Last week we spent a few days working in a charming Long Island City apartment. What was once a childhood home for our client is now one for her 2 young daughters, ages 2 & 4. It was a quick & thrifty project – we swapped the girls’ grandmother’s tall dresser for a more size appropriate Ikea one and added a nightstand between the now separated beds, but those were the only purchases made for this frumpy to fun makeover.
This photo isn’t even the most impressive and transformative before & after, but it is the only one that shows the 2 ombre green totes at the foot of the twin beds. These unstructured carry-alls were previously housing bed linens and the girls’ snow gear which now have been properly put away in their closet. The bags aren’t idea for storing & stacking, but they are perfect for corralling all the toys, books & dress-up tutus that had been previously strewn throughout the apartment.
Why I love the idea of these catch-alls is that it teaches the children at an early age to clean up after themselves. Everything that comes out to play goes into the bag and with assistance of an adult gets put away in its designated place. The kids are helping the adults and developing a life long habit of how to lead a responsibly organized life.
Now, if I could only teach Tater Tot to do the same with his toys.
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