Names: Estela Luz and Ada Maria (2.5 and 9 months)
Location: Takoma Park, MD
Danielle has two wonderful spaces to share with us today: her daughters' "Waldessori" playroom and their artsy sunroom: Ada, our little one, is on the move. Today I turned my back and found her in the middle of a large pile of tiny slobbery bits of paper and decided it was time to re-think the playroom - shift everything up a level and create some inviting play spaces for both girls.
I'm by no means an expert when it comes to designing learning/play environments for young children. I don't have a teaching background or an unlimited budget to go wild with. I have, however, read a lot, browsed many inspiring internet sites, become a pro at thrift and yard sale shopping and gained some experience through my first child.
I call our playroom style "Waldessori" because I've borrowed a lot of ideas that are both Montessori and Waldorf inspired. Mostly though, it's what has come together through trial and error and thrift store karma.
The "Enchanted Sunroom" is our messy, artsy, colorful, light-filled playspace. Our beautiful sunroom was nothing but a lovely place to store firewood until we decided to turn it into a playspace for our two girls.
We wanted them to be able to engage in outdoors-type activities (gardening, hammering, watering plants) even in the winter months and we wanted a space that encouraged them to make art with wild abandon. I think we succeeded!
Thanks Danielle! Readers find Danielle at Mama & the Music Man.
(Images: Mama & the Music Man)
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Dreamy! I love the mini laundry stuff and mop. These are some lucky girls. Also - big ups to Takoma Park!
This is so beautiful! What wonderful, warm spaces. I also love that you have devoted two whole rooms to the girls' play.
Teensy Van Gogh!
I love these rooms and the coined term. Your girls are lucky!
I really like this! Saving for future reference.
Also, I was about to name my daughter a variation of your eldest's name--Lucia Stella. We kept the first, but the hubs wanted a different middle name.
I went to Montessori, and really believe in its mission re: education... great job organizing the space and the toys ("work" in Montessori-speak) :). I especially love the basket of shells and magnifying glass.
Waldessori! After touring several elementary schools prior to our oldest's kindergarten year, my husband and I joked between ourselves that what we really wanted was a 'Mondorf" school. (Nice to know we are not the only ones out there inclined to mix the two.) The space looks GREAT! What a wonderful place to play. Beautiful windows in that room too.
As a nanny, I have input on my charges play rooms. I've always liked a lot of color and interesting play things that encourage creativity. These 2 rooms are inspiring and offer an incentive for me to do a bit of winter remodeling.
Incredibly inspiring! What a beautiful home you've created for your two girls. Just fantastic!
Love! Where did the wooden kitchen come from? I want.
These spaces make me really happy. I love the beautiful open-ended toys, the enchanted art space, and the clean and simple organization. Beautiful blending of aesthetics and practically. Limitless play!
I think that is the Willows kitchen.
http://www.donorschoose.org/we-teach/1396183.-1589667053
Amazing! :)
I just *love* how dirty that tiny apron is. :) Now that's the mark of creativity!