Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Nursery Bookshelves

We love to read, and our love of books is something that we hope to pass on to our children. It was important to us to create a reading area in the nursery/playroom that was accessible to little minds and fingers! So we crafted floating bookshelves for the room:



We tried to use as much scrap wood as possible for the construction.

 A mini Poang chair (a Christmas gift from Dmitri's "Tia")

The view from the entrance

The shelves are constructed out of 1 x 4's and trim, most of which we had leftover from building our bed. David cut the mini-brackets with a jig saw, and we used leftover white paint. The total out of pocket was $6!

This is the first part of the nursery that I feel I can officially say is "finished"! And considering I'm full-term, it's nice to have something complete. Hopefully we might can fit in a few more projects before baby # 2 arrives, but we'll see!

For more nursery posts click here!

I linked up at The Weekend Wrap Up Party!

25 comments:

Cassie Bustamante said...

i am with you- we read a lot and we make sure that we read to our kids every night. it is so important to help them not only have the want to read, but in developing their creativity and imagination, helping them learn about others and acceptance... so many lessons can be learned. my kids can't read yet, but they still like to flip through pages and i hear them "reading to themselves" before bed. i am happy to have that habit started! the shelves look wonderful- the whole nursery is just adorable!

the cape on the corner said...

what a great little space for him. easily accessible to look and pick up himself.

coolkids said...

love love these shelves!!

Kara said...

I obviously love this idea!! :-) They turned out super cute, and functional all at the same time! Perfect! Good luck getting the rest done before baby 2 gets here...so exciting!!

Chelsey - The Paper Mama said...

That's exactly what I've wanted! Wall shelves with a big lip for books. I totally have a TON of trim. I will be doing this!

Suzana said...

That's a really pretty space! I love how colourful it is :)

emily @ the happy home said...

i'm a fairly new aunt, and i have to keep myself from buying every kids book you have on those shelves! that's such a gorgeous little area!

Adriana said...

Love it, just so darling!

Kim said...

Adorable! My husband and I are big readers as well; I love that your home has such an emphasis on reading spaces. We are moving soon and have designated a space in our new home as a "reading nook;" I am going to put up a few sets of bookshelves in there with a cozy chair and sofa; I was totally inspired after I read your post about your library space.

Emily said...

Newest follower and fellow unbilical hernia 'survivor'!

Jacinda said...

Those shelves are adorable! They have ones like that in the Land of Nod catalog. You did a great job! I wish my husband and I were as handy as you two!

Fiona, Lilyfield Life said...

hi Caroline - firstly thanks for visiting my blog and commenting! Was lovely to see you name there.
This reading area is great. The experts say that the number 1 factor for children reading well is easy access to loads of books - it's more important to you reading to them. So having lovely books at their level is so important.
well done. especially as you must be heavily pregnant by now!
cheers Fiona from lilyfieldlife.blogspot.com

nadia {housethirty-six} said...

Love the reading area idea! And the shelves look great! Do you have a tutorial?

Samantha said...

Cute. I like how you made use of the colorful book covers.

Mrs.Sanders said...

so cute!! I love that it only cost you $6!! that makes the space even more exciting! you are going to have so much fun with you two little guys ;)

kate said...

this is so cute! I've been wanting to do bookshelves like that for a while!

Kelli said...

I love those shelves and also the fun bright colors you incorporated as well. I want some shelving like that for my little girl where the books are within reach. It's perfect. You have two lucky little boys. What a fun space!

andrea of ffft said...

We are trying to put together all the pieces for the boys' new bedroom (we moved just before Christmas) and bookshelves are high on my list. LOVE LOVE LOVE that you used scrap wood... it blows me away how people will toss the scrap only to purchase more for a project like this! Way to go in finding a good use for it :)

I love the design of these and I think I may put a mini one beside each bed so they can have a selection beside the bed at all times. What a great nursery you have! Congrats on baby no. 2 :)

A

Ali Richardson said...

SO awesome! Great job! Just popping in from TT&J :)

Lindy@Itsy Bitsy Paper said...

Everything looks great. The shelves are perfect.
http://itsybitsypaper.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

Hi - I'd like to repost your little tutorial on my Family Literacy blog if that's OK. I also have a great little article that you might find interesting and it will motivate you to read to your kids 20 minutes a day.

http://familyliteracyandyou.blogspot.com/2011/03/did-you-know.html

Thanks & let me know if it's OK to repost your post. It will include a link back to your blog. =D - Tina "The book Lady"

Rachel {BubblyNatureCreations.com} said...

I'm in love with that rug and the books on the wall...so cute! I'm having a party over here if you'd like to join... http://www.bubblynaturecreations.com/2011/03/project-party-weekend-5-ways-to-re.html

have a great weekend!

Unknown said...

I was looking at your books and you have some great classics in there. Now you need to add some George Freeman books (Cordoroy, Beady Bear) and some Touchy Feelies by Usborne Books for your babies.

Did you know that you can do a Book Shower for #2 since you already have all your baby needs? I did an Usborne Books Baby Book Shower and the hostess netted over $300 in books! She was so excited!

Life In The Thrifty Lane said...

WOW, thanks for posting this. I was looking for something easy for mu kids rooms! Visiting from Tatertots&jello

Anonymous said...

I love the bookshelves! I have been debating putting up something like this in my craft room.