My reading corner makeover gives me the perfect spot to have a cup of tea and relax with my favorite gardening magazine.
I have a corner of my family room that is a great place to sit and read, but it is sorely in need of a facelift.
It has a really pretty chair but that’s about it. Not even the pillow matches it. It was a prime candidate for some TLC.
The photo below is the way the corner looked before I started the makeover, pretty drab huh? There was not a lot of character in the space for sure!
The reading light is good and there is a place for my magazines on the nearby table, but it needed something special to give it some oomph.
I knew that I wanted to make this into a really inviting and cozy spot, but also knew that I didn’t have hundreds of dollars for a makeover. With that knowledge, I headed off to do some shopping.
What I loved most about my shopping trip was how quickly I found the items on my shopping list. I was looking for:
- A decorative pillow √ to add some character to the corner.
- Some candles √ to add some ambiance.
- Wall art √√ to set a mood.
- Window panels (and curtain rod) √√ for some privacy.
- Picture frame √ to hold my daughter’s picture.
My aim in shopping was to get enough items for my corner at a reasonable price that also really appealed to my sense of style.
Luck was with me on my shopping day too. I managed to find what I wanted on my budget and also was able to throw in a few more items than I had planned. So cool!
One thing that I haven’t told you is that I forgot to take a picture of my chair before I headed out on my shopping trip.
I was relying on my memory of the colors. Yikes! I crossed my fingers and hoped that my memory would not fail me.
What I loved most about my shopping trip was that I started with a picture in my mind of my chair, a really blank slate. I had no real idea of how I wanted the look to end up.
As I shopped, the whole thing started coming together and each item that ended up in my cart went well with the last. By the end of the day, I had a really nice collection of wood, metal and earthy colors that coordinated so well for my reading corner and my chair.
I started with a great looking piece of wooden wall art. I’m not normally into rustic pieces but this one had that touch of blue green in it that I knew would go great with my chair and I loved the chevron shaped pattern on it.
My chair also has a blend of shades of brown, so this wall art was perfect for the spot.
I decided that I wanted to add a pillow next. I love the one I chose.
It has a light suede finish and look how it matches the blue in the chair! (How’s that for a good memory?)
There is a small table near my chair that holds my magazines, but the top of it was not decorated at all.
My husband and I have been antique shopping a lot lately, and I have developed a love of metal decorative table pieces. I was hoping to find a nice metal candle holder.
Luck was with me! Not only did I find a great-looking candle holder and candles, I also found a matching cork holder.
I’ve been saving corks for craft projects for a long time. I am in love with everything about this one especially the grapes and grape leaves.
Can we say “let’s drink some more wine”???
Armed with my new decorative metal pieces, I shopped for a metal wall hanging. The chair sits in a corner and I needed two items to decorate the walls above it.
I’m not sure what star I wished upon before I went shopping, but here was the perfect match…more leaves, same metal. I’m in heaven right about now.
By now, almost everything was checked off on my shopping list but I still had money to spare on my budget, so I had money for some drapes. Once again….more blue-greens and brown, and more metal.
How lucky can a girl get?
My final stop was to get a wooden picture frame and another candle.
I’m very fond of mason jar items and right around the corner, I found this mason jar candle – just waiting for its new home. And the candle matched too.
The picture frame is perfect. I can’t get over how the wood color matches the color of the highlights in my daughter’s hair.
I was practically giddy by the time I finished my shopping trip. I could hardly wait to get home, show off my finds to my husband and daughter, and start decorating.
The table that was a blank slate is now a blend of wood, metal and earth tones. I just love the way it looks.
And the corner? Well, judge for yourself. I think I can safely say that it’s got character now.
I just love sitting here, reading my favorite gardening magazines and having my morning smoothie before I head off for my morning walk. What a way to start my day!
I love the way the wood, metal and earthy colors coordinate so well with the drapes and chair. Those two pieces of wall art finish off the scene in a country chic style.
This was a quick makeover! Overall, it took me a few hours to shop, and few more to make my corner go from drab to fab in just a day, just my kind of project!
Do you have an area of your home that could do with a face lift? Tell me about it in the comments below!
Deshawn Keiner
Monday 12th of October 2015
You did a wonderful job. I really need my own quiet reading corner. You have given me a great idea as well as some inspiration
Carol
Monday 12th of October 2015
Thanks Deshawn. It's one of my favorite places to sit now!
Carol
Saturday 10th of October 2015
They had a nice range of this sort of wall art in mine.
Wildish Jess
Saturday 10th of October 2015
Great idea but sadly I'm too much of a busy body to sit in one place that long, lol.
Carol
Saturday 10th of October 2015
LOL. I'm a busy lady too. That's WHY I need the reading corner!
Bitesforbabies
Saturday 10th of October 2015
This looks so quaint and cozy...you did a great job! I love the chair!
Carol
Saturday 10th of October 2015
Thanks. I fell in love with that chair when I saw it in the store room.
Summer Davis
Friday 9th of October 2015
It's beautiful! I really love what you did with the space and now I want a reading corner!
Carol
Saturday 10th of October 2015
It's such a cozy place to take a break from the day!