Winter 2017 | Page 16

Green Tolli Chest, Zilli Home Interiors, www. zillihome. com

During one of my first TV gigs, the host talked about how she opted for a more minimalist approach in her home to survive her son’ s toddler years. At the time, being young and naive, the thought of putting away pretty glass accessories during a certain period in your child’ s life sounded absurd. Why wouldn’ t she just tell her son not to touch them? Well today, as a parent, I have a better understanding. They haven’ t nicknamed these hair pulling, nail biting years, the“ terrible twos” for nothing!

My 18 month old daughter, Ella is quickly approaching those frightening years. They should really call it the terrible toddler years because it seems like kids start their terrible twos well before the age of two. I am constantly running after her, telling her“ don’ t touch that, leave that alone!” It’ s funny how kids will change your perspective, not only on life in general but also on your design style. I am currently reevaluating my stance on accessorizing and thinking that I should simplify my home’ s décor. I’ m taking inventory of the content on each surface and removing fragile items to replace them with things that don’ t shatter on high impact. My storage is now filled with fragile accessories and I’ ve come to master the art of replicating accessories out of plastic look-a-likes. They say kids will change you, and they are right, I am different. However, I think that kids change you for the better. They push you out of your comfort zone and test your talents. If it weren’ t for Ella, I wouldn’ t have known how to make a fifty dollar accessory out of a dollar store find! Somehow I feel that the savings in my design budget will go towards diapers and toys. Welcome to the glamorous life of a magazine editor!

marc @ CanadianHomeTrends. com