Have an old book with lots of memories or a damaged book that you’d love to do something with?
During my awesome trip to Goodwill that went down in the record books, I found this Little Golden Book, circa 1942, for 49 cents!
When I opened it, I fell in love with the artwork and colors and thought it would be perfect in Lily’s room!
The walls have been bare since we moved in and I’ve kinda neglected Lily-fying it, so this was the perfect thing to get me in gear with decorating.
Here’s a look at her bedding (oh hi, Miss Purple Soothie!)
After I found the book, I was on the hunt for simple, multiple, matching frames.
I found these IKEA Ribba frames at a garage sale for $1 each, and had Doug spray paint them with two coats of flat, white Rustoleum spray paint.
(Updated to add: IKEA no longer sells these in wood finish. I've tried painting the new finish and it didn't work out very well. I no longer recommend painting these frames unless you are using the older, wooden kind!)
I took the book, picked what pages I wanted to display, and ripped them carefully out of the book, and adhered them to the matte.
Please don’t hurt me! I’m not a book hater! I was going to scan the pages and print them, but the book was already damaged.
I put the pictures in the frames, used my picture hanging technique here to hang the pictures. and that’s it! I’m loving the vintage touch it adds to the room and now the walls aren’t so bare.
Thanks for reading! What do you think?
If you too have fallen in love with the book and artwork, I've found similar copies on Etsy.
Robin
Where did you get your crib?
Jennifer Saranow Schultz
I love the idea of turning children's books into wall art and I referenced your post as inspiration in a piece I wrote today on thrifty wall art for kids' rooms
http://hintmama.com/2013/09/24/todays-hint-a-thrifty-trick-for-kids-room-wall-art/
As I write, calendar images and images from art books also make great wall art. I transformed images from an old Winnie the Pooh calendar into wall art for my daughter's room. Thanks again for the inspiration!
Amanda
What size of frame did you use? I am putting together my daughter's nursery and I am using a vintage Cinderella Golden Book.
Beckheartsphotography
Hi Ann,I stumbled across your blog this afternoon and I can't stop cruising through it! I absolutely love this idea!! Great job!Keep it up!
CoopDeVilla
I have a couple of books that I just look and look at, can't throw away because they are so darn cute. Now I know what to do. Thank You for showing us your pictures and darling nursery.
Leigh and Greg
That is adorable, what a good idea!
Bec
I've seen other people use a variation of this idea, but I like yours the best- has such a neat modern/vintage feel!
Anne Maskell
they turned out great! I found you at tatertots and jello, and now I'm a follower!
Sunshine and Shadows
I don't know if I could cut up a book, but dang - it looks so good as pictures.
Lara Harris
What a lovely idea!
Kaysi
What a great idea!!! I love the crib skirt too!!
JHill
Beautiful! I think vintage children's books made the most adorable nursery decorations!Thanks for linking up to the Mad Skills Party!
Kelly@TearingUpHouses
I love, love, love old children's books. This is such a sweet addition to the room. Looks great in those frames!Kelly
BLJ Graves Studio
Such a fabulous idea. They look great!
tracylynne
I loved Bambi when I was little-these are sweet!
Nike
Love, love, love this idea! Have to try this in my girls' room.
micah @ the yellow front door
very cute idea!!
Mom of 11
MOGosh... It looks great! I never would have thought to use pictures from books as art on the wall! Great Find!
Jessica
Love it! It reminds me of what I did in my daughter's room- I bought a package of vintage Dick and Jane flash cards at the Dollar Store and framed four of them in four small white frames. For another wall I bought a calendar of vintage Barbie images at Costco for ten bucks and framed three of them. I love your baby's room!
Jennifer
What a great idea! My husband & I both have a bunch of little golden books from when we were small. I may have to do something like this with them. 🙂
Mrs. Muffins
I love that idea! I used to have a lot of those books when I was little!xx
Bonnie @ House of Grace
Looks great!!! It totally adds to her room, such a sweet idea! Keep up the good work! Happy 100th post, wow, that was quick.Bonnie
Lindsay
Very nice Anne Marie!! I did the same thing with Winnie the Pooh in Skyler's room!!
Maryann @ Domestically-Speaking
What a sweet idea! My head is spinning with the possibilities with this project. Thanks for linkin' up at the POPP.
Stephenie from Decorating Addiction
They are darling. What a great idea!
Becky Jean
I have tons of old books that work for my girls room, thanks for the idea!
Allison @ House of Hepworths
These are adorable! I'd love for you to link them up at my party!! It's today only, so hurry on by! ;)http://www.houseofhepworths.com/2010/05/05/lets-hook-up/
Mother Lode
love it!! i was recently conflicted over repurposing a children's book, but went for it, and love the puzzle blocks I made!http://www.camilledawn.com/2010/04/storybook-puzzle-blocks.html
Leah
I am in love! What a FABULOUS idea!
Kendra Goodrich
What a great idea! I love it, don't worry, no one thinks your a book hater. It actually shows how much you DO love books!
Christin@Pregnant with power tools
I love it!I've wanted to do this with an old storybook I have but can't bear to tear... so I may scan in the pages and print them out! If I had an extra copy I'd be ripping them pages out!
carissa @ lowercase letters
you are so stinkin' crafty!!! i love love love this! they look adorable and perfect for lily's room. i must go on a hunt for a book so i can do this for sage. oh, and bring on the white rustoleum!!! i think we used it for every single thing in our lil' gal's nursery.
kim
What a cute cute idea. I believe I use to have that book. Either me or my kids. I may have to do something like that in my future grandchild's room. Thanks for coming by and following me. I will do the same.
Sammy
That's so cute! I love those Little Golden Books, I remember all of them from my childhood.
Allison
Adorable! We did the same thing in my daughter's nursery ... tore out images from an old Cinderella book and make a grouping over her crib! I love it! It's featured on my blog if you want to check it out:http://designlifeinc.blogspot.com/2010/04/bellas-nursery.html
Jessica
Love it! It works PERFECT in her room! <3
Melissa
Love it - I adore Little Golden Books...
Debbie
Now that was clever and so cute! I loved bambi books, had a few myself, and I recall reading them with such delight! Thanks for stopping by and following, gotta ya back:)
Amanda
That is a wonderful idea! Way to think outside the box!
Suzanne
Adorable. They look like vintage masterpieces!
beckaboots
Wow those look great! I love vintage pictures and illustrations! Sooo cute. You did a great job and now I can copy you 🙂 haha.-Bekah
The Brick Cottage
So stinkin' cute! I remember that book from when I was young (along with all of the other Little Golden Books). They were always my favorites. I love how they look in the frames.