Hanging Gutter Bookshelves & the Low-Down On the Reading Nook

Last week I revealed Eleanor’s big girl room reading nook. The first completed project of her new room. Since posting it, I have received lots and lots of questions about her space. Questions on various Facebook posts, on Instagram, in the comments and just about anywhere one could think to look. I tried my best to answer them, but at the end of the day I thought it would be best to put all those answers in one post.

Let us start with a source list:

1. Gutter bookshelves and end caps from Home Depot.

2. Ruffled curtain- A shower curtain from Urban Outfitters.

3. Letters- Hobby Lobby

4. Paper for covering letters- World Market. This print matches the drapes in her room. I found this handmade paper in the store in the gift wrap section. It was hanging over an end cap with other decorative papers.

5. Cushion- The reading nook cushion is actually an ottoman cushion from Pier One.

6. Letter E Pillow- I made it and you can find out how here.

7. Carpet Squares- Home Depot and you can click here to find out everything I know about carpet tile.

8. Stencil- Herringbone Allover from Cutting Edge Stencils.

9. Paint Color- Wild Aster by Benjamin Moore

HOW TO HANG GUTTER BOOKSHELVES

This is our second round with gutter bookshelves. We hung them in my son’s room two summers ago and they held up really well. You can see his room reveal here.

For his room, we didn’t spring for end caps. We are cheap like that. Otherwise we did everything the same. This time we sprung for end caps, because it was only a few shelves and because the edge faced the doorway.

From my graphic you can see that you cut your gutters down to size. Be sure to take into account the end caps when measuring, if you will be using them. My husband used the miter saw to cut them. I know places like Lowes and Home Depot will cut for you if you have your measurements handy. I showed you two views of the end cap so you would know what you are working with. They just pop on and voila, you have a shelf ready to hang. Now, once again if you want to spend more money you can buy gutter hangers. We did not splurge on hangers for either kid’s room and just did drywall screws right through the gutter. Pilot hole, followed by screws.

At the end of the day you have to remember these are gutters people. My opinion is if they can stand up to a Wisconsin winter, they can certainly stand up to some kids. We bought one gutter, determined we could get four shelves out of it. We measured how much space we had and then split the difference to evenly hang the gutters.

LETTERS “READ”

Here is the scoop on the letters. I bought your basic cardboard letters from Hobby Lobby. I painted the edges of the letters with some craft paint I had on hand.

Once the paint had dried, I spread Mod Podge on the front of the letter and layed the letters down on the back of the paper (front of letter to non-print side). Once it was dry, I used my Xacto Knife to trim around the letter and cut off the excess paper. To hang the letters I used 3M Command Adhesives. So far, so good.

If y’all recall, the drapes from World Market are the inspiration for the ENTIRE room. Can you imagine how geeked I was to find that handcrafted paper with the same print? I have more paper left over so I am sure it will squeeze it’s way into a few other projects.

OTHER QUESTIONS THAT CAME UP

– Is this her only closet? Yup, it sure is. She has a giant built-in dresser with 8 drawers, so lots of storage there. At 21 months, there just isn’t much need for hanging. If the need arises we can put her closet pole back in and hang a few things along the back.  Since the reveal, the shelf on the top has been put in. It was drying (we painted it white). We have baskets up there for other odds and ends, like extra bedding. I am sure someday those gutters will be filled with magazines and that closet will be filled to the brim with clothes and she will be begging for a bigger, better closet. But for now, we are just going to enjoy little E and all her unbelievable adorableness.

-How would you do this space for a boy? Probably similar to Quinn’s room. Quinn actually was pretty jealous of his sister’s reading nook and requested his own. So we cleaned out his closet, so many toys! Got rid of a giant box of toys, per his approval (check out more on that here). It was awesome. Then me and my little man took a trip to Target and he picked out his own shower curtain. He was dead set on it when he saw it. He wanted this one, because it was a “Badger” one.  This is a late night iPhone photo I took after our evening of work.

Needless to say, I would do the same stencil. Herringbone is very masculine. I would probably do it gray or navy. I would do the read letters again as well, but cover them in something more fitting. For Quinn, it might be Badger Paper or Superhero paper. There are so many scrapbook papers to choose from now-a-days. Quinn got the bean bag treatment, because he already had one. He is still asking for gutter bookshelves in his closet. We will have to see about that one.

I hope this answers any questions you have about Eleanor’s room thus far. I cannot wait to come back and update you some more. Anyone else working on a makeover?

You can check out more inspiration in my project gallery and be sure to stop by our house tour.

Sharing this project at: Tatertots & Jello: Weekend Wrap-Up Party, Thrifty Decor Chick: Before & After Party