Post by Rachel Shingleton, blogger and product designer at Pencil Shavings Studio

I’m Rachel Shingleton and I’m the blogger/designer behind Pencil Shavings Studio. My family of four splits our time between our home in Oklahoma City and our cottage two hours away in the picturesque town of Carlton Landing, Oklahoma on the shores of Lake Eufaula. Over the past few years, the town has grown and with it, kids come from all around the surrounding areas to attend what might be the most charming little schoolhouse you ever did see.

Any school naturally needs a library, but the Carlton Landing library has been built from scratch and occupies a section of what is lovingly referred to as “the blue door” schoolhouse. Through the generous donations of our neighbors and friends, the books have been provided for the kids in a wide range of reading levels. But a library is so much more than just books! So I reached out to my friends at the Land of Nod to help us design the library so the kids can relax, get some homework done, and also provide the rest of the community a place to hang out too.

The color scheme of the library was pretty basic – high traffic carpet, creamy white walls, and warm woodwork in a classic cottage style. It was the perfect backdrop for some colorful accessories like Land of Nod’s Lo-Res colorblock  rug. This was the piece that really set the tone for everything else we chose since it features so many beautiful bright colors. Plus I love the modern contrast it brings to the otherwise traditional space.

The room features loads of built-in bookshelves and cozy window-seats to wile away the hours in a good book.

One side features books for the lower elementary-aged readers while the opposite side holds classics and non-fiction picks for more advanced readers.  Locker storage bins are a great way to keep those smaller books organized that might otherwise get lost on the shelf. Plenty of storage bins means plenty of ways to keep the librarian from getting overwhelmed with returning books to their proper place.

And in the center of the room, we tucked in three red Venetian bookcases to keep favorites right at hand. (I think these would make a fantastic newspaper and magazine stand too)

And what is a library without a rolling library cart? This is maybe my most favorite item in the whole room. So stylish but also so much function.

Eventually our goal is to do a few fundraisers in the community so we can purchase some stylish and functional desks and lamps to line the center of the room. But in the meantime, the kids have been LOVING the new bean bag chairs. One of the teachers has to put a time limit on them so all the kids can get a turn!

We can’t say thank you enough to the Land of Nod for helping us make this space so great for our neighborhood kids. We are so proud of how great it looks and how much the kiddos are enjoying it all.

Designer Rachel Shingleton never met a color she didn’t love. At Pencil Shavings Studio, she writes about how to integrate color and style into interiors, fashion, and decor.  She also designs a line of paper goods, home decor, and tech goods for her shop. Named  Better Homes & Garden’s Editor’s choice for top decor blog, she love helping people find a way to bring color and cheer into their everyday lives.