My Father’s Legacy

Disclosure:  This is an unsponsored post.  All opinions expressed here are my own.  Any businesses listed are for your benefit, not mine.

I lost my father last October.  I’m devastated.  I will always be devastated.  I miss him every day.  I am beyond upset that my children won’t get to know him.  When he passed he left me a small inheritance and although my first inkling was to pay bills with it, my husband urged me to do something meaningful and special to honor his memory.  That’s when inspiration hit.  We had a sun room that was once a special place for us to have coffee or a beer when we didn’t have kids, and was being used as storage once they came.  I wanted to turn it into a playroom for the kids, somewhere my dad could foster their imaginations, and keep them safe.  Here’s the result.  Better late than never, right?

 A picture I sneakily took on our last picture excursion. 

I wanted to use a theme that would remind me of him, something that he loved.  Immediately I thought of photography.  He loved to take pictures. We used to go out early in the mornings and take pictures up at Seven Lakes Drive when he was in town.  I spoke with some friends, and we decided on photography. Photography for kids…not easy.

I knew I wanted there to be an alphabet. I came up with a unique idea while searching pinterest boards.  I wanted to have an alphabet with all different letters, and I wanted important people in their lives to choose, decorate and deliver the letters (see post with letter).

We needed a guest area. So we added a full size pull out couch which is perfect for “camp-outs” for the kids, as well as overnight guests.  I hated the throw pillows.  I found on Etsy this awesome shop  REDS ATTIC that had camera inspired pillows made of fleece, soft and adorable, I ordered a few.  I love the accent, and the kids use them all the time, on the couch, on the floor, and for pillow fights.

The shelves are picture shelves from IKEA that I use for books, they are great, they hold quite a few and are super easy for the kids to access.  I did use heavy duty metal anchors so that they were safe enough.  Above the books I found this amazing painted sign (again on Etsy) by Barn Owl Primitives.  It not only connects the room to photography again, but it really has a mantra that resonates with me, and sounds just like my dad when he had his “deep” moments.

An upclose shot of the sign.

Next to that space is a frame wall where I display the kid’s pictures, artwork, whatever really.  These I purchased from the local craft stores and painted.  I painted clothes pins to match, and glued them on.  I have since been recruited to paint a few for friends, it’s cute and the kids love to look at their own stuff.

Despite the small size of the room, storage was still a real necessity.  I ended up hiring my old soccer coach (who interestingly enough did all of the furniture in my father’s office when he first started out) to make a custom built in.  It needed to be deep enough for (A)’s giant Bruder trucks, and have space for a TV (for movie time, they do not have cable).  It had to be sturdy and easy to clean (it is a playroom).  I love the finished product, it’s perfect.

On the far wall we have a white board and chalkboard (both purchased from Amazon and affordable).  In between there is a galvanized bucket with the chalk and eraser.  I wanted to add another element of photography and was able to find these wooden cameras at Michael’s.  We painted them, placed handprints and then added the kids’ monograms.

There are other little odds and ends, milk crate baskets to hold toys (mostly LEGO’s) from Target, because my husband’s family owned a local milk farm in Rockland.  Toy cameras that my father sent (A) when he was small, and a few special mementos from the kids. 

I love this room.  When the kids are out there I feel like my dad is playing with them.  I feel like he is teaching them, he would have loved to play LEGO’s with (A).  He gets to play with them every day, in a safe and special place that is all their own.  I would like to give a special thank you to all who helped me to make it this wonderful place.  Firstly, to RNYD who encouraged me to do something special with the money, to my step-mother who helped me pick things out from across the country (and got to be the first one to sleep out there, Dad would have liked that).  Thank you to my friends and family who put up with creating letters for my silly letter project. I look forward to so many more years of enjoyment and special times in this amazing space.