Decorology

Category: nook

  • Create The Perfect Cozy Nook

    Create The Perfect Cozy Nook

    Once New Year’s is over I’m ready to usher in the long hot days of summer. Whether or not you’re of a similar mind, a nice way to wait out the short gray days is to create a perfect cozy nook in your home that you can go to relax and decompress. This can be a low-commitment, fun personal project. Here are a ideas to get you started.

    perfect cozy nook

    Used with permission from Emily Followill

    Choose the Right Spot:

    First, Find a quiet and comfortable corner in your home that you can dedicate to your perfect cozy nook. It could be by a window, in a quiet room, or even a corner of your bedroom.

    Comfortable Seating:

    Invest in a comfortable chair, cushion, or bean bag. Choose something that you can sink into and relax. Consider adding soft blankets or throw pillows for extra comfort.

    Soft Lighting:

    Use soft and warm lighting to create a cozy atmosphere. Consider adding fairy lights, string lights, or a small table lamp. Avoid harsh, bright lights for a more relaxed ambiance.

    perfect cozy nook

    used with permission from Jane Beiles Photography

    Personal Touches:

    Decorate the space with personal items such as photos, artwork, or items that hold sentimental value. This will make the nook feel uniquely yours.

    Texture and Layers:

    Incorporate different textures like soft fabrics, plush rugs, or even a faux fur throw. Layering textures adds depth and makes the space more inviting.

    Books or Reading Material:

    If you enjoy reading, consider adding a small bookshelf or a stack of your favorite books. This not only adds to the decor but also makes your perfect cozy nook a reading spot.

    perfect cozy nook

    used with permission from Jane Beiles Photography

    Plants:

    Bring nature indoors with some potted plants. Greenery can add freshness and contribute to a calming environment.

    Curtains or Canopy:

    If your cozy nook is by a window, consider adding curtains or a canopy for a sense of privacy. This can also enhance the overall aesthetic.

    Aromatherapy:

    Use scented candles, essential oil diffusers, or incense to introduce pleasant scents into the space. Choose fragrances that help you relax.

    perfect cozy nook

    used with permission from Jane Beiles Photography

    Music or Sounds:

    Consider incorporating a small speaker for playing calming music or nature sounds. This can enhance the overall ambiance.

    So, how about starting your perfect cozy nook this weekend?

    Remember, the key is to create a space that reflects your personality and provides a sense of comfort and relaxation. Don’t forget to check out our previous articles on how to create the perfect cozy nook. Have fun with it and don’t feel like anything is permanent – the space should change with your needs.

  • Cozy and Pretty Eat in Kitchens

    Cozy and Pretty Eat in Kitchens

    There’s something I love about an eat-in kitchen. To me it’s a great place for intimate family dinners. Dining rooms are mostly for formal occasions, and let’s face it, rarely used.  Eat in kitchens provide a spot where you get to gather with just the immediate family and create a fun and cozy setting. So skip the fancy china and just have everyone pick his or her favorite dish or tumbler, and get ready to tuck in!

    Keep it informal

    There are some spaces that are better left being informal! They allow for slow, lazy Sunday mornings doing the crossword or a puzzle with the kiddos.  If you’re feeling indulgent (or especially lazy), order out for the best breakfast delivery.  A breakfast nook with banquette seating would be the best option if this sounds appealing to you.

    Once our pedestal table is finished, my hubby plans on building a banquette to match our cabinetry. On the other side of the table I plan to add some black Windsor style chairs. While you see a lot of circular tables around banquette, I am going with rectangular. Circular tables make it easier to climb in and out of the banquette, but they can’t seat as many people as a rectangular one. Rectangular ones also make the best use of space if the area for dining in your kitchen is on the small side.

    Easy Entertaining

    I also love the idea of everyone in the middle of kitchen. In our kitchen, guests tend to congregate around our large island while we’re cooking or preparing food, so we have an overhang on two sides of the island to accommodate extra stools.
    It’s possible they are also congregating there to be close to our coffee bar and the bezzera coffee machine! When we aren’t entertaining, I put extra stools in the basement and enjoy a little extra prep space.

    Separate but Together

    If you like the separation you can make the eat-in part around the edge of the kitchen instead of the middle. This will allow for a little quieter meal times if someone is busy at the sink or around the stove with the pots and pans.

    A Cozy Nook

    Or get really cozy with a little nook area at the end or in the corner of the kitchen. This is perfect for small spaces! We have a sliding glass door on the end of our kitchen where our dining table is, so having a banquette removes the need for chairs on one side of the table that would otherwise block the door.

    Do you have an eat-in kitchen and if you do, what is your favorite thing about it? Do you use it more than your dining room? Thanks to Anthony Espresso, Luxe Hydration, and Freedom Jars for consulting.

  • Inspiring home offices in darker hues

    Inspiring home offices in darker hues

    Depending on the amount of natural light, your ceiling height, and finish – you can make a dark home office an enlightening place to be productive!

    Modern bohemian and Scandinavian inspired home office

    Eek! Love this!  That Moroccan pendant AND the small pendant on the computer desk!!

    A trendy study/office nook with dark chalkboard walls and a built-in desk.

    The square built-in cubbies in this home office are interesting, and the mirrored desk and pink chair keep the dark gray in balance.

    What do you think of painting a home office, den, or study in a darker color?

  • Bench Seating Inspiration

    Bench Seating Inspiration

    Kitchen’s can always use extra seating. Formal dining rooms are nice but not always available in smaller spaces. Finding that balance between a kitchenette and enough space to seat a family is easier than you might think. Bench seating can create extra space where you might not think you have it.
    With a traditional dining room table it would need to be in the middle of the room to allow for people to move around the chairs. If you need that room for other things, a bench seat allows you to put the table up against the wall and give your more floor space.
    Enhance architecture in your home with molding, beadboard or wainscoting.:
    via bhg

    It can create seating where you thought you couldn’t have it. This little corner would normally barely fit two and a simple bench can add additional seating and storage.

    Breakfast nook with indigo Shibori dyed pillows and woven midcentury dining chairs.:
    via mydomaine

    Don’t have a dinning room or need that space for something else? Take your breakfast nook up a notch! Bench seating can double as storage space too! That’s a win-win.

    20+ Tips for Turning Your Small Kitchen Into an Eat-In Kitchen : Page 02 : Rooms : Home & Garden Television:
    via hgtv

    A formal dining room isn’t for everyone. If you’d rather a cozy home, make it cozy!

    banquet - build in storage underneath:
    via sugarandcharm

    If formal is your thing and you can’t picture a bench seat in a formal setting, hopefully this well help! Keep it simple and classy.

    Do you love bench seats? Do you have any in your home? I’d love to hear in the comments below!

  • Gorgeous Eat in Kitchens

    Gorgeous Eat in Kitchens

    There’s something I love about an eat in kitchen. To me it’s a great place for intimate family dinners. With the dinning room mostly for formal occasions, this is the spot where you get to gather with just the immediate family and create a fun setting. 
    There are some spaces that are better left being informal!
    I love the idea of everyone in the middle of kitchen. I also like the idea of pushing those stools in and having extra counter space!
    If you like the separation you can make the eat in part around the edge of the kitchen instead of the middle. 
    nice use of small kitchen space!
    via bhg
    Or get really cozy with a little nook area at the end of the kitchen. This is perfect for small spaces!
    Do you have an eat in kitchen and if you do, what is your favorite thing about it? 
  • Small Spaces done right

    Small Spaces done right

    It’s difficult to create a roomy feel when you are limited on square footage. Here are a few examples of different spaces that I think are done well for limited space. 
    A bedroom doesn’t have to be large to be glamorous. You also don’t need a lot in a bedroom to make it a bedroom! A bed and a side table will do just fine since this is a room for sleeping. Keep is simple with a touch of your personality to make it homey.
    Laundry rooms can be extravagant or simple but making the most of the space you have is what makes it stand out. This simple closet doesn’t look like much but it has everything you need.
    An office doesn’t require a room, a little nook or corner will do just fine! I love when paint is used to separate a space like this. Keep it simple and clutter free so it doesn’t matter where in the home it is!
    Closets are so personal. Everyone has different priorities for them and different needs whether it’s shelving, hanging space, or shoe storage! When the closet is small sometimes you can feel limited to how you can design it to fit your needs, but this picture proves that you still can!
    Sometimes a dinning room room table or a kitchen table aren’t a necessary! If you don’t have a large family, a dinning room might be a waste of space. This kitchen nook is perfect for small spaces and the extra storage on the side is a great bonus.
    Powder rooms tend to be small, but what do you do if you have a tiny powder room? This one is done so well! With a skinny sink to give youroom to walk and a bold pattern behind the toilet, this space looks well designed even though it’s super small!
  • Necessary Nooks

    Necessary Nooks

    Everyone needs a spot in their house where they can “get away” from it all. My favorite homes have little nooks and cranny’s where you might not originally know what to do with the space, it may just become the perfect oasis!

  • A home that will truly brighten your day

    A home that will truly brighten your day

    I found the home of this talented lady on Flickr, and I just can’t get enough. She lives in Malaysia with her sons and husband – and is obviously a very talented cook and decorator. Enjoy!


    I really like this mirror. Vivaterra has a similar one from recycled boat wood.

    One always needs plenty of space for books







    Adore this work space

    via Flickr: Miel Bakes/Madhu. All photos © All Rights Reserved Madhu