A nook is the perfect opportunity to express your individual style. Rather than hiding nooks, put them on full display with enchanting wallpaper, jaw-dropping light fixtures, and dashing accents.
We moved from a remodeled home into a much older, historically designated home. At first the compartmentalized floor plan was shocking to me. While I am still getting used to it, I have found charm and peace in its nooks and crannies. At risk of oversimplifying- modern floor plans, architecture and design are heralded for versatile, airy, maximized spaces. In older floor plans- architecture and design spaces are compartmentalized and dedicated for specific uses. For us, our breakfast nook is a specific place you sit, have a cup of coffee, read a book. Although you can do that anywhere in the home, this space is dedicated to a specific leisure.
Before
Our breakfast nook was essentially empty. The two windows let in a lot of natural light and the area is framed by a dramatic archway.
Wallpaper
For us, the breakfast nook’s design centered around our wallpaper selection. If you’re not sure where to begin with your small space level up, wallpaper is a perfect place to start. Wallpaper has come a long way and there are many tutorials online to guide you through the DIY. There are also renter-friendly alternatives that peel off easily. I love how the golden hour light catches the wallpaper.
To get inspired, here are stunning wallpaper picks including two temporary options:
From left to right: Magnolia Home Hill and Horizon Wallpaper, Anthropologie $88; Bordado Dusk Wallpaper, Graham & Brown $140; Atrament dots removable wallpaper, Etsy $30.60; Sunlit Branches Sure Strip Wallpaper, York Wallcoverings $79.98; Tempaper Sage Floral Fields Removable Wallpaper, Crate&Barrel $40; Priano Wallpaper, Serena & Lily $98
Statement Lighting
Go for a conversation starting light fixture. When I first saw this light fixture I fell in love. It catches the natural light beautifully while also emitting glimmering dances of light through the room. The butterfly design is subtle. When looking for a statement fixture, I came across so many great light fixtures with nature motifs. I am always drawing inspiration from my garden so I was naturally drawn to these fixtures with flowers, butterflies, and leaves.
From left to right: Capiz Flower Pendant, Pottery Barn $379; Capiz Scalloped Chandelier, Serena & Lily $298; Vero Pendant, Serena & Lily $998; Willow Leaf Flush Mount, Anthropologie $348; Mariposa Pendant, Pottery Barn $602; Butterfly Pendant, Anthropologie $468
Bistro Table
While the breakfast nook is an ode to a more traditional concept of space, I chose a modern statement table. While the shape and style is modern the plaster finish gives a craftsmen, bespoke look. A bistro table by nature is suited for only a few people at most. The limited number of seating of a bistro table lends itself to an intimate nook.
From left to right: Quillen Marquetry Bistro Table, Anthropologie $698; Willy White Plaster Pedestal Bistro Table, Crate & Barrel $799; Trieste Bistro Table, CB2 $649; Chroma Bistro Table, west elm $186.45; Sonali Dining Table, Anthropologie $1698; Morgan Dining Table, Shoppe Amber Interiors $7500
Banquette Seating
Banquette seating offers a dual purpose solution for any small space. The bench provides a cozy feeling but also opens up to provide extra storage. In order to create the corner bench seating, I combined two faux mohair benches from Crate and Barrel. It is now sold out but they offer the same style in a beautiful white and sand combo.
Here are a few, hard-working bench selections:
From left to right: Catch-All Large Sand Storage Bench, CB2 $649; Wade Entryway Bench with Drawers, Pottery Barn $1099; Bay Reclaimed Pine Storage Bench, West Elm $699; Valentine Modern Classic Stone Upholstered Teak Storage Bench, Kathy Kuo $690
Throw Pillows
The breakfast nook is the perfect place for a splash of color. Throw pillows invigorate any space with texture, pattern and color. We repurposed from our past house these bright green and velvet pillows from Pottery Barn.
Here are a few throw pillow selections that immediately caught my eye.
From left to right: The Piper Collection Velvet Pillow, One King’s Lane $195; Sherpa Grid Pillow, Anthropologie $58; Viscose Mustard Velvet Pillow, CB2 $29.95; Aleksi Faux Fur Pillow, Anthropologie $58; Pom Pom Embroidered Pillow Pineapple, Pottery Barn $19.99; Leopard Vase Rectangular Pillow, society6 $24.49
Coffee Cart
To give the nook purpose, I installed a coffee cart station. You can make any type of coffee your heart desires. Enjoy a cup first thing in the morning or an afternoon pick me up. The gold detail of the cart I chose coordinates with gold details of the light fixture.
Here are a few cart options that fit the bill.
From left to right: Antique Brass 3 Tier Cole Bar Cart, Cost Plus World Market $169.99; Hugo Bar Cart, Pottery Barn $499; Mid-Century Bar Cart, West Elm $299
I think it’s great with so many of us out of work, that you’ll able to spend five hundo on a drink cart.
Thank you for taking the time to read my post. I actually purchased the World Market cart for $169.99. For each of the pieces, I tried to display a range of price points. I will keep your feedback in mind for future posts.
Beautifully done. Truly incredible to see the before and after of the nook- completely transformed!
Hi! How have you experienced the Crate and Barrel Willy White Plaster table in terms of wear and tear? Also, how has the care been in terms of staining, discoloration, or nicks?
Hi Lauren!
Thank you for your reply, the material of the table is in fact plaster so yes it does stain quite easily if not cleaned right away. I picked this table to contrast with the wallpaper and other “soft” material selections.
It’s beautiful! I’m considering buying it, but I’m worried about stains and such. Seeing as its suppppposed to be used for eating, I’m worried about having something so high maintenance!