apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Personally, we never minded being seated at the kids' table at big family meals (who wants to listen to adults blather on anyway?). And we surely wouldn't have minded sitting at this table covered in simple brown kraft paper that the host can decorate beforehand and that young diners can doodle on throughout.

Warning: monster parties may lead to breakdancing. Melissa sent in photos of her daughter Addie's fourth birthday party: For as long as Addie has had an opinion on things, I've let her choose the theme for her birthday party. This year, she wanted a monster party.

No matter what else you have at your party cakes like these are all anyone will remember. Rainbow cake two ways and the hottest, pinkest cake we've ever seen.

Name: Duchess Elizabeth
Birthday: Second
Greeting: There is never a dull moment when Duchess is near. Her bold and fearless spirit brings laughter and happiness to those around her. Last Saturday’s birthday party was shared with her best buddy Bianca as they danced, ate cupcakes, chicken nuggets and apple slices surrounded by lots of love and laughter. Happy Birthday, Sweet Pea!

One sure way to give your kid the royal treatment on their birthday is to present them with a birthday crown. They can wear it year after year or on any day they need to feel a little special. We've rounded up five great tutorials to help you make your own as well as five of our favorites for sale on Etsy at the moment.

Q: I have purchased an Ikea Koppang three-drawer chest and plan on using the top of it as a changing station. However, the changing pad takes up most of the dresser's real estate. I'm wondering what suggestions you or other readers have for organizing the necessary changing accessories (diapers, creams, etc.) in a small space?

Sent by Courtney

While paint may be the most effective way to infuse a room with color, wallpaper adds color and pattern. We've rounded up some baby and kids' rooms featuring wallpaper - on accent walls, as animal silhouettes and even on the ceiling. Jump below for the links to these beautiful rooms.

Aiden is still a cub, but Lauren threw him a lion party fit for the king of the jungle: Our little lion fan was turning two and in honor of that roar that changed and grew over the year we had a Lion Party! The invitations invited everyone to "swing by for a roaring good time!" The party included a complete repertoire of lion food and favors.

We have lots of love for all the bird mobiles you've made using Spool Sewing's softie pattern, but there's still love to go around and today we're sharing some with this adorable knitted bird mobile pattern. Oh, and did we mention it's a free pattern?

Name: Sawyer (aka Bubba)
Birthday: First
Greeting: Happy Birthday, Monkey Man! We are so blessed to have a baby as funny and wonderful as you in our lives. I'm looking forward to all the fun stuff we're going to do in the coming year. We love you very much!

We thought "Suzy Homemaker" was just a fun expression, but Angela scored a vintage stove by this name at an antique shop and created a little play kitchen for her son Jack to go along with it.

This is the perfect time of year to be thinking about stationery - party invitations, holiday cards, thank you cards as well as gifts. Olliegraphic offers a personal touch with customized stationery in two ways: you "build" your look from preset choices or they'll customize it for you "from scratch!"

Lewis Carroll's classic tale is ripe with party inspiration. Just ask Jo-An who fittingly threw this party for her daughter Alison: For my daughter's 6th birthday we threw an 'Alison's Wonderland Mad Hatter Tea Party'.

There are lots of DIY projects we're willing to undertake, even sewing ones, but sometimes we'd rather save ourselves the time (and, usually, the aggravation) and let someone who knows what they're doing do the job.