I’ve always loved the idea of a reading nook in our house. But, the word “nook” usually makes me think of a cute window seat or a quirky spot under a staircase.
So, when Pottery Barn Kids and PBS Kids asked me to participate in their Book Nook Challenge, I walked around our house looking for some fun, hidden spot I had somehow missed and came up with nothing. That’s when I decided to use this blank wall in our undecorated nursery:
I had just over a week to complete the challenge. Using items I got to select from Pottery Barn Kids, and some things I already had, I created this little “nook” for our kids:
I wanted it to be a fun and colorful spot where they could hang out, read, pretend, wrestle. . . I used a simple color scheme but lots of pattern, an oversized floor pillow instead of chairs, and a large print of a vintage reading poster that set the tone for the whole nook.
In case you want to see a little play-by-play of my process, here’s how the week went:
I started by stenciling a focal wall, and playing around with the furniture arrangement. I ended up using a taller bookcase that we previously had in our living room, and paired it with a one-shelf bookcase that could double as a bench seat.
The blue that I had painted the back of the bookcase didn’t mesh with the navy and white wall, so I started thinking of other, more fun, options rather than just painting over it (again). I had a large sample of grasscloth wallpaper that I tried to piece together, but it felt a little bland for a kids’ space.
Instead, I found a fabric remnant (in a great pattern) that I had left over from a client project, and stapled it to the back:
Since there was no surface space for a lamp, we used a small desk lamp to create task lighting by putting screws through the base and attaching it to the side of the bookcase. (I just ran the cord down the side, and attached it with a small piece of velcro.)
Meanwhile, on the other side of the room. . . this was happening:
The final (and most fun) step—accessorizing:
The kids’ were eager to start using it as soon as it was finished. I’m hoping that their enthusiasm lasts throughout the summer. We’ve even talked about having a daily reading time for everybody—including me.
I foresee us doing a lot of reading—and playing. Of course, there might be some times that are easier to read here than others. . . It has quickly become the hang out spot.
You can see the other book nooks created by bloggers for this challenge—and vote for your favorite one starting today—on the new Pottery Barn Kids blog. (The winning blogger receives a $500 gift card to give away to one of their readers! You can vote once per day, and voting is open for one week.)
Thanks to PB Kids for providing these items I used in my design: Cameron 1-Shelf Bookcase, Rugby Cotton Mat, Navy Suede Floor Pillow, Solid Task Lighting (in navy), Dalmatian Bookend
Looks amazing Emily. Love the navy and orange combo. Looks like they are enjoying it already. Good Luck!
Absolutely perfect and i LOVE the color scheme!
~Sarah
Wow, this is perfect!!!! Fantastic. I love how fun it is and all the great colors.
Xo
simplylowcountry.com
Yay, you finished your stencil! I love how this turned out. The colors are great and I love the idea of making your own nook using furniture. Definitely inspiring!
Great job, Emily! So fun and creative! Makes me want to carve out a nook in our house!
Susan
http://simplymodernhome.com
it is darling! i love the fin mix of colors and patterns, and that vintage-vibe poster is great! of course, i ADORE that you threw in a a little “meanwhile…” picture, cuz we moms cant get any project done without a whole lot of persistence! i can imagine how many times you went up and down that ladder!!
:)
There is always something going on “meanwhile” in our house!
Love it!! Great mix of patterns and that pillow is fantastic!
This is adorable and graphic and totally fun! Love love the stencil; great job!
How absolutely adorable. I love the colors you used. I want an adult version of this.
Love it! Esp the photo of what was happening on the other side of the room. :)
What a fun space Emily! I just love it, you did a great job!
Orange and blue is one of my favorite combos! It came together so perfect. Especially loving the stencil on the wall. Your cute kiddos are loving it already!
you win, hands down!
What a darling space! We need a space like this in our home. I love the orange pillows…would you mind sharing where those are from?
Sure, I ordered the fabric from Duralee. It’s “Hingham Plaid” in Sundance.
Thanks!
Love, Love, Love! I like the idea of putting a fabric backing on a bookshelf. Where did you print your vintage print? I have been planning on printing a travel print but can’t find a printer that is inexpensive.
Thanks! I ordered mine from Zazzle.com, but it’s available for a free download at http://www.freevintageposters.com if you want to print it yourself.
Such a fun and gender neutral space! PBK should use it in their catalogs! ;) Brilliant! I love that you put your personal style into their makeover with the lined back bookcase and amazing stencil. Your kids will be sure to love it for years to come!
xo,
Jen
love love love this!! love all the navy, with pops of orange…and your styling is perfection!! great job!!! and thanks for the fuzzyhead shots…needed those this morning!
This came out so lovely! Love every little detail…especially those cute kiddos!
Oh it looks awesome!!! What a fun space!
Love it, Emily! The colors are fantastic. :) Looks like everyone is definitely having a good time with the new space. Good luck!
It looks so good and I love the shot of the kiddos playing and hanging out together!
So cute, Emily! Love the poster that you used to set the tone. You have a great eye for putting things together on a budget.
That is the cutest kids space EVER! Love the stencil.
The poster alone is fabulous. Great nook – I voted for you!
This nook turned out PERFECT! Love the 4 leaf clover, fits “Irishman Acres” perfectly, I may be stealing it for somewhere here! :) I hope you find some peace and quiet with this book nook this summer! ;) ~Kim
So cute! Love the stencil!
how did you print out your vintage poster print?
Since I needed such a large size, I ended up ordering the poster from Zazzle.com for around $35.
Love it! going to vote!
Just darling Emily, love the lively look and the fun your kids look to be having!
darling, bright and fun! looks great!
Harika bir çalışma olmuş.Ellerinize sağlık…
Super cute! Love the stencil and the fabric you ultimately chose!
I LOVE the result. You have such a fun, family-loving design approach. I especially love the final picture with all five of your kids. I had five kids (all grown now, 20s and 30s) and so I enjoy seeing how you do it with such great style!
I love the colors and am completely blown away that you can carve out enough time to take this on. Great job!
Super cute — love the bold graphic approach! And it’s clearly a winner with your little readers. :)
xo Heidi
Super cute — love the bold graphic approach! And it’s clearly a winner with your little readers. :)
xo Heidi
I just voted and hope you win! Loved your colors and the photo of the twins in the crib is so cute as they wait especially when you are trying to finish a task.
I love it! You’ll get my votes. Great job :)
I voted for you. The fact that you didn’t use a hanging canopy made it inviting for more than 1 person at a time. A great look that many parents will probably want to copy!
You have created an AWESOME space! I love everything about it!
I have this thing for nooks (don’t ask me why). lol And it’s great to see a boy/girl shared space! My daughter & son would love lounging on that pillow to read a good book or play a board game…You did a great job w/the stencil on the focal wall. It really does punch up the space.
This is so creative. I love this idea. Perfect and it looks like all the kids are really enjoying it. How fun is that. Hugs, Marty
I absolutely love what you did with this space! The stencil and light are such great ideas. And that vintage poster is so cool and fun! :) I just voted for your space. Good luck! :)
i love the stencil treatment you did on the wall, and the fabric covered walls behind the bookcase is genius! :)
Oh, my gosh. Love the shot of the twins wanting out in the crib shot! Story of my life when trying to do a project. You did an awesome job. So fun. The kids will love hanging out there.
Well done! You got my vote :)
So cute Emily!!! I bet your kids will get tons of use out of that space!
I hope you win the challenge! You are so incredibly talented and can make a cozy space from anything!! I voted for you and let us know who wins!
I hope you win too! Love how you tied everything in with that unexpected stencil! Love it! Have a great week!
Brooke
onprairiehill.blogspot.com
great job!! the stencil and poster are brilliant – so much whimsy and personality! so much to be inspired by here :)
I love it! And the poster adds an amazing touch to the already very cool wall treatment.
Great work Emily! I’m sure the spot will see nonstop traffic…..I especially love the large glass jar filled with the ball pit balls; they look like giant bubblegum!
Can I say this without being mean…but sometimes you make me sick…..so talented and the amount of projects you get sone with 5 kids and me none…..is what propels me to say that mean thing:) Rock on girl….I am voting for you!
Ummm. . . thanks? :)
Love every detail Emily! Such a fun, cozy spot for your adorable kiddos!
I love it Emily! Where did you get your rug? That is so cute! Also great that you found a new use for your bookcases :) xo Kristin
Thanks, Kristin. The rug is from PB Kids. There’s a link at the very bottom of the post :)
It looks awesome! Your family is the cutest! I adore that stenciled wall. You did such an awesome job!
Wow, it is so impressive that you got this done in a week! It looks fantastic. I loved how you created a nook out of a wall, and especially love the play-by-play!
Emily, your book nook is the best one! I hope you win!
What a delightful space you’ve created for you children.
Absolutely gorgeous. Love the color scheme you used.
Cute bedroom! I like the twist of blue clovers instead of the expected green and I love how you made the furniture look more built in!
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Oh Emily, I love it!! It’s all adorable — that print is awesome and I love the stencils!
Love that stencil on the wall! What a fun/cute space for your kids!
This is a fantastic use of space, and the pics of the kids enjoying it are great. You mentioned that the bookshelf you used was one you had already. I love the cabinet door. Do you happen to know where you purchased it? Thanks for your help.
The bookshelf was a Craigslist find :)
Love it!!! Congrats! You got my vote.
xo
cristin
Emily, this is so adorable! I love everything you did!! That striped rug is awesome! And how great is that lamp you nailed to the book case!? I would have never thought of that!!
I love every touch – and the back story to these photos is hilarious. You get my vote for sure!!
Emily~This room is so FUN and AWESOME! I love everything about it….the clovers are such an adorable surprise…very unique. The poster is perfect! I love the white shelf you brought up from downstairs and the rug just pops. Pat yourself on the back..excellent job!
Beautiful! I love the navy shamrocks. I also loved the, “Meanwhile on the other side of the room” photo. Hysterical! As a mom of 4 I can completely relate! :)
-Emily
http://www.myloveforwords.com
I love your book nook! I have three little ones and SO many books. It would be fun to have a cute place like this to go to! I found your site through Emily @ JDC, and I’ll definitely be back!
xoxo,
Jenny
jennyikari.com
Love your idea! All the small details like globe, color balls in the jar, the carpet and the pillows make it absolutely unique and magnificient! And your kids are adorable, of course! Hope they’re still having fun and enjoying their nook!