This month we’re celebrating kid friendly natural spaces in our homes. Play rooms, a corner of a room, or a child’s bedroom that is inspired and inspiring. I, personally, am not one for themes, but I AM a huge fan of decorating magazines and love to see what others are doing.

At our home, most rooms are very kid friendly, but we do have most of our basement converted into a very child friendly play area, the centerpiece being double play stands complete with a rainbow-dyed silk canopy.

:: Inside the play stand “house” is the ever popular Creative Cookery Kitchen, given to BananaMuffin for Christmas in 2007 and still remains a favourite of both kids today! The kitchen comes with a lot of wonderful accessories, but a word to the wise: if you have a dog who likes to chew, keep the accessories out of their way! Many of our grocery pieces were replaced over the years with hand-crocheted, knitted, or felted food.

:: The toadstool salt and pepper shakers (in the background), a throwback to the wild and crazy 1970s, were vintage finds in my mom and dad’s basement. I remember playing with them when I was a kid, and as simple as they are, I love having them for my kids to play with now!

:: Inside the play house, some of our favourite toys, past and present: HABA blocks, Fagus truck, and a set of felted Easter eggs, a gift from The Wool Fairy a few seasons ago.

:: More fun stuff: a set of felted bowls, again, by The Wool Fairy, an extra special gift for Spunky’s first birthday! Next to them, one of my VERY FAVOURITE TOYS EVER, felted counting ladybugs by Etsy’s Beneath The Rowan Tree. One Easter, both kids received their very own stacking rainbows, that get lots of use to this day!

You will also notice a small army of Cham Pie Gnon toys. The story: one day I went in to the store with the kids to do a couple of little jobs, and they were playing around, as they always do. Things got very, very quiet, and with kids – you know that means trouble. I found them both under the table, quietly tearing apart the boxes of Cham Pie Gnon toys, squeaking them once before moving on to the next. I spent a LOT of money that day, buying in total 6 Cham Pie Gnons, most of them pink.

:: A basket of play silks. You will hear me say again and again that playsilks are the most played with item in our house. It’s STILL true. This is where they live while they’re resting.

:: Last but not least, Marcus and “Girl”, two of the three dolls I made for my kids back in 2007. This year they each got new custom-sized jammies from Etsy’s Silly Con to keep them cozy and warm (mama is a little short on time to sew doll clothes these days, I had to compromise!)

Until July 15th, we’re accepting YOUR photos of your kid friendly spaces, the winner will receive a full set of three Kate & Birdie canvas prints for your kid friendly space! Please see the full contest rules for more details. Can’t wait to see your kid friendly spaces!