A reading nook

I’ve felt quite neglectful when it comes to ‘homing’ up our space.  Nary a window has curtains;  there’s not a rug to be found, save the bathrooms.  It all takes time, I know.  Our living room is especially bare-boned with only a couch, loveseat, chair, and antique sideboard turned changing table.  There’s also a fireplace, but that was there already.  Imagine how thrilled I was when I finally stumbled upon some inspiration to make our living room more inviting for the boys.

We already had the rocking chairs.  The one to the left was mine when I was little and passed down to Aidan.  My dad made it from a kit.  The one on the right is an antique rocker that was given to Oliver from his paw paw.  We think it may have been homemade, but we aren’t sure.

The ’sheepskin’ rug isn’t sheep or lambskin at all.  It was a 30″x48″ shaggy rug that I picked up at Target.  I wanted a more organic shape than a rectangle, but things like clouds and blobs just seemed out of place.  I took my scissors to it and didn’t do any sort of stitching at all.  It has latex backing to make it non-slip and the boys love it!  I was inspired by the folks over at YHL.

I love this print by Joel Dewberry called, ‘modern buds’ from his ginseng line.

The book sling was the perfect project to add some color to the room.  It also provides a great space for the boys to be part of the conversation in the living area with their very own places to sit.  Aidan loves slipping the books into the sling and Oliver enjoys slipping the books behind the sling – much to his brother’s dismay.  I first noticed this sling over at Meg McElwee’s blog, Sew Liberated.  (Her book is great, too.)  Isn’t her whole home so warm and welcoming?!  I love it!

There are two small issues with this set up.  One is that this is typically where our Christmas tree goes.  So, I guess we’ll have to adapt come December.  Second, now I feel the need to hang a mini-quilt above the book sling.  Okay, I guess that second one isn’t a big deal.  I have a lot of fun projects in my queue; what’s one more?

The boys approve.  Aidan quickly grabbed his favorite book : Children of the Forest.  Oliver hooked up some yoga with his ‘downward dog.’  See the books Ollie relocated?