"Kid-centric" houses are so over.
Could someone please pass this information along to my kids? They seem
to be operating under the assumption that it is their duty in life to
sling their toys, stuffed animals and doll-strollers into every corner
of our tiny, 4-room house. God, they are so un-hip.
Of the discussions I have with urban and suburban parents these days, one of the most prevalent is what to do about all the crap the kids have. Modern
parents are starting to believe that "listening to their
inner interior decorators, taking safety precautions and setting
boundaries for their kids make for prettier, happier nests."
Translation: they want cool looking living spaces that aren't all
junked-up with primary colored plastic. And their theory is that
establishing boundaries for what's acceptable behavior at home (say,
eating at the table only, or keeping feet off furniture) will ensure a
better looking home, and
help kids learn to develop skills and behaviors necessary out in the
world - in a doctor's waiting room, a museum, or a relative's house,
say - without giving them a sense of entitlement.
So, what exactly does that mean? It means mom
and dad are sick of looking at your freakin' Barbies and Candyland game
pieces and board books, so get 'em outta here! OUT with the ugly
plastic highchairs, in with the sleek Svan! OUT with the giant,
cheesy, it-was-on-sale-at-Target crib, and in with the small, neat
crib/ toddler bed convertible! OUT with the toy-strewn living room, in
with the storage ottomans, the entertainment hutches with deep drawers,
and decorative baskets that double as catch-alls. As long as you have
money to burn, you've got storage options, no matter how small your
living quarters. For those without money to burn... well, there is
always CraigsList (where we bought 95% of the home furnishings that we didn't buy at Ikea)... and Ikea. Not exactly a mecca for the
design-conscious, but hey, you can always customize.
And what's worse - a house that looks like an Ikea showroom (guilty!),
or having that giant, plush Diego doll glaring at you from the corner,
as you're trying to get your Sopranos on?
What are your
secrets for keeping the kids' stuff out of the way, while still
maintaining some semblance of style in your house? I'd really love to
know.
