Perfect Little Reading Nooks

If you're as much of a book-lover as I am, then you probably have a go-to place to read. Whether it be in your bed or on the beach, most of us have a favorite place to break out the latest book that we can't seem to put down. My ideal reading space is cozy and comfortable; a quiet place where I can let myself escape.

A little "nook" created as a dedicated place for reading seems like the ideal space for any reader.
Whether you have a little space or a lot, create an area specifically designed for some one-on-one book time. Here are a few things to keep in mind when creating your own reading nook:

• Comfort is key, so load on the pillows. 
• Nearby shelves for all of your books are essential. 
• Keep in mind that a location near a window is best, because natural light is ideal for reading.
• Most importantly, make it a relaxing place where you can go to unwind.

After coming across these perfect little reading nooks, I'm inspired to create my own!

Photo: The Lettered Cottage

Photo: Katie Did

Photo: Maggie Lynne

Photo: Trendir

Photo: Elements of Style Blog

A Dream Craft Room

If you haven't already noticed; I love to do crafts. That being said, my dream home will definitely have a space where I can craft away whenever my heart desires. As any craft-er can probably relate to; you need a functional, efficient space to organize and easily access all of your crafting materials. Whether it's glue, buttons, or lace, each item has to have a neat and tidy home where it can live when it's not in use. This makes the whole crafting process a whole lot easier.

My dream craft space would have to contain the following elements:

• Organization! Labeled shelves, bins, drawers, and jars make organizing little crafty nick-knacks a heck of a lot easier. Tip: use mason jars for the small stuff. You'll see what is in each jar without even having to open them up.
• Make it a "you" space. A craft room should be a fun and inspiring space that you look forward to spending time in. Get creative with it! Paint a pattern or image on the wall, give the ceilings a little color, or keep it calm and simple; figure out what suits you best, and make it happen.
• A great work space. All these crafts have to be done somewhere right? Tip: pick up a used dining table at a local flea market or garage sale and use it as your crafting work space. It'll add character to your craft room and you won't be as worried about it experiencing a little wear and tear.
• Pin-up boards for inspiration. I don't know about you, but I'm constantly tearing pages out of magazines with the thought of, "I'm going to make this someday!" in mind. Or, finding scraps of fabric that I know will inspire some sort of craft in the future. Pin-up all of your inspirational items, because you never know which one will spark your next great idea.

Take a look at the amazing craft rooms below. As soon as I came across these spaces, I knew that I had to have a craft room of my own (someday!).

Photo: Martha Stewart

Photo: Decor8

Photo: Ish and Chi

Photo: Caitlin Creer

Photo: Better Homes and Gardens

Colorful Ceilings

Looking to give your home new life without starting from scratch? Give your ceilings a little love. Most of us live with plain white or off-white ceilings, which is fine, but definitely a bit boring. Wouldn't it be nice to wake up in bed each morning greeted by a beautiful, non-white ceiling? Now, I'm not saying you have to go crazy and paint a mural on your ceiling (although you certainly could if you want to), but a little color never hurt anybody. It's time to stop ignoring our ceilings and think of them as another wall in our homes to be painted something other then plain white.

Go for a dramatic look with a painted black ceiling, and crisp white trim -- perfect for a dining room or small space. Or keep things a bit more tranquil with a calm color, such as light blue, pink or gray. If you're feeling extra adventurous, try creating a pattern on your ceiling such as a thick stripe or herringbone. This look is great for a hallway or playroom.

No matter what color you choose, I would suggest keeping all trim a bright, clean white. This will act as a clear division between your wall and ceiling colors.

Photo: Addicted 2 Decorating

Photo: Houzz

Photo: Elements of Style Blog

Photo: Houzz

Photo: Vintage Revivals

Photo: House of Turquoise

Wintery Pinecone Decor

Even though the holidays have passed, we still have a long winter ahead of us and it's not too late to get your home looking lovely for the season. Decorating should be a fun and easy thing to do, and with pinecones it is. When using a natural and easily found item like pinecones, it's relatively simple to customize your home's winter decor.

For an easy DIY project, try stringing pinecones on a piece of ribbon or twine. Hang your homemade creation from your mantel or a shelf for an instant wintery look. Or, cut long strips of a thicker ribbon and tie a pinecone to the end of each strip. Tie all of the strips together and hang it from a window pane or door knocker. Choose a traditional holiday color for your ribbon such as red or green, or opt for a color that coordinates with the style and colors in your home.

Feeling a bit more adventurous? Try creating a pinecone wreath that can be used as eye-catching front door decor. Add ornaments, holly, or lights for an extra reminder of the holidays.

Last but not least, arrange pincones in a vase or bowl for a super easy yet festive decoration.

Photo: Bebehblog

Photo: Country Living

Photo: Real Simple

Photo: Centsational Girl

Photo: Factory Direct Craft