Good Like a Medicine

“Oh for a book and a shady nook, either in door or out.” ~John WilsonOur house is getting pretty squared-away, and I’m really excited about finishing a little project this week. When we were looking for a home, we were happy to find a house with a “FROG” (finished room over the garage - funny, huh?)Anyway, it’s going to be a great room to use as a study for Eric, guest room, play room, homework area, and future kids’ room if we have any more children. It’s large and has a great view of our neighbor’s beautiful backyard. The one strange thing about the room we noticed, however, was this one partition that seemed to just “jut” up from the floor along the wall of the stairs. We discovered that it had to do this so the stairs and the door down into the garage would align properly. That’s fine, but I wondered, “What am I going to do with that big chunk of sheetrock just sticking out of the wall?” It’s too small to make into a bed, too high to put furniture on top, and not practical for much of anything. I just decided I would wait and do something with it later.Well, today a light went on, and I got really excited (and forced Eric to be excited, too). I said, “Honey, I know this is going to be the one project in this house that you are going to get thrilled about because it involves BOOKS!” hahaha I reeled him in with his weakness. Just kidding But he really was happy about the idea, too. I decided to make it something that our whole family would love - a homemade “book nook.” Like most kids, ours love to read (Steven just started bringing books to us this past week and sitting in our laps for long periods of time)! I thought a little book nook (like a giant ottoman) would make this room even more fun for the kids, especially when our friends and family come, and it would be an inexpensive experiment for Eric and me.So, here’s the plan (see the highly professional diagram here): covered foam, pillows, painted wood cut-outs, and a built-in bookcase along the wall. I went ahead tonight and scrounged around at the crafts stores, and I found everything I needed (minus the bookcase) for pretty cheap! (Hancock’s is having a huge 40-70% off sale nationwide I believe for anyone interested.) The foam passed my husband’s comfort test, and I was really excited to see that everything coordinates with the bed, too. By the way, the walls will be painted a light rust or light olive green color, thanks to a couple of Lowe’s gift cards So hopefully by next week we’ll have it finished, and we can enjoy our little “book nook” as a family together.Right now you have to really use your imagination (I haven’t even sewn the fabric together, so it’s just hanging down over the foam), but just for fun, I’m posting before, during, and after photos. I know, there are much more important things going on in the world right now than my book nook project…. but I know this little addition to our home will open a world of imagination and memories together. Anyone have any more ideas for this little nook?Here are some of the quotes (thanks, quote garden) that I’m considering for the wall:

A book is like a garden carried in the pocket. ~Chinese Proverb

The love of learning, the sequestered nooks,And all the sweet serenity of books.~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

TV. If kids are entertained by two letters, imagine the fun they’ll have with twenty-six. Open your child’s imagination. Open a book. ~Author Unknown

A house without books is like a room without windows. ~Heinrich Mann

Far more seemly were it for thee to have thy study full of books, than thy purse full of money. ~John Lyly

Books - the best antidote against the marsh-gas of boredom and vacuity. ~George Steiner

That is a good book which is opened with expectation and closed with profit. ~Amos Bronson Alcott

Let your bookcases and your shelves be your gardens and your pleasure-grounds. Pluck the fruit that grows therein, gather the roses, the spices, and the myrrh. ~Judah Ibn Tibbon

Comments / Suggestions welcomed as always! I’m not too confident in my sewing / crafting skills although I am getting better, so any tips for glueing / tacking / sewing upholstery fabric to surfaces would be appreciated!

(Update: photos of finished “book nook” here)