Last October a sweet bloggy friend of mine, Brooke, of Velvet and Linen fame, sent an invitation to attend the grand opening of her beautiful store, Giannetti Home. While at the event I noticed an entire wall of books had been covered in simple parchment paper. Hand-lettered titles were added to a few of the spines. This simple book cover treatment spoke to me and I put this idea into my “style file” ~otherwise known as my brain. A Makeover Metamorphosis for a Song.
It is now June and I am trying to create a more neutral~matte palette throughout our home. A thought occurred to me while making toast one morning.
This corner of our kitchen needed to be mattified. (No, it’s not an actual word, but we’re not playing scrabble. 🙂
A Makeover Metamorphosis for a Song
The cookbooks had been purchased forever and a day ago at Michael’s. I have never once used a recipe from the books, even though I cook dinner on an almost daily basis. But today was the day I decided I was done looking at Mexican Pasta.
I didn’t have any parchment paper. As I am currently challenging myself to not buy anything else until my craft closet has been whittled down a bit  I needed to come up with another solution. Did I ever tell you that my Grandma Mary was a brilliant pianist? Well, she was. I am an ok (bordering on very poor) pianist. As a result, I have tons of vintage sheet music lying around. The selection of sheet music as a cover for the books allowed me to put my own twist on a brilliant idea ~which I love to do.
Sure, the first cut is the deepest, but better than the music be seen than hidden in the depths of no man’s land. (Seriously, Mr. Decor NEVER goes into the craft closet.)
The tools of the trade:
Pencil, ruler, bone folder, and scissors. I used the old book jacket as the pattern. It actually took me longer to photograph the elements and write this post than it did to recover the books.
So, voila! I am still undecided on whether or not to take a sharpie and write “Recipes” or “Bon Appetite!” on the spine. This is where you come in. Input, please!!!!
Using the “If You Give A Mouse A Cookie” method of thinking I decided I needed to cover a few more books. The next time I went to the grocery store I asked for paper bags. A few snips and a bit of glue led to seven covered books. Five of the books are tied together with basic twine wrapped three times and then knotted. Easy and inexpensive.
In another area, two more books were covered and now prop up a pedestal of nested birds.
That’s a wrap! (Sorry, I couldn’t resist. 🙂
Laura
Awesome idea and I just love the books tied.
Cutie patootie idea~ my favorite is the book covered first with kraft paper then over-wrapped with the music! I don't know about writing anything on the side of the books- I think it might be a little busy…. 🙂 Sue
Great idea, I love the combination of the paper bags and the music sheets. The photos of your previous posts are so adorable!
I am in love with the book covers! And, how clever of you to make the confetti.
I love the book If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. Have you read the others: If you Give a Moose a Muffin… If you Give a Pig a Pancake, If you Give a Cat a Cupcake…
Looks great, clean and inviting. Well done as usual!
Lovely idea…!! Thanks for the inspiration!
Isabel
I love the idea of using the sheet music for book covers. I also think the kraft paper-wrapped books used alternately with the sheet music makes both of them stand out more distinctly. I am going to tuck this idea into my own style file. Thanks for sharing!
What a great idea. I love the sheet music and I also really like the look of the brown paper. It's so pretty to see them tied together also. Looks gorgeous. Hugs, Marty
What a good idea! You've invoked memories of my Grandma Mary who loved to play her organ when I was a little girl. I am a fair pianist, too, (if that), but I love music. I personally like the books without any writing on them, especially since you don't or haven't used them for recipes. That is just my opinion, but what do I know-I usually come to you for decorating inspiration!
oh wow, i love love love that idea! my family (not me) is chocked full of musicians, and this would be perfect for them!! (or me, because i love the look of it!) thanks!!!
What a great idea! Even I could do that, LOL!
Brava Laura! Everything turned out gorgeous. I recently papered the inside back of a small cabinet with vintage sheet music that I pick up here and there. It makes such a difference!
This is an inspirational, fun, post dear one! I am going to go cover some books with pretty scrapbook paper! Great project to do with the kids! Blessings.
I love this idea. It really changes the look of the area it's used in. Perfection!
LuLu~*xoxo
*I got Maytag front loaders, washer and dryer. They are both high efficiency and I can't believe how quiet both of them are. I am in heaven. My old ones were over 20 years old and in much need of replacement so I am a happy girl 🙂 We bought these online through Best Buy's website and saved $525.00. I think that was a great deal!
and a beautiful wrap it is, Laura!
These are such great ideas. Very inspirational.
xo
Brooke
Lovely idea!! I wouldn't write on the books, just leave them as is ♥
Hugs…
Love that idea. I think I would put one of the craft paper books in between the music two cookbooks and write something on that spine. Like Cooking is Music to the Soul…I don't know, but something like that….I see cute tags with all those punch-outs!
Wow! What great idea! You did awesome here girl!!
Love your cleverness! Little changes make a big difference, thanks for sharing!
What wonderful ideas! Very nice! Happy MM!
I just love the look of the books..so cool..I can hardly wait to see your next good idea…
Love it; you could try writing on ONE book spine and see if you like it….or do it on clear plastic and place it over the spine to see if you like the look on the sheet music book cover. Then if you don't, just toss the plastic..no damage done to your sheet music book cover.
Thanks for sharing!
I enjoyed reading this post! I especially had to chuckle when you said you were on a buying moratorium until you whittle down your craft closet! I keep telling myself that, too!
That's really neat! I have so many books that need homes in my house. I may try this out.
I love your resourcefulness; using what you have on hand to create some very unique and awesome displays!
Nancy
Your inspiration turned into a beautiful and unique project…its lovely…
If you give a mouse a cookie, he's going to ask for a glass of milk. It happens every time, doesn't it?
I think I like the sheet music unadorned with words, although “Bon Appetit” is a nice sentiment. But you know, I really like the sheet music mixed with the brown paper. Do you need another book in the stack under your lamp?
I'm with you–better to use the sheet music for something lovely than for it never to see the light of day.
I love how that looks with the twine or jute tied around it!
Brenda
I actually did something similar once, except I scanned the music into the computer first, and then photoshopped some colors and designs to them. Being raised in a musical family, I somehow just don't have the guts to cut the original sheet music.
Nicolette
http://www.furnitureanddesignideas.com/
I love it, it's so cute and cozy.
Well done and beautiful! I need to start getting more creative
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I love this idea!!! I just need some vintage music. And some brown paper bags and some twine, and some books (just kidding, I have the books).
Uber clever and so pretty. I am copying this idea! Hope you don't mind!
OH I love the brown paper and sheet music together! That looks incredible! What a great idea!!!!!
~Liz
PS I hate to say write the titles on the spine, and then if it doesn't turn out you have wasted a beautiful sheet of vintage music…. But … if you can spare it the extra…I say try it…
Love the book covers. Great idea.
Hello Laura – this is such a fabulous idea! How very creative you are.
Blessings,
Marie
http://emmacallsemamam.com
That is so pretty…and while I could recover books, I can't tie them up or use them for pedestals. Let's put it this way…remember years ago the idea of stacking old books, maybe encyclopedias, into 4 legs, then topping it with a piece of glas. Not gonna work in this house. Within 24 hours, the glass would have been leaning against the wall and the kids would have scattered the books hither and yon…sigh. Yeah, they used to read encyclopedias from the 60s for fun. I raised nerds. Sigh. It's a pretty look…..
A wonderful decor idea. I presented you with a blog award. I enjoy your blog. check it out at: http://vickysplace1.blogspot.com
Well done! the recovered books look fabulous. Enjoyed visiting your blog space today full of creative inspiration.
That is a great idea. Thanks for sharing. I love crafting projects.
Willow
I would write on the brown paper but I don't know about the music sheets…I kind of like them plain. Cute idea! I can only imagine cutting that paper, but you're right! It will never be used just sitting in there, better to actually give it a purpose.
All the best,
Allison
such a good idea, I love it, I'd like to paper everything lol!
Sarah
Hello !
Man, it takes days to look at everyones MM !! Sorry I am so late…
I love your new “note” books ! Really am loving the twice and grocery sack ones….I think you need a plain one and then tie it like the other on the shelf for below the lamp…my two cents…
Really love it a bunch !
Hugs ~ Kammy
As usual, you make everything so lovely. 🙂 I would leave the books as they are.
Excellent ideas!!
Hi Laura- always in tune with great ideas!Heehee! Get it -in tune!Anyway, was curious if you had chose a color to paint your guest room that you had mentioned on earlier blog. I was curious as I need to paint my bedroom. I looked up Feng Shui and bedroom colors that were mentioned were neutrals in beige family, pale light greens, and pink. Said to stay away from red or orange in bedroom– just wanted to see what you were going with. My bedroom is neutral beige at the moment so was wanting some kind of change but still be able to sleep after choosing the color! Just curious! I enjoy your decor tips! I also studied Interior Design!
Karyl
Very cute project! I haven't quite gotten to the point of wanting everything neutral, but I sure love the look too.
Hi, sweet Laura! I loved this post. You are so creative, and those books look fabulous!
I am writing a post that I hope will go up either this Saturday or next. It all depends on the tree men that are cutting away at some fallen oaks, etc. in our yard. In the mean time, I am preparing a special post with the pretties you gave me. Just wanted you to know.
I am really loving them. 🙂
XO,
Sheila 🙂
So creative. Great reuse and beautiful to boot!
I like the sheet music, but love the look of alternating with the brown bag and placing extra sheet music on those. Also love that you hole punched the scraps for future projects and didn't buy anything!!! Very creative!!!!
Hi Karyl,
I have no other way of contacting you so I hope you'll come back by and read this.
I would like to paint the room a light lavender with blue/gray undertones. It should be very relaxing.
My own room is a light ice blue and my son's new room, which will be up on the blog soon is a beautiful light aqua, both of which are restful colors.
I have studied the psychology of color for years, which goes hand in hand with the principles of Feng Shui. It truly is facinating!
I love all the keys grouped together. Very pretty arrangement.
Thank You Laura for the input! I was leaning towards the yellow family but concerned it would be too energizing for the bedroom because it is used for both sleeping and desk work/computer. The Lavendar sounds very nice! I am on the north side of house so not a whole lot of light comes in.
I have yet to attempt a blog so I apologize for the lack of one. I am enjoying the many blogs and like your blog for the Interior Design elements you blog about! Not sure what I would have to blog about if I did have my own or if I would have the time to keep it up! So glad you blog as I enjoy it!
Karyl
I just bought one of those hold puncher thingies (in the shape of a gift tag) and I've been punching anything that's not nailed down, LOL! I *love* the idea of sheet music…looks like I'll have something else to look for at yard sales. 🙂
Love, Love, Love the book covers! I have seen this done in white paper but I love the combo of brown paper bag and sheet music. Good thing we live so far apart, I might have snitched that fantastic tray! Thanks for sharing such a great idea.
Laura, your books look so pretty, and you managed to accomplish this lovely transformation without spending anything! Wow! You are so inspiring. laurie
That is a wonderful idea!