Cabinet of Natural Curiosities is a large, heavy book filled with amazing illustrations of animals, plants and insect by Amsterdam-based pharmacist Albertus Seba (1665-1736).
And, as you can see from the cover, it includes plenty of corals, as well as shells, and many other ocean creatures. The book deserves to have its very own display stand!
This is what it says on the Publishers Website, "Albertus Seba's Cabinet of Natural Curiosities is one of the 18th century's greatest natural history achievements and remains one of the most prized natural history books of all time."
In 2007 Patricia Gray wrote on her blog, "This book may go down in the Guinness World Book of Records as the most photographed book." Here used by Tobi Fairley to accentuate her design. Without a doubt Natural Curiosities makes a fantastic coffee table book.
But some people tear out the pages.
And frame them for wall art.
Like Leisa Tobler of Idea Mom who won the 2008 Idea House in Windmark (FL) from My Home Ideas (read here). Since the artwork, reproductions of drawings from Albertus Seba, did not convey with the home, and the price per piece would have been around $2000, Leisa purchased a used copy of the book for $20, then removed the pages from the binding and framed them.
This was the room before. Leisa's beautiful home is now a vacation rental and you can learn all about it at Summer Dream.
Then others, like designer Steven Gambrel featured here, paste the pages of Cabinet of Natural Curiosities on the wall. Here you see the powder room in his cottage in Sag Harbor, NY. It's busy, but I love it! And as I mentioned on Going Wild with Wallpaper in the Bathroom, a small bathroom or powder room is a great space to experiment and go wild!
19 comments:
That really is a lovely way to decorate. It's a very clever way of getting some great art work on the walls. Thanks for that.
Much love
Lia
xx
Between Sanibel and this post, I would definitely say we're on the same wavelength! I was recently at Vintage Printable and downloaded a great selection of her offerings. I'm redoing two frames I recently purchased at a flea market ($5 for both) and I printed out my favorites. I have to find more frames, because I can't decide which two I love the most!
Hello, it is quite a surprise to find a picture of my Seba-book standing in front of my own bookcase on this blog. I would gladly have given permission to use my picture, when you had asked me. Nevertheless I think this is a very nice weblog and I will return sometimes to read about the beautiful shells and other sea-treasures.
www.wittebroodjes.web-log.nl
I love and have the seba book. A while ago I did take out one of the pages and frame it. Just didn't have the impact I wanted!
I think gambrel's bathroom is wild...in a wouldn't want to live in it, but love looking at it kind of way!
These are just grand!
It would be hard to tear pages out of a book...but, worth it!
Sue
I'll be on the lookout for a used copy of this book! It would be a great coffee table book and I might just have to rip out a few pages of my own to hang in our bedroom!
I can't get Vintage Printables to work for some reason, it won't print the image I select! :(
I hope you had a great weekend Maya!
Kat :)
Thank you for sharing my idea for DIY Artwork on a budget. It looks lovely here. I do still update IdeaMom, however, my posts are not as frequent as before. Since you have posted my idea, I would be so grateful if you would mention the Summer Dream website: http://summerdreamcottage.com
where your visitors might see more photos of the WindMark Idea House -- now a vacation rental. There they may find information about the gorgeous NorthWest Florida "Forgotten Coast" and even RENT the home for a week if they like!!
Thanks again for sharing a favorite Idea from my blog. I've enjoyed perusing your beautiful website.
By the way ... for those asking about the book, I found it online with a used bookseller at amazon.com for less than $20. It does take a lot of care to rip the pages. I used an exacto knife to gently pull the book away at its binding.
Of course, this idea may be used with a variety of art books. Many years ago I used the same idea in my child's room with illustrations from a favorite children's book. The possibilities are endless! Enjoy!!
Thanks Leisa! I added the information.
Thank you Maya ... I'd love to link your site at IdeaMom. Such beautiful ideas!!
Hi. First time here. I actually own that book, and knew that people rip pages to frame (although I can't bring myself to do that...) But never realized it was the wallpaper in that S.Gambrel bathroom! Crazy good.
I LOVE all the prints at Vintage Printable! I did not know about that website and just went to look. Thanks Maya for sharing!
Great idea with the book pages. I will have to look for on on amazon.
GORGEOUS! I want that booK!
I just love vintage printable...thanks for a reminder about it! ~Lili
I must have that book! Thanks Maya! I'm not sure I could tear out pages but it looks like a great one to own!
Thanks for the shout out too! Vintage Printables was an awesome DIY source. I couldn't be happier with my inexpensive wall gallery! ;)
Have a great week!
Roeshel
Maya, did you know that book is for sell on Amazon for £154 or on e-bay for £172.
That's a mighty price for a book lol
just thought I would tell you.
Much love
Lia
xx
I just bought this book at a local book sale today brand new for 1 dollar. I am so excited it's a wonderful book.
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