Garden of Eden
by Saamy
(Rutherfordton, NC)
Beautiful bedroom w/ natural playthings
Hello! I too, am a mama with a love thing for natural and handmade toys. I have been a Waldorf homeschooler the past few years and that has greatly influenced my choices in toys for my children. I want my children to keep their imaginations, and sense of wonder in a world of technology. Electronic educational toys can wait. I feel a playspace or nursery is much calmer and loving when children are surrounded by playthings made of natural materials. Handmade items have that extra ingredient of LOVE!
This is my daughter Eden Gloria's bedroom, we do not have a playroom. She is 3. I am crafty and frugal as well, so the toys here have been made by me, made by other mamas that I swapped with, or made by artists on etsy and ebay, there are also a few items from thrift shops/ yard sales/ kids consignment stores. I really, really try not to buy retail. If I cant find it used or trade for it, I will buy through a co-op, or buy only if it is on sale and I'm getting a deal. IF I do buy retail, it is usually only at locally owned shops, even better if its a local mama-owned shop!
I did a rustic garden theme, with the canopy (a gift from granma) over the bed, and the flower bedspread. The rainbow baby blanket on the bed was airbrushed by an old hippy and given to my dd at her baby shower. It has peace signs, rainbows, dove and earth on it.
On the left, on top of the fridge we have rainbow wood blocks, and some european toys, and a wooden shoe lace toy. On the table we have a playfood picnic and tea party set up. The tea set I traded for. Below the table is a babydoll crib (thrifted) with a knitted gnome, and 2 wool fairies I've made. In the locally bought rocking chair we have my daughter's new waldorf doll she will recieve for her birthday this August, I got her off ebay. The earth sack was mama made and I got it full of handmade playfood in a trade. On the back window sill I have a handpainted goddess decoration (clearance), on the ledge I have a thrifted marble run ($1.50!) and a wooden bear I cut with a scroll saw. The wooden kitchen was another ebay score. On the kitchen is a basket (thrift), a wood sewing toy (gift), and a glass jar full of wood acorns(co-op). Hanging on the kitchen is a childs apron(etsy). Next to that is a wooden babydoll high chair (thrifted) w/ a waldorf baby (etsy). On the wall behind the play kitchen is a portrait painting of my daughter (trade). On the right side of the bed is a peg rack I bought at a craft store, stained, then handpainted with leaves. Hanging on it are playsilks I dyed, wooden rainbow necklaces I made, and other dressups I've made usually hang here. I even have a thrifted mirror for my girl to check out how cute she is. The horse on the bed is hand carved and the drum is also handmade. She also has a rustic locally made bookshelf that matches the table in the room, but you cant see it. We keep lots of books and other toys here. So that's my little Eden's garden room.
Natural and handmade toys are great for the earth and the imagination and are also beautiful to look at. I encourage everyone to make their own toys, its not hard, just try it! This room shows that natural/handmade can be beautiful, stylish and affordable!
