Sunday, April 25, 2010

Our Reading Nook


Hello everyone,

I hope you enjoyed your weekend. We had lots of sunshine and warmer days, which made me happy. I love having the windows open , the sound of the birds singing and seeing all the new growth in the garden. I am guessing some of you probably had a more exciting weekend but that is all it takes to make this gardener happy!

Now,I want to show you one of the projects we have been working on with the help of a carpenter.In our living room( which was our bedroom several years ago )there where two closets side by side that we didn't need there anymore so I thought the space could be better used as a little reading nook or extra seating when all the family etc. come for a visit.


So we had a carpenter come and tear out the wall dividing the closets and build this cosy little nook.


I have to make a few cushions for it and the foam has to be covered with the material instead of just wrapped over it but that can be a rainy day project.


We had wall sconces installed to make it bright for reading but I would like them on a dimmer for cosiness when nobody is reading.


There are two large drawers for storage underneath.



I got these corbels at Winner's( tjmaxx) and I think they worked well here.



It wouldn't be me if there was no toile but I am using a plain natural fabric on the seat but I am wondering about making it reversible on the other side with a different fabric so when I need a change I can flip the cushion.


I did try it with the mirror up top but wasn't sure-what do you think?


Now this is what it looked like when the carpenter took off the wooden doors and knocked out the dividing wall.



Below is an updated photo of our reading nook.





Would you like to linger with a book and a cup of tea-stay as long as you like!

Today I am joining in with Cielo at The House in the Roses for show off your Cottage Monday and Susan at Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch.Be sure to pay these lovely blogs if you haven't already.

Thank you for visiting

&

Enjoy your day!

Carolyn

69 comments:

Anonymous said...

You've created a truly beautiful space. I love it!

-FringeGirl

Kate said...

Beautiful! What a perfect spot to read, write, and relax! It looks like a dream!

Atticmag said...

Okay, wow, wow, wow. I looove that so much. Amazing transformation. I vote no mirror. It's perfect in every way. Saving your pic for my inspiration file.

Be sure to visit and see what Allison found at the antique store! I think you'll like the fabric :D

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

I love that nook with the cozy seat. I believe I like it better without the mirror.

Andrea @ The Dawley Fam said...

This looks wonderful! Great job! Hope you have a great week! ~andrea
http://www.andreasattic-andrea.blogspot.com

Deanna said...

Your reading nook is darling and I think it looks great. The use of space is wonderful.
So glad that you have shared pictures with us!


What a great idea,
d

A Garden of Threads said...

Hi Carolyn, I would love to linger with a book and tea. The reversible seat cushion is a great idea, you can change the color at a flip. Sorry I do not like the mirror between the lamps. It is a beautiful reading area. Take care.

podso said...

That is just the sweetest nook! How creative to use that space in such a way and you still have storage underneath. Can just see the grand children cozied up there for a storybook reading! Lovely!

Cynthia@ITLLDO said...

Oh I do love this little nook. I have wanted to put one of those in one of my rooms, and this just might be my inspiration. Thanks so much for sharing.

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

Hello Carolyn
That was a great idea to make the reading nook and it does look cozy. I like the mirror between the lights; guess you'll have to leave it up for a few days to see whether it works for you.
Judith

Judy @ In His Grip said...

Wow, I think I want to stop right now and do a little reading in your nook. Great job!

Crystal Rose Cottage said...

Carolyn....How cozy! I love what you did with that space and I think the mirror looks darling where it is at! Enjoy your cozy nook!~Patti

Carol said...

Your reading nook looks like it's going to be a wonderful place to relax and enjoy some quiet moments.

Ingrid de Villiers said...

You have done a great job Carolyn! I vote "no" on the mirror. Enjoy your beautiful reading corner...!

Anonymous said...

Lovely! Now I want a reading nook. All the soft colors look so relaxing

Nicole said...

Yeah, I'd like to linger! I love your attention to detail - the wood slated ceiling in the nook makes it feel like an old front porch. Perfect!

Robin's Nesting Place said...

What a beautiful and cozy reading nook!

Susan said...

Beautiful, Carolyn. Just beautiful! Sincerely, Susan

Burlap Luxe said...

There are no words...I just am left breathless.
Beautiful place to be inspired.
What will be next for you, may be hard to top this one.

will be back soon

~Dore'~

{oc cottage} said...

I think I am in LOVE! FABULOUS!

m ^..^

My Cozy Corner said...

Simply Charming and a perfect idea for extra seating during a holiday get together in your living room...
xoxo
Your follower
Betty

Martha said...

I love what you did with that space AND it could be an extra bed as well - and what great storage. Now I wish I had such a closet to make such a space -- but, alas, I don't!

Great space.

I like it with the mirror best!

Charo said...

So cozy and beautiful space.

Hugs
Charo

Tracy's Trinkets and Treasures said...

I think you need a coffe pot next to it so you don't have to move for hours in the morning. I love love love it. The netural colors you used are so great.

Bella's Rose Cottage said...

Hi Carolyn... What a fabulous place to spend an afternoon.. just gorgeous! Your weekend listening to the birds sing sounds very perfect to me:-)
Bella

Shirley @ Kokken69 said...

Carolyn, I am amazed. It seems like you are always working on projects around the house! The reading nook is beautiful!

Yvonne said...

Verry nice !
Gr Yvonne

DesignTies said...

Such a lovely space to curl up and read a book!
Victoria @ DesignTies

MariaPar said...

Wonderful !
Amazing transformation !
Have a good day.

Angel-Smile said...

Dear Carolyn,
what a beautiful place! Really for dreaming. I would like to have it too, and I would stay the whole day:-))
Greetings
Brigitte

Andi's English Attic said...

Wow, what a transformation. It looks lovely and cosy. For what it's worth, I think I prefer it without the mirror. Great job. Well done. xx

fitty's pinky rose cottage said...

such a lovely nook.. very comfy and good place to hide and chill out..

Suzann said...

That is a wonderful space. Perfect in so many ways.
I vote no on the mirror.

Rosy Inspiration said...

Wow! Love love love, excellent use of that space, and of course your decor style makes it even better. I vote for no mirror.

La Table De Nana said...

I love this..and you have a great carpenter! Flawless.

Anonymous said...

Hi Carolyn! Your reading nook is beautiful! It looks like it's always been there. Love how you've dressed it with the cushions and toile pillows. Your corbells are perfect and the lights - they're just right. Oh, what a wonderful spot. You've really been busy, haven't you? I love it.
be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

lettie said...

Beautiful nook--of course you MUST have toile! I have it in many rooms too. I love the addition of the mirror and its reflection gives wonderful depth--it's such a cozy spot.

Lacy said...

It's gorgeous! Your so very talented! I like it the best with the angel, but I the mirror is still gorgeous!
I wish I had a closet to turn into a reading nook. I just love it!

Betty said...

It is so beautiful. I am going to have to see if we can make something like that. I love to read and be cozy at the same time.

Willow

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

What a lovely idea! I love the touches of toile. I think I like it without the mirror but you will make the right decision. It will be lovely whatever way you decorate it. Have a wonderful day and would love for you to join me for Tea Time tomorrow.

Blessings,
Sandi

Anonymous said...

Carolyn,

Your reading nook is beautiful. What a wonderful way to utilize a closet that was no longer needed. Thank you for the inspiration. It's beautiful.

Deborah

parTea lady said...

Your reading nook turned out great. I'd certainly be spending a lot of time there with a cup of tea and a good book if it were in my home. I like it without the mirror, but either way it is a very pretty spot.

~ ~ Ahrisha ~ ~ said...

I love your reading nook, so sweet and comfy looking! I love the exterior of your home your gardens are beautiful. I see you have a climbing bush in the corner. Please tell me about it? I'm considering Something that climbs for the outside of my home and can't make up my mind. I am training a wisteria across the back sunroom wall to provide shade in the summer. So far so good. Thanks so much.
~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

Paula said...

Dear Carolyn,

I am so happy you are having such nice spring weather! We are enjoying beautiful weather as well, and spent our weekend much like yours~ in the garden and with all of the windows open in our cottage! Oh, I love this time of year. I spent Sunday afternoon sitting on the front porch reading Dickens. How wonderful it would be to have a reading nook like yours. It is very beautiful and a wonderful transformation. I love how you have it decorated, the mirror looks beautiful. I think it is a good idea to put different fabric on the backside so you can flip it over when you want a change. I would love to linger with a cup of tea! Thank you for sharing your lovely home! Enjoy your garden and reading nook! Love, Paula

CIELO said...

Oh Carolyn, so cozy and peaceful that little nook! Bless you and yours as well as the cottage you live in. Thanks for participating in "Show Off Your Cottage Monday"

Cielo

Anonymous said...

Hi Carolyn, this nook looks so beautiful!! I love it.The pillows are so pretty.I love every inch of it....Kathy

Anonymous said...

Hi again Carolyn, I think the mirror is perfect there...Kathy

Hélène Flont , french illustrator said...

Carolyn, You have an exquisite taste!!! C'est merveilleusement beau! Great, great job!!

Catherine said...

it's a very nice space, i love the colors.

Laurie said...

I love this special place, Carolyn - such a beautiful spot to curl up and read, visit, or just dream. And I do like the mirror; it seems to give a little life to the nook, although it already has a lovely, cozy life to it. Now enjoy!
Laurie

Bernideen said...

I love the mirror also! Very charming!

Stacey said...

Brilliant! What a fantastic idea for your old closet space, I adore it. I think I too prefer it without the mirror. And I really really love the corbels...really from Winners? I'm going to have to make a trip there, they are beautiful!

Vanessa@decor happy said...

I love your reading nook! Those corbels look like the real thing - great find. I think the mirror is a tad too wide for the space.

Susan said...

Wow! What an amazing makeover for a closet!! I love the creams you chose for the color pallet. It looks so relaxing there, and with the sconces lighted, how gorgeous is that?

Katy Noelle said...

I've been saving this post for a quiet moment but, now, I must, also, leave a sleepy comment. Those colors are some of my favorites. Such an elegant combination. Oh, Carolyn, this is a brilliant renovation. Congratulations!

I usually go for simpler but, I like the mirror in this case. It gives it a window seat feel - even though it's still very cozy. You'll know what to do, though. Sometimes, I know what I SHOULD do but, in my heart, it's disappointing. Sometimes, I just need to have something simple (like a window for instance - no curtains) until I'm really ready for it. Anyway,...

Have fun with your new space!

Love, Katy Noelle

Katy Noelle said...

I made the comment and then went back and looked. I saw it fresh. The angel is Sooooo adorable but it feels like a cave. You don't seem like a cave dweller. =] The mirror makes it feel more Edwardian. Can't go wrong either way, can you?

Cindy said...

What a great little nook! I love it. I like the mirror up there, it reflects the light. And I like your idea of having a different fabric on the back of the large cushion so you could change it if you so disired. It is so wonderful! Hugs, Cindy S

ImagineCozy said...

I would sooo... love a little nook like that. It really does feel cozy and inviting. Such a good choice for that space.
-Angela

LENNU said...

Lovely and it looks like a dream!
Warm greetings, Lennu

Beverly said...

Carolyn, you had a perfect idea for this spot in your home. And, the outcome is gorgeous.

I love this pretty nook.

Madelief said...

Dear Carolyn,

Love the way your nook turned out with the soft colours, the toile pillows and the lamps! What a transformation from cupboards to seating area :-)!

I am glad the weather is beautiful on PEI. We have a lot of sunshine here as well. It hasn't rained for some time now. We could definetely use a shower! I believe at the end of the week we will have a change of weather. Our garden will be very happy with that!

Lieve groet, Madelief

Islandsparrow said...

You're so creative Carolyn - what a great use for that space.

Sanna - My Blueberry House said...

Hello Carolyn,

What a wonderful reading nook you´ve created. Love the white, cream and beige tones. The toile is beautiful. Really a great place to have for different occasions.

Your mirror is lovely but I´m not crazy about it in that particular place.

Hope you have a nice week,
Sanna

Sherry said...

The reading nook is lovely, a place to rest awhile.

vikki said...

I so love this. I am so going to do this in one of my closets soon.Pinning this for sure. I vote no mirror.

CLMT said...

Very unique and beautiful. If I ever have a house again, I would love to do something like this.

birdunyafikir said...

This is a smart idea.
Very beautiful...

joyh82 said...

Wow, I love it, your so lucky!

Unknown said...

I adore your reading place. I will find a place for one just like yours!