Kid Stuff in Adult Homes Without Kids

Did you check out Jen and Moi's Hilltop Hideaway? It's so small you'd think only a couple of dolls could live here! But they make it work, with a warm take on a clean and spare style that would be inviting in any home — even one two or three times bigger. What really ties it together for us are the playful touches that let you know that there's still some kid in these grownups!

Kelly Wearstler travels with a teddy bear, with new button eyes made from her grandfather's tuxedo. In my own home, I have a set of over-sized crayons — piggy banks really — that I think of as "an art installation." And I have a number of friends who keep favorite childhood toys out on display. Whether you're considering kids one day, have them as occasional visitors or just find it hard to part with a favorite toy, keep your toys out, like these hour tour participants do!

Images: as linked above

Comments (15)

Yes Yes Yes. Being mature doesn't need to involve giving up the whimsy, playfulness, and creativity of childhood. We use some stuffed animals as throw pillows in our livingroom- because their cute, so why not?

I love it, especially the pillow and Kid Robot wall. I've always had something like that in my apartments. It just makes the space so much happier.

I'm all for whimsy and humor in decor. Stuffed animals usually look juvenile, though. There is a difference between traveling with a teddy bear, and having one out on your sofa.

The key is moderation and display. One or two items go a long way. If you have a collection, display is critical. Without good display, toys evoke a case of arrested development.

The pez dispensers in the bowl look great. The small figures on the shelves don't work for me.

I'm all for it! I have a small pink stuffed pig (it's Babe from a McDonald's happy meal) who lives in an antique wooden bird cage on a shelf, next to black and white photos of family. It doesn't jump out at you because it's surrounded by more serious stuff, but I like seeing Babe up there on the shelf!

I think a sense of humor and whimsy are important elements of any interior so I love a well-curated toy collection or covet-able piece in an adults-only home.
I have a toy or two in almost every room, ranging from coffee table toys that actually get used to stuff that is just weird chachke.

Does the dragon under my lavatory vanity count?

@Lisa Hunter Because they pulled him down before he could barricade himself behind the bathroom?

@Lisa Hunter - I have a stuffed animal on my bed, and it's never been a problem with the boys. I've been told it's cute ;)

I love seeing people's senses of humor and playfulness reflected in their homes. This is great!

i like showing off my old children's books, but i think the shelves of toys just looks too cluttered and immature.

Well, to each his own, but to me it's a thin line between tastefully whimsical and a tweenaged dream.

Kidult (as it's known here) is a huge turn-off for me. Then again, I live in Hello Kitty land. I do own a battered 1930's book of uncommon Enid Blyton stories though that I love to bits.

We have a jar like the one with pez dispensers filled with Legos in our entry way and Where the Wild Things Are figurines dance on top of our Shakespeare collection on our fireplace mantle. We love a touch of whimsey. Luckily we don't entertain in such high circles that we have to be serious all the time.

I bought my house from a 50+ single woman, and the stuffed animals on her bed and in her guest bath (fishies!) creeped me out. The "cute fishy tile" she installed still creeps me out - in the master bath! Pez and legos are kind of hipster cool. Stuffed animals on your bed is creepy after age 12.

I love arranging 'kid's' stuff along side my 'adult' stuff. I have a collection of Ostheimer wooden toys and Schleich animals. Oh, and all my children's books, which is probably where it all started. If it means I appear immature, oh well, I'm happy.