west village 3br

In an architect-designed space chock full of built-ins, I’ve styled MILLIONS of objects and added new design elements as this seriously fun, creative family of four grows up.

I’m asked: What do I do with all of this art? I can’t throw it away!

Kids are short, annoying artists. Like any artist they produce some garbage and some genius. Editing is tough on any mother.

My client wanted a big map for this playroom wall. Neither of the girls is interested in maps. The older of the two produces art at a breakneck pace. I gathered all of it and made a collage - with craft tape in primaries. The girls LOVE it. It’s far more personal than wallpaper and involves zero commitment. It changes constantly and when over the whole thing, they have the wall they started with.

Mom: “I wanna do something for [4y.o.’s] room.”

Me: “Like what?”

Mom: “I dunno. She, like, doesn’t really spend time in there.”

I couldn’t imagine why not. Given the amount of time her older sister spends terrorizing her, I figured she was always in there with the crib barricaded against the door.

The room is a tight space and it had a sterile feel when the architect was done with it.

It was time for the bulky, fugly, hand-me-down Shabby Chic changing table to go. Mom got rid of it and left me this space to work with. I created a little workspace — away from Hurricane Sister — where 4y.o. could draw and bead and put things into bags, her #1 favorite pastime. I designed the shelves with descending widths prevent the feeling of walking into a wall when entering the room and leave a little breathing room in the tight corner.

The drawer units are simple Alex units from IKEA. Kitchen utensil holders are my favorite solution for holding art supplies and tiny stuff just above a kid’s work surface.

the mudroom

My client calls this entry closet The Mudroom. I call it Hell because it usually has an MonsterTruck stroller in it. A skateboard, balance bike, regular bike, 2 scooters, a Miele vacuum, and a giant rolling bucket fight for wheeled dominance in here and are crushed by the stroller daily. Because I love her so much, I put on a Just An Organizer hat and help dig out from time to time.