We love to blog from a little coffee shop down the street from our apartment, mainly because of its many cozy nooks. We'll hole up with our laptop and a coffee for a little while and feel completely at home. We've often thought about what makes these nooks so welcoming. It's mostly the obvious things: comfy chair, reading lamp, side table, good lighting. You'll find all those things in our roundup of inspiring nooks from across the web (top image via Swiss Deluxe Hotels). More below....
Wallpaper can help to set off a reading nook and give it a little luxury. Image via Nama Rococo.
An ottoman or floor cushion keeps seating low and cozy. Image via House to Home UK.
Lots of color energizes a corner. A DIY version of the red bookshelf could be made with painted boxes. Image via Living Etc.
One of our favorite end tables (perfect for a reading nook): the Rolly Side Table, $350. Image via Design Within Reach.
For tips on how to make your own reading nook, click here. Image via WikiHow.
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Does anyone have any idae where that smocked window curtain in the first picture is from. Beautiful.
Which coffee shop? We've been dying to find a great cozy coffee shop in Chicago.
emilyandharry, it's Sip Coffee House on Grand and Ogden.
Fun, we'll have to check it out!
My hunch is that in addition to the decor of the nooks, you feel cozy and happy because you are in a good Third Place. Not home (first place) not work (second place) but that very valuable inbetween place where you can go to relax, read, net surf, and enjoy casual social interaction with other regulars.
Not to be underestimated, third places weave a crucial thread into the fabric of society.
Arran: Pottery Barn sells smocked drapes, similar to the one in the photo.