Right about now I'm seeking out the coziest spots in my house, perfect for holing up and reading some great books. I would kill for a built-in spot, dedicated and perfectly set up for quick escapes. This one (from Design*Sponge) has so many perfect elements, I could just move in. Here are some things that I might do to create one of my own (and you can do too!).
1. Highlight it: Let's face it. "Reading" often means falling asleep, and drooling heavily, after the first five pages. A bright shade of paint can keep you awake for at least the first chapter.
2. Black it out: Conversely, you can create your own personal cave by painting the inside black or an equally dark hue. Bearskin, campfire and primitive tools not necessary.
3. Add Great Textiles: The more the better, in my opinion. The Princess and her measly pea should have nothing on you and your multiple layers.
4. Decorate it: If this is a place you spend significant time, add flowers or art, just as you would for the rest of the house.
5. Hang Curtains: The last piece of the puzzle, and the final way to shut out the world — for a few hours at least. You can go for gauzy and atmospheric, or truly opaque for full-on Howard Hughes recluse mode. I just don't want to hear any reports about crazy long fingernails, or glass jars you may or may not have in there with you.
Now get in there and start doing nothing — you've earned it.
(Images: 1. Design*Sponge; 2. 101 Woonideen; 3. Thomas Kroeger; 4. Adrienne Breaux; 5. Scandinavian Retreat; 6. Martha Stewart; 7. Justina Blakeney; and 8. Garden & Gun)
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Oh, for silly! These are NAP nooks! My reading nook has a reading chair and it's lined with books that I love, from Anne of Green Gables to Anna Karenina. On the chair is a faux fur throw in the winter, and various fuzzy throws in the summer.
My apt has a strange nook in the master bedroom, so that's how I chose to use it. Lucky for me, it's right by a window with an amazing city view from 11 floors up, so I can escape from housework and worry either in the pages of a great book, or the city lights of my great view. Or alternate them.
And yes, if my eyes grow heavy, the bed is a mere 3 steps away. Complete with sleeping cats a-purring
I neither understand nor appreciate the one jillion lightless lanterns in the first pic.
Really, what is that?
I think they are supposed to represent clouds - if you notice in the middle of them a toy airplane is hanging down from them. It looks like a kids room based on the books/toys at the bottom. I like the texture that the lanterns bring!
Barnacle Bay Window
I LOVE the dark-painted one, absolutely love it. My dream apartment would have a reading nook built into a bay window, though. I need light.
Great roundup.
I really want to do this with a daybed now.
Great ideas. I think the black painted nook is most conducive to cozy reading. The fluorescent yellow and pink would be too harsh. I agree that a great reading nook should include favourite books close by. Also, a table to set your snack and steaming cup of coffee.
nooks make me feel claustrophobic but sistervashti's sounds heavenly
The lanterns in the first picture actually have Christmas lights in them, I think.
While some of these do make me a little claustrophobic, I love the idea of the first picture for a child's room.
I wonder how they dust all those lanterns, though?
I agree that these are Nap Nooks. And dammit, I want one.
Love these. Love the chair- lamp in the second one. The seventh one doesn't look comfortable, though. But I love the idea of nooks.
@norahi, EXACTLY my thought! Barnacles!!
Love the dark nook and the one with the dogwood blossoms, night and day! Sadly, my architecture doesn't have any nook-like spaces (except in the foyer, and that's not a place to read!) But I'm happy on the sofa, so that's ok...
WANT WANT WANT WANT WANT
Forget the nap, people, they're reading nooks, dammit!!
Dust them with a swiffer duster (the paper lanterns)- the 360 one with the extender? Those things are awesome. Wasteful but awesome. I have something similar for my 2 year old :) I'll figure out my own DIY, super mom washable way (probably just microfiber (washable) on that same 360 swiffer extender- reuse the arm thingy, wash and reuse homemade pads- but we just moved so for now I'll continue to bang my head into the wall trying to squish all my paintings on the walls and still fit family photos! lol Oh HELP me....
I do see a trend for cozy these days from Tumblr to Pinterest and wonder are people are looking for places that soothe and calm the senses, at least that is the crowd I run with.
A touch of art, whimsy and then practical all resounds to me! I love the first photo the best!
sistervashti, sounds perfect with the view and the books! and especially the purring cats on the bed!
I've always wanted a little reading nook. Love the first one the best!
I love the last one which is really a bunk, but I think that is an advantage. My idea of a good nook is a place where no-one can find you - in the kids' bunk room I'd have a fighting chance.