Showing posts with label kids chairs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label kids chairs. Show all posts

Thursday, October 31, 2013

Tips for Children Friendly Spaces

Dear blogfriends,

As promised, I'd like to share with you some tips to create a children friendly family room.

I strongly believe that design and family can and even must go together.
Of course, you'll probably have to hide your beautiful and fragile knick-knacks or avoid über cool bar card.

But you still can create an inviting, cosy and pretty space that will (also) be yours.

Credit : Aprill Aprill

1. Inviting sofas :

Our sectionnal sofa is huge and takes a big part of the space in our family room.


But I definitely don't regret our choice. It delimitates the space very well.
In a family room it's important to have a place to rest, sit, nap, play, eat, cuddle, read books, etc. Our Ikea Karlstad sofa is perfect for that : it is comfy, not precious.

And don't be afraid to choose light colors. Just choose slipcover!



2. Coffee tables :

A big, nice, inviting sofa is important. A coffee table isn't.

If you don't have enough space, just get rid of your coffee table. You can easily use poufs (on which you'll be placing a tray) or small side tables if you need some support surface.

You can also install a console behind your sofa like on the pics below.
 (this is an awesome babyproofed design by Emily Henderson, one of my favorite designer. You can find all the breakdown - and other amazing tips - here).

Credit : Oh joy




Also, avoid sharp angles and choose for a round coffee table.

3. Kids chairs :

Your kid needs his own chair. Anouk loves to sit on her chair to drink or eat some snack. She knows it is her place and I believe it makes her feel confident.

The best thing is that you can find awesome vintage chairs or you can buy some reedition of design classics for a very reasonable budget.


Credit : Mykeminutter

4. Storage for kids

Older kids love to play (and hide) in their room. But toddlers love to play close to/with their parents.
You can store all the toys in the nursery, they will somehow reappear in the living room.

The best compromise is to dedicate some storage in the living room and rotate the toys once in a while.

Credit : My Ideal Home



If you have pretty toys, you even can display them!

5. (If you can) Create nooks or spaces that are their own!

You may have a weird nook that you are not really using. A wall that remains blanco. Pinterest is full of amazing idea to create a unique nook for your kid.


Credit : Link


Credit : Design Sponge

6. Keep it simple
Of course you can style your console or coffee table! As long as you keep it simple : trays (perfect to secure drinks), some candles, wooden animals or non toxic flowers...

But keep your art books and precious china out of reach...

Credit : Nordic Leaves


Credit : Link



Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Kids Chair and Table Set Makeover


Hello!

Today, I'll share a very simple and cheap makeover in three steps :
- Sanding
- Washing
- Painting


Remember we started with this Ikea set found on the street :



It just needed a bit of love. Now, Anouk is having the best time of her life with it!


Sanding was super easy. I put all the pieces a part and sanded with a sanding sponge. The grain wasn't thinck so I was afraid it wouldn't work, but in fact it worked perfect. Can you tell the difference?


Much better indeed!



It took like 30 to 45 minutes to do both, table and chair.
Then, right after that you have to wash it with St Marc wash.



It is very important, especially for something found on the street, but also because it will open the wood fibers and allow the paint to stick better.



Sneak peek in the bathroom.

See how gross?

The two steps belows can be completed in one evening. Then the wood has to dry 48 hours.

About painting, I choosed a latex based paint for the chair (a sample was enough :-)) and used a small roll (that you can spot in the pic below). It dried super quickly and I could re-assembled the chair the same night.

For the table, however, I choosed a oil based paint. A well known french popular song says that oil paint is more difficult but prettier than water based paint. This is so true!

First, it is sticky and dries so slowly  (24 hours between each coats). It took a week to get the table done! Then oil is like nail polish : use a brush, load it with a big amount of paint, go slowly and DON'T go back.

Of course many times I did go back, but really the finish is much better on the parts I resisted the temptation.


This is what our LR looked like for a week...

For the top, I used chalckboard paint that I applied with a roll. Very easy.


I can't get enough of that color combo!

(This cracks me up!)

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Work Completed : Anouk's Play Chairs and Table

Hi,

I finished last WE my little projects. I'll share the how-to tomorrow, but couldn't wait to share these pics <3

Anouk reminds me of Alice Bee... (loving Dave Engeldow's work!)






(this belly <3)

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Inspiration for a Chalkboard Table Project

Dear readers,

It has been a while I'd like to have some chalkboard thing.
This adorable play table has been on my mind for weeks, but wasn't a priority. I've also been looking on ebay for a little chair for Anouk for my parents house.

Credit : Little Green Notebook
(How adorable are those chairs???)

And... last Friday, I found this... on the street!

It's now time for a little project!

Here is some inspiration :

Credit : unknown mami


Credit : funky fun finds


I think I'll go for the lilac!