Room Tour: Gav + Elo's Work + Play Room

As kids get older they need spaces that can not only be used for play but also for homework and learning. Creating an inviting space that inspires little learners and provides opportunities for creative play was the goal for our new work + play room. My kids aren't home schooled but I do feel it's important to provide a space outside of school where they can do homework, practice developing skills and just have fun learning through play. To put our new space together I partnered with several of my favorite small businesses to transform our former guest room into a space that is seeing a lot more use (and can still be easily transformed back into a guest room when we have visitors).

One of Elodie's favorite things in the new playroom is this wooden cash register from Bannor Toys. She loves playing store with her brother and I love that as she adds up purchases she's actually practicing her math skills! She has so much fun she doesn't even realize she's doing work!

Camping is fun but glamping by the light of the moon with your own pretend marshmallows and felt fire is even better. This spot is one of the kids' favorite places to hang and I often find them reading in their Tnees Tpee or pretend roasting smores over their Nixi Lauroo campfire under the light of their moon.

Reading by starlight is always an option in our playroom and the kids love to lounge on this foam playmat from Little Nomad - yes that is a foam mat! It's the perfect way to transform our hard wooden floors into an inviting space for play (and easy on mama's knees too). The other thing mama loves is our baskets from Plum and Sparrow which help control the costume situation. My kids are big fans of dress up and some of our faves seen below are from Love Lane and Opposite of Far.

This desk is probably my favorite spot in the new work + play room because of silhouette portraits that hang above it of Elodie and Gavril from A Family Print Shop. I hung a line underneath so we can display artwork by each child in a rotating gallery that highlights their creativity. I have to admit I sometimes use this as my office when they are at school and it just makes me smile to look up and see them even when they aren't home. 

This little man loves to draw and one of our games to encourage writing is to have him spell a word and then illustrate it. Since we do this a couple times a day it's great to have this lined chalkboard from Chalk Full of Design so we don't end up with stacks of paper used. And when he does a really great one we take a picture to save and then erase and start again.

Thanks for stopping by to visit our new playroom full of items from small businesses I love. As a parent I often find myself overwhelmed by the amount of things kids can collect so bringing items into our home that are made to last provides me a kind of peace. These are things I truly treasure and below are a few items I didn't mention yet. If there's anything else you're curious about leave a comment and I'll answer as soon as I can.

Also make sure you enter our ULTIMATE PLAYROOM GIVEAWAY here before Thursday 3/30/2017 at 11:59pm EST to win $1300 in items from the brands you've seen here!

Alphabet and Polka Dots Pillows by Earth Cadets // B+W Washable Berber Rug by Lorena Canals // Chalkboard World Map by The Lovely Wall Co // Cloud Pillow by Baby Jives Co // B+W Herringbone Basket by Xihn and Co // Lamp from Urban Outfitters // Flower Crown by Mosey Handmade // Rainbow wings by Tree and Vine // Desk, chair and hutch are vintage

Photos by Jasmine Tara Photography