Our homes are supposed to be a natural reflection of our lives. When you look around, you should see things reflective of those who live in your home… your children and your spouse. For those of us with children we, naturally, have tons of our children’s artwork. Much of which we keep - Some, admittedly we toss unbeknownst to them! Since our children are such an integral part of our lives, their artwork should be a part of our home’s decor. Gone are the days where we only see fingerpaintings and crayon drawings stuck to refrigerators with magnets and pinned to cork walls over work areas. It seems, lately, that our children’s artwork is getting much of the attention it deserves and is front and center, along with some of the world’s best artists and photographers. And why shouldn’t they be? Children’s artwork is as meaningful, significant and nostalgic as a photograph. What’s more, and perhaps much more important, is that these pieces of art were made from love. And what could make a child more proud, that to have one of his or her creations hanging prominently in the home? Like photographs, artwork can always be swapped out and refreshed if desired.
In the picture above, Aerin Lauder incorporates her children’s artwork into her kitchen decor. Isn’t it wonderful? How magnificent to eat breakfast in that nook every day and constantly be surrounded by your children and their love. That nook must be more and more wonderful as the children get older. Framing your children’s artwork is also a way of keeping them young. Sometimes we all yearn for those days, don’t we?
In the photographs below we have artwork hanging on nursery and bedroom walls which adds instant charm and delight to those spaces. In one of those rooms youthful artwork shares wall space with family photos. But this contributor simply adores the bottom two pictures where Canadian Designer Meredith Heron added her young son’s painting to her office decor. Something so simple becomes so spectacular in this truly elegant yet whimsical space. And in the final picture, Meredith frames children’s art and places them casually, elegantly in the kitchen, giving the room a very sophisticated yet not overly serious feel.
Photo credits: ElleDecor, Brooke Giannetti, Apartment Therapy, Interior Canvas, Chloe Magazine, Meredith Heron