how to live with small people Rebecca Wiggins

Rebecca and her husband are teachers who live with their sons in a renovated cottage in glorious Tasmania. There is no-one better than Mrs Wiggins to offer advice about how to live with little people. Embrace the chaos as much as you can Invest in beautiful toys that have aesthetic value. I found this difficult initially, as I was so particular about where things went, but after some time I decided to embrace the Lego creations and the wooden block towers and put them in prominent places around the home. Add greenery Put plants in all the rooms, especially bedrooms. A beautiful fern sitting atop a vintage desk in my littlest’s bedroom, next to his toadstool lamp, is so endearing that I enjoy being in his space. Picture books are priceless Displayed in bedrooms in old suitcases, crates and baskets or as a miniature library, picture books bring so much warmth to a home. Gather classics from your childhood home as well as new picture books with perfect covers. You can and should judge a book by its cover! When choosing furniture, go vintage, secondhand or bespoke So much more character is brought into a room when a piece is one of a kind. Your children’s art should become part of your art collection Frame a few choice pieces and add them to your French hang or simply lean them against the wall. Don’t be afraid to put beautiful art in children’s rooms We have bold vintage posters in the boys’ bedrooms. One beautiful piece speaks more than numerous fashionable prints. Showing them you appreciate art will assist in their development and appreciation for beauty. When you travel, collect pieces that speak to you We often buy a wooden toy or a key ring. On our next adventure, I hope to collect stickers to cover our luggage. Postcards are another sweet collection for children to choose at new destinations. Create a pin board, inside a cupboard or wall, and document your family adventures, be it to the national park an hour from your home, or somewhere on the other side of the world. Treasure your family memories We have some very loved Flatout bears, which we gave our children on the day they were born. Soon they won’t want to sleep with them anymore, and when that day arrives they are off to the framer. I will hang them with love in our master bedroom. Swoon Make your house the one everyone wants to be at! I am hoping that, as the years pass, our home is where the children and their friends will want to be – by the pool in summer, eating icy poles and a sausage from the barbecue! For a look at Rebecca’s home, visit insideout.com.au/renovations/ house/modern-charm-renovatinga-100-year-old-cottage.