I love sharing beautiful afters, but one thing I have promised myself is to keep sharing little in between updates of our home. Sometimes blogs and home shows create a bit of an unrealistic expectation with how long things take… don’t get me wrong, sometimes we bang out a project, but I have a lot of things that are in transition as I pick away at spaces as I have time. I recently cleaned out our daughters closet and created a small reading nook- I also whipped together a book rack to get more toys put away and off the floor!
The Reading Nook
Her closet started out pretty basic and not very well organized. The lower portion wasn’t really getting used at all. I want to bring some “magic” to her room and so I thought this closet would serve her better if I created a little bench for playing and reading. I snapped a few photos with my phone- because mama had to move fast! No time to get out the good camera…
I added a ledger board on three sides of the closet using wood and screws, cut a sheet of particle board to length and put it on top. And tada! Closet now a nook. I also added a 1″ piece of oak trim to the front of the ledger board to add strength (not pictured)- because I knew my kids would pile in here!
I recently grabbed some unfinished pine crates from Home Depot. I stained this one using danish oil, and added castors to the bottom so that it could easily roll in and out. Finley’s room was lacking in toy storage big time, so between the crate and the basket I added- she now has a place to put things away.
The Book Rack
Once I had the “seat” in place, I decided I wanted to build a book rack similar to the one in my boys room. Details here.
I had all of the wood on hand from leftover projects, so this was a free build. I landed on these proportions to maximize my lumber! As it turned out, it was the perfect fit for the space. Man that happens a lot!! I stained it in the same danish oil as the crate, and while it doesn’t look like much right now next to the red fir, it will be just perfect next to fresh white trim (just like I did in Theodores room)
I’ve saved the build video on my instagram highlights- which you can see here.
I put the bench in, built and stained the shelf, and had everything installed in an afternoon. I’m a pretty quick worker when I have my mind made up! I have more plans to work on this room, but it will probably be a winter project. I’ll do things little by little as I am able.
I hope this inspires you to make your home work for you! Loving our homes doesn’t always have to include huge elaborate over hauls and complicated projects. Something as simple as castors on a crate, or a simple bench in a closet can make our homes places that offer rest and inspire us in the every day.
-Miss Ash