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Credit: Jim Deshler

After their daughter Savannah was born, Liz Small and her husband, Eric, finished their basement and added a crafting space. They wanted to make room for both Savannah and Liz, a graphic designer for Terry Bicycles, to get creative.

Liz says a Pottery Barn desk inspired the space, though she ended up buying most of the supplies at Michaels and the Christmas Tree Shops for just $75. “I’m a do-it-yourselfer,” she says.

Now 4, Savannah loves to spread out her paints and paper on the desk, and the Smalls love that they can keep those supplies organized. A big bonus: Because the living room is adjacent, Liz can make cards while Savannah plays, or Savannah can paint while Liz folds laundry. Pretty crafty, indeed.

Credit: Jim Deshler
  • A repurposed door makes for an extended work surface.
  • Art supplies are sorted into easy-to-reach buckets.
  • Scissors are stored up high, where kids can’t get to them.
  • Wrapping paper and ribbon hang from dowels on the wall.
  • Paper lanterns add light and color.
  • Old-school desk, a roadside find, is a work space just for kids.

This article was originally published in Seven Days’ monthly parenting magazine, Kids VT.

Kate Laddison is the Associate Editor of Kids VT. She lives in St. Albans with her husband and son.