Outdoor Summer Reading Nook Challenge with Pottery Barn Kids

By Mandi 06/17/2013

Fun project alert! A few weeks ago the folks at Pottery Barn Kids emailed me about creating a Summer Reading Nook for my girls and for their PBK and PBS Kids Summer Reading Nook Challenge. 5 other bloggers were included and we were given access to specific PBK staples for us to use in our nook,  the rest was up to us.

I don’t know what doing Dylan’s room did to my brain,  I think it unlocked my inner daydreaming child, because right now everything I am doing sort of has the perspective of someone roughly 3.5 feet tall. (what do you know, maybe I am a good mom…if you ignore all of the cereal/toast/ramen that happens in this house.)

So here is the thought process for this fun project. I don’t so much have a spot in my little house right now for a reading nook, so the obvious choice was to make something that was well,  not in my house. When I told Court the plans he was like…”Dude. This thing is going to be so heavy, and cost a million bucks,  can’t you just repaint a wall?” To which I replied “I mean, I understand, but if you saw what I see in my head you wouldn’t be able to shut it off either. Plus its freaking Pottery Barn.”

He then saw the light.

Aaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Summer Reading Nook Project @vintage revivals

Doesn’t it look like childhood in a jar? I am SO in love with it, and more importantly my girls are too.

The design is a mix of thrifted treasures (the light and accessories),  family heirlooms (the amazing oil painting by my Great Grandma),  handmade flair (obviously the pom pom tassels),  and Pottery Barn Kids Furniture.

Summer Reading Nook @vintage revivals-12

(Bookcase / Rug / Beanbag / Dalmatian Bookend / Pink Task Light)

The build went really smoothly and I will have a quick tutorial with guidelines and info about the structure up this week.

Playhouse Build

The canvas tent is made from a drop cloth, sisal rope, and grommets, and was SERIOUSLY simple. And because you guys love to know the behind the scenes nuggets…the original plan was to use wooden dowels instead of the rope. But then the whole, running, screaming, tag playing scenario ran through my mind and I knew we needed something that was a little more forgiving (as in forehead forgiving). So rope it was! If you are a hardcore Vintage Revival-er you will remember the curtains I made for Hailee’s Living Room with this same idea!

Summer Reading Nook @vintage revivals-9

 

My favorite piece is the gray and white striped Rugby rug.

Summer Reading Ideas

 

Of course my girls love the beanbag. Also, Ivie’s hair? Super jealous.

Colorful Summer Playhouse

Summer Reading Nook @vintage revivals-39

Summer Reading Nook @vintage revivals-43

Summer Reading Nook @vintage revivals-52

Pottery Barn Kids Lighting

Pottery Barn Kids Summer Reading Nook

And what would be a photo shoot without a few Dylan Outtakes?

Summer Reading Nook @vintage revivals-2

Oh Dylan

Summer Reading Nook @vintage revivals-29

That girl will be the death of me.

Reading with my daughters is something that I cherish. I love reading books that have a great lesson in them, like The Giving Tree. My favorite series of all time though is Skippy Jon Jones. I can do a MEAN Spanish accent Skippito.

 

Summer Reading Nook Project @vintage revivals

GET THE BUILDING PLANS HERE!

 

If you are itching for more kiddie inspiration, check out Dylan’s Bedroom.

Little Girl Bedroom Ideas

Or if you are in the market for something a little more grown up (I use the tern grown up loosely around these parts) check out my living room.

Orange Tufted Couch Living Room Makeover @ Vintage Revivals

Love Your Guts

 

 

 

 

I partnered with Pottery Barn Kids and PBS to create this project. Pottery Barn Kids sent me specific items to use in this challenge. The project ideas, cost, and opinions are 100% mine.

86 thoughts on “Outdoor Summer Reading Nook Challenge with Pottery Barn Kids”

  1. WOW! so adorable in every way. I just love it! Your girls are darling and your little ones expressions kill me! Mandi- you totally have a decorating/designing gift! you should have your own magazine. XO, jen

  2. That is really truly gorgeous! Makes me want to break out my miter saw that’s still in the box after 3 years and make one for my kids! Oh heck never mind the kids. It’s all about me!

  3. Just about the cutest thing I’ve ever seen! Love the pops of fun color! I’d totally be hanging out in there (and I’m 22!) 🙂

  4. So cute! We have a playhouse fort frame that is pretty similar, but only about half the size. We were talking about recycling it since it doesn’t get much use anymore, but now I’m feeling inspired to dress it up and give it new life!

  5. I thought the lattice wall was a nice touch in making it not seem so enclosed … but then when I saw the picture with the drop cloth rolled up too … Kaboom! You blow my freekin mind! 🙂

  6. I LOVE the Pom Pom tassels. I will definitely be making these for my sons first birthday party- fiesta theme! This is a dream space, great job Mandi! And I feel like you should have your own hgtv show!!

  7. This is SOOO cute! Totally adorbs. Ok, maybe an obvious question/answer… but, do you take the drop cloth off and on every time it rains??? Or, will the drop cloth withstand a summer’s worth of wetness? (I live in IN.)

  8. i went over and checked out the rest of the “nooks” and yours is hands down the best and most original. And I’m not just saying that bc i love your blog 🙂 Its the truth. Also, Your actual blog layout is my fav. I don’t think you should change it. Some of the other blogs I’ve been to are so cluttered! Coming ver here is like a breath of fresh air.

  9. Seriously, will you be my mom too? Those girls are so lucky to have such a creative genius like yourself. Love everything about this sweet little outdoor space. Keep rollin’ with that 3.5 ft self, it’s definitely working out! <3

    xo,
    Jen

  10. i love this!!! how awesome would it be as a tree house?!?! im a little tree house obsessed right now….
    anyway- dylan has the most animated face! reminds me of my kids! 🙂

    1. ive got a great one i did last month on the inside for my grand daughter birthday, i would love to share.

  11. This is wonderful…as in wonderland wonderful! I went and looked closely at all the other entrants, and while nice, yours is amazing! I love the outside take on it!
    What a cute little girly clubhouse for your cuties! 🙂

  12. Yours is the best By Far! Some of the others just picked stuff out of the catalog and hang the stuff up. No imagination, etc. Some didn’t even give the reading area its own space. In a baby’s room? They would have been better off in the hall. Good luck, hope you win.

  13. Um you are AMAZEBALLS. K that is all. Just kidding, its not! I must say there is no way you are not winning. Yours looks like a freakin’ photo shoot ready for the PBK catalog. It is crazy imaginative fun and total perfection. I am so proud of you!! <3

  14. Too bad Nutbird couldn’t give you a compliment without tearing down the efforts of the other contestants.

    Mandi, as usual your talent astounds! Love this space! Only problem? You need a bean bag for each of the girls. You and your sweetheart deserve a big pat on the back for this amazing space!

  15. I can’t say I am the biggest fan of the pom-pom things on the outside, but I LOVE it!!! Everything you do just keeps getting better! 🙂

  16. Amazing!! so cute…I’m in the middle of making a reading nook for my kids—wishing I could do it outside now 🙂 Great Job!

  17. I am in love with this! Seriously – it is beautiful and your girls may never want to come inside again!!! They are adorable too – oh my goodness! I shared this with my FB fans and stumbled it. Amazing! 🙂 XOXO

  18. Oh my GOSH, Mandi! I looked at the other entries, and most of them didn’t even post a picture of the entire space! I wanted to see what it looked like. Their photos were cluttered and confusing. And all of the other nooks were so bland and drab. Mostly they made me feel like I didn’t want to be there. At. All. But yours I want to run away to! It’s so colorful and inviting. And I love the pinwheels in the front. It’s totally a place you can hang out during summer showers (wait – this is southern Utah. No rain for us!) and get lost at sea with Captain Ahab. This would definitely be my happy place.:) Obviously I voted for you, and you were winning at 39% when I did. So, I hope you take the cake, and eat it, too! 🙂

  19. Okay…. you’re killin’ me Gubler. This is AMAZING! and I want one!!! I must tell you that *YOU* are amazing. I have been with you pretty much from the start (can you say orange kitchen back splash?) While EVERY project has been a delight, you are now officially OUTSTANDING. I am blown away by your growth, design style, delightful spirit…you’re the real deal girl. And speaking of girls, Ivy is SO grown up! And Dylan? Well she’s a hoot…& the spitting imaging of her dad. LOVE your blog and love your guts.

  20. Mandi this is fan-freaking-tastic!!! Oh my goodness my little readers would love a fun little spot like this to spend time in, you guys are just amazing.

    xo, Tanya
    twelveOeight

  21. Seriously? You blew the other competition away. What a super fabulous reading nook and club house! Amazing! Your girls are lucky to have such a crafty mom.

  22. Got my vote….why? Because you created the exact type of place that promotes a good read….somewhere removed, a place that is quiet and most of all, a spot that will capture a kid’s imagination and then let them run with it. Serious kudos mama!!

  23. Wow Mandi. Fantastic Job! The little reading nook you created is not only creative and functional but cute as a button too. All the bloggers in the contest did a great job but you knocked it out of the park.

  24. Ummmm hands down your is the best! I feel like you invite them in to this place that just screams imagination, dreams and magic! Not really much of a contest! I want to come and read!!!!!

  25. Could you please remind us every day to vote? I think you had better get ready for a complete diagram of the complete plans for this thing. Also, you could restyle it for all sorts of things. Thanks.

  26. I voted for your nook before I realized I could see which nook belonged to which designer. Totally love your style, and this is more proof, right? 🙂 Rock on!

  27. I think you’ve just inspired me to try something like that with my boys. Outside, though, I’m nervous. The mosquitoes might eat us up! LOL Maybe inside?

    Serena
    Thrift Diving

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  29. This is really cute. Maybe I’m the only one to ask the obvious question: Do you have to take everything down every time it rains? Can’t ruin the books/book case/rug/pompoms, right? I love the idea, I just think it’s a little impractical for a continuous-use book nook.

  30. First time I see this blog. Smart stuff. Beautiful girls 🙂
    Won’t be last.
    Xoxo,
    Cristina

  31. I love it! My grandaughter wanted one for her birthday “Chloe” beautiful name and beautiful child. She turned 8 the last month. I used just what I had the only thing I bought was the small storage/shelf I used for the seating and the rug. Even tho I had to give up a corner of my craft room I enjoyed making it for her after all the moving and cleaning up. But hey she is very happy I love having her in the room with me and the cost was around $45.00 woohooo, the husband was happen too…
    Would love to show you the before and after…

  32. Just built this for my daughter’s 9th birthday present. She’s a voracious book reader and this was the perfect gift. Built the whole thing over two nights in my garage with some help from two of my neighbors and best friend who also helped me carry it out and set it amongst 90′ cotton woods on our 1/2 acre property. Had the auto upholster next to my office stitch two 8′ x 12′ laminated drop-cloths down the long side. Used furniture pins to secure the cover to the structure and voila! On her birthday morning she and several of her friends who had a slumber party all came out and played in it for the day. Thanks for the great idea and let me know if/how I could submit you pictures! – Bob

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