Published on February 27, 2020
This dramatic reading nook before and after features an unused dry bar that was transformed with shiplap and floating shelves. See how this vestige of the 90’s has been reworked into a cozy spot to curl up with a book in this reading nook before and after.
Dry Bar to Reading Nook
If you’ve been with me since the beginning of this project, you know this did not go as quickly as I had hoped and was nowhere near as easy as I assumed it would be. Nevertheless, the reading nook is done!
Let’s take a look at what this little space used to look like.
And here’s what it looks like now!
Reading Nook Back Story
If you missed how this project started, my sister and I demoed the dark, dated dry bar when she was out here for a visit. We also partially demoed the kitchen on a whim. After her visit ended, I was left with two unfinished projects on top of the loft project that’s been in the queue for over a year.
Then my uncle began building shelves in Noelle’s room when he was here over Thanksgiving. By the time the holidays were over, my half-finished projects were really stacking up.
So, when Jeff and I sat down to plan out our house projects for the year, we made a deal…no new projects until I finish all of the unfinished ones. I laid out all of those unfinished projects in this post.
My original plan was to create a built-in bookshelf in this little niche. Design fate stepped in when a former neighbor of mine saw my Instagram stories asking for opinions about what to do here. She suggested a reading nook, sent me an inspiration picture, and I was sold. I really have her to thank for this idea!
The Design Plan
As soon as I knew this was the direction I was going, I started looking for inspiration on Pinterest (here’s my Reading Nook board). There were of course, several good ideas, but when I found the brilliant reading nook G.P. Schafer designed, that was it for me. I was smitten and had my jumping off point for the design.
I knew I wanted vertical shiplap and some shelving, so after cladding the walls with planks, I created floating shelves the same way I did in four other areas of our home…tutorial here.
Painting the shiplap green (Farm to Table by Sherwin Williams) was just an idea that came to me, but I wasn’t sure it would work well in our home. I bought three different green paint samples, then decided to go with a safer choice of tan, but ultimately came back to the green because it’s what I had in mind all along. I’m in love with this paint color, and I’m so happy I saw my vision through. It’s just beautiful!
Styling the shelves was just a matter of raiding my treasure trunk full of vintage books and thrifted/antiqued goodies.
Reading Nook Lighting
One of the first decisions I made was the rattan sconce (no longer available). It was beautiful, affordable, and had switch operation. This was important to me because I knew I wanted to hard wire this light into the wall.
I’ve installed my own light fixtures and fans for years, and when we moved into this house, I learned how to change out outlets and switches. This project took my skills to the next level. I shared the whole process of converting a plug-in wall sconce to a hardwired sconce in my Instagram stories because so many of you said you wanted to learn how to do this. It’s very doable and I encourage you to try it!
Reading Nook Cushion
If you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen that my original choice for the cushion fabric (another DIY) was a beautiful tiny tan stripe. I was so excited about it until my fabric supplier informed me it has been discontinued and is no longer available. I’m pretty scrappy and can make the best of almost anything. So, I picked a textural, linen-like fabric from Joann’s and got to work on plan B. I needed to keep up my DIY momentum so I could cross the finish line, and I wasn’t about to let fabric choice stall me out. I can always create a striped cover down the road if I want. When it was finished, it seemed like it was meant to be…the whole family loves it!
Project Cost Breakdown
I really thought this would be a quick, inexpensive project. When I added up the receipts, the total cost surprised me. I thought it would be helpful to share the cost of materials for every single thing from lumber to electrical wire so that you can get an idea of how to budget for something like this.
- Contractor work to cap off pipes in the wall $100
- Electrical work to ensure my connections were good and I had installed the sconce correctly $60
- Sconce $109
- Lumber, shiplap, trim $206
- Paint, brush, tray $35
- Electrical wire and box $10
- Cushion materials $120
- Decorative accessories (blanket and pillow) $50
Total Cost: $690
I’m always amazed at how a project turns out despite, and oftentimes because of, all the changes you inevitably have to make. It’s just design magic, and the more I experience it, the more confident I am when obstacles arise during a project.
I’m truly over the moon with how this turned out. Now that it’s photographed, I fully expect a smooshed cushion, flattened pillows, and shelves full of more than just decorative books. I may even secretly be looking forward to finding Noelle curled up asleep in this sweet space. It’s just so perfect, and now I don’t have to hide this little area or crop it out of photos when sharing our family room with you.
I would LOVE to hear what you think about our reading nook before and after in the comments below! Have you ever tackled a project like this or dreamed of adding a reading nook to your home? Let me know below…it means so much.
Okay, onto the next project!
Sources:
- Green Paint: Farm to Table by Sherwin Williams (Satin finish)
- White Trim Paint: Swiss Coffee by Sherwin Williams (Satin finish)
- Stain on Floating Shelves: Briarsmoke by Varathane
- Rattan Sconce: Rowlett Bronze Rattan Shade Plug-In Wall Lamp (no longer available)
- Block Print Pillow: Bastideaux Laurette in Chalk/Cement
- Tiny Striped Lumbar: Home Goods (Similar one linked here)
- Vintage Dalmatian Print: Purchased from A New Wall Decor but no longer sold anywhere that I can find.
Just curious, what is the colour of your neutral walls in that room? I’m wanting to use the farm to table paint color for an accent wall in a bedroom, paired with something neutral/creamy…
Hi there,
I always use Swiss Coffee by Ben Moore but lately I’m loving Creamy by Ben Moore and kind of wish I had painted all my walls this color instead of Swiss Coffee. I love Swiss Coffee, it’s just that Creamy is more of an actual color (Cream) and it’s so warm and inviting to look at.
Thank you!
So glad I stumbled across this. I, too, have a dry bar that we never use and have been wanting to do something with it. This is PERFECT! You did an awesome job! I’m totally doing this! 🙂
Fantastic! I love hearing about people getting inspired to create their own reading nook. It’s such a cozy, special addition to our home. I know you’ll love it.
Brilliant idea. I love everything about it.
Thank you so much for the compliment and for stopping by the blog!
I absolutely love this!! I love everything about it. My hubby wants this color in his office. I am trying to find the color and can’t seem to find it online with Sherwin-Williams. Is it a specialty color?
It’s called Farm to Table 🙂. So glad you love it!!
Love this nook so much! Just wanted to let you know that Society6 carries that print in multiple sizes. It’s by John Wootten and is called A Grey Spotted Hound. It’s so good!
Ahhhhhh, thank you so much! I’m so happy to know the artist’s name, the title, and where my readers can purchase it! Yay!
It is absolutely gorgeous! I love how you redefined the space. It’s so warm and cozy.
Thank you so much Julie! This is, by far, my favorite project to date. It was so fun to reimagine such an outdated, unused space. We all love it!
Hi, I saw this on emily clarks blog and its awesome great job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh my gosh! Thank you for telling me. I didn’t even know, but I’m pinching myself! I adore Emily Clark and her Saturday 6. I can’t believe my reading nook made it to her Saturday 6! Eeek!
So so good, Marynn! Thank you for taking us along during this project. Watching how you kept pushing forward despite the fabric setback was inspiring. It still came out gorgeous! Congrats again on a beautiful job. 😍
Thank you so much! I’ve experienced a setback in almost every project I’ve ever completed, so this was pretty familiar territory for me. I’m also a perfectionist though, so it’s always hard to let go of a vision I have. I’ve just learned when it’s important to be patient and wait for the perfect details and when it’s important to compromise and cross the finish line. This was a beautiful compromise and I love it!
It’s absolutely gorgeous Marynn. Wouldn’t change a thing!
Ahhhhh, Kristine thank you so much! That means so much coming from you!
Love it!!! Did you happen to save the DIY Cushion directions anywhere?
I didn’t, but I think I’ll create an Instagram highlight with all my cushion stories. Thank you!
Such a clever idea and it looks so beautiful! Love it!
Thank you so much! I have to give my former neighbor credit for the idea…I simply executed the build and design.
This really is beautiful and very inspiring! Definitely going to check out all your DIY’s! Was that dog picture one of a kind?
Hi there. Thank you! The dog picture was one I ordered from a site that sold it as a print a few years ago but for the life of me, I cannot find anyone who sells it anymore. It’s not one of a kind, but it’s hard to come by.
Oh Maryann, what an absolutely perfect little nook! As usual, your talents never cease to amaze me, and you always inspire me to trust myself a little more with DIY projects. Next on my list is a cozy cushion for our 13’ built in bench in our dining nook. Wish me luck, and that my years as a seamstress will come in handy!
I’m so happy to hear you are going to tackle making the cushion yourself! You can do it! I’d love to see it when you’re done 😉
I love it so much!
Thank you friend! I’m so happy it’s done and ready to be enjoyed. It turned out even better than I had hoped for, so I’m one happy DIYer!
Marynn,
It turned out lovely. I am smitten with that sherwin Williams paint color. I have a similar color in my home and mix it with navy. The art you picked is perfect and I love the texture of the sconce shade. It truly looks like it’s the perfect place to cozy up with a good book!
Thank you so much Cheryl! I had the BEST time putting this little nook together, and now I can’t wait to tackle the next fun thing on the list!