It Started With A Window
We finally are using the little area off the laundry room. It's become a little library/reading area. After all the years of leaving it as wasted space it's funny that the inspiration came quite quickly after a shopping trip with Michele to the antique stores on Main Street in Anoka.
More specifically, the inspiration started with this window that I found at Antiques on Main. When I bought it I knew I had to have it but really didn't know what I was going to do with it. But the idea of the library came to me and I never looked back! 
The entrance to the downstairs was completely undecorated and painted in a hideous color left by the previous owners.
The room area itself had once been an office area but nobody liked to work in the basement so slowly the computer and other office equipment got relocated to other floors in the house leaving these sad shelves hanging in an unused area.
After painting the area a shade of blue/grey the fun started with a family portrait and a little art project in the stairwell.
I made the "Books" display with metal letters and pieces attached to a picture shelf from Ikea. The top lighting looks really cool in real life! 
At the bottom of the stairs I separated the library from the hall and laundry room with some drapes hung on clips on a wire. All were found at Ikea (I love that place)! The window was filled with photos from a trip to Nantucket. I'm not sure they are the photos that will be staying there, but they will work for now. On one pane I added a cute little flower light from Ikea. It gives just enough light to serve kind of like a night light so we leave it on for the cats most of the time. They seem to enjoy it. The footstool is a ceramic garden stool that thankfully does not collect cat hair - lol!!! There is another bookcase at the end of the day bed (hid by the cabinets). 
I had found the teal patterned pillows at Target, the white chrocheted pillow at an antique store and the rest of the white pillows are from Ikea. 
All through the room I added little touches from Andrea's early art projects, my travels and any other fun finds I could come up with throughout the house. Andrea made the watercolor painting when she was in fourth grade and the little green bowl around the same time.
The Madam Wob Dwiyet doll was made for me by one of the girls I worked with while living on Dominica. The book of poetry was written by a very good friend from Dominica who is also Andrea's godfather.
To hold books in place I filled jars with colored sand or marbles that I've collected for years.
The bowl has been longing for a home for a long time and filled with these Christmas ornaments it added another little touch of color to the room. 
The radio/tape player was another find at Antiques on Main. I love the retro look and how fun to get to play my old tapes while I'm down there reading!! (Nobody else thinks that's as much of a treat as I do - lol) 
I clipped a pair of clip on earrings to the curtain tie backs for another little finishing touch.
In the end, we have a room that everyone in the family enjoys using with many personal items finally having an opportunity to be displayed and enjoyed. I'm so glad I found that window!
More specifically, the inspiration started with this window that I found at Antiques on Main. When I bought it I knew I had to have it but really didn't know what I was going to do with it. But the idea of the library came to me and I never looked back!The entrance to the downstairs was completely undecorated and painted in a hideous color left by the previous owners.
The room area itself had once been an office area but nobody liked to work in the basement so slowly the computer and other office equipment got relocated to other floors in the house leaving these sad shelves hanging in an unused area. After painting the area a shade of blue/grey the fun started with a family portrait and a little art project in the stairwell.I made the "Books" display with metal letters and pieces attached to a picture shelf from Ikea. The top lighting looks really cool in real life!At the bottom of the stairs I separated the library from the hall and laundry room with some drapes hung on clips on a wire. All were found at Ikea (I love that place)! The window was filled with photos from a trip to Nantucket. I'm not sure they are the photos that will be staying there, but they will work for now. On one pane I added a cute little flower light from Ikea. It gives just enough light to serve kind of like a night light so we leave it on for the cats most of the time. They seem to enjoy it. The footstool is a ceramic garden stool that thankfully does not collect cat hair - lol!!! There is another bookcase at the end of the day bed (hid by the cabinets). I had found the teal patterned pillows at Target, the white chrocheted pillow at an antique store and the rest of the white pillows are from Ikea.All through the room I added little touches from Andrea's early art projects, my travels and any other fun finds I could come up with throughout the house. Andrea made the watercolor painting when she was in fourth grade and the little green bowl around the same time. The Madam Wob Dwiyet doll was made for me by one of the girls I worked with while living on Dominica. The book of poetry was written by a very good friend from Dominica who is also Andrea's godfather. To hold books in place I filled jars with colored sand or marbles that I've collected for years. The bowl has been longing for a home for a long time and filled with these Christmas ornaments it added another little touch of color to the room.The radio/tape player was another find at Antiques on Main. I love the retro look and how fun to get to play my old tapes while I'm down there reading!! (Nobody else thinks that's as much of a treat as I do - lol) I clipped a pair of clip on earrings to the curtain tie backs for another little finishing touch. In the end, we have a room that everyone in the family enjoys using with many personal items finally having an opportunity to be displayed and enjoyed. I'm so glad I found that window!
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