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.
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.
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.
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.
These beautiful antique milk green glass knobs were the perfect way to add a pop of color and vintage detail to the desk.
Above the desk, a framed bulletin board gives my artist plenty of room to display her creations.
And numbered galvanized buckets provide storage for all of her artists tools.
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!
The addition of a piece of laminate (cut to size for free at Lowes) protects the top of the desk…
…and also provides even MORE display space.
This one is my favorite.
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.
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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Wow Us Wednesday
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!
Wonderful little art center! I can see why she loves it – I’d take one too 🙂
Such a cute little center!
What a perfect space!!! Open, uncluttered, organized…
AND I’m there with you in my artistic abilities!
~Cheryl
http://snaps-of-ginger.blogspot.com/
Glad to know I’m not the only one Cheryl! Thanks for stopping by!
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!
Really cute. I want to sit there and draw! I love the lamp too; so creative!
Thank you Laura! Every once in awhile she lets me sit there. LOL!
What a lovely way to declutter your daughter’s craft space! Now if only we could do that for ourselves {smirk}
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.
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!
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!
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!
This is such a cool idea! Love it.
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.