DIY: Reading Corner

So begins my first DIY post.  Mercy.  Yesterday morning when dusting some shelves, I clearly put too much elbow grease into the situation and the middle shelf came crashing down.  Hmmm.

I'd removed contents to dust obviously the wall doesn't normally look this drab :)

Unperturbed I took it as a sign from the universe that a change was in order and I wasted no time getting started - first of all, a piece of art from and by my friend Tish that has been sobbing for a hanging spot for too long.  No longer.

Instead of leaning on a dresser, where the shelves once were, now hangs my lovely painting.

And what of the three shelves I hear you implore?

Well they are now the heart and soul of a new reading nook for all the little peeps in our life since the 'blings started having kids. Having coveted the various versions of this shelf over the years, I set about recreating the look for myself.  If PB won't come to Australia, Nicole will go to PB (in her DIY).

And the end result?  "I just 'yuv it!" as my nephew says.

I'm not "yuving" the cushion covers but they'll do for now.

Obviously all the real DIY work happened when Mr. B got home from work (behind every great husband there's a wife with too many bright ideas) BUT I did help hold the shelves while he attached them to the wall and I used my trusty iPhone level app to get them straight.

I suppose a real DIY post tells you how you can do it yourself - I got the shelves from Ikea a number of years ago for less than $10 each.  Nice story but very unhelpful as they are no longer available!  I did see some VERY similar ones the other day but for the life of me cannot find them now on the IKEA website :(  Scout around and if you can't find any I've also seen some great posts lately where IKEA spice racks have been used to marvelous effect as bookshelves for kids.  Have a look for yourself here and here.

The $2.49 Bekvam.

Suffice to say, I'm very happy with my new little nook.

Don't you just love the glossy mag finish my phone gave this photo?

Ahem...this is not who the reading nook was created for!

Our dog Sebastian, who pretty much goes by the name Naughty Seb.

Now, another little reminder, don't forget to enter my first ever (this is momentous) giveaway here, the lucky winner will be decided (and announced) this Friday :)

Nicolex