The library hallway solution...

A few weeks ago I was lamenting that I have no place to put extra boxes of tissues and that Rebecca and Lily's rooms were overcrowded with books.

This made very cranky. It also got me thinking about solutions. I love solutions. Solutions are like Bobby Goren. Just thinking about them makes me happy.

This morning I woke up with a plan. Plans make me swoon.

It was a three four pronged plan.

Prong One: Get as many books out of the kids rooms as possible.

Prong Two: Remove two large bookcases from Lily's room and move them into the hallway. Move two of Rebecca's bookcases into the hallway as well.

Prong Three: Create a library hallway and free up space in both kids rooms.

Unexpected Prong Four: Move hallway buffet downstairs and place behind couch.

This job was a doozy let me tell you. The amount of items which were moved today is astounding.

The hallway used to look like this.

This is how is looked with the new bookcases, mostly empty and full of promise.

After hours of moving books around I arrived at this.

Can you tell that we are a family of readers? There are still some books in the kids rooms, but it's a far more manageable quantity.

In my ideal world I would have a proper schoolroom, but I confess that I love the challenge of finding new ways to use my space. I am especially happy that I achieved this result with items that I already own. Repurposing is my life.

The buffet provided some unexpected joy when I moved it downstairs.

I like how it anchors the couch.

We are so ready for fall now. The house is tidy, our curriculum is in place and I took out our sweaters. Bring it on!