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Art Toys in a Mid-Century Home


I'm currently having a little design dilemma.

I don't talk about it much here because it doesn't really apply to the mid-century theme of this blog, but I collect art toys. I had a nice low IKEA dresser in the guest room where they all lived and that worked great. Then the kid started to walk and was able to grab things. So I moved them to the taller Broyhill Sculptra dresser in the study and that worked great. Then the kid grew and could reach the top of that dresser. I'm slowly running out of space to put my toys.

The reason they were in the guest room and study is because they were a little hidden there. I could enjoy them, but most people who visited wouldn't see them (unless they stayed the night in the guest room). Part of the reason for hiding them is because most of my art toys don't have a mid-century or mid-century modern aesthetic. They don't go with the deign of the house or the look and feel we're trying to create in our home.

But I'm starting to realize that you should enjoy your collections to the fullest, even if they stick out a bit. That's the stance I've always had with the wall art in my home, and I think I'm going to start doing it with my art toys too.

What got me thinking that way is a recent post on one of the art toy blogs I read. They got a sneak peek at a home full of art toys that's going to be on Million Dollar Listing.


The toys don't exactly go with the style of the home, but they're sprinkled throughout and you can tell the collector really enjoys his collection. Which is the point of collecting I suppose.

Now I just need to figure out how to move my collection into other parts of my home, while still maintaining the overall style, look and feel that we want our home to have.

4 comments:

  1. Not too many people I know are purists for MCM stuff. Every one likes to collect what they have an affinity for and work them in with their other passions. Personally, I think your pieces have no problem residing and fitting in with your great MCM decor!

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    1. Yeah, I think it's all about finding balance. And pure MCM can feel really cold and lonely if you don't incorporate pieces and things you love to add a personal touch.

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  2. I agree with you. I think we should enjoy what we own. I have several pieces...book ends, a large vase, an ink well and pen and more...that belonged to my great-grandparents, grandparents and parents. They're not mid-century at all, but they're displayed prominently in my built-ins with pieces that are. I think you should feel comfortable putting your art toys where you can see them and enjoy them. I'd love to see pictures of all of them.

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    1. Pictures to come (hopefully). And you're right, we have to enjoy the things we own and not store them away. Not that my toys were hidden in the attic or anything, but once I move them I'll be able to enjoy them everyday.

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