creating a space for "making"
Julie
I could use some advice on designing a space for my 5 year old daughter to
craft/paint, etc. Right now she is doing most of her projects outside or at
a small table at the bottom of our stairs. She has taken to doing some sort
of making every day, and with winter approaching, I thought I'd try to
design a bigger indoor space for her. The small table just isn't big enough
for a lot of her projects, and I don't want her "making" to stop when winter
hits! Last winter she used the kitchen table, but then we had to move
everything to eat lunch, etc.so I'd like create a bigger space elsewhere
that won't need cleaning up.
We have an office/guest room near the family/toy room, and this weekend we
will be removing the guest bed. I am trying to figure out what sort of
table(s) I should buy. I have two other children (3 and baby), and I would
like to buy things that they can grow into. Hubby wants to buy some actual
adjustable drafting tables, since they have depth to them. I was thinking of
just buying a giant rectangular table that will adjust and grow with them.
Since space shapes activity, I'm just struggling with how best to approach
this. I was thinking that maybe we should buy one communal table and a few
drafting tables and just see what works best? We are also going to buy a few
computers sometime soon, so I will need a table/desks for those as well. Our
current space is limited, but we will be moving to a bigger house in the
near future, and I am hoping to have a main living room/ area where we can
make (hopefully a giant sunroom!)
I'm open to all suggestions. I just really want to create an environment
that will support their making activities.
Julie
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
craft/paint, etc. Right now she is doing most of her projects outside or at
a small table at the bottom of our stairs. She has taken to doing some sort
of making every day, and with winter approaching, I thought I'd try to
design a bigger indoor space for her. The small table just isn't big enough
for a lot of her projects, and I don't want her "making" to stop when winter
hits! Last winter she used the kitchen table, but then we had to move
everything to eat lunch, etc.so I'd like create a bigger space elsewhere
that won't need cleaning up.
We have an office/guest room near the family/toy room, and this weekend we
will be removing the guest bed. I am trying to figure out what sort of
table(s) I should buy. I have two other children (3 and baby), and I would
like to buy things that they can grow into. Hubby wants to buy some actual
adjustable drafting tables, since they have depth to them. I was thinking of
just buying a giant rectangular table that will adjust and grow with them.
Since space shapes activity, I'm just struggling with how best to approach
this. I was thinking that maybe we should buy one communal table and a few
drafting tables and just see what works best? We are also going to buy a few
computers sometime soon, so I will need a table/desks for those as well. Our
current space is limited, but we will be moving to a bigger house in the
near future, and I am hoping to have a main living room/ area where we can
make (hopefully a giant sunroom!)
I'm open to all suggestions. I just really want to create an environment
that will support their making activities.
Julie
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Sandra Dodd
I have a few ideas and others will surely have more.
School-style kids' tables sometimes have adjustable legs so they can be raised as years go by. There's a school supply company that's honest and not as expensive as some others (that will only deal in purchase orders), so if you're in the US you might look here (for ideas, at least—if you can't afford the things you like, maybe you could be on the lookout for something similar, or used.
http://www.discountschoolsupply.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?category=206
Cardboard boxes like "beer flats" (the trays that come under a flat of canned sodas or beet) can make good storage for supplies and small projects, between times.
Plastic trays made for bussing restaurant tables are stackable (empty, and in a way when they're full, if you go back and forth, some of them) and washable.
In the Netherlands I saw a table from IKEA that had two "gates" so that it could open up into two sizes, or stay its folded up small size. It had six drawers, that fit three on a sie under the table. So it was small and potentially, quickly, large.
Sandra
School-style kids' tables sometimes have adjustable legs so they can be raised as years go by. There's a school supply company that's honest and not as expensive as some others (that will only deal in purchase orders), so if you're in the US you might look here (for ideas, at least—if you can't afford the things you like, maybe you could be on the lookout for something similar, or used.
http://www.discountschoolsupply.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?category=206
Cardboard boxes like "beer flats" (the trays that come under a flat of canned sodas or beet) can make good storage for supplies and small projects, between times.
Plastic trays made for bussing restaurant tables are stackable (empty, and in a way when they're full, if you go back and forth, some of them) and washable.
In the Netherlands I saw a table from IKEA that had two "gates" so that it could open up into two sizes, or stay its folded up small size. It had six drawers, that fit three on a sie under the table. So it was small and potentially, quickly, large.
Sandra
Sandra Dodd
Tubs, not trays, I should have said here:
-=Plastic trays made for bussing restaurant tables are stackable (empty, and in a way when they're full, if you go back and forth, some of them) and washable.-=-
They're called "bus tubs" (in the U.S., anyway)
There are others, not as strong, clear plastic, available lots of places.
-=Plastic trays made for bussing restaurant tables are stackable (empty, and in a way when they're full, if you go back and forth, some of them) and washable.-=-
They're called "bus tubs" (in the U.S., anyway)
There are others, not as strong, clear plastic, available lots of places.
Colleen
****School-style kids' tables sometimes have adjustable legs so they can be raised as years go by****
A few years back, we got 2 trapezoid-shaped tables with adjustable legs (that go from very, very short - like toddler-sized, all the way to a height that could accommodate an adult) via Freecycle. A church nursery school was closing and clearing out their furniture, and rather than throwing it away they gave it all away. The tables can be placed next to each other in various configurations to create a larger surface, or moved apart to be used as two separate surfaces. Since the height can be easily adjusted, my son can sit or stand by them to play or create.
At one point we also had an L-shaped IKEA desk table - it was enormous :-) and also had adjustable legs, and it easily held an entire lego village, a giant art project, etc. It lined two whole walls of a small room, which was a lot of space for a table, but it was really nifty because it added a giant new surface to play and build on (and play under - my son loved setting up a fort underneath it!).
Around where we live, schools, small businesses, and childcare centers often offer older classroom and office furniture they don't need any more via Craiglist at a low cost, or Freecycle at no cost. We've had fun bringing different pieces of furniture (tables, computer desks, bookshelves, etc.) home over the years to try different set-ups or change around our room arrangements, and Freecycling it back away when we don't need it any more.
Colleen
A few years back, we got 2 trapezoid-shaped tables with adjustable legs (that go from very, very short - like toddler-sized, all the way to a height that could accommodate an adult) via Freecycle. A church nursery school was closing and clearing out their furniture, and rather than throwing it away they gave it all away. The tables can be placed next to each other in various configurations to create a larger surface, or moved apart to be used as two separate surfaces. Since the height can be easily adjusted, my son can sit or stand by them to play or create.
At one point we also had an L-shaped IKEA desk table - it was enormous :-) and also had adjustable legs, and it easily held an entire lego village, a giant art project, etc. It lined two whole walls of a small room, which was a lot of space for a table, but it was really nifty because it added a giant new surface to play and build on (and play under - my son loved setting up a fort underneath it!).
Around where we live, schools, small businesses, and childcare centers often offer older classroom and office furniture they don't need any more via Craiglist at a low cost, or Freecycle at no cost. We've had fun bringing different pieces of furniture (tables, computer desks, bookshelves, etc.) home over the years to try different set-ups or change around our room arrangements, and Freecycling it back away when we don't need it any more.
Colleen
BRIAN POLIKOWSKY
I work with what I have. I get tables on thrift stores, Craigslits or local Facebook groups for buying and selling.
I have a couple videos I made a couple years ago and I have changed some thing since but may give you ideas.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOXorXqffSE
and
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuoQv5Q1o
Alex Polikowsky
________________________________
From: Julie <matisse@...>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Thursday, August 29, 2013 7:14 AM
Subject: [AlwaysLearning] creating a space for "making"
I could use some advice on designing a space for my 5 year old daughter to
craft/paint, etc. Right now she is doing most of her projects outside or at
a small table at the bottom of our stairs. She has taken to doing some sort
of making every day, and with winter approaching, I thought I'd try to
design a bigger indoor space for her. The small table just isn't big enough
for a lot of her projects, and I don't want her "making" to stop when winter
hits! Last winter she used the kitchen table, but then we had to move
everything to eat lunch, etc.so I'd like create a bigger space elsewhere
that won't need cleaning up.
We have an office/guest room near the family/toy room, and this weekend we
will be removing the guest bed. I am trying to figure out what sort of
table(s) I should buy. I have two other children (3 and baby), and I would
like to buy things that they can grow into. Hubby wants to buy some actual
adjustable drafting tables, since they have depth to them. I was thinking of
just buying a giant rectangular table that will adjust and grow with them.
Since space shapes activity, I'm just struggling with how best to approach
this. I was thinking that maybe we should buy one communal table and a few
drafting tables and just see what works best? We are also going to buy a few
computers sometime soon, so I will need a table/desks for those as well. Our
current space is limited, but we will be moving to a bigger house in the
near future, and I am hoping to have a main living room/ area where we can
make (hopefully a giant sunroom!)
I'm open to all suggestions. I just really want to create an environment
that will support their making activities.
Julie
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
I have a couple videos I made a couple years ago and I have changed some thing since but may give you ideas.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOXorXqffSE
and
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuoQv5Q1o
Alex Polikowsky
________________________________
From: Julie <matisse@...>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Thursday, August 29, 2013 7:14 AM
Subject: [AlwaysLearning] creating a space for "making"
I could use some advice on designing a space for my 5 year old daughter to
craft/paint, etc. Right now she is doing most of her projects outside or at
a small table at the bottom of our stairs. She has taken to doing some sort
of making every day, and with winter approaching, I thought I'd try to
design a bigger indoor space for her. The small table just isn't big enough
for a lot of her projects, and I don't want her "making" to stop when winter
hits! Last winter she used the kitchen table, but then we had to move
everything to eat lunch, etc.so I'd like create a bigger space elsewhere
that won't need cleaning up.
We have an office/guest room near the family/toy room, and this weekend we
will be removing the guest bed. I am trying to figure out what sort of
table(s) I should buy. I have two other children (3 and baby), and I would
like to buy things that they can grow into. Hubby wants to buy some actual
adjustable drafting tables, since they have depth to them. I was thinking of
just buying a giant rectangular table that will adjust and grow with them.
Since space shapes activity, I'm just struggling with how best to approach
this. I was thinking that maybe we should buy one communal table and a few
drafting tables and just see what works best? We are also going to buy a few
computers sometime soon, so I will need a table/desks for those as well. Our
current space is limited, but we will be moving to a bigger house in the
near future, and I am hoping to have a main living room/ area where we can
make (hopefully a giant sunroom!)
I'm open to all suggestions. I just really want to create an environment
that will support their making activities.
Julie
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
I love the idea of tables that can be pushed together. I also love the idea of a giant wall of a table. I can so see giant lego creations in our future ;-)
--- In [email protected], Colleen <3potatoes@...> wrote:
>
> ****School-style kids' tables sometimes have adjustable legs so they can be raised as years go by****
>
> A few years back, we got 2 trapezoid-shaped tables with adjustable legs (that go from very, very short - like toddler-sized, all the way to a height that could accommodate an adult) via Freecycle. A church nursery school was closing and clearing out their furniture, and rather than throwing it away they gave it all away. The tables can be placed next to each other in various configurations to create a larger surface, or moved apart to be used as two separate surfaces. Since the height can be easily adjusted, my son can sit or stand by them to play or create.
>
> At one point we also had an L-shaped IKEA desk table - it was enormous :-) and also had adjustable legs, and it easily held an entire lego village, a giant art project, etc. It lined two whole walls of a small room, which was a lot of space for a table, but it was really nifty because it added a giant new surface to play and build on (and play under - my son loved setting up a fort underneath it!).
>
> Around where we live, schools, small businesses, and childcare centers often offer older classroom and office furniture they don't need any more via Craiglist at a low cost, or Freecycle at no cost. We've had fun bringing different pieces of furniture (tables, computer desks, bookshelves, etc.) home over the years to try different set-ups or change around our room arrangements, and Freecycling it back away when we don't need it any more.
>
> Colleen
>
Deb Lewis
Drafting tables can double as easels!
As interests change it would be nice to have a table or two to accommodate that. Something that will hold a sewing machine or microscope or carburetor parts. Our kitchen and dining room tables served us well. (We ate elsewhere) You can’t know what’s coming. If she gets into welding or metal work, or car restoration she’ll need a garage! Get what you think will work well for now, and change when it doesn’t work anymore. Folding tables can be easily stored for a season or a decade until they’re needed again.
Deb Lewis
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
As interests change it would be nice to have a table or two to accommodate that. Something that will hold a sewing machine or microscope or carburetor parts. Our kitchen and dining room tables served us well. (We ate elsewhere) You can’t know what’s coming. If she gets into welding or metal work, or car restoration she’ll need a garage! Get what you think will work well for now, and change when it doesn’t work anymore. Folding tables can be easily stored for a season or a decade until they’re needed again.
Deb Lewis
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Sandra Dodd
-=-Folding tables can be easily stored for a season or a decade until they�re needed again.-=-
AH RIGHT! We own half a dozen folding tables. I was glad when 4' long tables became easily available, because before that we went through eight or ten 5'-6' tables, using them for picnics, parties, crafts, camping...
Holly and I have been moving things from two rooms into Marty' old room to make space for her to have house shows. She's having Amy Steinberg near the end of next month, and some punk bands next week.
Two rooms have temporary folding tables in there for storage. It's great. And if they stay there as flat surfaces, also fine. And if they are folded and put back in the pile, no problem.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
AH RIGHT! We own half a dozen folding tables. I was glad when 4' long tables became easily available, because before that we went through eight or ten 5'-6' tables, using them for picnics, parties, crafts, camping...
Holly and I have been moving things from two rooms into Marty' old room to make space for her to have house shows. She's having Amy Steinberg near the end of next month, and some punk bands next week.
Two rooms have temporary folding tables in there for storage. It's great. And if they stay there as flat surfaces, also fine. And if they are folded and put back in the pile, no problem.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
<dmzajac2004@...>
I saw this yesterday on Costco's website while looking at desks, and your post came to mind. http://www.costco.com/Sawyer-Arts-and-Craft-Table.product.100013196.html I like that it is nice and compact, and has the organization cubbies. Making clean up much easier. Maybe you can find something similar in a child's size, and for less money. --- In [email protected], <Sandra@...> wrote: -=-Folding tables can be easily stored for a season or a decade until they�re needed again.-=-
AH RIGHT! We own half a dozen folding tables. I was glad when 4' long tables became easily available, because before that we went through eight or ten 5'-6' tables, using them for picnics, parties, crafts, camping...
Holly and I have been moving things from two rooms into Marty' old room to make space for her to have house shows. She's having Amy Steinberg near the end of next month, and some punk bands next week.
Two rooms have temporary folding tables in there for storage. It's great. And if they stay there as flat surfaces, also fine. And if they are folded and put back in the pile, no problem.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
AH RIGHT! We own half a dozen folding tables. I was glad when 4' long tables became easily available, because before that we went through eight or ten 5'-6' tables, using them for picnics, parties, crafts, camping...
Holly and I have been moving things from two rooms into Marty' old room to make space for her to have house shows. She's having Amy Steinberg near the end of next month, and some punk bands next week.
Two rooms have temporary folding tables in there for storage. It's great. And if they stay there as flat surfaces, also fine. And if they are folded and put back in the pile, no problem.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Karen James
In our home, flat surfaces became more valuable than any other piece of
furniture. It's more me who tends to spread out, but it's also friends
that come over and spontaneously want to create or experiment with things
who make use of the available (though not often stuff free) flat surfaces.
In a 1000 square foot living space, we have one old found library table (I
love that thing!), a large oak dining table (seats 8) that rarely gets
eaten at, three desks, a piano bench that converts to another surface, and
open floor spaces with yoga/meditation cushions in case anyone wants to
work on the floor. We had a coffee table that I made using old barn
boards, but we moved that out of our living space for a while, in favour of
more floor space.
The other valuable spaces in our home are shelves. We have 11 in our
living space, and several in our storage spaces. I'm partial to warm
colours, so I have picked up lots of natural baskets over the years. They
sit on the open shelves. Different things have lived in these baskets at
different times. Some are catch-all baskets. We have six ikea bookshelves
(with doors) that we added to our collection of shelves over time. I like
the doors because it reduces the mounting dust, and they look a bit neater.
They were fairly reasonably priced. Two of them have been with Doug and I
since well before Ethan was born, so they seem to be relatively durable too.
For my own work surfaces for making things, I have used fold up tables,
drafting tables, easels, the floor, dining tables, work benches, outdoor
tables, driveways, walls, etc. I like to make things right in the middle
of all the action most of the time. I like to leave it for a bit, live
with it a while, then put stuff away and move on to another space and
another project. For me, the space is part of the art. When I recall past
works, I also recall the spaces I have created them in. So, maybe,
consider how you daughter likes to work in your plans. Some people like
their own quiet space. Some, like me, like to be in the center of things.
It might change with time. Most of all, have fun with it!!
Karen.
furniture. It's more me who tends to spread out, but it's also friends
that come over and spontaneously want to create or experiment with things
who make use of the available (though not often stuff free) flat surfaces.
In a 1000 square foot living space, we have one old found library table (I
love that thing!), a large oak dining table (seats 8) that rarely gets
eaten at, three desks, a piano bench that converts to another surface, and
open floor spaces with yoga/meditation cushions in case anyone wants to
work on the floor. We had a coffee table that I made using old barn
boards, but we moved that out of our living space for a while, in favour of
more floor space.
The other valuable spaces in our home are shelves. We have 11 in our
living space, and several in our storage spaces. I'm partial to warm
colours, so I have picked up lots of natural baskets over the years. They
sit on the open shelves. Different things have lived in these baskets at
different times. Some are catch-all baskets. We have six ikea bookshelves
(with doors) that we added to our collection of shelves over time. I like
the doors because it reduces the mounting dust, and they look a bit neater.
They were fairly reasonably priced. Two of them have been with Doug and I
since well before Ethan was born, so they seem to be relatively durable too.
For my own work surfaces for making things, I have used fold up tables,
drafting tables, easels, the floor, dining tables, work benches, outdoor
tables, driveways, walls, etc. I like to make things right in the middle
of all the action most of the time. I like to leave it for a bit, live
with it a while, then put stuff away and move on to another space and
another project. For me, the space is part of the art. When I recall past
works, I also recall the spaces I have created them in. So, maybe,
consider how you daughter likes to work in your plans. Some people like
their own quiet space. Some, like me, like to be in the center of things.
It might change with time. Most of all, have fun with it!!
Karen.
On Fri, Aug 30, 2013 at 10:38 AM, Sandra Dodd <Sandra@...> wrote:
> -=-Folding tables can be easily stored for a season or a decade until
> they�re needed again.-=-
>
> AH RIGHT! We own half a dozen folding tables. I was glad when 4' long
> tables became easily available, because before that we went through eight
> or ten 5'-6' tables, using them for picnics, parties, crafts, camping...
>
> Holly and I have been moving things from two rooms into Marty' old room
> to make space for her to have house shows. She's having Amy Steinberg near
> the end of next month, and some punk bands next week.
>
> Two rooms have temporary folding tables in there for storage. It's great.
> And if they stay there as flat surfaces, also fine. And if they are
> folded and put back in the pile, no problem.
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Sharkeydawn
We have two tables with adjustable legs, both from Ikea (in the UK but I imagine a lot of their stuff is available internationally).
One is a kids table, rectangular, melamine which is really hard wearing. The stools with it are also storage bins.
The other I got years ago so I don't know if they still make it. You chose a table top then legs to go on it. You can adjust the legs so it is slanted, like a draught table, but it is bigger, like a dinning table. Or you can have it flat.
The blog "play at home mom" has lots of suggestions for setting up accessible work areas.
This page links to some...
http://www.playathomemomllc.com/category/environment/
Dawn
Sent from my iPhone
One is a kids table, rectangular, melamine which is really hard wearing. The stools with it are also storage bins.
The other I got years ago so I don't know if they still make it. You chose a table top then legs to go on it. You can adjust the legs so it is slanted, like a draught table, but it is bigger, like a dinning table. Or you can have it flat.
The blog "play at home mom" has lots of suggestions for setting up accessible work areas.
This page links to some...
http://www.playathomemomllc.com/category/environment/
Dawn
Sent from my iPhone
On 30 Aug 2013, at 15:38, Sandra Dodd <Sandra@...> wrote:
> -=-Folding tables can be easily stored for a season or a decade until they�re needed again.-=-
>
> AH RIGHT! We own half a dozen folding tables. I was glad when 4' long tables became easily available, because before that we went through eight or ten 5'-6' tables, using them for picnics, parties, crafts, camping...
>
> Holly and I have been moving things from two rooms into Marty' old room to make space for her to have house shows. She's having Amy Steinberg near the end of next month, and some punk bands next week.
>
> Two rooms have temporary folding tables in there for storage. It's great. And if they stay there as flat surfaces, also fine. And if they are folded and put back in the pile, no problem.
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
Alex
When my daughter was a toddler, I would set her up with arts/crafts activities set right on the top of a large storage bin. She preferred to stand anyway, the level was good, the bin was easily wiped off, and it had a lip around the edge of the top. AND-bonus! It held supplies. :) A thought for your littles.
Don't stress yourself out. I had a large and fairly well organized craft cabinet, and then movers dumped everything into moving boxes. I was left them sitting next to the cabinet long enough that my 6 yo daughter found the jumble of stuff and that jumble was exactly the right thing for her. She loooves rummaging and finding different kinds of stuff to put together. She makes so much more now. Eventually I'll want the cardboard out of my dining room but for now it is the best!
Alex
Don't stress yourself out. I had a large and fairly well organized craft cabinet, and then movers dumped everything into moving boxes. I was left them sitting next to the cabinet long enough that my 6 yo daughter found the jumble of stuff and that jumble was exactly the right thing for her. She loooves rummaging and finding different kinds of stuff to put together. She makes so much more now. Eventually I'll want the cardboard out of my dining room but for now it is the best!
Alex
chris ester
One other option for some of your child's creativity (if it is painting and
drawing) is making a place on the wall with clips to put up giant pieces of
paper. If there is a place with floor space, a big piece of plastic backed
canvas (or a felt backed vinyl tablecloth) with the projects laid out on it
are fun and portable.
we would pick up the whole thing and drape it somewhere to dry and lay down
another one. You could use the tablecloth idea on a table too. A little
tape to hold the paper (if it is a paper project) on the table cloth and
then you can use clothes pins or other clips to hang the table cloth up so
that the project can dry with a minimum of fuss.
chris
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
drawing) is making a place on the wall with clips to put up giant pieces of
paper. If there is a place with floor space, a big piece of plastic backed
canvas (or a felt backed vinyl tablecloth) with the projects laid out on it
are fun and portable.
we would pick up the whole thing and drape it somewhere to dry and lay down
another one. You could use the tablecloth idea on a table too. A little
tape to hold the paper (if it is a paper project) on the table cloth and
then you can use clothes pins or other clips to hang the table cloth up so
that the project can dry with a minimum of fuss.
chris
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Trista Teeter
---I saw this yesterday on Costco's website while looking at desks, and your post came to mind. http://www.costco.com/Sawyer-Arts-and-Craft-Table.product.100013196.html I like that it is nice and compact, and has the organization cubbies.---
If you are handy, or know someone who is, Ana White has some plans for building your own tables for less than half the price of these. Here is one example:
http://ana-white.com/2010/02/plans-bedford-3x3-bookcase-inpired-by.html
Or, I've seen people get a couple of bookshelves and put a flat surface on top (if you have a Habitat for Humanity Re-Store, you can possibly find all of these things for discounted prices. A lot of times all they need is a coat of paint.). For our 7 year old daughter, we took the doors off of her closet (that she didn't use at all) and cut one of the doors down to fit into her deep closet. Instant art spot! She has some shelves above and some storage below as well.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
If you are handy, or know someone who is, Ana White has some plans for building your own tables for less than half the price of these. Here is one example:
http://ana-white.com/2010/02/plans-bedford-3x3-bookcase-inpired-by.html
Or, I've seen people get a couple of bookshelves and put a flat surface on top (if you have a Habitat for Humanity Re-Store, you can possibly find all of these things for discounted prices. A lot of times all they need is a coat of paint.). For our 7 year old daughter, we took the doors off of her closet (that she didn't use at all) and cut one of the doors down to fit into her deep closet. Instant art spot! She has some shelves above and some storage below as well.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]