Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Book Nook Update

So I celebrated my birthday recently, and when asked by my sweet husband what I would like for my birthday, I told him that a day out to go shopping while he stayed home with the kids would be just perfect. He was expecting me to go splurge on myself - some new clothes, perhaps some shoes, a handbag...nope. Not me. My idea of a glorious day out shopping can be summed up by one word: IKEA. Oh, Ikea...how I love thee. I could (and DID!) spend hours upon hours just walking all around. It's such a treat to go to that store without my little darlings. Last time we were there, a few months ago, we were buying a couch, and let's just say, 3 small children + a giant room of couches and beds = one frazzled mommy! They find it hilarious and fun to "test out" the furniture, while I'm trying to keep them from looking like monkeys leaping from one thing to the next. I felt like explaining to every passerby, that I DO know how to raise well-mannered children, regardless of what you see here. I mean, come on, what else is a 2, 3, and 4 year old gonna want to do in that situation, am I right? Please tell me I'm right, otherwise I may just be raising monkeys, and not aware of it.

Soooo...back to the point of all this. While I was at IKEA, I was finally able to pick up the missing pieces to my Book Nook in the kids' playroom - those super cute spice racks that I'd seen on Pinterest. Talk about a crazy cheap and adorable solution to bookshelves. They're only $4 each! I bought 4, so for $16, I have their books stored and on display - can't beat that! I sprayed mine white, even though the natural state they come in is just as precious. But with our color paint down there, they needed a coat of bright white.
And while I was there, I also spotted these cute dot rugs.
Ok, talk about meant to be. The green matched the frames on the wall PERFECTLY. Aaaand those boxes that I use for their paper (if you missed that post, you can check it out here) are polka dots!! I mean, really! I wasn't even thinking about either of those things when I snagged them - I just thought they'd love the fact that each of them gets their own rug, and for only $10 each, my rug dilemma is solved. Didn't think I'd find a great rug for that spot for only $30! I was a little scared at first, for all you parents of more than one kid know, usually fights come about when there are three DIFFERENT colors - "I want to sit on red. No, I WANT RED! No, I WANT RED" and so on and so on. But I was pleasantly surprised. There have been ZERO fights in the past 2 weeks we've had them there. Whew!
So there's my IKEA Love Story Book Nook Update! Happy Birthday to ME! :)


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P.S. I linked this up At The Picket Fence! and
Thrifty Decor Chick

27 comments:

Becky said...

Love it Love it, I too love wondering around Ikea and at times i feel like jumping on the beds COME ON they just scream leap all over me. hehehehe. Love your reading nook for the kiddies I am looking for ideas to do up and reorganise my craft/kids computer/play/sofa bed for visitors Room.

2 Chicks on a Limb said...

I love your Book Nook! My daughter and I too are Ikea groupies! She lives near the one in Round Rock, Texas (near Austin) and a visit to see her wouldn't be complete without a few hours at Ikea!

Liz said...

Thanks so much! :)

Alyssa said...

I just found you on Pinterest and your book nook is ADORABLE. The cutest I've seen using those IKEA spice racks and I've pretty much scoured the internet for examples. :) I went to IKEA specifically for those spice racks and they only had ONE in stock! I was so bummed, especially since our closest store is 2 hours away so it's kind of a major event to get there. :( So my own kiddos' book nook is put on hold, but I'm glad I saw yours before I hung it up now because I love the height and the "READ" sign and the frames, just all of it!

Liz said...

Thanks so much, Alyssa! :)

Alisha said...

I love this idea!! I need to work on reorganizing our play room & have a devoted reading area. Our daughter is 2 & loves to read.

I bought some of the spice racks for my craft room but I'm wondering what you used to paint them white? I bought some semi-glass spray paint & it wouldn't stick?

Thanks!!
Alisha

Liz said...

I used a flat or satin (can't remember!) spray paint. I did have a little difficulty getting the paint to stick in certain spots too - luckily they're on the sides, so you can't really see that they aren't perfect;). I went over those little spots with my white paint marker and it did the trick. I would imagine, though, if you sand it a little first, it would stick fine. Good luck! Thanks for reading!

maggie_jar said...

Your blog is absolutely amazing! I love how you create useful but beautiful things at almost no cost...and so many of your projects are focused on children ...
You are such inspiration to me....
Thank you

Vanessa@DesignsBySessa.com said...

This is adorable! I love the little circular rugs, too, and that is a section of another room!

MGarron said...

Wonderful projects. I love reading your blog now that I have found it. I saw your ruler growth chart on pinterest and hav been exploring.

Anna said...

Such a cute idea! This would be good in a classroom,ok teachers?

Missy J said...

I love this idea and I want to do it in our den for our little girl. How did you hang the spice racks though?

Liz said...

It has holes in the back for hanging. I just used big nails. But I've been hearing from a LOT of readers that IKEA is sold out of these:( Thanks for reading!

Liz said...

Thank you SO very much, everyone!! :)

Kristine said...

Oooh! Thank you so much for posting this! I've been wondering where I could get those racks and right before I clicked on your picture on pinterest, I was about to look at IKEA but would never have thought about looking in the spice rack section. :) And here I was thinking I needed to splurge at Land Of Nod for $59 apiece (which didn't match my decor) or even $20 for a book ledge. $4 is a steal! I love the color scheme - can imagine any kid would love to sit and read here! I too am a confessed IKEA junkie. Any chance I get to go, I do! And I inevitably come home with a lot more than I planned -- LOL, don't we all???
P.S. You are not raising monkeys... my 2.5 year old has been climbing ladders and rock walls since she was 20 months. Mastered hanging off a monkey bar before she turned 2. And has given me a near heart attack when she climbed up the stairs on the OUTSIDE. Gray hairs galore!

Sharon said...

Loved your idea! Stealing it almost to the T... thank you!

Theresa @ Two Much Fun said...

This is so beautiful and stylish. Eventually, I'd love to have our playroom (I mean our family room) back so that I can create something similar.

the classroom creative said...

This area is so cute. Every child should be so lucky to have a reading space! We used your post for our weekly reading series for the summer @ theclassroomcreative . We hope to inspire other parents with our post. Enjoy your summer! Karen & Nicolette

Anonymous said...

I bought these spice racks today at Ikea in Frisco. When I asked an employee where they were, she asked if they were the ones on Pinterest. She said they can't keep them in stock! I guess you started something. You did a great job.

Annette said...

Found you on pinterest. Love the idea of the 3 little rugs! I also had to laugh because my children are also 2, 3 and 4 and they do the exact. same. thing. at Ikea! It's comforting to know that someone out there lives in a similar level of insanity.

Diana said...

I just discovered your blog today on Pinterest. I love your reading nook with the three little rugs. I have three children too. Thanks for the idea!

Welcome said...

This is so sweet! As a former preschool teacher, I have a love affair with children's books. My son had a collection before he was even born, so I did a similar nook in his room under a window. It's one of his favorite hangouts. Awesome job. The framed book covers is one of my favorite elements too...

Janette Dengo said...

I love your creative idea. I followed a link on FB and found your blogger site. LOVE colour & you inspired me to do something similar to my kids rooms which are filled with books. :) Take care, Janette xoxox

Lucia Soto said...

I can't wait to put my book nook up for my son! Funny, I went to IKEA & the guy immediately knew which spice racks I was looking for ha! He had to make sure there was some in stock lol! My 12 yr old & I laughed :) We got the last three on the shelf... :)

Thanks for the fab idea!

Mel@Mellywood's Mansion said...

Hi Liz,

Your Awesome Book Nook insired me to make mine - if you would like to see it please come over to
http://mellywoods5.blogspot.com.au/2012/10/ikea-my-lovehate-relationship.html

Thanks for the inspiration I have had this pinned forever wanting to do this.

Mel

Jennifer said...

how exactly did you make the framed book covers? are they book jackets or the actually front of the books? I love them :)

Anonymous said...

i love your ideas. can you tell me where you got the letters from that spell out "READ?"