reading nooks – findingtimetowrite

Friday Fun: Hiding Places

It’s autumn, we are starting to get cosy indoors, so here are some lovely places to run and hide when the world gets too loud and noisy, so that we can get on with the important things in life, such as reading.

The classic under-the-stairs nook, from BookBub. This is where Zoe’s litter tray used to be, but once I clean it up, I might consider something like this (but darker, no windows)

Even cosier if you have a landing and more than one floor, from House Beautiful.

Just imagine having a round window to read by, from Homedit.com

Of course I’m a big fan of window-seats, especially when they are in a blue and white colour scheme, from House Beautiful.

A more rustic window seat, or should that be a window bed? From Good Housekeeping.

The chalet style – or the bed in Wuthering Heights? From HomeDesignLover.com

But if you mention chalet, I am already dreaming of winter landscapes and a burning stove, and this perfect chair for reading and snoozing. From HomeDesigning.com

Friday Fun: Cosy Reading Places

We can never get enough of the great bookish indoors, can we? Here are some reading nooks where I could spend the entire month of December, with or without any Christmas decorations.

Large windows: yay or nay? Let the light in for winter months, but might feel rather chilly if not triple glazed. This room also has space to invite your book club members over for a chat, from Moon to Moon.

Are there paintings on the ceiling there for readers to rest their eyes? I love the green shimmer throughout this library, clearly a very Zen space. From Danielle Trussoni.

That New York loft feel, could do with some more shelves though. From The Spaces.

Designed for a couple from Montreal who wanted to be able to work and read in the same space, from Studio MMA.

Who doesn’t love a porthole type window, especially if it’s surrounded by bookshelves and positioned strategically next to a comfy chair? From The Nordroom.

We can’t all have vast amounts of space, so this is a particularly ingenious solution under the eaves in a flat in France. From FJA Architecture.

And there are more realistic solutions, withing our budgets, such as this reading nook featured by Jessica Paster.

Friday Fun: Reading in Your Library

I can downsize quite easily if I live all by myself – but I will need a special room just for my books, somewhere to read, write, and just admire all the imacculately arranged shelves. The ideal would be the Whatley family’s specially-commissioned library in Texas (first picture below), but some of the others might also do…

Isn’t this just the best? A dream! From Texas Monthly.

Not quite as many bookshelves, but not bad, with comfortable chairs and sofas for group reading. From doornob.com

If the above are too bright, here is a quieter, less glarey place, from 1stDibs.com

Another darker, cosier room, halfway between a boudoir and a library, from House Beautiful.

Love the way these bookshelves make use of everysingle bit of wallspace (the back wall is missing a few more shelves, though). From DecoratedLife.com

Less glamorous, but perhaps more achievable, this reading nook in a house available for rent on AirBnB.

Friday Fun: How to Read Outdoors

A couple of the readers commenting on last week’s post expressed some misgivings about reading indoors in fine weather, while others admitted they weren’t that keen on reading outdoors. Although in my youth I used to read outdoors (most notably when I was supposed to be looking after my grandmother’s animals – e.g. I read Anna Karenina in the cherry tree, stuffing myself with cherries and losing the cow in the process), I find the insects and the noise of other people’s mowers and barbecues put me off doing so nowadays. However, these gorgeous settings might make me change my mind.

Sadly, the WordPress block editor has decided not to allow me to add any text directly below the image, so I will have to produce a little bit of text in-between images. Can you just quit ‘improving’ things all the time, WordPress?

Above: cosy reading and writing nook, from Decor Renewal.

2. Of course, it helps if you live in a forest. From Book Bub.

3. This is so bright, you might be able to even read here after sunset. From The Backyard Room.

4. If you’re an Italian prince and want the Rolls Royce of garden loungers, this one from Patio Productions should do the trick.

5. I struggle to read for a long time in a hammock, as my back starts aching, but it’s a lovely feel. From Better Homes and Gardens.

6. If all else fails, a garden bench in the shade will do as well. From The Garden Glove.

Friday Fun: Reading and Forgetting About the World

Everyone may be rushing to go outside and escape lockdown conditions, but there will always be some of us who don’t mind staying indoors and reading… especially in cosy reading nooks such as these.

I mean, you’re practically outdoors with this attick library, aren’t you? From Pinterest.

A more classical interpretation of the librar, but Il

A lamp, a ladder, a cushion for the back, this one is for a reading pro. From Design Swan.

From the cosy to the monumental – from Blender Artists.

I can only assume the bookshelves are somewhere close by, but this is a great seating arrangement for reading. From Architectural Digest.

Couldn’t resist this vintage little photo, which might very well be a representation of me reading back in the days when I cared less about my back.

Friday Fun: Armchairs where I could read in peace forevermore

Well, that was enough of venturing outside into the sunshine. Now for a holiday, where all I have to do is sit in a super-comfortable armchair and read! These are the types of armchairs I have in mind.

My favourite colour, plus a good reading lamp and plenty of room on the shelves, from archzine.fr

A nice footstool is always useful – especially if your seat is taken… From Abeautifulmess.com

This looks more like an Instagram opportunity rather than a comfortable reading chair, from delightfull.eu

More realistic setting, an armchair reminiscent of Ikea’s iconic one. From inspirationsfabrik.blogspot.com

Some day, when I win the lottery, I will be able to afford to buy and ship this beauty, the Brasilia chaise by Modernica.

Friday Fun: Cosiness for Reading

One day I will have a corner that is dedicated solely to reading – or even better, a whole room dedicated to my favourite hobby. Best, of course, when paired with a fireplace and a bit of view…

These stoves are great for warming up a room, from elcune.com

If you don’t have a whole room to dedicate to this, you can of course use your grand staircase to carve out a reading corner, can’t you? From decoratorist.com

If you have a room for a sofa with a warm throw over it, all the better. From Elle Decor.

Somehow, it’s even cosier if you can hide somewhere rather than a wide-open space – so people cannot interrupt you when reading. From housely.com

Quite a maritime feel to this one, and lots of books hidden in every corner, if it were mine. From onekindesign.com

Something to aspire to: an entire reading room, with window-seat, fireplace, comfortable armchairs and lots of bookshelves. Fromhousetohome.com

Friday Fun: Fireplaces and Christmas

There is something a bit samey about Christmas decorations especially in the English-speaking world in the northern hemisphere. But I might allow myself to be converted if there is a fireplace. I can imagine myself sitting in front of it and reading all the lovely new books I have bought for myself for Christmas (and the rest of the year).

Plenty of warmth and reading by candlelight in this Ideal Home picture.

American Christmas ideas, from Good Housekeeping.

That bench in front of the fire would be ideal for dividing up the books into piles, don’t you think? From Grandin Road.

A move away from the traditional colour scheme, the wood panelling adds some cosiness despite the lack of a rug. From Veranda.

Finally a household that understands a good reading chair is a must in front of a roaring fire. From Christmas.365greetings.com

Friday Fun: Book Corner Ideas

The nights are drawing in, even though I’m still in denial. So it’s time to start thinking of creating cosy spaces around the house where you can read, gather all your books and forget about the rest of the world.

Fairytale light from these gorgeous windows, from stevelarese.com

Room for books and a beautiful green screen outside, from sortra.com

Of course you’d need some bookshelves nearby, but this looks cosy. from rover.ebay.com

I realise these are all some form of window seats, but that gives you the perfect combination of light, view and reading. From Pinterest.

Winter is not quite here yet, but being near the fireplace will be appealing soon, from LaVictorienne.co

An enchanting combination of reading outside while staying warm, which will work for the next month or so. From Instagram.

Friday Fun: Places for Reading and Relaxing

You might be tempted to read outdoors in this weather, but whether you are afraid of overheating, or don’t want to be come a target for insects, here are some alternatives to reading in the garden.