There’s just something about pretty decorative books. Books are trendy in home decor, so I thought it would be fun to add a little more character by painting them. Here are some fun, easy ways to put a personal spin on painting books to match your own style.
* No books were damaged with this makeover. They’re still readable!
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How To Paint Books For Decor | Decorative Books
SUPPLY LIST:
- Book #1 Flamingo & Blueberry
- Book #2 Bunker Hill Blue & The Gulf
- Best Dang Wax clear
- Dixie Dirt charcoal
- Dixie Belle Paint Brushes
- Fine Mist Spray bottle for water
- Heat gun for quick drying
- Dixie Belle Copper Gilding Wax
Part 1 Paint Blending | Decorative Books
Part 2 Paint Blending | Decorative Books
Finding Old Books for Painting Projects
Finding old books is super easy. Just stop off at your local Goodwill or yard sale and grab some for just pennies. Or maybe your favorite vintage cookbook. You’re not destroying the book but decorating the cover. I painted mine, and I still use it, and it looks pretty in my kitchen.
Chalk Painting Decorative Books
After I used the paint blending method on the books, I went back and added what I like to call the easy distressing method. Using the side of a chip brush, I lightly dab the edges to create a chippy paint look but be careful not to overdo it. Just enough to look chippy.
Using Wax and Dixie Dirt On Decorative Books
After the paint had dried on the books, I applied a coat of clear wax over all the painted surfaces. Immediately after waxing, I used a clean chip brush and lightly applied it to the edges around the book to create a dirty used look. These decorative books are going to look awesome in my kitchen.
This is a fun and practical way to repurpose and upcycle those old books while getting a little practice with your painting techniques. Like I do on cabinet doors because we all need to practice.
DIY Budget-Friendly Decorative Books
Sometimes I need a little quick gratification, and painting books does fill that need for me. They make great gifts too! Who would love to get a cute decorative book? This was such a fun project, and I hope you enjoyed my spin on DIY home decor on a budget. Need more budget-friendly home decor ideas? Check out this Trash To Treasure makeover.
So what did you think? Share your thoughts and comments below about this makeover. I value all opinions; it gives me the feedback I need to create more fun projects to share with you. Thanks for stopping by.
Until the next project… xo, Do
