How do you play?

I find the differences in how people live curious, fascinating and sometimes a little horrifying. I will never understand people with "showplace kitchens" that do not cook. Also, I have come to realize that it is the norm use a formal living room or dining room space as a playroom.

Here is where my opinion is going to turn people off. I find that a room that is a mecca of pink and primary plastic completely horrifying.  I am a toy minimalist, plastic and battery-operated hater, and a fan of integrated spaces. I think that makes me weird in comparison.

My family room is is a shared family room. My three year-old has a shelf with toy bins and a the chest that holds the TV has a few additional toys and movies but all in all, it is a grown-up space... with toys in it.

Smart storage is a huge part of making it work for all of us.

I personally do not want a separate playroom. I like to have my little one near me while I cook or paint or relax (haha that last one is funny)

Do you agree or do you think I am a big meanie?

Magazine files

For me, one of the mysteries of parenthood has been where to put all of the crap that comes along with having kids. A particular peeve is paper. It is everywhere. It comes from darling little art projects, the pediatrician, school, school and more paper from school.

Lucky for me, my older kids don't bring home that much paper for me to deal with anymore but my little cutie wants to be an artist like Mommy.

There are coloring books and freestyle drawings galore and I am often at a loss for where to put them. Out of desperation I shoved some things that have yet to find long term storage in my "current magazines" file that is out so I can just grab that Elle Decor from last month.

It was an "Aha moment".

 I found some really nice magazine files and that will be home to coloring books and recent crayon portraits of our family.

via Apartment Therapy

If you don't have children to de-clutter after these could certainly be a temporary spot to corral  mail and folded newspapers neatly until you have a chance to look them over.

Yes, there are chicer things in the world but my house is a bit neater now.