August's Room Library Parenting

The New Coffee/Play Table

We’ll have space for a play table in August’s room once he transitions from a crib to a bed and we’re able to take the glider and ottoman out. I was thinking about using our old coffee table, but Brandon pointed out that the whole reason we replaced it was because we were worried about its stability. Putting it in his room started to seem like a pretty bad idea, even though it would have looked cute.

I spotted a wood and sandstone coffee table that I liked at the Crate & Barrel outlet when I was there with my friend Kathryn (we met when I redesigned her bedroom), so I bought it. It’s similar to my old table, but slightly larger and a whole lot sturdier.

Playmobil Castle in a Home Library

Playmobil Castle

You like how I ‘styled’ it? It’s officially a play table now. (Funny thing about that Playmobile castle — I saw it last year at Berwyn’s Toys & Trains, and I joked to the kids that “daddy would really like that toy.” Guess who bought it?)

Playing with a Playmobil Castle

Actually, keeping the table in the library may turn out to be a better plan than moving it to August’s room. It fits the space well and looks fine, but has the added bonus of being neutral territory. If the castle was in either kid’s room, there would be more fighting over it because it’s seen as theirs, but out in the library they share it pretty well. I had to take the nesting side tables away that were next to the chair though, which I’d painted specifically for that space and liked. Too many tables, you know? Now I’m not sure if they’re coming back.

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  • Amie
    April 3, 2013 at 9:04 am

    And in the library, the hubs/man-with-super-imagination can play with it, too!

  • Julie G.
    April 3, 2013 at 9:35 am

    I love the white chair. Can you tell me where you got it? Thanks

  • brooke
    April 3, 2013 at 9:59 am

    great idea! looks just as good in the library, I’d say, and always up for creative ideas to incorporate kids’ play with the rest of our living spaces!

  • Katie Derman
    April 3, 2013 at 10:56 am

    You found the perfect solution, and I agree – having it in neutral territory will keep life happy. My son loves all things Playmobil – that castle sure is tempting. What age range do you think it is best for? Thank you!

  • Catherine
    April 3, 2013 at 2:04 pm

    What a great compromise, and I love the table! We got rid of our glass-top coffee table when our older son started crawling, and have been without one ever since. I love the idea of a play table, so maybe I need to rethink going without one.

  • Tristan B.
    April 3, 2013 at 2:34 pm

    Only you could make this castle look stylish, lol.

  • Hello Door Seven
    April 3, 2013 at 3:17 pm

    OMG!! I want that too!!!

  • PinonCoffee
    April 3, 2013 at 3:18 pm

    I adore that toy castle. It’s awesome, which is possibly even better than stylish… :-D

  • Jenny
    April 3, 2013 at 4:42 pm

    Which castle is that, out of curiosity? I think I need it!

  • Kate
    April 3, 2013 at 8:07 pm

    I love the table, Nicole, and I love that you are nurturing your kids’ need for imaginative play!

    Also, pretty please- where did you get the red planter for the fiddle leaf fig tree? I ADORE it. Any idea where I might be able to find a similar pot?

  • eileen ragan | leanerbythelake
    April 3, 2013 at 8:45 pm

    This is incredible! I’d like one in our home and we have zero children and little ones around.

    You made a good call here, cause kids will find a way to make a play area out of anything if it isn’t designated. I’m recalling the years 1990-1994 when my little sister and I turned my father’s pool table into a Barbie dream world. :)

  • Henna | HENNA BLOSSOM blog
    April 4, 2013 at 12:33 pm

    Everything about this post makes me smile! I want to come over and play make believe! Isn’t it so much fun to have all of this play in your life? I mean, good for the kids too, haha. :)

  • lisbet
    April 7, 2013 at 1:24 am

    Oh you’re so much braver than me~ white chairs with two kids :) Unless they wash/wipe down easily. I have been really disappointed in the durability of my Crate and Barrel couch though. After 2 years it looks crappy- the covering has really worn out.

    Those are IKEA bookcases, right? I used to have ones that looked just like those but we had to leave them behind when we last moved. Sigh.

    • Making it Lovely
      April 7, 2013 at 9:57 pm

      Yep, those are Billy bookshelves with doors (also from IKEA). And the white upholstery has held up really well, though we don’t spend a whole lot of time sitting in that chair.

  • Iliana
    April 10, 2013 at 11:52 am

    Great post, great blog! I actually have a question about the fiddle fig in the background: what pot size is it in? I’m considering re-potting mine so it will grow taller. I have on that looks about the same size as yours.

  • Ashley Bernier
    May 5, 2013 at 8:25 pm

    Love the curtains! Do you mind telling me where you bought them?

    • Making it Lovely
      May 5, 2013 at 9:08 pm

      The curtains were from Anthropologie a few years ago.

  • La La La La Lovely Library | Making it Lovely
    May 21, 2013 at 11:35 am

    […] finally share more pictures of the library! I took these photos last month, shortly after adding the new coffee/play table to the space. Then my computer died and the little laptop I bought to work on while traveling […]