So… I finally just decided that something was better than nothing and went for it!
I started with making some easy envelope pillow cases and then added some rain gutter bookshelves.
I added the chalkboard vinyl {purchased from Superstore} to record our favorite books. I also bought these photo frames from Superstore to hold some of the kids’ drawings of books we have read. The pictures load from the top so the frames don’t need to be taking down every time we switch out the photos.
On the other side, I put up this magnetic board that we had lying around from Ikea and bought the little bin below it {also from Ikea} to hold Connor’s magnetic letters for the Word Whammer. It lost its home last year when we replaced our fridge with stainless steel and has been looking for a place to live ever since. I seriously think that this has been one of the best educational toys that we have purchased. Both of the boys learned all of the letters and their sounds with this fun {but annoying toy!} Connor is now using it to learn to spell {I’m not quite sure what FMB spells… I guess we have a little work to do}
The quilt was made by my sister-in-law when Connor was born and we have had lots of use out of it!
{Wasn’t he a cute baby? I love this picture!!!}
I found the shelf with the quilt bar at Winners for $15 and knew it would be perfect for the space. The letters are just paper mache covered with some scrapbooking paper.
So it may not look picture perfect, but it is done, functional, and the kids love it! And I always love crossing something off my To Do list.
I think I might need to grab a book or two and curl up in here as well.
If you would like to join in this week’s link party, come on over and share your projects here.
Have a great day!
I linked up with Inspired by Charm, Oopsey Daisy, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, It’s Overflowing, At the Picket Fence, Crafty Scrappy Happy, The Shabby Creek Cottage, Somewhat Simple, Delightful Order, Reasons to Skip the Housework, Today’s Creative Blog, Home Stories A to Z, A Bowl Full of Lemons, Craft-O-Maniac, Under the Table and Dreaming, CRAFT, Simply Klassic Home, I Heart Naptime, Funky Junk Interiors, Lolly Jane, Whipperberry, Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons, Tidy Mom, Chic on a Shoestring, Gluesticks and The 36th Avenue.
Mrs. H says
It looks great! I love that quilt!!! Everything works perfectly together. Thanks for sharing
ShanMarie says
Absolutely adorable! I’m sure they will enjoy it!
Christy says
It looks great! I’m sure the kids will get a lot of reading done there. 🙂
Laura@HappyCanadianHome.com says
Fantastic idea! What a great way to encourage reading!
Danni Baird @ Silo Hill Farm says
I really love all of this. It looks so serene and peaceful. The quilt is gorgeous. The rain gutter shelves are genious and I’m off to check out how you made those beautiful pillows right now!
Colleen says
I love it Jen. The paint color is so soothing and the Read letters are such an adorable idea!! love this.
Simone Bitar says
Lindo, adorei tudo, parabéns!!!!
Bjos
Simone Bitar
sip-n-wear says
What a fun little area for the kiddos! We actually have a reading “nook” too, but there isn’t nearly as many things as you do. Great job! and thanks for hosting the linky party! 🙂
Bec@littlelucylu says
Awesome, Jenn! I wanna come curl up with a book in there!
Love those bins especially!
Oh … and SNAP + You + Me = NEXT YEAR!!!
~Bec 🙂
Melissa @ Loving this {crazy} life! says
It’s the PERFECT reading nook! I LOVE it! Thanks for sharing!
odetoinspiration says
Super cute… LOVE every detail!! I want one for myself now:D
Jessie@saavysavings says
Your reading nook is AMAZING! Every kid I know would be in that space all day long! So comfy, warm, cozy, and inviting! Fabulous job! 🙂
Lisa says
That nook is amazing! I hope when I get over my “decorating paralysis” in my main bathroom it will look half as amazing as this!!
Heather says
I love this!! What a great idea!
Martha M. says
Turned out great. That little spot is amazing, I so want one in my future home. Makes me wanna curl up in there. Perfect spot for you to hide from everyone! lol
Claire@alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.com says
Your nook looks like such a lovely place to enjoy a book, Jenn. The chalkboard clipboard is awesome – did you cut the shape with your Silhouette or buy it like that from the Superstore?
Thanks,
Claire
Laura @ Laura's Crafty Life says
I love this! I am sure your boys will love this, too! I would love a space to do this in our house, but there really is no good spot for it. Great work. 🙂
Shannon MadiganMade says
What an adorable and welcoming space! I love the pops of color you use… they go great with all the different books you have, too.
Ashley says
This is BEYOND cute! I want a nook for myself. What a fantastic way to encourage kids to read. LOVE IT!!!
Debbie says
Looks fantastic! I wish I had a nook like that, I would never leave.
Paula says
This is absolutely beautiful. You are never to young to hold a book in your hand and the earlier you can get your children to love to read the better. What a beautiful place to let their imaginations get lost in the pages.
Alderberry Hill says
So perfect, looks like it will be a well liked spot….I’d love to curl up in there!
Ashley C. says
It’s really cute – great job!
Randi~Dukes and Duchesses says
What a great little reading spot … I love it!
Bonnie says
So darling! I love it! Found you through Tatertots & Jello.
Ashley says
Saw you the Sundae Scoop….Love the Nook….so very cute!
Ashley @ Thereisnoplacelikehomemade
Lauren @ Summit St Joy says
I totally know what you mean about decorating paralysis! You did great by going for it! 🙂 Nice job… such a sweet space for your little ones!
blessings,
lauren @ http://www.SummitStreetJoy.com
The Crafted Sparrow says
I’d love it if you would link these up to my party…
http://thecraftedsparrow.blogspot.com/2012/04/crafted-sparrow-link-party-3.html
Thanks.
Rebecca
Rhiannon says
Such a great space! I would totally be up there reading too 🙂 Can see it getting a lot of use!
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper says
that is adorable! i love the colors and love the shelves!
Emily says
how fun! You will cherish this forever!
Jenna says
What a cute little window seat turned reading nook! Such a great use of space. My favorite part is definitely the drawing of The Lorax… adorable!
MGal @ WatchMeDIY.com says
I WANT A READING NOOK! For me that is. Okay, the baby can have one too. What a wonderful thing to give to your children. I so wish I had one of these when I was a kid. Stop by and check out my daughters room in the Home Tour I posted last week. Cheers, MGal watchmediy.com
hannahw says
That is wonderful! Who wouldn’t want to curl up in that cubby and read the day away?!
Here is my Making Monday Marvelous link: http://likemamalikedaughter.blogspot.com/2012/04/crafting-on-with-needle-and-thread.html
Allison says
I love this space! How sweet!
Laura @ cookiecrumbsandsawdust.blogspot says
The space looks great! I’m so guilty of thinking everything has to be perfect the first go around instead of just doing it.
And those boys are pretty darn cute.
I’m visiting from A Bowl Full of Lemons linky party. I hope that you can stop by my blog as well. 🙂
Thanks for sharing,
Laura
Anonymous says
What an adorable reading nook! (And Jedi Training Area – both equally important!) 🙂 I would love to curl up with my kids in a spot like that!
Desiree @ The 36th AVENUE says
Jenn,
I am featuring you tomorrow during Sticker Time… thank you so much for visiting my party!
Lauren @ The Well Crafted Home says
What a fun place to teach your kids how to read!! Its so cute!!
I would love for you to link this project up at my link party – Well Crafted Wednesdays! You can find it here:
http://thewellcraftedhome.blogspot.com/2012/04/well-crafted-wednesdays-link-party-1.html
Morgan S. says
I’m jealous of that cozy little nook space you have! There are so many great things that can be done with that, but this is definitely perfect! http://www.justhadabrightidea.blogspot.com
Shantalle@lifestylesofthestayathomemom.com says
I love the snuggly quilt on the wall, brilliant!!
Shannah @ Just Us Four says
Now I want to come read a book in that space! It looks totally cozy and perfect for the kids. This is a great project! Would you consider linking it up to my Pinworthy Projects Linky Party over at Just Us Four?
At The Picket Fence says
Amazing!! What a fun and cheerful little nook and so perfect for your adorable boys. Thanks so much for sharing your talent and creativity with us at Inspiration Friday!
Vanessa
Catie @ Catie's Corner says
Hi Jenn. I’m your newest follower. I found you through your feature on Simply Klassic Home. I’m loving your blog! And you’re in Canada too. I live in Calgary. I’ll have to check Superstore for those chalkboard vinyls.
Hope you’re having a great weekend! Stop by sometime and say hi. =)
~ Catie
Aimee - ItsOverflowing.com says
Totally Perfect!!! I’d love to have you share at my party…it JUST opened!!!
http://www.itsoverflowing.com/2012/04/overflowing-with-creativity-19.html
XO, Aimee
April says
I love this space! I wish I had a window seat.
Rhonda says
What a fun little space! My hometown library had a little reading nook like this in a bay window and I fondly remember many hours sitting there, reading in the sun… good times!
Aimee - ItsOverflowing.com says
Love this! Featuring you this weekend! XO, Aimee
Jena @ Involving Color and Home says
Jenn, your reading nook is fabulous! I love the green paint color you used. Beautiful job!! 🙂
Alison @ Oopsey Daisy says
I LOVE every detail!! Now I want a reading nook. Thanks for sharing at oopsey daisy!!
Jill @ Create.Craft.Love. says
OMG – LOVE this! Super cute! Looks so cozy and inviting!
Barbara Hiatt says
As I was reading your post in my head I was trying to find a spot to recreate this in my house! Love! Pinning of course 🙂
Abbey D. says
WOW! This is amazing! I totally pinned for later…if only I had a cute little nook like that though!
The Nikkels says
Love this!! We have rain gutter shelves too, and love them. LOVE the boxes you have below the shelves.. where did you get those?? I NEED those!!!! Love this post!!!
Andrea says
Love this! Do you remember where you got the bins for the board books and such below the shelves? Thanks for the inspiration!!
Jenn Lifford says
Thanks! I’m not sure if you are in Canada, but I bought the bins at Superstore. I have still seem them there fairly recently.