Project... kids creative space

Several months ago... I mean several months ago... I was talking to a girlfriend of mine on the phone.  At the time I was trying to come up with a design for a creative space for our kids but I was having a hard time integrating my then tall-black-and-contemporary-bookcase that held all the kids books (a bookcase I no longer loved) when she said something that gave me a great idea.  I would make some short bookcases to house their books (sell our other bookcase that really didn't fit anywhere) and integrate a table top of sorts for a place for them to color, paint, cut and do whatever their hearts desired.  And this space was born.  After several months of shopping, creating, working and some awesome help from my Dad (who installed the light and dimmable switch down low for the kids, helped me secure my bookcases and put together the table) it was finally done!  Just ask my husband; like most of my projects it took entirely too long but as always is a labor of love.    

 The kids LOVE LOVE LOVE their space!  If I don't see them they are usually down on the table coloring and cutting; and making a HUGE mess!!





I found the "Color Outside the Lines" canvas at Hobby Lobby and knew that it was perfect for this space.  My mom thought it was sending mixed signals to my kids but I love it!


I personalized the desk by modge podging their names on the front and then I used polyurethane over the top when I did the rest of the desk.  I had no idea how possessive they'd be about everyone sitting in their own spot.  Briggs likes it because then nobody gets in his space; and he's pretty particular.











When I was in Montana in August I hit up a few thrift stores and antique stores where I got all the containers (old blue tackle box, silver candle stand, green tool box, glass cups etc) to hold supplies.


I also added some old school papers on the underneath inside of the table top just for fun!





At one of the antique stores I found this old-school paint set. (inside)


Talk about inflation.  New, this cost only $.79 cents and I think I paid $6.00.  Totally worth it though!Ethan especially loves the crazy scissors and has several times thanked me for them because they are SOOO fun!


I found some old rulers at a thrift store


I bought these at JoAnnes and each of the kids has a place to put projects in


When the table was first finished (end of September) I noticed that if they colored on both sides of their paper that it would leave horrible crayon marks on the table so each of the kids made a fun placemat to color on.  It has helped tremendously.
 I also bought the bench at an antique store in Billings.  It couldn't have worked out better!  It is one of my favorite things about the space!

I bought this frame at Hobby Lobby and thought it was fun for the desk.  My mom helped me make the word "Create" (and a few others) on her cricket machine.

I made a cork board using a frame that wasn't being used.


Several years ago my Mom made the "Hansen Family Art Gallery" for our kids and I haven't had the perfect place to put it until now.  I think it worked out perfectly.


I love the space!