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  1. 1. YOUR NAME IN LIGHTS
    Vintage-looking oversized letters in the style of old movie marquee signage are a quick, dramatic way to personalize a room. These made-to-order alphabeticals are handcrafted by multimedia artist Aranacci, a native of Peru who now works out of Union Pier, Michigan. No two are alike and each letter is illuminated by about 25 bulbs. $150–$300 each atetsy.com/shop/aranacci.

    Photo: Aranacci
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  2. 2. STICKING TO A PLAN
    Elly Nelly, a mother-daughter team based in Australia, offers a line of removable wall decals in motifs as varied as forest animals, under-the-sea scuba divers, streetscapes, park scenes, botanicals, animals and geometric patterns. The duo, both textile designers by trade, offer about a dozen ecofriendly designs. Bonus: Elly Nelly is offering TOCK readers 15 percent off at checkout with coupon code TOCHICAGO. 
    $50–$150 at ellynelly.com.

    Photo: Courtesy of Elly Nelly
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  3. 3. PAINT LIFE GRAND
    Affordable-art site Zatista.com features thousands of original works, including dozens of kid-friendly choices. But this adorable piece titled Le Cirque by Louisiana artist Megan Buccere, a full-time high-school art teacher and mother to a vivacious tot, drew our attention to her page. The 7” x 5” acrylic-on-canvas piece features a circus seal on a colorful textured background. Other motifs in her work include birds, rabbits and flowers.$85 at zatista.com/product/details/19651/le-circque or at meganbuccere.com.

    Photo: Megan Buccere
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  4. 4. WALL IN THE FAMILY
    Finding art for tween rooms can be a daunting task: This age group wants something that’s not too childish but also not overly adult (read: boring). Humboldt Park–based muralist Trish Page has a style that’s lively and colorful, with subtle nods to Chicano mural traditions and graffiti art—perfect for those transitional years. She’ll custom create anything you can dream up, but some of her most notable pieces are bright, dynamic homages to Chicago neighborhoods. Prices start at $500, with costs for a ceiling and one or two walls starting at $1,000 (check Yelp Deals for special discounts). For an estimate, call the artist at 312-399-4190 (trishpage.com).

    Photo: Trish Page
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  5. 5. PRINTS: CHARMING
    Chicago mom Laura Polito creates adorable, colorful screenprinted poster art for nurseries and kids’ rooms under the moniker Adie Mae Modern Designs for Children, a valentine to her daughter Addison May. Elephants and geometric patterns are a popular motif for the works, which measure 8” x 10.” Polito takes custom orders, as well, including bright, animal-filled name signs. $14 each at etsy.com/shop/adiemaedesigns.

    Laura Polito
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  6. 6. THE THRILL OF THE HUNT
    Taxidermy seems to have made a comeback in recent years, but mounting a genuine animal carcass in your child’s room is just asking for trouble (those beady eyes even give us nightmares!). Fortunately, Anthropologie’s faux taxidermy Savannah Story Busts are made from layers of repurposed cement bags covered with vintage French book pages, so kids’ rooms will get that exotic jungle feel without any of the fright. $68 fromanthropologie.com.

    Photo: Courtesy of Anthropolgie
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  7. 7. SIGNS OF LIFE
    Self-taught photographer Tracey Capone says the inspiration for her colorful, retro-inspired Chicago-centric photography came from moving away from the city: She says she found herself missing Chicago’s “amazing architecture and ‘retro-urban’ feel.” Her images—which include kid-friendly themes such as classic Chicago neon signs, cityscapes, CTA trains and Navy Pier’s iconic Ferris wheel—are printed on either metallic paper or varnished onto wood photo blocks. Prints $30, wood blocks $30–$55, at Andersonville Galleria (5247 N Clark St, 773-878-8570); Foursided (5061 N Clark, 773-506-8300; or 2939 N Broadway, 773-248-1960); Twosided (2958 N Clark St, 773-244-6431); or viaetsy.com/shop/traceycapone.

    Photo: Tracey Capone
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Affordable, original kid-room art

Avoid mundane big-box decor in favor of these reasonably priced works.

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