Fiddle & Olive

As soon as we moved into the North Carolina house, I was inspired to create a reading nook in the space under the stairs. My normal aesthetic is typically cozy minimalist, and I felt excited to create a more adventurous space. We decided on a Harry Potter theme as Harry Potter books and movies are beloved in our family. There is a plethora of Harry Potter décor and memorabilia out there so I wanted to be thoughtful with my design choices and make sure that I was still staying true to my cozy minimalist roots!

I believe the closet under the stairs was originally used as a catch-all pantry, but with so much other storage in the home, we did not need the extra pantry space. I thought about keeping the existing shelving for the Legos, and I'm so glad that I didn't. I tore out the shelf, brackets, and screws and filled all of the holes with painter's putty. It instantly made the space feel so much bigger without the back shelf!

I knew that I wanted to put our bookshelf in there so seating options would be limited. I decided on a large bean bag from Land's End that we already had and Harry Potter pillows and blankets. I found this cute sign to put on the inside of the door on Amazon as well. Click on any of the pictures in this post for links to the products I used.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0716DMYY2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I decided on this faux, peel and stick brick wallpaper for the wall treatments. I found this product on Amazon for just $9.89 per roll! This was my first experience applying peel and stick wallpaper and I have to say, the brick was extremely forgiving since bricks are textured in real life! I would definitely recommend having two people to apply this type of wall treatment, and I will be doing that in the future. I love how it turned out, and it really gives the room a wow factor for a low price point!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07RYM5G4D/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I love this runner because it reminded me of the rugby striped scarfs that the kids at Hogwarts wear. Is that weird? LOL It was the perfect size but always make sure you measure twice, order once!

I wanted to add some additional lighting because the only light under there was a horrible florescent. I chose this beautiful wall sconce with a battery-operated candle to set the mood. It ended up turning out better than I had imagined! The candle flickers and looks so real! I used command velcro stripes to attached the remote to the inside of the door frame so that it will not get lost!

I wanted to find at least one more element for the wall to make it cozy and really make you feel like you were at Hogwarts or to just put you in the Harry Potter mood! This banner and 9 3/4 pillow cover were just what we needed. Both are from Amazon and are linked below.

The finished room boasts a magical atmosphere that makes each visitor feel like they are in a different world. What a great place for the kids to read or relax for some time to themselves! I myself have taken a time out or two in this little room!

Follow Fiddle & Olive Blog on Instagram for lots of design inspiration and so much more! Thanks for visiting! I'd love your feedback and to answer any questions you may have!

Staying organized during the school year can be difficult and easily leave your home a mess! Having a functional space in your entryway or mudroom makes school year organization much simpler. It took me years to learn this, but it does not have to be chaotic inside your home! These tips will help set your family up for school year success! I've also included all of my favorite mudroom and entryway designs from around the web and the gram to give you inspiration for your home!

Whether you have a giant, gorgeous mudroom or a smaller, simple entryway, ensuring that each family member has their own "drop zone" really helps keep things organized. Erin over at Cotton Stem keeps it uncomplicated and stylish with hooks for bookbags and jackets, separate wooden crates for each person's shoes, and black wire baskets for any extras like gloves or hats, sports items, etc.! The baskets are also great for school folders, binders or any school paperwork that needs to go back to school or be filled out. I absolutely adore how she used the wooden corbels to hang the beautiful, black metal lanterns. Gorgeous! Feeling inspired yet?!

Photo Credit: @cottonstem

Photo Credit: House Beautiful Magazine

Set yourself and your family up for success by staying consistent every day! Kids respond well to order and knowing exactly where each of their item's "home" is. Encourage them for the first few weeks and remind them where their shoes, homework, backpacks, and other items belong (as soon as they walk in the door) until it becomes second nature to them! I promise you it's worth it. I love not tripping over shoes anymore or having to remind them to put them away. I used to become so frustrated with the clutter which made me frustrated with my children. There is so much more peace by eliminating the entryway clutter and not having to repeat yourself 100 times a day every day! Plus, the house looks tidier and more orderly. I no longer dread unexpected guests at the door! A major bonus is that in the morning when you are getting ready for school and rushing out the door, nothing is lost or missing.

Photo Credit: Home Bunch

Photo Credit: South Shore Decorating Blog

Photo Credit: McNelly Farmhouse Love

If you don't have a designated mudroom, transforming your entryway can be simple even in a small space! Jen at The House of Wood keeps in simple with two rows of hooks for lots of space to hang items like backpacks, jackets, purses, and scarves. Assign the lower hooks to children and the upper hooks for the adults in the home! The wooden chest adds a great element for seating and storage for all of those shoes! Baskets inside the cabinets easily keep everyone's footwear organized!