I really can't help but appreciate Maria Montessori's commen sense approach to children and their natural desire to be a productive member of their family. After reading several Montessori-based books about early childhood development I found myself being inspired to try and bring some of the practicals into our own wee stone farmhouse. So after a year of reading and planning and plotting... (Observe Inga used for scale hahaha)
...Behold! This unit was just installed today by our cousin: an uncomplicated play/work bench, made from inexpensive wood, with shelves above and below, five cubbies and farthest to the right we've taken the doors off of the cupboard under the stairs and we are in the process of turning it into a play cubby, soon to have curtains for doors.
Here is a closeup of the bench. Last night I placed toys all over the benches and shelves and in the cubbies so that the kids can begin to learn what these odd new things are all about. They don't really "get it" right now but soon they will delight in having their very own space for creativity, work, and afterwards, a place to store and stash their toys and treasures.
Here is a closeup of the five cubbies: you can see that it is all very simple. Nothing fancy. I decided to have the wood stained so that it remained a nice neutral colour.
This is the under-the-stairs cupboard that will receive a new coat of fun colour paint (maybe different colours for each wall?), some of the new blue wool carpetning from the offcuts out of the dairy, and two curtains hung for doors. (Kids loving having a hidey-hole!) And then in related news...
...my continuing efforts to organize this house!! We also had some new shelves made at the same time ~ here are the shelves in the hallway. My goal is to get things "up and in sight and no longer jumbled together in cluttered piles!"
Here are the new shelves in the kitchen. These will go a long way in helping me to keep the clutter off of the kitchen counter off to the left of the doorway there. I'm going to have more shelves put up around the house: I've been working out exactly where I need them in order to best rid us of clutter, clutter, clutter ~ because even the things that we need and use don't really have any place to go. It gets maddenig at times! But now we are beginning to triumph! :-)
...Behold! This unit was just installed today by our cousin: an uncomplicated play/work bench, made from inexpensive wood, with shelves above and below, five cubbies and farthest to the right we've taken the doors off of the cupboard under the stairs and we are in the process of turning it into a play cubby, soon to have curtains for doors.
Here is a closeup of the bench. Last night I placed toys all over the benches and shelves and in the cubbies so that the kids can begin to learn what these odd new things are all about. They don't really "get it" right now but soon they will delight in having their very own space for creativity, work, and afterwards, a place to store and stash their toys and treasures.
Here is a closeup of the five cubbies: you can see that it is all very simple. Nothing fancy. I decided to have the wood stained so that it remained a nice neutral colour.
This is the under-the-stairs cupboard that will receive a new coat of fun colour paint (maybe different colours for each wall?), some of the new blue wool carpetning from the offcuts out of the dairy, and two curtains hung for doors. (Kids loving having a hidey-hole!) And then in related news...
...my continuing efforts to organize this house!! We also had some new shelves made at the same time ~ here are the shelves in the hallway. My goal is to get things "up and in sight and no longer jumbled together in cluttered piles!"
Here are the new shelves in the kitchen. These will go a long way in helping me to keep the clutter off of the kitchen counter off to the left of the doorway there. I'm going to have more shelves put up around the house: I've been working out exactly where I need them in order to best rid us of clutter, clutter, clutter ~ because even the things that we need and use don't really have any place to go. It gets maddenig at times! But now we are beginning to triumph! :-)
5 comments:
My Nana always said, "A place for everything, and everything in its place." You have some lovely open places to give everything a place. Such bright cheerful spaces:)
Fun! Isn't it a wonderful feeling to have things organized...and, know where they all are. The beauty of open shelving!
I love open shelving too. I wonder at the lack of storage here in Europe. I find the lack of storage in the bathrooms hysterical. There isn't a cabinet for a single extra roll of toilet tissue. The room is terribly stylish, but there is not a place for an extra toothbrush, a bottle of mouthwash or heaven forbid towels!
Your house is lovely bright and stylish. Show us more!
I took down one of my cabinets and hung open shelving in my farmhouse which I like much better. I have no storage and very shallow closets so need storage as well. I love to see how your house is coming along! Your kids are adorable. :)
Thanks for posting this! It gives me ideas and inspiration for my own house (and seeing the glimpses of your children is fun for those of us who've read on your blogs from way back in the old days!) :)
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