My Nook: A Place To Dream And Hideout

High within the trees, escaping from the surrounding world, dripping with mother earth’s beauty, sits my nook.

When I was a little girl, I created a fort in my backyard inside a row of the tallest trees I think I had ever seen. It was always my place to escape; I’d read, write, dream, play, and even nap. It was my place to just be me, whoever that was, and just relax.

I now find myself at 23, living in the city, creating a space to escape in my “backyard” (a 2 by 4 foot fire escape space) on the second story of what was once advertised to me as the “garden apartment”. It began one morning when I was having total porch envy, (yes this is a thing), and I begin eyeballing which neighbors have decks or porches in which they can sit on whenever and chill out. By that afternoon, I had myself a little nook, and I mean little, and by nook, I mean fort (ugh, maturity), in the trees.

It was like second nature to me, considering I was basically a professional fort builder as a child. I knew I needed to be surrounded by as much nature as possible, so I began with potting some new plants, and gathering some I already had. I then made a list of necessities:

Seating: This was important to me. I’m always reading, listening to music, and writing. I’d rather do that outside then in, and a nook wouldn’t be a nook without it. I took a vintage trunk from inside my apartment and created a bench. It’s snug, yet efficient, with room for storage inside.

Herbs: The smell of fresh rosemary simply relaxes me. I created a herb box with an old wine crate and filled it with some summer cooking essentials (basil, mint, cilantro, etc.).

Music: The wind can carry a beautiful tune. I took an old birch branch I had laying around in my art studio and attached some old bells to it by natural twine to mimic a wind chime. I tied the branch to the corner of my fire escape, above my sitting area. Every time the wind blows, it’s music to my ears.

 Counter space: I got creative here, and made a little trough to put stuff in or set things on. Right now I have a little cactus succulent sitting there (thanks Jana!), but a cup of tea or some sprinkles of birdseed are some of the endless options it provides.

Décor: I’m all about the little details. Because nature is so beautiful, the décor of my nook could be minimal. I just added a few things to add some good energy. I love old seltzer bottles, and pulled one with an earth tone out of my collection to sit on my bench. I placed an old frame on the ground, letting it frame three plants, showcasing mother nature’s art. I threw an old burlap pillow on top of the bench for some comfort, keeping the natural theme going. I’m planning on adding one final touch: some stringed outdoor lights, for those hot summer nights under the stars.

Needless to say, I’m hooked. I don’t ever want to leave my little hideout in the trees. I’m an early bird, and my mornings are now always spent in my nook. I watch the sunrise with my puppy, sip tea, and smell the blueberry muffins coming from my kitchen mixed with fresh spring air. It’s a lovely way to wake, and a simple project, with a little bit of dreaming and a little more effort. I end my days here as well, and completely unwind and relax. I grab a book to read, listen to some tunes, or chat and sip some red wine with company. I’m happier now that I have my nook. It’s my new place, and each new moment I spend there the more I appreciate that inner youth I will always hold. It’s nostalgic, and a place where I can always go to dream.

+Where do you go to escape? If you could build a sanctuary, fort, nook, hideout, etc., where would it be? What would be on your list for necessities? Let me know in the comments!

Follow FP Madisyn on her Instagram and blog!