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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

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March 11, 2014

Kids Art Center and a Little Redemption

The older I get the more I’m realizing that I just have to come to terms with the things that I will never be good at.

Walking through a room without bumping into something

Monopoly

 Cartwheels

And drawing

I’m pretty much permanently stuck at a 1st grade level when it comes to my artistic abilities. Actually, that might be stretching it a bit.

Let’s just say that I’m typically the last person chosen when it comes to picking teams for Pictionary.

galvanized buckets on art desk

Fortunately, though, we always have the hope that our kids might redeem our short-comings, right? And when I realized that my daughter was showing considerable artistic talent I was not only beyond impressed at her ability but also relieved at this chance for redemption.

Kids Art Desk Center from atthepicketfence.com


Our playroom recently hit ‘puberty’ and is going through some changes. Gone are the wooden train table and little red play kitchen and in their place are a Foos ball table, dart board and media center.

And now there’s one more addition. A space for my little artist to call all her own complete with a desk, display space and this fun lamp she helped to create.

celebrating art lamp from atthepicketfence.com

I picked up this white desk at a garage sale for $20 and an inexpensive upholstered cube is the perfect seat. It tucks right under the desk which helps maximize space in this room.

When D. Lawless Hardware  asked if they could send me some of their hardware I knew exactly where I wanted them to go.

cube stool ottoman as art desk chair

These beautiful antique milk green glass knobs were the perfect way to add a pop of color and vintage detail to the desk.

milk glass knobs on desk atthepicketfence.com

Above the desk, a framed bulletin board gives my artist plenty of room to display her creations.

bulletin board for art center atthepicketfence.com

And numbered galvanized buckets provide storage for all of her artists tools.

numbered galvanized buckets holding art supplies

Blank sheets of paper are at the ready in a wire basket. A ream of printer paper wrapped up under the tree might have been her favorite Christmas gift last year!

wire basket with paper on art desk

The addition of a piece of laminate (cut to size for free at Lowes) protects the top of the desk…

laminate on top of desk atthepicketfence.com

…and also provides even MORE display space.

displaying art under laminate on desk

This one is my favorite.

bird drawing

My sweet girl absolutely loves her art center.

And as her mom, I want to encourage her talent and create opportunities for her to develop it.

kids art center from atthepicketfence.com

And, I’ll admit, I’m also hoping that someday when we are all playing Pictionary together and it comes time to choose teams and she hesitates for a moment over whether or not to select her mother, I can say “But remember when I created that amazing art center for you?”

I’m not above a little guilt. Isn’t that what mothers are for? 😉

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18 Comments Filed Under: Decorating, Family, Kids Tagged With: kids, kids rooms

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Comments

  1. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    March 11, 2014 at 4:20 PM

    Oh I am the last one to be picked at Pictionary too!…Love your art center and that lamp is the best…I must do that too for my little sweetie…and fantastic hardware…D.Lawless Hardware is the best…and hey, the legos, monopoly, and such never go away…they are just played by the next wonderful generation….I am gazing at toys on the floor as we speak…I am getting to know all of the names of My Little Pony!

    Reply
  2. Jill Flory says

    March 11, 2014 at 6:10 PM

    Wonderful little art center! I can see why she loves it – I’d take one too 🙂

    Reply
  3. chelsea says

    March 12, 2014 at 4:25 AM

    Such a cute little center!

    Reply
  4. Cheryl at Snaps of Ginger says

    March 12, 2014 at 7:12 AM

    What a perfect space!!! Open, uncluttered, organized…

    AND I’m there with you in my artistic abilities!

    ~Cheryl
    https://snaps-of-ginger.blogspot.com/

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      March 12, 2014 at 9:13 AM

      Glad to know I’m not the only one Cheryl! Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply
  5. debbiedoos says

    March 12, 2014 at 7:25 AM

    Well sounds like we are not good at the same exact things. The drawing always frustrated me. Love the new space and how cute is that lampshade. Love the buckets too!

    Reply
  6. Laura @ Housewife Hellraiser says

    March 12, 2014 at 9:02 AM

    Really cute. I want to sit there and draw! I love the lamp too; so creative!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      March 12, 2014 at 9:12 AM

      Thank you Laura! Every once in awhile she lets me sit there. LOL!

      Reply
  7. Kim Byers @ The Celebration Shoppe says

    March 12, 2014 at 9:20 AM

    What a lovely way to declutter your daughter’s craft space! Now if only we could do that for ourselves {smirk}

    Reply
  8. Tania says

    March 12, 2014 at 11:43 AM

    Can you provide a bit more detail about the laminate for the top of the desk. What dept. in Lowes would I find this product. I just finished painting a desk for my daughter and would love to protect the top as you did. It looks almost like glass! Any info you can provide would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.

    Reply
    • Vanessa says

      March 12, 2014 at 4:37 PM

      Hi Tania! The plexi glass at my Lowes was over near the cabinet knobs/etc. but I’m sure if you asked at the service desk they will point you in the right direction. 🙂 I love that it protects the top of the desk but isn’t overly noticeable you know? Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply
  9. Wajiha says

    March 13, 2014 at 7:17 AM

    Hey! I am in the process of decluttering my daughters’ crafts unit and i am finding it SUCH a ordeal, i tell you. So refreshing to see some of the ways you’ve mentioned. I feel inspired now. Thanks a bunch for that!

    Reply
    • Vanessa says

      March 13, 2014 at 8:30 PM

      Thanks so much for coming by Wajiha! And believe me when I say that I had to do a LOT of cleaning up before I could snap those photos of my daughter’s desk. LOL!

      Reply
  10. Midwest Basement Tech says

    March 14, 2014 at 7:16 AM

    This is such a cool idea! Love it.

    Reply
  11. Michelle@WeeFolkArt says

    May 6, 2014 at 9:11 AM

    What a beautiful space. I am in the process of updating my kids’ bedrooms and they all need that special spot, just for them, in which they can create. I love the whimsical touch of the crayons inside the lamp.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Using Jade & Jadiete In and Around the House says:
    September 16, 2014 at 11:03 AM

    […] Even the simplest of details can make a difference. Replace some knobs in a unsuspecting area with those made of jadeite for a pop of color and fresh appeal.{found on atthepicketfence}. […]

    Reply
  2. Using Jade & Jadeite In and Around the House | Club Oferteproprietari.ro says:
    September 16, 2014 at 11:50 AM

    […] Even the simplest of details can make a difference. Replace some knobs in a unsuspecting area with those made of jadeite for a pop of color and fresh appeal.{found on atthepicketfence}. […]

    Reply
  3. Using Jade & Jadeite In and Around the House says:
    September 16, 2014 at 12:55 PM

    […] Even the simplest of details can make a difference. Replace some knobs in a unsuspecting area with those made of jadeite for a pop of color and fresh appeal.{found on atthepicketfence}. […]

    Reply

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