How to Decorate Your Home Like a Bookish Girly…

I love decorating my home like the inside of the stories I love. Here’s a glimpse of some of my favorite areas.

Hello Gentle Readers,

What if I told you that you could get the same cozy, whimsical escapism you feel when reading your favorite cozy fantasy novel without ever having to leave the house? I know, it sounds too good to be true, right? But trust me, with just the right amount of patience and a sprinkle of pixie dust, you can transform your home into a space that makes you feel just as warm and magical as the worlds you love to read about. And today I'm going to show you how. Now, like every great story… let's start at the beginning.

The Vision

Every great storyteller starts with a vision. I encourage you to close your eyes, if only for a minute, to truly envision a world that you'd love to be a part of. One you could see yourself in. Perhaps it's a world painted green like the rolling fields from Pride and Prejudice, or one with the dark, moody aesthetic of Velaris. Don't just imagine the world, but you in it. What are you doing? What are you wearing? How are you feeling? This all helps you get a feel for the storybook aesthetic you want in your space. Perhaps you're in a long flowing dress in a bright sunny garden that drips in lavender wisteria. Or in dark flowing silk, staring into the flames of a fireplace, the only sound the gentle pop and crackle of the fire within the hearth. Maybe you're somewhere more hidden…in an apron covered in flour, the smell of fresh baked cookies filling your tiny cottage within the deepened woods, the sounds of chickens clucking outside the window. Whatever it may be, let your imagination run wild and for this one rare moment ask yourself… if I were the writer of my own story, the creator of my own world, what would it be? Then bring it to life.

Bring Your World to Life!

Once you have a vision the rest comes easy. There are a few things you must include in your design that every story writer needs, and once you have these elements I promise you, you can create a space that feels whimsical and cozy, and completely unique to you. Here they are…

Let There Be Light!

Whether you're a dark academia girly who loves low golden glows or a bright cheerful fairy that loves the sun, there's an ambience setting for everyone and it starts by finding the right lighting. Now there are no rules to this suggestion, when I say lights I mean all the lights. Fairy lights, vintage Tiffany lamps, candlelight, lanterns that glow, chandeliers. Whatever lighting feels most like the world you want to live in. For me fairy lights always feel the most magical, but a tall candle gives a more cozy, warm mood. It's all about how you want your space to feel. And since we're mentioning candles, perhaps you pick a scent that helps bring your world to life. The warm smell of a baked good or the fresh floral scent of an enchanted garden. Don't be afraid to cater to all your senses when creating your space… it will only add to the joy you feel while you sit in it.

Bring the Life In!

My next tip to give your home some more bookish whimsy is by bringing life into the space. Whether it's real plants or faux plants — and trust me, as someone who has killed not one but two succulents in her past, there's no judgment here. In fact I'm almost convinced I could kill a cactus if you gave me one. Not because I want to, just because I have absolutely no knack for gardening. It's sad really, but the first step is admitting you have a problem, am I right? Bring life to your space whether it's spider plants that hang in corners and line bookshelves or flowers that fill vases. Dried flowers tend to have a more moody antique look, while vines and wisteria add a more enchanted forest feel. Do what makes you happy when creating your space.

Color Your World!

My next tip is to color your world. Color has a beautiful way of affecting our mood, remember this when crafting your space. Warm, darker, richer colors create more of a cozy environment, letting our brains know it's time to relax. While brighter, sunny colors boost our energy and make us happy. Can you use both in your space? Absolutely, that's what an accent color is all about. But be sure you know beforehand just what you want to feel when you're in the space.

Imagine! Imagine! Imagine!

Lastly my friends, do not let that wonderful reader's imagination you've built from countless hours of turning pages go to waste. If you want Velaris, search for star and moon decals, star strung fairy lights that twinkle, and galaxy projectors that paint the room in navy and aqua blues. If you want The Spellshop, fill the ceilings with faux wisteria, hanging spider plants and glowing lanterns. If you want Pride and Prejudice, look for soft and romantic fabrics, tea sets with painted flowers, windows full of daisies and gingham patterns. If you can imagine it, you can create it.

I encourage you all to add some bookish whimsy to your home. Our favorite stories don't need to just be tucked within the pages. We are the main characters of our own story, and the difference between a home we decorate for style versus one we decorate for feeling makes life so much more magical.

With love,

Jasmine