Inspiring playrooms to unleash the inner artist in your child.

I was an art teacher.

My two bobs worth:  Fostering a love of making and art leads to a life much appreciated. 

Play rooms or dedicated art spaces go along way to to unleashing the creative in your child.

In a world that passes us all by so quickly it is now more than ever important to teach our children to stop and really look. The little lines in a leaf, the tiny feather in the long grass, the beauty in the sunset and the design of that building.

Developing kids that can really 'see' needs to be nurtured from a young age. 

Most mums acknowledge the importance of play and craft in young kids and a few struggle to see the benefit when they hit their teens! (Trust me I had many a parent argue the relevance of art in high school) 

So creating a space that encourages play, where your kids can get their craft on and learn to see will, I believe set them up for a life full of opportunity and promise.

A life much appreciated.

My quick tips for helping create a workspace for kids to fall in love with art.

1. Having a workspace albeit a table, floor or wall that they can call their own and not worry about making (too) much mess. 

2. Blank paper and lots of it!  Colouring in books are great for developing fine motor skills but free drawing will develop their imagination and skills quicker.  

For free-drawing I get my kids to close their eyes , tell me the first thing they see and then we just draw it. We talk about the parts it may have, the texture, the shape, all the colours  and so on .... 

3. Teach kids to really look at what they are drawing. If they are drawing an object or a picture from a book - get them to keep looking and noticing the details. Too often we have a quick look, draw it and then wonder why it never looks any good. Get them to take their time and develop the art of seeing.


4. Eliminate the eraser!  As kids get older the use of the dreaded eraser can be heavily relied on. When teaching art to the younger kids I had a no eraser policy! I didn't want them to be precious about their art, just to have a go, make mistakes and enjoy it. 

5.  Chalkboards are great. Chalk will develop hand strength, the chunkier the better to start. Walls painted with chalkboard paint look great at first - but beware of the mess and dust. I personally would not have a chalkboard inside because of the mess. Outside walls are the other cleaner option.

6. Displaying work - Choose one wall and frame them up easily with black tape. 
So cheap and they  all look great when uniform. 

7. Plenty of tools - crayons, pencils, pastels, textas all in variety of thicknesses, paints (watercolours if you are not brave enough to try acrylics) , playdoh, paper, scissors, glue. Display them in easy to reach pots. 

8. Pinterest is a never ending source of inspiration for ideas  and play spaces. We have a few boards that may help you get your craft on too. 



9. Last but not least - Don't say you CAN'T DRAW or I'M NO GOOD AT ART  to your kids. They will copy and take it on board. (This is half the battle as kids get older)  

Its all about trying and it is a skill just like any other that can be learnt!  It just takes time. 

10. Some play room inspiration from Kids Style File

 

At Happy as Larry we are imagination merchants, dreamweavers and child delighters. Pop on over to our website for kids rugs , storage and toys that will foster a love of colour and learning.

Spring Makeovers in a jiffy and under $100

Don't want to spend alot of money and need to give your home a quick freshen up with the change of season? 

We have put together some quick tips and the go-to-websites to get any home ready for summer. 

Larry's Quick 4 Tips to add INSTANT SPRING COLOUR to any room in your house

1. Update your cushions - Cushions are a cheap way to add an instant makeover to your living room, bedroom or kids room. Our new favourite website is Cushion Spot for all things cushions.

2. Flowers - head over to Bondville for tips on flower arranging and the best vase for the right flower. 

3. Lighting - add a new lamp shade

This website has some great ideas of DIY lighting ideas to inspire you. 

3. Storage - a good spring clean always involves decluttering. So rather than heading on over to Bunnings or Ikea to get some more ugly plastic storage that so easily cracks and has a lid that is forever going missing - Be creative or spend a little more on storage solutions.  Get a fresh new look that updates your home, will last longer and is practical too.   

3. New Rug - A rug is a piece of art and will freshen up a room instantly. "They centre a room, complete a look and bring all your furniture and art together." says Amanda Mohoney, stylist.  ( Sorry most rugs will be more than a $100 but is worth the splurge)

Happy as Larry has some great ideas to freshen up your home quickly. 
Check out our Rugs , cushions and storage solutions all on SALE now! 

Perth Upmarket is on again

Our favourite market of the year is on again in just a few short days. Perth Upmarket has been one of the driving forces in the early success of Happy as Larry.  They are celebrating their 5th birthday and Larry has almost been to all markets in some shape or form. 

Back from our recent trip from Nepal we are keen to show some of our funky new designs to inspire you in the decoration of your kids rooms. We have something new for boys bedrooms, something sweet for little girls rooms as well as all our felt ball rug range and felt storage needs on display. 



PERTH UPMARKET Sunday the 14th September in Winthrop Hall, University of WA, Australia.  Check out their market guide for specials on the day.


Please stop by and say a big hello!

I love Rainbows

I'm not a peace loving hippie but I do have this thing for rainbows. Kids love colour and their bedrooms is one place where we can let loose with the decorating. Here are some colour loving ways to decorate your kids bedroom.

Loving the colours in this boys room- anything goes!

Colourful room for girls

Our new Happy as Larry Hanging Mobile

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rainbow Rugs

 

All images credited on our Pinterest Board

Loving all the colour of Nepal

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I must say I felt a little more prepared  on my 2^nd trip to Nepal than before even though I wasn’t traveling with my trusty companion, my husband Paul. When we travel he is the one to take care on the money conversions, the taxis, transfers  and language barriers.  This time I was on my own and thankfully managed to stay travel savvy and not give away 1000000’s of rupees to rogue taxi drivers.

This is Subash and his sister who manages the workshop.

I went with my girlfriend Merryn and the first few days of our trip was spent visiting my current suppliers and working on new samples together. This trip was two fold. Firstly to develop better relationships with my manufacturers and secondly to increase the Happy as Larry range. We worked on our current range and a 2014 collection to incorporate more storage baskets,  softies, wall hangings, mobiles and of course some more rugs! 

Drying of the carded wool outside Subash's factory.

 

The ladies stitching our rugs together.

We also worked on some new Christmas decorations and toy super hero softies!

 (sorry for the hot and sweaty pictures of me! )

Part of our 2014 Rainbow collecion

Hard pressed for time we decided not to climb Everest but view it from the top! 

 

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I love all the colours of Nepal. Their little doors say so much about where they have come from, their struggle and their optimism for the future. These doors are everywhere sometimes dating back to the 17^th century.  Their houses are also painted in a wonderful array of colours.

We visited a church in Nepal and met a few of our sponsor kids. Happy as Larry is committed to sponsoring the education of 5 children each year. We are hoping to increase this more as our business grows.

The Lady Di bench and pose! 

The last few days of our trip included a taste of India – Delhi and Agra.  A very different country to Nepal but with some similarities.  The difference between the very wealthy and the poor is a lot more evident in India. Traveling really gives you a greater appreciation for what we have in Australia. We are so richly blessed to live here and have so very much.

A trip to Agra and the Taj Mahal was a highlight. We also visited a new supplier in India that I am busting at the seams to show and tell you their wares BUT it is all top secret for now until we finalise things. 

So fair to say Larry is expanding his wings and the children's décor and furniture range will increase. Cant wait……….   

Please visit our Pinterest page for more photos of our new stuff and behind the scenes in our factories. 

Have a Firecracker of a Day this 4th July

Happy Independence Day on the 4th July to all our American friends. 

When naming our boys felt ball rug, truth be told, America was the inspiration behind the name Firecracker. 

In honour of the red, white and navy here are some of Larry's picks. 

The Firecracker Felt Ball Mat is available in a 100cm diameter and can be requested in larger sizes.

Felt Soft Storage Baskets available in many colours 

Felt Ball Garlands - available to match each rug

Starry Night Mobile - dances and delights any little one , boy or girl

How to Understand Colour in your Child's Bedroom

Colour in your child's room

Some people think they have an eye for colour or they don't. When decorating your child's room or babies nursery it not that hard if you know the basics and nature teaches us alot about how we should approach colour in our homes. 

We expect to have the darkest colour value at our feet. Nature then tells us the medium colour values are at our eye level and the lightest above us. (sky) 

Just remember Dark- Medium - Light

BUT 

Rules are meant to be broken from time to time

 

  

Image from Apartment Therapy

  

We all like to mix it up a bit and give our eyes a treat every now and then.  Varying the order can also work! 

Why not use a dominant colour with a subordinate colour. It can create a visual feast.

Why not put the dominant colour on top?

Putting two dominant colours together do not often work - our eyes and our brains need to find rest. When two dominant colours in equal proportions are put together it can create tension and is the last thing you want when designing your little ones room.  

 

image from Apartment Therapy 

Hope this has been helpful?  

Love Amy (aka Larry)

 

For more tips and ideas to come straight to your inbox click here

Baby's Room Sorted

Baby's Rooms

Are you pregnant? Are you designing your bubba's room?

1.We suggest start with a cot - Larry loves - Incy Interiors Cots
2.Choose a colour scheme 
3.Choose linen - Larry Loves - Alphabet Monkey Cot linen
4.Next choose a rug - somewhere to play and read a good book - 
   Larry Loves (of course) - You are My Sunshine Felt Ball Rug! $399 
5.Accessorize - wall art, cushions, chairs, toys.- Larry loves - Dwell Studio

Easy! 

Or your could always enter our $1000 Style My Room Package. Enter here on Facebook or if ona mobile click this link. 

FELT like some inspiration?: A wide spectrum of decorating ideas...

FELT like some inspiration?: A wide spectrum of decorating ideas...

A wide spectrum of decorating ideas...

We had the privilege of working with renowned children's photographer, Sheena Cooke. Sheena managed to capture the magic of our rainbow felt ball rugs in all their glorious splendor. 

A special thanks to our little models who seemed to appear from anywhere and everywhere. Passing children in the hallway of this fabulous Fremantle house were grabbed -  faces and feet wiped and then quickly photographed.

Jasper sits quietly (not usual I am told) on our newest felt ball rug for kids rooms, "You are My Sunshine" 

The "You are my Sunshine" Rug also looks magical in a lounge room. This size is 150cm in diameter.

My youngest, 4 yr old Eli did not want to perform on the day. He became very camera shy with all the comings and goings. But hey, we got some great steely looks from him!


Eli's little kindy friend Lilly joined us for the photoshoot.  Gorgeous Lilly rose to the occasion and was much more pliable than Eli. Here she is featured on our other newest felt rug "The Sorbet" especially created for little girls bedrooms. 

New Giveaway to make Mum Happy as Larry

Win your mummy dearest a felt ball trivet for her kitchen or table top, or just keep it for yourself!

Making Mum Happy as Larry- Official Rules

1. ELIGIBILITY: Making Mum Happy as Larry Sweepstakes (the “Sweepstakes”) is open to legal residents of Australia and over the age of 18 with access to the Internet at all times during the Sweepstakes and subsequent prize-award period unless otherwise specified by Loving Larry Rewards. All employees of Loving Larry Rewards. (“Sponsor”), all associated agencies and each of their sales representatives, distributors, or agents (all of the foregoing, together with Sponsor, collectively referred to as “Sweepstakes Entities”), and their immediate family members (spouse, parent, child, sibling and their respective spouses) and those living in the same household of each (whether related or not), are ineligible to participate in the Sweepstakes. All applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations apply. Void where prohibited or restricted by law. Entry in the Sweepstakes constitutes your full and unconditional acceptance of these Official Rules. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A PURCHASE WILL NOT IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING.

2. SWEEPSTAKES PERIOD: The Sweepstakes entry period begins at April 26, 2013, 8 p.m. (UTC) and ends at May 2nd, 2013, 8 p.m. (UTC) (the "Sweepstakes Period"). Winners will be selected from entries properly submitted and timely received during the Sweepstakes Period.

3. SWEEPSTAKES ENTRY INSTRUCTIONS: During the Sweepstakes Period, you may submit an entry form online. Limit One (1) Online Entry per person, per e-mail address, and per household during the Sweepstakes Period via Online Entry, regardless of whether a person has more than one address or more than one person uses the same address.

4. PUBLICITY: As a condition of entry into the Sweepstakes, except where prohibited by law, each entrant and each winner by accepting a prize grants to Sponsor and its affiliates, legal representatives, assigns and licensees, all right, title and interest in to publicize, broadcast, display and/or otherwise use the Sweepstakes entrant’s name, city, state, and biographical material (collectively, “Licensed Rights”) in any media now or hereafter known throughout the world in perpetuity for advertising and publicity purposes, without additional review, compensation, permission or approval of the winner. Where necessary, the Prize winner will be required to execute and return an Affidavit of Eligibility/Liability and Publicity Release within twenty four (24) hours of attempted notification or the winner may be disqualified and an alternate winner selected. Prize winner must be available for promotional display and presentation between April 26th, 2013, 8 p.m. (UTC) to May 2nd, 2013, 8 p.m. (UTC) or will forfeit prize to next winning entrant.

5. SELECTION OF SWEEPSTAKES WINNERS/ODDS: The potential Prize winners will be selected in a random drawing to be held after May 2nd, 2013, 8 p.m. (UTC). Winners will be selected from entries received during the Sweepstakes Period. Odds of winning will depend on the number of eligible entries received during the Sweepstakes Period. The potential winners will be notified via email to the email address submitted with the potential winner’s entry within twenty four (24) hours after the drawing. The drawing will be conducted by Sponsor, the judge of the Sweepstakes, whose decisions on all matters relating to the Sweepstakes shall be final and binding. In the event that a potential winner is disqualified for any reason, Sponsor may, in its sole discretion, award the applicable prize to an alternate winner selected at random. Any return of prize notification or prize email as undeliverable will result in forfeiture of any prize and an alternate winner may, at Sponsor's discretion, be randomly selected.

6. PRIZES: Win a Red and White Felt Ball Trivet 20 x 20cm Prize will be delivered after May 3rd, 2013, 8 p.m. (UTC). The Prize will be delivered to the winning entrant’s address or at the sole option and discretion of the contest sponsor to a recipient designated by the contest winner. Prizes are not transferable and are not redeemable for cash. All taxes and other charges are responsibility of the winner. No substitutions allowed. All expenses not specifically mentioned herein are not included as part of any Prize package, and are solely the winner’s responsibility.

7. ALTERNATIVE MEANS OF ENTRY: You may also enter the Sweepstakes by mailing a standard-size postcard with your first name, last name and email address to: Loving Larry Rewards Sweepstakes 44 Heliconia Turn Stirling WA Australia 6021. Postcard entries must be postmarked during the Sweepstakes Period to be included within the random drawing, and no more than one postcard/email address may be submitted during the Sweepstakes Period.

8. GENERAL RULES: By entering or participating in the Sweepstakes, participants agree to be bound by these Official Rules, and by the decisions of Sponsor, which are final and binding in all respects. Sweepstakes Entities are not responsible for: (1) any incorrect or inaccurate information or technical failures of any kind, (2) unauthorized human intervention in any part of the entry process or the Sweepstakes; or (3) any other computer, network, technical, human or other error, problem or malfunction that may occur in connection with the administration of the Sweepstakes, the processing of entries, or the selection or notification of winners. Further, if, for any reason, the Sweepstakes is not capable of running as planned for reasons outside the control of the Sponsor which, in the sole opinion of Sponsor, may corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of the Sweepstakes (or portion thereof), Sponsor reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Sweepstakes (or portion thereof). Sponsor also reserves the right at its sole discretion to disqualify the Entry of any individual found to be (a) tampering or attempting to tamper with the entry process or the operation of the Sweepstakes or any website operated by the Sweepstakes Entities; (b) using any robotic, macro, automatic, programmed or like entry methods, which will void all such entries; (c) violating these Official Rules or the terms of service, conditions of use, and/or general rules of any Sponsor property or service; or (d) acting in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner, or with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten, or harass any other person. Sweepstakes Entities are not responsible for claims, injuries, losses or damages of any kind resulting, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, from the awarding, delivery, acceptance, use, misuse, possession, loss or misdirection of the prize; participation in this Sweepstakes or in any activity or travel related thereto or from any interaction with, or downloading of, computer Sweepstakes information.

9. PARTICIPANT OBLIGATIONS: By participating in the Sweepstakes, you agree to be bound by these Official Rules and the decisions of Sponsor. By accepting the prize, the winner agrees to release and hold Loving Larry Rewards and affiliates harmless from and against any and all losses, damages, rights, claims, actions and liabilities of any kind in connection with the Sweepstakes or receipt or redemption of the prize. The winner assumes all liability for any injury, death, or damage caused, or allegedly caused, by participating in the Sweepstakes or use or redemption of the prize.

10. PERSONAL INFORMATION: The personal information collected through the Sweepstakes is subject to PunchTab’s Privacy Policy, located at http://www.punchtab.com/privacy. By entering the Sweepstakes, you agree to the use of your personal information as described in the above Privacy Policy.

11. SPONSOR: Making Mum Happy as Larry

Happy Start, Happy Mum

 Making Mum happy should always be a number one priority.

"A happy mum equals a  happy family".  

So why not treat her this Mother's Day with a felt ball trivet or table runner from Larry?

Larry is also clearing all felt winter bags in a pre-season sale. All $25

Making a Splash in Your Little Boy's Room

Well the rain has finally hit Perth today albeit a hot humid rain, so we got all inspired to create a splash board for your little guy's room or nursery. Our Blueberry Felt Ball Rug matches with a sea theme and/or on trend with the popular use of large wall maps in kids rooms. 

Play Room Pop Ideas

My lovely friend Virginia is having fun creating design boards for me. 


Why not have a little Smartie fun in your house ?

































Lovely colourful links: 
1. Original Larry Rug
2 and 7  Mocka
3. Tower in a box - Down that Little Lane
4. Buxtonbaby
6. Made it - Alphabet Farm Flash Cards

Table Top Fun

Wake up with a smile on your face with these funky trivets. 

Happy Customer Review:  "Thankyou for my trivet. Everytime I walk into my kitchen it makes me smile and appreciate the little things in life!"  Trish 

Sale time at Angove St Market

Behind the scenes here at Larry HQ we have made a few changes.Thanks to my business mentor brilliant advice some of these have been slightly painful but necessary. One of the challenges was to really define what Larry is all about  and to where my passions lay. For me,  its about meeting the needs of design savvy mums and creating magical children's rooms. This is where I come alive! 

So that being said - no more other felty bits and pieces like our felt handbags! (Well for now anyway!)   That means its SALE time on all carry and handbags.  

All stock will be cleared at $25 or less at Angove St Market in North Perth on April the 7th 2013 and online.

Hopefully we will see you at Angove Street Festival, if not, any stock left over from the market will be cleared online and on facebook -so stay tuned and comment below if you want to be informed of clearance.

Bye bye my felty bags - I am sure we will see you again one day. 

Larry xx