This playroom is a work in progress for several months, but we’re finally nearing completion and I had to take a few pictures!
I still need to hang one more set of curtains and pics on the wall, but otherwise it is DONE. And little boy loooooves it down there. Heck, *I* love it down there. It’s just relaxing to me. I think that means we got the right paint color (thank you to my sister to suggesting it!).
It’s a mix of DIY, etsy, swaps, co-ops and bargain hunting. I’m obnoxiously proud of this playroom. A year ago when I started down this Waldorf/natural toys path, I thought that playrooms like this were strictly for rich people. But it’s amazing what you can do if you’re creative about it!
Wow! I’m so in love with your playroom and I have natural toy envy. I am not a fan of our plastic toy bonanza around here. Did you always have natural toys? I’m asking because you say a year ago when I started down this path…does that mean you got rid of the other kinds of toys? Just a curious mama. I think your room is just lovely. I want to come play!!
The natural toy thing started around July last year.
This is where we were at in spring 2008: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v70/lyneya/Walker/04-12-08newshelves2.jpg
It was handy because of the age he was at…just starting to transition out of baby toys and into the things he’d play with through 6 or 7. So we made a conscious decision to change how we did toys. As he outgrew things, I’d put them aside, or send them off as hand-me-downs. We still have plastic…mostly the Little People stuff…he LOOOOOVES his Little People! But they live in his room.
I started really small though. I made a doll. Got a train set from Ikea (played with constantly!!) and a small set of pans. This has been a very gradual transition.
One funny side-effect…these toys aren’t so disposable! They’ll be around forever, so we’re really at max capacity!! Anything additional will be carefully considered. Another side-effect…since the toys at the store aren’t so appealing, we don’t spend much on a regular basis…which allowed for the couple of big items.
I’m crazy about that room!!!! I LOVE all of the wooden toys!! you did a beautiful job!
We just adopted a 16 month old little girl, and I want to start with the natural toys for her. LOVE it!!
Oh wonderful! What a fun age too!!! Places like etsy.com and hyenacart are terrific places to buy handmade toys straight from the artists. There are some really neat people out there and the prices are very reasonable. A lot of the time if you have something in mind but they don’t sell it, just email them…usually they’re happy to make it for you!! And if you’re crafty, you can get in swaps and trade something you can do for something they can do! I’ve gotten some very unique things that way.
I’m a total natural toy adict now. But I love them as much as my son and enjoy making them and having them around the house.
For a toddler, a fun thing to start with might be to dye a few playsilks with koolaid. The blanks aren’t expensive and they’re very simple to make and lots of fun!
Wow, you’re room is fantastic! You have reason to be proud! I wish we had a separate room too as it is toys are everywhere. I love etsy and the toys you can find there too – who have you purchased from? The use of your train table is brilliant. We ended up getting rid of ours as our son just wanted to build long tracks and now I wish we hadn’t. Good work!
Ooh, I’ll have to think…anything wool or fabric, I made myself. The wood stuff is partially German stuff I got through a co-op and a lot of the bigger animals I made with our scroll saw. The silks and playclips I made. (I got very DIY this year!!)
A few etsy people I like:
http://imaginethatwoodshop.etsy.com (made our kitchen and also a little ironing board set that lives in another part of the house)
http://barnwoodfurniture.etsy.com (made the playstands)
http://elementalhandcrafts.etsy.com (we have one of the wood name balls)
http://imaginationkids.etsy.com (the purple helicopter–Walker LOVES it!)
http://beneaththerowentree.etsy.com (haven’t bought anything, but the felt balls are HIGHLY inspired by her, plus she’s just amazing with wool!!)
http://youreinspired.etsy.com (the pirate ship and pirate on top of the cubbies…that was a swap on a message board, but straight out of her shop)
Those are just the people I personally have stuff from! Ok, stuff = toys…I also got almost all Christmas gifts off etsy last year!!!
You should be obnoxiously proud of this room. It is gorgeous! You give me something to strive for. I hate plastic toys, and I hated them as a child. Some are okay, but most are worthless. I long for our home to feel like the Parent/Child building at the Waldorf School. It will happen. Thanks for sharing.
It’s such a gorgeous room and the wall colour works really well with all the wood, well chosen! I likey that little pirate ship
The pirate ship totally rocks! It’s an MDC craft swap!! I made her some playsilks and she made us a pirate ship!
I love the room – could play in it myself! Good color choice also.
Thank you for posting your pictures! They are very inspiring! We are just starting to build our playroom (my son is 17 months) and are looking around to find some great natural toys.
Just curious, where did you get your barn? I am looking for a barn with or without the animals (they are actually pretty easy to find).
Hi! It’s called “Sam’s Stable” by a US company called Elves and Angels. I got mine through a small online toy company called Three Sisters Toys. But it’s available through a number of online natural toy companies. It’s really lovely quality and gets lots of play! I went a little overboard cutting out animals, but they’re all over the house and played with EVERY day, so I forgive myself.