Monday, March 28, 2011

Decorating in the Stacks

What kind of librarian would I be if I didn't take the time to share some of the awesome ways your local library can help you create a beautiful home - on the cheap?!?! Here are three hints for ways the local library can save you some decorating dough.

1. Free magazines
.
This one is sort of a, "duh," but I thought I should share it anyway. If I'm not sure if I love a magazine, I like to check it out at the library for free, then decide if it's worth buying. My library also has a free magazine bin where patrons can donate old magazine and take home new (to them) magazines for free.

2. Library discard sales


I love to find sweet old books to use in little vignettes around the house. They rarely cost more than a dollar or two and are so much fun!

I also keep an eye out for books with fun illustrations or color plates. You can scan them or cut them out for framing.

3. Unusual books

Of course the craft and decorating books are great resources, but it's totally worth scanning the rest of the non-fiction section for out of the box ideas.


I was browsing the shelves the other day and picked up this little gem. I'm feeling a trip to the hardware store is in order so I can buy some nautical-looking rope and start tying some knots.


I think this would make a really cool wreath.


I have always want a monkey's fist door stopper, so I definitely need to try this.


I'd love to stitch a few of these together to make a unique table runner.

What's the best thing you've found at your library?

<3
Hattie

4 comments:

Laura said...

My hubby is in library grad school, and occasionally he'll bring home old cards (used to check out books back in the old days) and what not. I'm still deciding how to decorate with them.

I love the idea of framing the pictures!

Sarah said...

I've been following and loving your blog for some time now, and only now I find out you're a librarian! I'm in library school myself (and working my part time reference job right now...:) ). Just dropping a hello!

Hattie said...

Yay! Library people!

Breanna said...

I own the knot book. :)