Loved this so much ! (I don’t know if I’m the Claire I’d be so happy if it was!!) I have completed two renovations with my children. Your list is brilliant. If I was to add anything maybe consider along with quiet moments how to create moments that bring you together either as a family or small intimate moments to share. It sounds obvious but check there’s room for a sofa that’s big enough for everyone, the quiet nook is big enough for two/three, as you know they’ll squeeze on, a chair by the bath or desk is lovely to encourage a bottom to sit. A small round kitchen table as well as a bigger dining table is my dream. Think of how to create moments that encourage connection. Senses: touch. Pick things that feel good, this is the first time your child will lay on the carpet, run their fingers across a wall, feel the tiles under their feet. Nothing scratchy, sharp. These feelings will stay with them forever. Sight: What view can you see from the windows and through the house. Sometimes we forget and suddenly a wall/bins is in view. Light is everything, I always think light for tasks light for mood. I try to design homes that have private spaces for everyone and then social spaces to bring everyone together. Your list is gorgeous. Build a house around love and you can’t go wrong. 💛
Amazing thank you! ♥️ I’d love to have my time renovating with little ones again I’d do things so differently. I powered on getting decisions made rushing to get it finished without really checking what the kids wanted or needed. Definitely learnt my lessons.
This is how we learned after buying a fixer upper when I was pregnant with my first😭 we had noooo idea. Now this is all I think about. How to warm it up and make it easy to manage and open for the kiddos. Excited to keep reading about your process!!!
As a mum of 3 little ones I will say that however amazing you make the ‘play room’ they will likely only be content and happy playing at your feet in the kitchen, so maybe think about a little toy storage in the kitchen. One of the other best things we did was put the hob on the island facing the garden. I would have missed out on so much life and conversations with the kids if I wasn’t facing them every day as we prep and cook food as they sit up at the island drawing or pottering
Loved this so much ! (I don’t know if I’m the Claire I’d be so happy if it was!!) I have completed two renovations with my children. Your list is brilliant. If I was to add anything maybe consider along with quiet moments how to create moments that bring you together either as a family or small intimate moments to share. It sounds obvious but check there’s room for a sofa that’s big enough for everyone, the quiet nook is big enough for two/three, as you know they’ll squeeze on, a chair by the bath or desk is lovely to encourage a bottom to sit. A small round kitchen table as well as a bigger dining table is my dream. Think of how to create moments that encourage connection. Senses: touch. Pick things that feel good, this is the first time your child will lay on the carpet, run their fingers across a wall, feel the tiles under their feet. Nothing scratchy, sharp. These feelings will stay with them forever. Sight: What view can you see from the windows and through the house. Sometimes we forget and suddenly a wall/bins is in view. Light is everything, I always think light for tasks light for mood. I try to design homes that have private spaces for everyone and then social spaces to bring everyone together. Your list is gorgeous. Build a house around love and you can’t go wrong. 💛
It was! And these are such helpful additions! Noting all of this down… x
Amazing thank you! ♥️ I’d love to have my time renovating with little ones again I’d do things so differently. I powered on getting decisions made rushing to get it finished without really checking what the kids wanted or needed. Definitely learnt my lessons.
This is golden Claire!!!!!!
This is how we learned after buying a fixer upper when I was pregnant with my first😭 we had noooo idea. Now this is all I think about. How to warm it up and make it easy to manage and open for the kiddos. Excited to keep reading about your process!!!
This is so useful, such a good list and the added comments. I love your writing too! Thank you x
As a mum of 3 little ones I will say that however amazing you make the ‘play room’ they will likely only be content and happy playing at your feet in the kitchen, so maybe think about a little toy storage in the kitchen. One of the other best things we did was put the hob on the island facing the garden. I would have missed out on so much life and conversations with the kids if I wasn’t facing them every day as we prep and cook food as they sit up at the island drawing or pottering