Not long ago I found an antique dresser at the local Senior Center Thrift Shop. I paid $5 for the chest and brought it home for our daughter. Mini Human #2 (as we sometimes call her) is our resident Book Worm. I knew the chest would make a great book holder and give her a special place to stash her favorites.

We put the chest outside and covered it with plastic, knowing we needed to sand and repaint the top. My husband and I discussed the chest yesterday and as we were talking, I noticed that our chalkboard paint was still sitting on the back porch table.

Hmm...

"Why don't we paint the top with chalkboard paint and turn it into a multi-functional item? She could read the books inside and if wanted, write words down on the top of the table - helping with her spelling!"

So that's just what we did...

Here, she believes she is helping us sand the top (she's using a vacuum attachment - LOL):

Painting the top with chalkboard paint:

We let it dry...

We brought the chest inside and sat it next to her bed. This will give her a healthy sense of ownership:

I wrote "Sammy's Book Nook" on the top with chalk.It took her a moment to realize this is one piece of furniture she WILL be allowed to color on. Once that realization hit, she was quite excited!

She then began to collect her books and fill the chest. She knows now that this chest is her very own special book spot:

ABOUT the Author:

Shara Lawrence-Weiss is the owner of Mommy Perks, Kids Perks and Personal Child Stories. She has a background in early childhood, nanny work, published freelance, marketing and special needs.