Stella's Book Nook

Guess what I Stella got last week? A book nook. Most of her books were still in boxes from the move, so I was extra excited to have them out and displayed--which is super important for young readers, btw. I love, love, love the ledges! I've wanted these forever! The ledges actually don't hold as many books as I thought, because you don't want to stack them so deep that you can't get to or see the books. I probably could have used more ledges, but I'm super happy with the final result, and I'm fine with having books in other places throughout the house.  Most importantly, Stella loves this little area and loves choosing books from her new nook! 

Linking Up at

Fluster Buster's Creative Muster

[kreyv of the day]

image from Country Living

Displaying Children's Books with Picture Ledges

I have wanted to create a book wall for quite some time. We found out we were moving over a year ago, so I thought I might save our walls from additional holes and save Mr. Hubs from patching said additional holes. Plus, it's kind of a need-to-live-close-to-an-Ikea project, because that's where I would buy the ledges. I'm a huge advocate of being able to see book covers. It's the (retired) second grade teacher in me, but let's be honest, it also looks super cute. I can't wait to do this in our next place. 

P.S. I also want the stripes, but we'll save that little bit of good news after Mr. Hubs finishes his boards and gets in a few rounds of golf. Timing is everything.

image from Elizabeth Sullivan Design via House & Home

image from Jones Design Company

image from Sydney Morning Herald

Dreaming of a Loft

So, you know how we're moving in T minus 56 days?  And, you know how we don't have a house, yet? Well, there is this house I'm in love with, and it has a loft. Naturally, I've been doing some imaginary designing trying to figure out what to do with the space. In my dream house, I actually have a loft. It is full of built in book shelves and comfy chairs to sit in, so maybe I could do a cheaper, less permanent version of that. I also like the idea of having a TV room with some of Stella's toys, so that I can get that big ol' TV out of the living room. Or, I can throw a mattress in there, and make my mom sleep there whenever she comes to visit. (The last option will most likely not happen. I think Grandma Jude will get her own private room. It's the least we can do in exchange for all of the free babysitting she'll be doing for us. Hehe...) I guess I should mention that this house that I love with said loft is probably not available. You see, it is available now, and people just really don't like the idea of keeping their properties vacant for T minus 56 days. Not even Mr. Cute House with a Loft Guy who will TOTALLY be missing out if he rents it to someone other than us. That's right, Mr. Cute House with a Loft Guy, if you're reading this, don't say that I didn't warn you. You will never find renters better than us! (By the way, that was in a nice, joking, completely not creepy, non-threatening, if you really do read this blog, keep doing so and tell your friends about it tone.) And to the rest of you, what would you do with a loft (that actually looks nothing like these, but aren't they amaze balls)? 

image from House Beautiful

image from Feldman Architecture, Inc. via Houzz

image from 

[so cheap, so easy]: Monochromatic Names

Sometimes Pinterest and this wonderful thing we call the World Wide Web make us think we are over things, because we have seen them so many times. Case in point: monograms and children's names on walls. I love Stella's "S", and I love the idea of a personalized space...I've just seen it so many times, that I'm ready for something different. You? How about painting your letters the same color as your wall? I'm really digging the simplicity and texture it brings to a space, and letters are super cheap and easy to find. What do you think? I love it. And, because I care, I saved you some time: bibliotheque (bee-blee-aw-tek) means library or bookshelves. I can't possibly be the only one that didn't know that, right?  Once again, the fact that I quit french after seventh grade bites me in the butt...

image from Erik Olsson via 79 Ideas

image from Houzz

Well-Read

I think my dream home should probably have a home library. I think something like the room in the second image would be perfect. I like the idea of front facing books, and plus, I don't keep any books that I read (with the exception of children's books), so I don't have tons. Speaking of books, I would love a recommendation. Preferably something without llama drama, mice eating cookies, or green eggs. I've already read those ones. A LOT. In fact, I read them all in one day. What can I say? I guess I'm just well-read.

image from Alkemie

image from 6th Street Design School via Utah County Parade of Homes

image from Apartment Therapy

[so cheap, so easy]: Spice Rack Bookshelves

In a previous life, I was a second grade teacher. That may be why I am a huge proponent of children having home libraries--home libraries where the books are facing forward (super important). I've seen tons of great solutions and more and more stores now carry these.

My wonderful, sweet, beautiful, and talented friend Leslie actually made such a bookshelf for Stella. Something WAY beyond my skills. (Leslie's one of those perfect, can do anything people.) We love it, and I could go on and on about how cute Stella is when she picks out books and puts them away, but I'll spare you (for now).

This post is about a solution that is so cheap, so easy, and so awesome. Three words: Ikea spice racks. Three ninety-nine, right here. Need I say more?

image from Odeedoh

Home Libraries

image from Elizabeth Sullivan Designs

image from Home-Designing

image from I Appreciate That