Big Boy Room Reading Corner - The Plan

Thursday, October 29, 2015


I often go through very, very, long phases where I get absolutely nothing accomplished because I get paralyzed by what-ifs. 

What if it looks dumb?!?
What if it ends up in that random pile of junk in the basement in a few months' time?!?
What if I can't do it?!?
What if I spend too much time and energy on it?!?
What if I waste money on it?!?
What if other people don't like it?!?
What if I don't like it?!?

I'm trying to face my irrational fears and come up with a plan to finish up Cooper's big boy room. It's been a bit of a challenge since I decided to work with the existing gray-green, striped walls.



The room is long and narrow with oddly placed windows. Also, I have Cooper's twin bed placed in the corner (so he doesn't roll off) when I would eventually like to have it more in the middle of the room.

Here is the overall look I am going for in his new room:



I've decided that one step toward finishing the room off would be to create a little reading nook in one of the awkward corners. I'm envisioning giant wall letters, book ledges, and a great big bean bag chair.

I splurged on the wall letters awhile back. They are from Restoration Hardware Baby and Child and I waited until they were on sale before I purchased them. Whenever I buy anything from the U.S. I always wait for a good sale (at least 20% off) so that the difference covers the shipping, taxes, and duties that come along with ordering from Canada. Each letter is about two feet tall, metal, and painted a dark, navy blue. Fun, right?

Extra-Large Vintage Metal Letters - Restoration Hardware Baby and Child

I purchased four letters to spell 'COOP' and for fun, I decided to wrap them around the corner instead of having them all along the same, long wall.  



My plan is to build two book ledges that run underneath the wall letters (also around the corner). I know that book ledges have been done a thousand and one times. However, I do love the look of them, and I want to encourage lots of reading, so I'm just going for it. 

Inspiration pictures, you ask? Here are a few favourites.


Source - Daffodil Design

Source - Boston Globe

I finally found a giant bean bag chair that would be perfect for the space. It's called the Navy + Cement Boxter Plaid Beanbag from Pottery Barn Teen. But the shipping. Oh, the shipping.

Navy + Cement Boxter Plaid Beanbag Chair - Pottery Barn Teen


I thought I completely lucked out when the slipcover went on sale 30% off from $99 to $69. (They won't ship the whole bean bag chair internationally, only the cover.) I was going to buy the slipcover and just do the insert / stuffing myself. But by the time I converted the price to Canadian dollars, added the shipping fee, factored in the taxes and duties, the total for JUST THE SLIPCOVER came to.....

$354.07!!!!!

That is absolutely ridiculous and there is no way that I would pay that crazy amount of money. 

So, I surfed and shopped and surfed and shopped (all in the wee hours of the night might I add) and finally found a bean bag chair pattern and some fabric that I think would work! 

The bean bag chair will look like this:

Rollie Pollie Bean Bag Chair

And the fabric that I've chosen looks like this:

Premier Prints Swiss Dots Navy

I'm giving myself a deadline of December 24th to get this all done. I'm thinking that a giant bean bag chair would be a great gift for Coopaloops to find under the tree on Christmas morning. :)

15 comments:

  1. I love your ideas for Cooper's big boy room. The reading nook is such a cozy idea!

    Oh Pottery Barn! You pull us in with your beautiful things and then charge us an arm and a leg to get the look! Just not fair.

    Kelly.

    Ps still waiting for a post on the new cottage! So jealous!

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    1. Thanks so much Kelly!!!!! You are so kind to comment on all of my sporadic posts. :)

      I am working on a post about the cottage. Stay tuned!

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  2. Love the look! Can't wait to see this come together :)

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    1. Thanks Elaine!!! I also can't wait for this to all come together because right now it's looking like a hot mess, lol!

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  3. Hi again from Melbourne! Really LOVE the mood board you've created - and the letters wrapped around a corner are neat! What a huge rort regarding the cost of the beanbag - yes, make your own with that super fabric you've chosen! Love the little shelf above the door - might have to copy that!

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    1. Thanks so much Petra! I'm so glad to see that you're still reading. :)

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  4. I am on a first name basis with the What If Monster. I love what you've done in that room so far! You have a great eye and sometimes we just have to jump in feet first and make some mistakes to get to the finish line!

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    1. It is such a relief to hear that I am not alone. :) Thanks Jen!!!

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  5. We did bean bags for our girls one year for Christmas. Lands End with their names. They were well used. I assume you checked to see if any Etsy shops in Canada make bean bags?? The room will look great!

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    1. I'm so glad to hear that your girls loved their bean bag chairs! I'm excited to get started on one for my little guy. I did a quick search in some Etsy shops but I'm so particular when it comes to fabric I thought that my search would last forever. The great thing about Fabric.com is that I was able to order some swatches to make sure I like the fabric before I commit. My fingers are crossed! :)

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  6. Love your inspiration board! Do you mind if I ask where the light is from? Thank you!

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    1. Hi Kim, the light you are referring to was the only light blue ceiling light fixture that I could find - I think the photo was from a company in Europe. I included it thinking I might be able to spray-paint a light to look similar. Sorry I couldn't be of more help! :)

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    2. I found the link! It was indeed from the UK. Here it is:

      http://www.dclighting.co.uk/products/eus0173

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    3. Oh those Europeans - always have the coolest stuff! :) Thanks, though - good idea about using it as inspiration to paint another light!

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  7. Lovely job with the room! I also love Restoration Hardware but not their prices. If you live in Ontario there is a Restoration Hardware outlet in Milton. Totally hit or miss but I have had quite a few "hits" with their 40% off sales. Also, if you are lucky enough to live near one that is in the U.S. then the sales are even better. the one in Milton does have a children's section but admittedly it is a small selection. Hope this helps in future. Once again, what a cute little boys room.

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