As I’ve let the design plans for the kids’ rooms simmer in my brain, I’ve been surfing Etsy for art that might work for their rooms. I’ll have to hit up some used book stores and thrift stores before ordering anything online, since much of what I’m looking at is vintage bookplates and posters. I like the vintage route for art since it is affordable, beautiful, unique, and adds so much character.
For L’s room I already have the Month by Month prints from Sarah Jane Studios. I bought the little notecards long before I even had kids because I loved them so much. So I’ll definitely be putting these in her room somewhere.
(“October in Polka Dot Wellies” from the Her Month by Month series by Sarah Jane Studios)
I also want to play with florals in her room - because where else can you do this with abandon than in a little girl’s room? I often call her “Sweet Pea” so I’ve been on the hunt for vintage seed packets or books or illustrations of sweet peas, like this one:
(Sweet Peas and Nasturtiums [laser print of seed box] from Victorian Rose Prints)
Or perhaps a botanical print like this one:
And wouldn’t those yellow sweet peas look lovely paired with these little yellow butterflies?
(Both prints from Early Bird Sale)
She also adores animals, and has a particular affinity for puppies (one of her first words) so I’ve been searching out dog breed illustrations like these:
(Vintage Dog Breed Illustration from Iowa Jewel)
For the boys’ room vintage maps are such an easy go-to for art. They’re interesting, beautiful, educational, and still pretty neutral.
(Antique Topographic Map of Canada from Reclaimer Vintage Goods)
M has some ideas of his own, though. He’d really like some superhero pictures in his room. And though he’s never watched anything Avengers-related, he’s obsessed with them and has a few toys and colouring books with them. I kind of cringe at the thought of something character based being featured, but this minimalistic poster is pretty cool:
(The Avengers Variant Poster from William Henry Graphic Design, also comes in blue)
Though I’m not sure he’d find that sufficient. Another route I’ve considered is framing vintage comic books. (Though it’s quite the hunt finding one that looks cool, features his favourite characters, yet is without anything scary or any scantily clad women on it! Sheesh.)
(The Avengers No. 151 Comic Book from Sidewalk Comics)
One item I’m totally kicking myself over not purchasing is this 1921 Canadian flag. My kids really like flags, and they might find it cool that pre-1960’s our Canadian flag was actually different. This flag is linen, it’s cool, it’s patriotic, it’s historical, it’s beautiful - what a treasure! But I waited, and it sold, and I can’t find anything like it online (for a decent price). Darn. Seriously kicking myself.
(Historical Upper Canada Flag from PapillonArtBoutique)
This old bookplate is pretty cool, but given its age it’s missing a lot of provinces and actually has the old Saskatchewan flag, which may annoy M or confuse my kids as they learn. So I’m not sold on it. And really I just want that old linen flag.
(Flags of Canada from Peony and Thistle Paper and Print)
I obviously won’t be getting all of this, but the hunting sure is fun…. We’ll see what I end up with!
