I am pretty certain my lifelong love of Rainbow Order for all textas, pencils and pens derives from the set of 72 Derwent pencils I was lucky to receive when I was 9 years old. This was the creme de la creme of pencil sets, and I can still remember the names of my favourite colours: Kingfisher Blue, Emerald Green and Delft Blue. Derwent have been making pencils in Cumberland in the UK since 1832 and I love that they are still going strong. You can see their products here.
(For another thrilling rainbow thing check out Meredy's Rainbow Cake - not sure my baking skills are up to this but still, one can dream.)
At home, our daughter has a little section of the long L shaped desk in our library-study which is hers to use as she wishes. In an ironic turn of events, I happen to be paranoid about the internet, so our thinking is that when she is older she will have a computer here and use this area for her homework and Facebook (if it still exists although I am kind of hoping it will self-combust in the next 6 years).
When I was greeted by this sight when we returned from holidays I thought first - oh God a burglar has been here. Then I realised that this was the way it always looked but that I usually avert my eyes. So, it was time for a major clean up.
To inspire me, a visit to Kikki K was in order. This shop, run by Swedish -Australian businesswoman Kristina Karlsson sells beautiful home office supplies. Yes their magazine holders cost 4 times an Ikea one but they are fabric covered, so they last longer and don't end up with that battered, peeling look which so many Ikea cardboard products can get.
It is not easy to find children's study areas which have personality. These are some I like:
(actually am not so sure about this one - but the curtains are a cute idea)
This is simple and utilitarian.
I love the washing line of photos and the use of the storage cubes on either side of the desk.
This is a bit Martha S but still would be a good place to work for a teenager.
Thank you to Martin the Joiner who recommended we use grey felt pinboard behind the desk in this room. It has been a lifesaver.
So one very full garbage bag later, we now have something which approximates an unburgled desk. The grey letterholder which can hold more than 90 textas, grey pencil holder and magazine holders are all from Kikki K.
My daughter is under strict instructions to keep it neat for at least a little while. And who knows, by the time she is a hopefully not too surly teenager I might feel less paranoid, and she can have a desk in her room.
(Images (3) Country Living (4) Ohdeedoh (5) Cote Maison (6) Femaleways.com)
