As I ‘m about to take on a complete re-do of our living room, I do what I normally do when in need of some inspiration, I buy books.  I know this seems a bit old fashioned but there’s something about book stores that I’m just drawn to and turning the pages of an actual book and having something tangible in my hands rather than on a computer screen or my phone that colors me happy.  Now, that’s not to say that I don’t hit up Pinterest, Domino, Apartment Therapy and all the other usual suspects for design direction but I simply loooove books.  And I’m pretty much always looking for an excuse to check out who’s published somehitng new and file things away for my own book ideas.  And let’s be honest, they all so darn fun to flip through again and again (and again).

But addition to buying books for inspiration, when it comes to design and decor direction, I usually have something that I’m working with, some piece of furniture or textile or image that inspires me and practically begs me to let it take center stage and I just go with it, designing and decorating around that source of joy.  But int his case, I got nothing.  Literally nothing.  And being that we just had our old couch hauled away we also have literally nothing to sit on.  So I’m kind of in a hurry, a big one.  Which means I’ve been through a lot of books lately.  And the one thing that jumped out at me as I was flipping through this go around is, where do they hide the kids?

The designers, stylists or homeowners featured in these spreads, they have kids.  They either say so or I know so (because I’m a huge fan) but I can’t find them (the kids) anywhere in these pictorials.  Where are they hiding and where’s all the kid stuff?  Now, don’t get me wrong, these pages are oozing with decor I will one day be able to afford and just absolutely loaded with inspiration practically dripping off the pages.  I’m not knocking any of it.  In fact, in a former life (and maybe in a present life daydream) I would have killed to own the keys that unlocked these doors.  But alas my life is blessed with 3 beautiful boys instead of beautiful glass tables, delicate gold accents and basically anything elegant.  So I’m either utterly impressed or simply stumped by the “family rooms” displayed in so many design books sitting on the shelves as I can’t find the presence of the kids, or even the essence of kids in many instances.

And that got me thinking, why do we have to sacrifice good design if we decided (or accidentally managed) to produce a few offspring (or three)?   I don’t want people to walk into my house and think it looks like a daycare (which on some days is an excellent starting point) but I also don’t to be oreosurrounded by meticulously curated heirlooms or impersonal artifacts that hide the presence of what makes our home vibrate with love, the kids!  I want their art on the walls and their toys in the rooms, and I want stylish, functional dedicated spaces and furniture for it all.  Because that’s how we live.  I don’t want to spend my time hiding my kids in their rooms or even all their stuff for that matter.  It’s not practical and I want to be present, not preoccupied with cleaning.  So it’s got to be functional, stylish and easy.  Is that too much to ask?

“Keeping a house clean with toddlers is like trying to brush your

teeth while eating Oreos.”  unknown funny mom

Last year Land of Nod, one of my favorite kids decor go-to sites did an entire campaign around this very idea and furnished an entire brownstone in NY with fun yet sophisticated furniture solely from this kids only site and it worked like magic!  So I know it can be done, but making a believer out of my husband remains my latest challenge — accepted!  And luckily, after a second trip to the good old bookstore, I found 2 truly amazing celebrators of all that is mini and one more that I tip my hat to.  I was overjoyed to see the kids art proudly displayed front and center, affixed with equally colorful washi tape and toys galore on the shelves, floors and any space in between.  The spaces highlighted are alive and functional and you can tell this is their real life, a life where things get messy but happiness prevails!

 

To Creative Family Home and Design Mom, thank you for putting the kids front and center — because no matter how hard you try, that’s where kids are — front, center and always underfoot.  And Thank you Bright Bazaar for loving color as much as I do, and your “make you smile style” — because it does just that, makes me smile.  And although the focus isn’t on kids, the playful tone and bright colors are a perfect match for a household of both.