Hey guys! Today I have a little announcement and another peek at Connor’s {almost finished!} room for you.
First off, I am thrilled to be partnering up again with BEHR as one of their brand ambassadors. Last year I did a number of painting projects using their awesome paint {including our garage floors, bathroom, and garage}, and I am excited to get going on some new projects for this year! First though, I need to finish up the one project from last year that I have not yet completed… Connor’s room!
I actually just have one big project left and a few little things to do here and there before the final reveal, but it’s just one of those projects that seems to go on forever! I showed you his mini-mudroom entry a couple of months ago but progress kind of stopped again after that…
Anyways, today I thought that I would show you my favorite space in his room – this cute little reading nook. It’s a great place to curl up with a book and is also one of the boys’ favorite spots to play with their Legos.
The whole room was painted with Behr Marquee River Veil {MQ3-50}. It’s a cool gray with slightly blue undertones and was perfect for brightening up the room. If you haven’t heard of BEHR’s Marquee paint before, you really need to check it out. The Marquee line is available in 372 shades and has a one coat guarantee. Seriously, it is such a time saver! Painting is probably one of my least favorite things to do, so any time that can be cut is a huge bonus! To get the best application out of your Marquee paint, check out this post for some easy painting tips.
The reading nook is filled with tons of comfy pillows and has lots of room to sprawl out in. The books are all easily accessible {and easy to put away!} from the DIY rain gutter shelving unit and I also have some storage bins along the bottom for extra books.
I try to go through the books every few months to rotate them around and donate the books that the boys no longer like or have outgrown. Robert Munsch is one of our favorite authors {I will be so sad when Connor no longer wants to read these!} so he ended up with a whole bin to himself! 😉
The rain gutter bookshelves are super easy to make and an inexpensive way to display books. I purchased two 10 foot rain gutters from Home Depot and the nice guy helping me out cut them in half so they would fit in the car. When I got home, we just measured them {ours are 43 inches} and trimmed the ends down with a hacksaw. I filed the ends down a bit but, due to the placement of our shelving, it was not really an issue. If your shelves are going to be exposed, you can buy caps for the ends so you don’t have to worry about little fingers getting cut!
To mount them, we just used the gutter spacers on each end of the gutters and drilled them into the studs in the wall. {And in case you are wondering this is the wall color before we painted!}
The quilt was made by my sister in law when Connor was a baby. It’s one of my favorite quilts with lots of wonderful baby memories attached to it. If only he could be that little again. Sigh.
We have always tried to promote reading with the kids as much as possible by making books readily available to them and out in the open where they can actually see them. Even if you don’t have a little nook, any corner of a room will work or find a little tent to create a private hide away. All you need are a few pillows, some kind of book storage, and a love of reading! If you have a small space, just leave out a handful of books and switch them out more frequently. I always find that little kids like to read the same 10 books over and over again anyways! 🙂
As the kids get older they will be able to pick out their own favorites but I still make sure that I sneak in a few of mine too! Happy reading!
To meet the rest of the awesome BEHR team heading on over HERE. For more BEHR paint ideas, check out these posts…
Karen Rantala says
I am wondering what the name of your flooring in your bathroom is. I am planning on a bathroom renovation and have been inspired by your picture.
I am very much enjoying your posts and love, love, love your “Organizing Diet” – even though i haven’t started yet!!
Keep up the very practical, informative tips!
Karen
Jenn Lifford says
I’m not sure if they actually had a name but they are marble hexagonal tiles that we purchased from Home Depot. Good look on the Diet – anytime is a a good time to get started! 🙂
Camila says
Ooooh my goodness!!!!! That look sawesome!!!! One of the first things I want to creato to my girl I have move out to my own home is a reading nook!!! Your space is beautiful and so cozy! Love it!!!
Thanks for stopping by Bewitchin Projects!
XOXO
Jenn Lifford says
Thanks so much! Hope you are able to get a cute little space for your daughter too!
T'onna @ USS Crafty says
I absolutely love this reading nook! I’m planning on creating a reading nook in my daughter’s room, so this is great inspiration! I really love the quilt! Gorgeous!
Navy Wifey Peters
Jenn Lifford says
Thanks! Good luck with your space in your daughter’s room!
Falon at A Disney Mom Blog says
This is adorable! I love the rain gutter shelves and it just looks like the perfect place to curl up with a book!
Jenn Lifford says
Thanks so much! It is a well used space!
Noelle says
This is beautiful! Can you tell me where the bins are from?
Jenn Lifford says
The bins are from Superstore {it’s a grocery store if you are not from Canada}. I purchased them a couple of years ago but have seen them in stock again a few times.
Theresa @DearCreatives says
I love reading nooks. I love how cute your is. All my kids love reading. Thanks for sharing at the party. Pinned & shared.
Rhonda Gales says
I love the reading nook. It’s adorable and a great use of space. Thanks for haring on Sunday’s Best.
Create With Joy says
Jenn – I LOVE the reading nook you created!
Thanks for sharing it with us at Inspire Me Monday at Create With Joy – CONGRATS – you are one of our Featured Guests this wek!
I also host a party called The Book Nook that this would be PERFECT for!
Connecting with you on Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram and hope you will join me there as well.
Have a lovely week!
Lou Lou Girls says
Love this! This looks so amazing. Pinned and tweeted. Thank you for bringing such amazing creations to our party. We hope to see you tonight at 7 pm because we LOVE to party with you! Lou Lou Girls
Virginia says
So super cute Jen! Love the book shelves, can’t wait to see it all!
Jenn Lifford says
Thanks Virginia! At this point, I can’t wait to see it done too! 😉
Cathy says
What a wonderful place for the little guys to curl up with their favorite books. It looks so cozy and inviting – I would love one for myself. Gorgeous quilt and I love the rain gutter shelving. Thank you for sharing at Share It One More Time. Cathy
Lorelai @ Life With Lorelai says
Hey, Jenn! Just wanted to let you know that we loved your Kids Reading Nook so much when you shared it at the #HomeMattersParty last week, we’ve FEATURED it THIS WEEK! Hope you can check it out when you get a sec! Happy Friday!!! http://theroadtodomestication.com/2015/08/13/home-matters-linky-party-50/
Jenn Lifford says
Thanks so much and thank-you for all of the time that you put into your party! Have a great week!
MelANIE says
I love the bins on the floor! I wish we had a Superstore in the U.S.
Edye says
What a cute little nook! Reading is such a wonderful hobby to introduce kids to at a very young age. 🙂
Blessings,
Edye – Graceful Coffee
Jenn Lifford says
Yes! I totally agree!
samantha says
We are really cramped for space right now, but I would love to do something like this once we’ve got a bigger house. Thank you for joining the Family Joy Link Party!
Pamela Li (Rookie Parenting) says
What a lovely idea! Your little one looks so happy. 🙂
Jenn Lifford says
Thanks! I love that photo of him! 🙂
Carlen says
Jenn – what beautiful spaces you are creating! These make me wanna curl up with a book myself! (I love the clean light colors in my own home!) Thanks for all your tips! – Carlen
Beverly says
What a fun space! I love the colors and the details are wonderful- a perfect spot for reading. Thanks for sharing at Snickerdoodle Sunday. Pinning.
lorraine says
love how the book nook turned out so cool thanks for sharing
Sahana says
Love this reading nook. Thank you for sharing with us at #HomeMattersParty . See you again next week
Kori says
Thank you so much for linking up with the Get it Together Linky Party! I have pinned this to my House and Home board- love this idea!
Jenn Lifford says
Thanks so much for hosting and sharing!