If you live in London you learn to make the most of a sunny day, and you learn how to cope with your kids on a rainy day. Which means that we spend at least one afternoon a week, even in the summertime, sitting at the kitchen table with finger paint up to our elbows. There are two things that make this activity possible (’cause you know how anxious I get from the mess!): a wipe-clean tablecloth and paint smocks.

I think I got the idea from Esther, so I can’t really take credit… but did you know that you can buy oilcloth fabrics by the meter from John Lewis? They make really cute fabrics especially designed for kids, and you can find them in the furnishings/fabrics department on the 2nd floor in the Oxford Street shop. You can also buy cute oilcloths from Cath Kidtson (pictured).

The oilcloths are great for protecting your tables or floors from paint, pens, crayons, glue, scissors, etc. They wipe clean really easily, and they’re cute too! We use ours ALL the time.

The other must-have products are paint smocks. They keep your kids (somewhat) paint-free, and are much easier to wipe clean than cotton or wool.

Yes, wool, even in the summertime. Sad, I know…

-Courtney