, I have them stashed just about everywhere I think!

it's my first visit here, love your blog...made me homesick though ;-)

Sarah

Zita - Mlle Magpie said...

One can never have too many books! Thanks for the lovely shelf tour, Isabelle!

Primchick said...

You can never ever ever have enough room for lovely lovely books.....
Love 'em... just running out of space...
Marion ;0)

A time to dance said...

You can never ever have too many books....my house is full of them...two teachers! and then tons of my theatre books are at work...our poor floor boards groan...I think peoples book cases are facinating...especially if populated with lovely keepsakes like yours...love and hugs from a cliff top in cornwall...

Bine | was eigenes said...

No, you def. can't have too many books at all ;-)
Your shelve is also full of books...already two rows in one shelf ;-)
You have nice blog!
Cheers, BINE

Mr Jones said...

No way.. by the way I spotted the Golden Age of Couture on your ?helf.. Did you go and see it when it was on the V & A.

Courtney said...

Never, ever too many books! Your's look so lovely. You have so many interesting titles too - must make for great cozy afternoons of tea and reading!

VintageWantsNotNeeds said...

No never - there is no such thing as too many books. My favourites are old children's books and I have spent many a happy hour browsing through old book stores to find some treasures.
Thanks for the tour of your shelves love the bits and bobs that you have scattered around them.
Debbie

Andi's English Attic said...

Thank you for the tour. I love looking at other people's bookcases. I'll even get the magnifying glass out to study mag pics of bookcases, just to see what's on them, so thank you for a special treat this morning. xx

Julia said...

Hello Isabelle

I am also a book junkie and have a wonderful addiction to them, just this morning I got a little book of cakes and tray bakes! Love your selection, I think there are quite a few books on your shelf I would be happy to immerse myself in!

Love Julia xxx

Les Cotrions said...

Thank you Isabelle for this so interesting tour among your books! Yes I can say you have a lot of them!
I'd like to take a look to most of them! Now I understand why you are so inspired!!!
Hugs and take care!
Vale

sarah-jane down the lane said...

Hello lovely Isabelle, must make some crab apple jelly and rosehip syrup too! Do you have a tried and tested crab apple jelly recipe? Thanks as always for your comments,

Love Sarah x

Duchess of Tea said...

Hello Isabelle darling, I have missed you so much!!! I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kind wishes for my dad's speedy recovery. I am one lucky girl to have you as a friend; you truly are the gem in my teacup. I am now off to stroll around your blog to see what I have missed.

Love & Hugs
Duchess