Dear Genevieve,
I need stylish toy storage that fits in with my house—our playroom opens to the kitchen for all to see.
—Kerrie, Richmond, Virginia
Ah, the playroom—always great in function but not always in form, right? The playroom doesn't have to be a design afterthought. It can represent who you are as a family, have furnishings the kids can grow with, and flow with the rest of the house—particularly if it's visible from another room. To that end, you want storage that visually balances out all the toys. I suggest bringing in vintage cabinets old wooden soda crates, and containers covered in leather and fabric. You can use adult-storage solutions for children's things. It's the toys that matter to the kids, after all—not the boxes they're in.
Dear Genevieve,
How can I hang family photos in a way that will appeal to my minimalist hubby and look contemporary?
—Erika, Marblehead, Massachusetts
You can be very contemporary with something as traditional as family photos; it's simply about how you present them. To start, play with the composition of the images in Photoshop: Create interesting enlargements, off-center compositions, and black-and-white renditions of color photos for a more minimalist look. See if you can capture the emotion of a moment by focusing in on a detail (for example, cropping in on the corner of someone's smile instead of showing their whole face). How many photos do we need of grandma perfectly centered in front of the Eiffel Tower, right?
After you've recomposed your photos, it's time to frame. Even though you are going a contemporary route, you still need to think in an eclectic way. It's not about matchy-matchy frames. Play with texture (but keep it simple), pattern (think straight lines, no crazy bevels or rococo embellishments), and depth (with shadow boxes). The variety will make your eyes dance across the wall instead of tire. Hang pieces about an inch or two apart, so everyone has room to breathe. Matting should be white. Intersperse with a piece of typography here and there, and I think you will have a collection that could please just about anyone.
Dear Genevieve,
How do you create an art area for your child in a shared space—i.e., a den or a living room?
—Leana, San Jose, California
The trick to any work area is that it functions for the task at hand and can also be easily concealed when it's not in use. I would suggest a secretary desk for your kids' creative adventures. Not only are these desks inconspicuous, but they come in a variety of affordable options, from secretaries that stretch to the ceiling and have several drawers to more compact ones that can double as side tables. Pair one with a beautifully framed tackable surface for displaying artwork, and maybe a few bins if you need extra art-supply storage, and you've got a great creative zone for kids.
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