growing up in: where the wild things are

From Max's quiet bedroom, to his midnight rumpus on the island of wild things, Maurice Sendak sketched a masterpiece journey of childhood imagination. Fever-pitch for this 40-year-old tome is at an all-time high with the greatly anticipated release of the Spike Jonze/Dave Eggers film opening on October 16 (I cannot wait for the opening, but their inspirational blog keeps me satiated in the meantime).

Oh, how to evoke that fuzzy, forest-y feel in your child's bedroom in hopes his creativity will span across imaginary oceans as well!

Sendak's book is a master class in pen-and-ink cross-hatch. Get that same stitchy feel with basket-weave bed sheets ($99) and a colossal cable-knit blanket ($198, the deep purple color evokes the mood of a midnight adventure). And nothing beats a classic wood bed ($749) with ball finials just like Max's that will surely last his 18 years at home, juxtaposed with a modern rubber monster of an ottoman ($297.50).

[other images: modern shag rug ($348), tree vintage wallpaper ($195eu), branch side table ($179), wolf pajamas ($75)]

I remember envying Max's sail "in and out of weeks and almost over a year" for its risky rebellion, and this crisp white wave sideboard ($2,750) matched with a vintage-inspired sailboat lamp ($150) makes my eyes twinkle with mischief every time I think of them paired together.

Continue to layer on Sendak's tweedy textures with crocheted storage bins ($35). Stuff them with toys--or even some wild things figurines perhaps ($200)?--and tuck them under a long rustic plank bench ($495), and you've created the perfect toddler-height play table.

[other images: play tent ($108)]

And remember, your child may roar his terrible roar and gnash his terrible teeth, but he will always want to eat you up, he loves you so!