Kid Spaces

Gallery Wall // Children’s Art


Gallery Wall // Children’s Art

I have collected lots of my children’s art over the years. I have some in boxes, some framed, some taped up, and some hanging from string. But mostly, I have piles. We use some of the art in the piles for projects and birthday cards. The other stuff I plan on hanging up. However, I am stuck! Do I switch out the stuff in frames, create a new wall, hang it in my living room or maybe in the bathroom? Or their bedrooms? I have been scouring Pinterest for ideas so I thought I would share them with you. If you are type A, look away. I have mostly chosen gallery walls that cluster and mix children’s paintings with other art. I love this look, but it can border on messy (“artistic”) if you’re not careful. Limiting clustered art to one wall is the trick!

Here are four different ways to display your child’s art. {I will try to source the photos, but some of them just float around on Pinterest, sourceless.}

Gallery wall // Hang on a line

Hang on a line with clips or clothespins. Easy and cost effective: {from top left, clockwise} Ikea clips // Amsterdam home // sweet dreams // strip of wood // art room {our home} // work space // inspiration wall

Gallery wall // Art on a ledge

Prop art up on a ledge, mix in photographs and other found objects. A more organized look: {from top left, clockwise} small art // mudroom {our home} // art studio // kitchen // Swedish bedroom

Gallery wall // kids art

Hanging art in a cluster is an art in and of itself! {Click here to see how it’s done}. But it can look so cool that it’s worth the effort: {from top left, clockwise} living room // bedroom {our home} // hallway // den // bathroom // common area

Gallery wall // taped art

Last, but not least, the easiest way to hang your child’s art is to let them hang it themselves! Whether pinning to cork, using magnets or just plain old tape {love the washi tape frames}, it’s a really fun and free way to display talent: {from top left, clockwise} cork wall // craft room // dining room // her own creative space // office

These selections are just a few of many (so many!). To dig deeper, click on some of the links and they will lead you to more photos. Or come see my Pinterest boards where I have pinned oodles of artistic and eclectic ideas!

Good luck! Let me know what you decide (and I’ll do the same).

 

 

XO – In My Room


XO – In My Room

Ok, freaking out about this amazing furniture. I want every piece! I would have to get a new house, which is an obstacle I admit. Wow, though. Just beautiful.

Here’s a little bit about XO – In My Room. Based in Barcelona, Spain, the company was started by three brothers. (I love it even more! A family business is so cool.) Each piece is handmade from reclaimed wood and other high quality materials, and are named after and inspired by their own kids (10 between them). I love their vintage modern feel…I could stare at these photos all day! Is that weird?

via Babyccino Kids

 

Clothespin Photo Holder


Clothespin Photo Holder

When my 12-year old found this wooden plate in one of my craft drawers, she immediately wanted to use it for something. I’d like to think she was excited about a new project, but it’s more likely she was thrilled to have found a single something. One of anything is special…it means her brother and sister wouldn’t have one, too!

We decided to glue on some washi tape clothespins and make a photo holder for her room. Here’s how we got it done:

SUPPLIES

1 wooden craft plate (ours was 10″)

10 clothespins (more or less)

washi tape

wood glue

watercolor paints & brushes

stencils

tempera paint for the stencil

clear glitter

First, she used watercolors to paint some stripes. On unfinished wood, watercolor acts as a stain and it dries in a minute. Then she got out a “G” stencil for her first name. Next she used a paintbrush to fill in the stencil. She removed the paper stencil and sprinkled some glitter on the letter while it was still wet. I helped her attach the clothespins with glue and weighed it down to dry (overnight) with a plate. I wasn’t sure how to attach the plate to the wall, but I didn’t need to worry because my daughter took care of it. She stuck it next to her bed with sticky velcro! Yes, she did. I guess that it’s there for life.

This would be a fun project to do at a birthday party! The clothespins can be stained with watercolor, too, instead of washi tape. Perfect for ages 8 and up.

The instagram photos were printed by printstagram.

 

Growth Table


Growth Table

This table caught my eye when I saw it on Handmade Charlotte‘s blog. It’s so cool!!! I am trying to think of a way I could build this…and where I would put it in my house. In our art room, we have always had a low, round table that is perfect for ages 2 to tween. But I must say, having a table like this one would be ideal for our family. When siblings have to share a space and supplies, bickering ensues. When I give my kids an assignment, like painting portraits or drawing a birthday card, I often send them to three different spaces because the number one shouty complaint I hear more than any other is, “Stop copying!”

I fully believe that when children are presented with a beautiful, uncluttered, prepared environment, they will always sit down and get to work.

I love this table because it allows several children (mom and dad, too!) to sit down together to make art, yet maintain and take care of their own supplies. It is social and solitary at the same time. The simplicity of it all is what makes this table so brilliant!

Growth Table by Tim Durfee & Iris Anna Regn.

 

Ideal Art Supply Cupboard


Ideal Art Supply Cupboard

It’s official…summer is here! Time for lots of arts and crafts. If you are like me, you want to keep the crafts simple. But what are the best art supplies to keep at hand in your cupboard? Believe me when I tell you that you need very few. Often we just use the same three: watercolor, markers, glue.

Design Mom blog had a great post this week about stocking your art room, or cupboard as they called it. They focus on the best 15 items, and it’s geared somewhat towards younger kids. But I think this supply list is not only a great start, it’s a great end! What more do you need?

Tip: My one favorite addition would be to keep a box of scraps to use for collage. My kids love collage and glue of any kind. It’s a wonderful tool to teach layering and depth.

A Kids Art Room


A Kids Art Room

I love this art room for kids. It’s so simple, but has everything you need. A quiet and clean space, a chalkboard wall, neat and organized supplies, and a place to display art. The chandelier is actually a laundry drying rack from Ikea…so clever. What a great place to let your imagination run amuck!