School Library Reveal
Remember last week when we were picking colors for the school library? Well, I’m back to show you how everything came together!
But first, I’d like to announce the winners of the Valspar paint samples:
Congrats to Bonnie, Lynda, Marion, Cathleen, Joanne, Colleen, Amy H., Nicole, Becky V. and Nancy B!
To quickly review, we painted the walls and ceiling tiles using Valspar Montpelier Wedgewood. Then we stenciled stars on the ceiling. After installing the ceiling tiles the library looked like this. Better, but still a bit ho-hum.
I had much bigger plans and was far from finished. I called in some expert help from my friend Leen the Graphics Queen and her husband. They cut and installed all the silver trees and birds. We had an absolute blast working together. There were several birds leftover, so Leen played hide and seek by putting a few birds elsewhere in the library. The kids (and I) had fun trying to find them over the next few days.
Then I added more ambient lighting by installing LED mini strand lights on top of the bookcases.
The lights are plugged in around the corner. To simplify things, I plugged the lights into a tap button extension cord. Then covered the cord with adhesive and paintable cord covers. Can you spot them? After painting them with the wall color, they are barely noticeable:
Ooooo, did you notice the cutout tree branches? They are one of my favorite elements. I wanted to frame the space with something in the corners of the entryway. Cutting out tree silhouettes in a piece of thin plywood was a very simple DIY project. Then they were spray painted silver to match the vinyl trees.
The branch cut out was mounted to the ceiling with L-brackets. I used a piece of 1″x1″ molding to attach the branches to the wall.
I cannot even begin to tell you how magical this little library nook is. The twinkling strand lights are perfect for creating a little whimsy and mystery.
I told a few younger kids that the lights were reading fairies and they glow the more you read. 😉
Do you remember what this nook looked like before?
And now? What a change! I’ve heard that some of the staff has been found working back here during the day. LOL, I’d do the same thing if I worked at the school!
I leave you with my favorite view of the library transformation.
A HUGE thank you to Valspar Paint for donating paint to makeover the school library. We all Love The Color and the transformation is nothing short of magical! Don’t forget, Valspar has the Love Your Color Guarantee, so if you don’t love the first color you choose, you can have another on them!
Check out Valspar paint at your local Lowe’s stores nationwide. And, learn more tips to make your next painting job easier by following:
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Disclosure: This is a sponsored post for Valspar Paint. I was compensated for my time writing this post. Valspar was also kind enough to donate the paint for the school library project. All ideas and words are my own.
This is an amazing project. What child wouldn’t be encouraged to lay down and read a book in this environment. Heck, I want to lay down and read a book there. Simply wonderful.
Thanks Ginene. I know what you mean, those bean bags are very inviting.
Brittany this is INCREDIBLE! What a wonderful and special project and it looks absolutely fantastic. The students (and faculty) must feel so blessed by it!
Vanessa
Such an inspiring place to read, Brittany! Lucky school and students! 🙂
First of all, the fact that you even did this at all makes you a rockstar. And second of all…. WOW! You did such an amazing job! I love it 🙂
Brittany, James and I had such a great time working with you on this fun project! I love this magical little spot you’ve created for the lucky kids at that school!
What a magical space you turned it in to! I can just imagine there were plenty of conversations about reading fairies at dinner tables after the reveal. Such an inspiring place for the little ones.
Wow, what an outstanding transformation! I’m just so impressed with this compared to the dullsville blahs of before you got your hands on this. Everything about it is so magical. I can see why the staff wants to be there too! Wonderful
I could read there! 😉 What a sweet little place to get lost in a book. Such lucky little’s.
You guys did great!
JaG
Brittany, I absolutely love this! The colors and lighting are fabulous – so creative 🙂 I also love the tree cutouts and the choice of green (grass) carpet. What are the trees made of?