MY HOME - Reading Nook
'Tis the season to snuggle down on the long dark evenings with a glass of wine, scented candles, cashmere socks, an open fire and a good book.
Instead I am fighting with my family over the remote control, there is just so much great TV on at the moment! The Irish Times magazine is the first section opened on a Saturday and family members put circles around what they want to watch. Although for the children it becomes a little like looking through the Smyths Toys catalogue, where essentially everything is circled.
Yet, there is a need for a reading nook, a hygge place, a cosy corner .... you name it. We are lucky to have an inglenook fireplace and a bookshelf that fits perfectly along the wall so there wasn't a great deal to do, just add books, plants, photos, art and a snuggly blanket.
Pride of place are the children's Ology and Flower Fairy books which we all adore. These have been cherished gifts over the years. My son loves the Ology books filled with adventure, discovery and intrigue, while my daughter is a big fan of the Flower Fairy books with pop ups and exquisite illustrations.
We all love to have time to read, whether it's the weekly Beano subscription or a library book, my husband with the sports section of the Irish Times or some bedtime stories by the fire, it is a real celebration of living back in a cold country again.
Large painting and framed photographs by Jennie Ritchie.