I love decorating with old books and French opera glasses!
One of my favorite vintage items to collect and decorate with is antique French books and opera glasses. I always pick them up if I find them at a good price, and they look great displayed in any room of the house.
Old books can usually be picked up at thrift stores, flea markets, auctions, and yard sales. They are perfect for stacking in a vignette, filling up bookshelves, or leaning two or three by a lamp or statue.
Old books can be the focal point, the backdrop for something else, or used to elevate another piece to a different height.
You can stack them by a chair, fill a cloche, or pile them in an old dough bowl.
When I first starting buying old books, I didn’t look for any specific kind, just randomly picking them up if I thought they had a great look to them.
Over time though, I’ve become more selective, only buying antique French books in neutral shades of blues, grays, and old worn leather bindings.
The visual impact of displaying books in one specific color is amazing.
How much fun would it be to collect books only in your favorite colors such as red or aqua, and displaying them all together for a punch of color?!
Reginas Studio
Another look that I’m drawn to is turning the old books backwards so that only the timeworn pages are showing. I love the parchment color of the pages, giving texture to a display, but with neutral tones.
Many times you can pick up old books with ripped bindings for a song. Just remove the bindings and stack them together. They make for a stunning display.
I started collecting French opera glasses several years ago and they are a perfect compliment to the old books. They have so much character and patina to the antique brass, leather, and mother of pearl.
The first opera glasses ever mentioned were in London in the early 1700’s. But it wasn’t until the early 1800’s that the first binocular opera glasses were invented. Pierre Lemiere, in Paris, invented the center focus wheel, which allowed both eyes to focus together. Opera glasses were originally used to better see the details on the stage at the opera………or perhaps to better examine some of the other patrons!
French opera glasses will have the manufacturers name stamped around the lens pieces, and usually the word “Paris”.
They can be quite fancy with beautiful enameling, jeweled stones, and engravings. And many times, the petite leather case is still intact.
I’ve been lucky enough in the past to find a few with the original owner’s name or monogram inscribed on them. These have quickly become my favorites…..I just know they would have a story to tell if only they could talk!
I sold a pair in our shop about a year ago that was engraved with the name “Grace”…..I wish I had them back!
Old books and opera glasses aren’t usually difficult to find, though some of the fancier opera glasses can command a high price. I have picked both up at flea markets, estate sales, Ebay, Etsy, and even Goodwill.
For now, I’m working on collecting more vintage books in the blues and grays……there seems to be a lot of bookshelves in this house to fill!
Paired together, old books and opera glasses are a perfect duo!
Lovely ideas and beautifully presented. I have collected Bibles for years and now have many new fresh ideas…..Thank you so much!
You are my new find (and adore E/E vintage) through French Country Cottage.
Lovely ideas and beautifully staged. I have collected Bibles for years and now have new fresh ideas…Thank You so much!
That’s wonderful, Darlene!
Using old books to decorate just gives a room a feeling of heirlooms passed down thru the generations. Even if I did just buy it at a flea market. I can always pretend that my great great grandmother brought it over from Paris when she got married. Who’s to know?
So true, Claire!
Beautiful vignette Cindy! Thank you for a morning dose of beauty and inspiration.
Aw, thank you Pam for your sweet comment!
Turns out that I have a pair of the same kind of opera glasses. I will have to showcase them instead of keeping them in a drawer. Silly me!!!!!
Hi, I think your blog might be having browser compatibility issues.
When I look at your website in Ie, it looks fine but when opening in Internet
Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you
a quick heads up! Other then that, amazing blog!
Thank you! Just checked the site via Internet Explorer, and it looked fine, no problems. ??
Wow, just found your blog and I am in love! So glad to meet you! Come visit soon!!
Hi Cindy, each photo is magazine worthy!! I have a pair of opera glasses, yet to find them from the move! love all the elements in your beautiful vignettes. thanks so much for joining in at SYS!
Thanks for visiting Debra!!
Oh my goodness, all these images are so gorgeous!!! I need you to come decorate my house now ^_^
Beautiful vignettes, Cindy! You have such gorgeous things in your home. I love the old opera glasses and recently received my first pair as a gift.
xx,
Sherry
Thank you so much Sherry! I love the old opera glasses, they add so much character to small displays. Your gift of a first pair just might be the beginning of a collection!
Love this. Really love the reading girl with the lamb.
Nice collections and beautiful pics! I know you’re having fun.
Judy
You have a great collection of vintage opera glasses and you have them displayed beautifully! Love all your beautiful vignettes!
Thank you so much Martina!
simply beautiful
Thank you Crystal!
Dear Cindy
Thank you Holly!
Fantastic decorations!!!!!!
Thank you Iwona!