Upon relocating from Australia to England, writer, photographer and graphic designer Kate Paillat of the blog Maurice & King decorated her London rental with her two small sons—ages 4 and 2—in mind. It's not New York City, but it does show how you can live beautifully even with young children at home. Here, via Design*Sponge, are a few of her tips for creating a family-friendly abode:

Choose items that last: Give the kids the run of the house by filling it with furniture and furnishings that will withstand their abuse. In the boys' room, a Danish teak tall boy can be used for blankets and baby clothes now and grown up items for decades to come. Meanwhile, a rug in the same room is made of recycled plastic (and actually meant for use outdoors), so it’s practically indestructible.

Think open space: Kids need room to play. In the boys’ room, the beds are pushed up against the wall to allow for a generous play area in the center of the room. To keep the room neat, toy clutter is contained in colorful woven baskets.

Accessorize with artwork: A single, oversized, brightly colored and boldly patterned piece is all you need to set the tone in a room. While living in Sydney, Paillat had accumulated numerous works of Australian aboriginal art. Now, such works function as design centerpieces in several rooms of her London home .

Take your time: Seek out things you adore and will have forever. Two of Paillat's most prized pieces—a 1950s velvet chair and an original Ercol table with a set of stacking chairs—were discovered after extensive searches on eBay.