Whether it's artwork like an alphabet print, a mobile, rug, wall decals, or that really cool play kitchen you slaved away at (for your child of course), these items can really up the happiness factor in a home. What's your favorite children's item?
Some examples:
• Alphabet Prints
• Modern Wood Mobiles by Jenn Ski
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Without a doubt, and regardless of the fact that I almost built, sew or repainted everything but the crib and the rocking chair in that room, I'd have to say it's the three animal watercolors on the wall.
I bought them from Etsy's vendor Dimdi:
http://www.etsy.com/people/dimdi
I had them (too expensively) framed, and now the cutest robin, porcupine and frog are on a baby blue wall. It doesn't get better than this until your child draws his own pictures !
I love the collection of wooden vehicles Dylan Freeth did for Habitat, the World Vehicle Collection. There's the London Bus, London Cab, NY Cab, Tuk Tuk, Ice Cream Truck, Fire Truck...
http://kidcrave.com/toys/wooden-indian-truck-people/
http://www.habitat.co.uk/cab%20kids'%20wooden%20new%20york%20taxi/wc_fulfil_location_b//fcp-product/958903
http://pinterest.com/pin/1380520/
I'm also a HUGE fan of Zid Zid Kids' animal pillows, and have almost a complete collection (just missing the pink zebra):
http://www.decoideas.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/cojines-zid-zid-kids.jpg
And after 4 years I still get happy when I see the rug we put in our son's room. We painted the walls black, while most of the furniture -- e.g. LACK shelves on the black wall -- is white, so the rug really stands out, and connects with all the brightly-coloured toys.
http://museumofhappiness.blogspot.com/2008/04/potholder-rug.html
Our children also have a set of hand puppets which we have displayed in our living room, they are so fun:
http://www.toyday.co.uk/shop/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=3403
We also have a Wheelie Bug and Moo (in different sizes for our different aged kids) in the living room which also make me smile!
http://www.princelionheart.com/site/p_wheely_7503.html
-- Guess I am just a kid-design addict!
I hadn't really thought about it 'ill I read this post - but I totally agree that I did fully find my design style until I had my kids either. I guess it gave me permission to add whimsy and pops of bright color that I would have otherwise shied away from. It also gave me permission to be a little more casual.
My favorite Item is the two pieces of glass mounted to our living room wall which we put our kids' artwork behind. I love the modern look of a rotating kid gallery.