BEAUTIFUL KIDS TOYS YOU’LL ACTUALLY WANT TO DISPLAY

I think we can all agree that kids toys tend to get a bad rap. This post is about to change all that! Known for their impossibly bright colours and often less-than-subtle design, kids toys can become an eyesore in your living space as they find their way outside the playroom (if you are lucky enough to have one).

But friends, it doesn’t have to be that way. Constantly hiding toys doesn’t have to be the norm. Believe it or not, you’ll find quite a few beautiful pieces for your kids if you look in just the right places. I’m talking toys you’ll actually want to leave out when guests stop over. And toys that blend with your design aesthetic in the most seamless fashion.

Where do you find these unicorn toys, you ask? They’re right here in my roundup sorted by colour to suit every taste and style.

Browse for your favourites, PIN THEM and kiss those toy battles goodbye.

NATURAL WOOD

Note to all design-savvy parents: you can never go wrong with natural wood. Whether it’s baby teethers, toddler blocks, or big kid puzzles, wood tones complement any color palette and provide a timeless sense of style. I also love that you can pass these down for generations to come.

01. // Riga Roo Rocker; 02. // Tegu Magbot; 03. // Hippo Ride On; 04. // Stacking Wheels Toy; 05. // Percussion Set; 06. // KEVA; 07. // Puzzle; 08. // Mozartkugel Music Box; 09. // Castle Box; 10. // Goose Toy Figure; 11. // Doll House; 12. // Cubebot; 13. //  Story Car 14. // Baby Teethers.

MUTED TONES

I love colour, especially in tones that blend with our own home decor. Strike just the right balance with muted tones like soft pinks, blues, yellows and greens for a look that feels tasteful yet fun.

01. // Silicone Rattle; 02. // Pastel Blocks; 03. // Mouse Soft Toy; 04. // Superhero Mouse; 05. // Porcelain Tea Set; 06. // Giraffe; 07. // Jamm Scoot; 08. // Gallop Horse; 09. // City Blocks; 10. // Rabbit Hand Puppet; 11. // School Bus; 12. // Tool Bench; 13. // Rainbow Tunnel; 14. // Tea Trolley; 15. // Baking Playset.

BLACK TOYS

A favourite for a reason, black is the toy tone that brings a modern touch to any room. Not only will the clean lines of black and white toys add visual interest, but the high contrast combo is particularly great for developing babies.  

01. // Nesting Dolls; 02. // Stacking Game; 03. // Wood Teether; 04. // Rocking Donkey; 05. // Tool Playset; 06. // Tambourine; 07. // Polar Bear; 08. // Stacking Tunnel; 09. // Building Blocks; 10. // Rocking Horse; 11. // Contrast Art Cards; 12. // Ricepapa Plush; 13. // Activity Mat; 14. // Teether Toy; 15. // Teepee.

WHITE

Nothing adds to a room’s light and airy appearance like white-toned accessories—toys included. Don’t be afraid to hunt around for your little ones’ favorite playtime pieces in their colorless counterpart. You’ll be pleasantly surprised to find white toys add some much-needed calm to chaotic kid spaces.

01. // Rocking Horse; 02. // Wooden Camera; 03. // Celia Doll; 04. // Wood Easel; 05. // Mini Guitar; 06. // Canvas Teepee; 07. // Stuffed Bunny; 08. // Teether Rattle; 09. // Play Kitchen; 10. // Modern Slide; 11. // Micro Scooter.

WEEKEND SHOPPING: FUN FINDS FOR THE KIDDOS

It's Saturday, the sun is shining and the sales are ON!!! After celebrating a lazy long weekend here in Canada last weekend, this weekend is about getting set up for the summer. We still have another month of school but I love to be prepared so that the most time possible is spent lazing with the kids once the holidays hit.

Some of our favourite shops have great sales this weekend so it's the perfect time to think ahead, whether it's adding some Spring finds to the kids rooms, fresh pillows to your patio or a lighter quilt for those hot summer nights. 

I'm featuring some favourite finds for breezy summer days with the kids from Serena & Lily (use code SUMMERDAYS for 20% off!) in this board to give you a pulled together look for a covered outdoor area and have added more sites below with codes to shop the sale!

01. // Cozy quilt; 02. // Hanging chair; 03. // Wood stools; 04. // Storage bins; 05. // Large pillow; 06. // Textured pillow; 07. // Beach chair.

Pehr:
For simple modern rugs and my favourite storage bins! Use code HOORAY for 20% off.

Coyuchi:
If you don't know this site, it's my go-to for clients looking for organic linens. The quality is high, the toxins are low and there is a new section just for kids. Love this organic cotton (inside and out) comforter for summer nights. 20% off certain items.

McGee & Co:
SO many amazing finds from rugs to pillows to faux greenery (perfect for kids bedrooms & bathrooms!). Use code SUMMERSALE for 20% off.

Lulu & Georgia:
Their new kids section has some great finds, including this gold mesh lamp that is both safe AND functional for kids rooms! From 15%-25% off depending on what you spend, this is a good one!

Noble Carriage:
With a big focus on organic products, this small shop carries the adorable Holdie doll house that I can't find anywhere in Canada. Use code MEMORIAL for 20% off.

Crate & Kids:
Looking to make a furniture purchase for your kids? This is the place. Code SAVE15 will get you 15% off all full priced items.

Etsy:
Etsy is my favourite place for unique finds from handmade shops. Lots of small makers have sales this weekend. To find sales on shops near you, enter 'sale' into the search bar and then set a custom location. It's a great way to find sales this weekend and throughout the whole year!

Hope you have a memory-making weekend whether it is a long one or not.

8 OF THE BEST PLAY KITCHENS FOR TODDLERS

Purchasing a play kitchen almost feels like a parenting rite of passage. It’s the one toy set you’re guaranteed to find in nearly every home with a toddler, and it’s not without good reason. Play kitchens deliver a perfect outlet for imaginative play, and of course, there’s nothing more adorable than kiddos “cooking” up dinner alongside Mom and Dad.

But before you secretly cringe at the idea of adding another toy set into your thoughtfully designed home, rest assured that play kitchens don’t have to be a total eyesore. In fact, I’ve searched the web and rounded up nine pint-sized kitchens you’ll actually want to show off in any part of your home.

One. | Leave it to Milton & Goose to bridge the gap between style and function with the cutest kitchen featuring all the bells and whistles. Not only is it made from eco-friendly woods, but this kitchen includes a miniature farmhouse sink and a magnetic chalkboard for your little’s weekly menus. 

Two. | Any style-conscious parents will be envious of their little one’s kitchen with this Kid Craft beauty. With its' simple white design, you’ll have the perfect backdrop to add in pops of color through fun accessories like this added shelf pictured below.

Three. | Fit for a little gourmand, this toddler kitchen boasts warm grey cabinetry and gold hardware. The gas switch is rotatable and I love that there is a little clock for kids to learn how to tell time!

Four. | With a solid maple build, the Hape play kitchen is bound to become your toddler's most loved toy. Well made and with a roll out cart, this is a buy that will be past on down the years.

Five. | Tiny chefs rejoice! This retro play kitchen includes a refrigerator, microwave, oven, and sink so kiddos will stay busy with endless hours of pretend. Take your pick from six different colors to match your home’s aesthetic and let the fun begin. 

Six. | Perfectly neutral and with a warm wood tone to match, this West Elm x Pottery Barn play kitchen has you covered. The fridge provides good storage and the little stove top is an addition your little one is sure to love.

Seven. | Keep things sweet and simple with this handcrafted kitchen featuring a detachable sink and faucets and ample toy storage below. You’ll be able to tuck away any play food, pots, or pans for easy cleanup post-play.

Eight. | The ultimate in mid-mod style, this mini kitchen from Scandiborn packs awesome play features into a compact size. Kids will love cooking and baking through active play, while parents will love the eye-catching (and total space-saving!) design.

PIN the image below to save this post about play kitchens for later...

01. // Milton & Goose kitchen; 02. // White kitchen; 03. // Grey & gold kitchen; 04. // Hape play kitchen; 05. // Retro kitchen; 06. // Wood tone kitchen; 07. // Umi kitchen; 08. // Scandi space saver.

GET THE LOOK (MILES ROOM)

When clients are kind enough to say 'yes' to sharing sources with all of you, it's a fun way to end the week. For all of those who asked questions on Instagram, please ask them here so that others can see the answers all in one place. The wallpaper is actually these lovely star decals!

Here you are...twelve items to help you get the look of little Miles' baby nursery.

01.// Kalon crib; 02.// Nesting dolls; 03.// Moroccan rug; 04.// Grey lampshade; 05.// Knot cushion; 06.// Medium Cubebot; 07.// Super mouse; 08.// Moon print; 09.// Felt basket; 10.// Pull toy; 11.// Polar Bear; 12.// Knit blanket.

GET THE LOOK {KIDS ART STUDIO}

I am beyond thrilled that our kid's creative art space inspired some of you to think about creating nooks for creativity in your own homes! I find so much joy in knowing the work I do helps your little ones. I have been getting questions about where various things are from so thought I would share where to find the basics of this room!

A couple of weeks ago, I shared all of our favourite art books for kids as I felt it deserved a post of its own! I've also been asked to share how we made the pegboards; these were a project themselves but turned out so well. Holes were individually drilled into two sheets of plywood (with a piece of wood wedged in between) so that the dowels would be able to support a good amount of weight.

Many of the big pieces are IKEA as this room is a basement rough space, and we decided we wanted pieces that truly didn't matter if paint was splattered on!!! As this is a space for the kids to be free, the point is that it IS messy...and that's ok.

01. // Clear acrylic shelves; 02. // Multi-sized paintbrushes; 03. // White wipeable chair; 04. // Ceramic wall vase; 05. // Graphic laundry basket; 06. // White drawer storage; 07. // Cactus art print; 08. // Clay rolling pin; 09. // Wipeable art table.

If you have questions about any other item, please leave them in the comments and I can answer for everyone to read. More than happy to share.

May your weekend be full of creativity and a little messy playfulness :) Happy Friday everyone!