• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

My Vintage Porch

  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • DIY
  • Recipes
  • Travel
  • Shop
    • Shop My Instagram
    • My Etsy Shop
    • IG Links

My Vintage Porch

Interior Design, DIY, and Refurbishing

Our Little Library

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: antique, antique books, books, library, old books, old painting, secretary desk, shelves, vintage

Two of the biggest questions I get about this space are… “where did you find all of those old books?, and “do you read those books?” I’ve been collecting old books for years. When I see them at thrift stores, garage sales, estate sales, etc. I grab them, if they are a good deal and appealing to me. I also have a few newer books mixed in here.

A good deal to me for old books is $1 or less per book. Old books can be pricey depending on where they are found and what book it is. But, sometimes I can even find an old book that is worth something for way less at a thrift store or estate sale.

I would love to read a lot of these books when I take the time or make time for it. There are also lots that I would never read and they are just more for looks.

I’m still shocked that I found this oil painting at a thrift store…I have to say it wasn’t thrift store pricing… it was $125 (if I remember right), which is actually a great price for an old oil painting. It’s probably my favorite painting that I own.

I added a screw to the actual shelf to hang the paintings. Having the paintings on the front of the bookshelf adds a dimension that I love! They can be easily removed to access the books behind them, if needed.

When we bought this house, Trav was thinking we would rip out these bookshelves, I was thinking differently, and so were all of my old books.

For now, the desk with the bookshelf beside this space also has old books. I may put paints and art supplies in here at some point.

I recently accidentally broke this pot into several pieces. I added some clay to fix it and painted it in layers to try to match the color and I love how it turned out! The pot was definitely imperfect to begin with which helped me to be able to be a little messy when fixing the top of it.

I found this little secretary desk at an estate sale and couldn’t pass it up. I’ll have to show the inside of it at some point. It has a hidden space inside . Yes, it sits in front of the bookshelf but it can be easily moved since it’s small, if we would ever need something behind it. I want to use it more often.

I added these lights when we first moved. They are bedside lights and an old table lamp flipped upside down. I chatted more about them, here.

I hope you enjoyed the little tour of our book space! Do you love old books too?

  • TWITTER
  • FACEBOOK
  • PINTEREST

View More Related Posts

  • Painting A BookshelfPainting A Bookshelf
  • Another New/Old CabinetAnother New/Old Cabinet
  • DIY Gold Antiqued FrameDIY Gold Antiqued Frame

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Margaret Kerr says

    January 3, 2023 at 5:54 pm

    Your home has such warmth, this house was waiting for your family to move in. Love to see what you do each day, love your humour.

  2. Ronnie Tosoni says

    January 3, 2023 at 6:08 pm

    You just amaze me. Rare talent. I love old books and love to read. Hope Trav is pleased you had this vision for your old books and loves the space as much as I do. Love what you have done to make it yours.

  3. Nancy says

    January 3, 2023 at 6:30 pm

    I love your blog. Books are some of my best friends and I adore your shelves. Love everything you do, especially all the vases and crocks.

  4. Crystal says

    January 4, 2023 at 9:11 pm

    I adore this space. I remember when you were talking about your vision it turned out amazing. I love old books as well they have such character. Also that little secretary is just perfect there.

Trackbacks

  1. Bricks 'n Blooms Weekly 115 - Stacy Ling says:
    January 22, 2023 at 5:35 am

    […] This little library. […]

Primary Sidebar

Search My Vintage Porch

meet natalie

Receive the latest posts from My Vintage Porch!

Sign up to receive an email with my home decor ideas, decorating tips and latest DIYs!

Footer

  • Home
  • Blog
  • About
  • Travel
  • DIY
  • Home Decor
  • Recipes
  • Privacy Policy

Receive the latest posts from My Vintage Porch via email!

Join me on Instagram
@vintageporch
(Swipe over for “before) Anyone remember when I (Swipe over for “before) Anyone remember when I got these barstools at @antiquitieswarehouse ? I’m so glad I did! Oh, and I swept up the dog fur after the photo. 😁 #kitchendesign #rustichome #brickwall #exposedbrickwall #saltillo
Today, after over 30 years, I learned that I don’t know how to Amish cuss! (See stories if you’re confused) Trav has believed I knew how for over 30 years too….I guess he also believed me when I told him that it was my uncle in the Barney purple dinosaur costume. Now let’s all Bish Shtill about colonoscopy prep, until I’m finished. 🤫 ok, that’s all…and this is an antique coffee grinder on the side of the cabinet there…I know that’s true for sure. #coffeegrinder #beforeandafter #kitchen #smeg #antiquerug #antiquecoffeegrinder #caribou
(Swipe over to see the shelf and the before of thi (Swipe over to see the shelf and the before of this space) We turned this “used to be workout room” from the previous owners into our laundry room, so we could have more space since the other laundry room they had was so small.  We have a couple more lights to add, I want to figure out a way to cover the electrical box in the corner, and we might reface the storage above here and then we should be done, oh and maybe add a wood ceiling 😊 I’m just putting it all out here so Trav can see it and not be surprised for the upcomings. The end…of me, maybe. oh, and the stairs? Those lead to the creepy dark attic (hvac and other stuff) where hopefully there is no people living. #brickfloors #laundryroommakeover #laundryroomideas #laundryroomdesign #antiquefurniture #farmhousesink #castironsink
What do you think of our cool wonky shelf? I love What do you think of our cool wonky shelf? I love it!! Trav might only need a washer and dryer to do laundry, but it’s going to take a lot more to keep me in here…maybe I should add some snacks too…and a cat 🤔…and a puppy🤔 Just some lighting to finish and a few things with the storage above this and we should be done in here. #laundryroom #shelfie #shelf #barnwoodshelf #drinkingfountain #laundrycart #brickfloors #brickwall
(Swipe over for the before) This was the last owne (Swipe over for the before) This was the last owner’s dining room…we knocked out the wall and made it whatever this is 😁 #kitchendesign #kitchenremodel #kitchencabinets
I can’t believe how perfect this cabinet fits ba I can’t believe how perfect this cabinet fits back in that corner, under the tv!! It’s like it was meant to be. It found me, at the thrift store. ♥️ And, if you watched stories, did you notice the candle holders that I stripped on the cabinet? #tv #brickfireplace #antiquebuffet #antiquerug #samsungframetv
This error message is only visible to WordPress admins

Error: The account for needs to be reconnected.
Due to recent Instagram platform changes this Instagram account needs to be reconnected in order to continue updating. Reconnect on plugin Settings page

Copyright © 2023 | Exclusive member of Mediavine Home