art with children / crafting with children / home / LIVING WELL / work in progress

starting fresh: my quest for creative, simple kid spaces

rearrange the toys and they'll play for hours

Dan and I are doing what we lovingly refer to as "trickling" over to the new house. I doubt we'll ever have a big moving day. But someday soon, we'll find that we're miraculously spending the night over at the new house. Last weekend, the girls took naps over there–Elizabeth in a pack n' play in her room (pack n' play naps are never good), and the girls together in the big double bed in the guest room/office. The guest room is one of my favorite rooms in the house. It boasts the best light–with windows on both sides–and the best bed–a big soft pillow top that we "inherited". I told Dan that if he notices an absence of his wife by his side come morning, to look for me in the guest room.

Each day, a few more things disappear from the apartment–a desk, a rug, a bookcase. And every time I take something away, I am reminded of how refreshing and peaceful it is to keep things simple. To only have what you really need and really want.
taking away :: making new
When I took away some things yesterday, I did a little rearrange of the spaces that were left bare–throwing a few pillows in a corner with a basket of books, bringing out a basket of schleichs and a wooden barn…and immediately the spaces are filled with activity as each child found their special place to play.

It reminds me that children don't need much to stir their creativity.
research
So I've been doing a little research, going to a few of my favorite, books and catalogs for inspiration. And I'm making a list of what things I want the girls to have in our new house. Which toys and materials and spaces are most important to us–a dollhouse, a basket of blocks, a can of colored pencils and sketch books, a corner of throw pillows and books, an old suitcase of dress up clothes…

I'm taking this move as a chance to start fresh, to simplify, to clean out and to be more intentional about what things find their way into our new home.
research, interrupted.
I know we won't find that perfect balance right away. It is a work in progress. My research is often interrupted…ahem, Elizabeth!  And I believe you need to live in a space for awhile to see how you live in a space. I'll let you know how it goes, maybe I'll even share my list as I try to organize my way into simpler, more creative, peaceful surroundings.

I love starting fresh.

rearrange the toys and they'll play for hours

Dan and I are doing what we lovingly refer to as “trickling” over to the new house. I doubt we’ll ever have a big moving day. But someday soon, we’ll find that we’re miraculously spending the night over at the new house. Last weekend, the girls took naps over there–Elizabeth in a pack n’ play in her room (pack n’ play naps are never good), and the girls together in the big double bed in the guest room/office. The guest room is one of my favorite rooms in the house. It boasts the best light–with windows on both sides–and the best bed–a big soft pillow top that we “inherited”. I told Dan that if he notices an absence of his wife by his side come morning, to look for me in the guest room.

Each day, a few more things disappear from the apartment–a desk, a rug, a bookcase. And every time I take something away, I am reminded of how refreshing and peaceful it is to keep things simple. To only have what you really need and really want.
taking away :: making new
When I took away some things yesterday, I did a little rearrange of the spaces that were left bare–throwing a few pillows in a corner with a basket of books, bringing out a basket of schleichs and a wooden barn…and immediately the spaces are filled with activity as each child found their special place to play.

It reminds me that children don’t need much to stir their creativity.
research
So I’ve been doing a little research, going to a few of my favorite, books and catalogs for inspiration. And I’m making a list of what things I want the girls to have in our new house. Which toys and materials and spaces are most important to us–a dollhouse, a basket of blocks, a can of colored pencils and sketch books, a corner of throw pillows and books, an old suitcase of dress up clothes. I’m also thinking about giving them a solid wood playhouse so they have a place to play outside.

I’m taking this move as a chance to start fresh, to simplify, to clean out and to be more intentional about what things find their way into our new home.
research, interrupted.
I know we won’t find that perfect balance right away. It is a work in progress. My research is often interrupted…ahem, Elizabeth!  And I believe you need to live in a space for awhile to see how you live in a space. I’ll let you know how it goes, maybe I’ll even share my list as I try to organize my way into simpler, more creative, peaceful surroundings.

I love starting fresh.

19 comments on “starting fresh: my quest for creative, simple kid spaces”

  1. Yes, sometimes the purging that accompanies a move can be the best bit. Our playroom is crying out for emptying and beginning again.

  2. Same here…but i love how you say it..”to simplify, to clean out and to be more intentional about what things find their way into our new home.”

    POst your list(s)…please???

    xxx

  3. Please do post your list. Also are your creative stations going to be spread out throughout the house or just in the kids room? My husband keep going back and forth if we should allow for all of the “toys” be spread throughout the house or all kept in her room.

  4. Oh, yes. I moved Nash’s easel from his room and into the kitchen, near his “desk” and he was suddenly interested in using it again.

    I wish that he’d let go of some of his toys- he is so possessive of his things that it is difficult to simplify our spaces. Honestly, Daddy and I have the same problem!!

  5. I know this has nothing to do with your post, but I adore Elizabeth’s chunky little arms and legs. I have a 2 month old, and I can’t wait until she gets to that chunky baby stage!

  6. I love those fresh starts, too. That is why I have been having problems jump-starting my own fresh start lately. I used to move every year. Now I’ve been in this house almost 7 years! I need to pretend I’m moving.

  7. hooray to starting fresh. i always love and admire how simple re-arranging can bring fresh-little-eyes to the same-old-things. please do share your ideas and plans!

  8. Oh I know just how you feel, we just created a playspace down in our basement and starting over fresh down there felt so good. Quin (2) now has lots of easy to access baskets of toys, and fewer toys as well (lots of trips to Goodwill and consignment stores as of late;)). Upstairs in our tiny home we still have a good toy basket with rotating toys, but my favorite space is in our kitchen where we have the little flip out craft table that my son can request to eat, craft or do whatever on. Thanks for your wonderful posts!

  9. This is so good. I need to do this– bc I know that more simplicity equals less overwhelm and more creativity for everyone.

    I'd love the list. 🙂

  10. Oh, what fun to gradually find special places. Then they’re not as contrived, rather, they’re “discovered.” I love the chapter on magical secret places in Mitten Strings for God. Have you read it?

  11. ah, i hate to move *so* much – and we just moved the last bookcases out of the old house yesterday!! – but i do love that clean slate.

    we’ve been doing a big purge-and-donate this spring, and i am reveling in the new blank spaces. it can be so hard to pare down – and so easy to bulk up!

  12. oh boy…i really need to work on simplifying things here. we pulled in last night and i was almost overwhelmed by the stuff. you lead, molly. i’ll follow.

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