Bookshelf

Maren's big girl room is an ongoing project. Gradually, we are replacing things and updating as we get ideas and find things that we can do on the cheaper side. This actually works well for us so that we don't make rush decisions on things and regret or change our minds later.

We had been keeping her books in these baskets on the floor, but she has been accumulating more and more to the point that the baskets were getting over filled and it just looked messy. We had been looking for a bookshelf, but we wanted one that was lower so she could have more access to it. We also didn't want it to cost a fortune. I tasked Jonathan with the duty of finding one or building one (he is an architect) soon because I just couldn't take the baskets anymore.

This past weekend he found a great idea on Apartment Therapy (by the way LOVE this website, such great ideas for small spaces and DIY on the cheap side!) Here is the idea that we took from them:

Since this bookshelf was going to go right below her big window, this was perfect! Plus, I recently got a sewing machine (my Mom is coming at the end of the week and will show me how to use it) so this would be the perfect first project for me to make a bench cushion and pillows.  That shouldn't be too hard, right Mom? The only thing that I wasn't too crazy about was the metal legs, but we found the perfect solution to that at Ikea. It's the Expedit bookshelf from Ikea with the BESTA legs. This bookshelf was originally meant to be vertical, but it looks great like this. The best part was that this bookshelf and legs cost $80.

Here is what Maren's bookshelf looks like so far, minus the bench cushion.

My Mom comes this weekend so hopefully by the time she leaves, we will have a bench cushion for it. I love finding projects like this that we can do. Hopefully ours will come out just as cute as the one from Apartment Therapy.

Next project for her room, her dresser. Hoping to find a cool antique looking one that we can update or change a little.

P.S. For those of you wondering how potty training is going, remarkably well. We have our accidents, which is to be expected, but she is doing a great job telling me. It has probably been more of an adjustment for me! Having to drop everything to run to the potty is certainly different, especially when we are out! Turns out everyone was right, when she was ready she would do it.