Name: Dominique
Children's Name and Ages: Sophia, almost 3 and Ethan, 2 months
Location: Buffalo, New York
Category: Toys
Items used for the project and favorite part of the storage solution:
I started with these beautiful wooden drum shells that were given to me by a percussionist friend. He had been moving from city to city with them, and finally realized that he really wasn't going to use them. I took them for their ribbon-like form and I had originally intended to make them into some sort of abstract sculpture and so I stained them darker.
Watching my daughter crawl in and out of them made me realize that they would need to become something she could use, so I cut circles out of plywood to create lids for them and upholstered them with fabric from our local fabric store. The patterns are Heather Bailey Freshcut and Amy Butler Full Moon. Then I sealed the fabrics with acrylic matte varnish so that they were easily cleaned. The lids are easy for my daughter to lift and she currently stores all of her softie friends in them. These storage pieces fit perfectly under our stairs, which is an awkward space to use for us --- but Sophia fits there perfectly.
My favorite part of the solution was the unexpected second use --- my daughter in playing one day decided that they made a great "dining" set and has many tea parties with her friends. Once she outgrows the chair, it will still be usable as the storage. Also, I can reupholster the lids as her tastes change.
Best storage tip for families with children:
What's your best storage tip for families with children?: Storage needs to be easily accessible and appealing to children on both a visual and physical level. If it doesn't have an interactive appeal, then children are less likely to use it. Sophia's "traditional" toy box sat untouched for days on end....this set she plays with every day.
Thanks for entering, Dominique!
Now I want some drum shells. Too cool.
view Erin R.'s profile
Great!
view karen p's profile
I think those are so so so adorable! This project is very inspring. I'm always searching for things for my home that are multi-purpose and I would definitely put these in this category. Job VERY well done!
view absurdlittlebird's profile
Such a smart idea!!
view nnaqui's profile
Dominique-
You have such an artistic & creative flair- making unusual items very practical & useful too! To an awesome mother & wonderful, beautiful daughter-
Kathy
view kasha77's profile
Too cute! I like how Sofia has found multiple purposes for them.
view ksmardz05's profile
I really like this idea. I am especially intrigued by the idea of "sealing" the fabric with acrylic matte varnish. Did you use Modge Podge or something from the hardware store? Does the fabric keep some suppleness or has it become more rigid?
view vwsmith's profile
Thanks, Kathy :)
vwsmith- I used Liquitex Matte Varnish- I liked that it was more fluid and didn't leave brushmarks....however the fabric does become more rigid and actually gets slightly brighter in color (think wet fabric). It is worth it for the clean-ability though!
view ophelia's profile
I love this project, how it is functional and such a creative reuse of a found object without giving up it's natural beauty. The fabric is great and durable with the varnish, which makes it so user friendly for the children. I'm sure this will be a treasured item for years to come!
view arterri's profile
These are beautiful. Great choice of fabric. I wonder about splinters, though?
view jooltman's profile
jooltman- no splinters anywhere! the fabric wraps right around the lids and the shells themselves are very smooth and finished. I actually have 2 more of the shells- a tall one and a very tiny one that I mean to incorporate soon.
view ophelia's profile
I missed the chance to vote in this survey, but I really love these bins so much. Definitely my favorite entry!
view ambies's profile