Booked up

So we know you're not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but here at The Apartment, we think it's perfectly acceptable to judge them by their spines. And who wouldn't, when they can be used to create an effect as giddying and gorgeous as this?

Image via Lucyna A. Smykowska

We just love the rainbow of colour this kind of coding technique brings to a room. You can make it as vibrant or neutral as you wish, depending on your reading habits - we find magazines ideal for shelves of white, and have been stocking up big-time on the Pink Popular Penguin classics (the proceeds of which go to the McGrath Foundation) for rows of lollypop pink. 

Image via Design Sponge

Image via www.stadshem.se

Don't feel like you're limited to books - trinkets and precious pieces look divine displayed amidst tomes and create a lovely uncluttered effect. Just look at this row of pretty china teacups matched tonally to the books below.  

Image via thebowerbirds.com

Image via http://myidealhome.tumblr.com/

Shoes! In a coffee table! Oh yes, and books. Colourful, coded books.