I've been collecting vintage children's furniture for a while now. With a creative background in the film, television and print industry, I understand the need to find that special prop that will "make" the shoot. So, in addition to all our other services, we are now renting out our children's prop collection to stylist and photographers in the New York area. And yes, the collection will continue to grow!
I LOVE searching through Etsy...so when they asked me to be a Featured Buyer and take part in the Handmade Kids series, I was honored. I gave some of my picks for the family friendly home. If you have never tried an Etsy stroll, I highly recommend it! Check out my piece here. Also, be sure to check the new Handmade Kids features regularly!
Sergio Silva's CinderBlocks are sweet. Measuring 8"x8"x16", these little blocks could be a great into how to build structures. Although the ceramic finish might not be the best fit for little hands, the walnut would be! Another idea would be to create a low shelving system in your child's space and have a play on the old school cinder block as furniture concept.
My lovely friend Natasha came up with a beautiful party favor for all the people attending a baby shower she hosted a while back. The expecting mother-to-be is very much into the organic lifestyle. So I potted some of my myriad orange plants in glasses I got from Crate & Barrel to give to people when they left, and tagged them with the date and their reason for being. Unfortunately, my orange plant did not make it very long but I certainly would love to see this idea make it's way into another goodie bag! (photos by Natasha Chetiyawardana)
Danilo Calvache is based in Pasto, Colombia and is a furniture and industrial designer. His latest modular bookshelves could work really well in a kid's space. (....or hold that record collection!)
have a great weekend!
I just scored this great Owl Clock for a little girl's room. It was handmade and the only one but I think these should go into production!
IKEA has come out with a new "highchair" called GASELL. I would refer to this as a booster chair more than a highchair as this is clearly not for babies. Regardless, for $34 bucks it's not bad.
The colorful and "double faced" Oplà chair from NaNa Design can serve as a rocking chair or a still seat. It's refreshing to see a rocker in such bold colors.
These Talking Japanese Watches will teach you and your child what time it is in Japan and how to say it!
Little Odd Forest has a wonderful collection of playful things. I am a huge fan of their huggables as well as the Lovely Day Plate. They both are just the right size for the pint-sized eaters and toy handlers.
The Rolleiflex Mini Digital Camera proudly continues the Rollei Twin Lens Reflex tradition, pushing the famed camera into beautifully tiny territory! It has a big price tag but this would make for a superb first camera for little hands.
I love that my child loves to ride her scooter or bike...I really do. We have great route to school via foot everyday and it's great when she wants to do-it-by-herself! However, what's not fun is the begging and pleading to ride her bike or scooter to only loose complete interest a quarter of the way there. Leaving my husband or myself lugging this thing the rest of the way. This is why I love the concept behind Chang Ting Jen's Backpack Bicycle. Yes, I know this concept is for an adult size bike but I know someone out there can do this for smaller versions!
I will be back on Tuesday! I leave you with this great little short called An Eye for Annai.
This film was done by John Klassen and Dan Rodrigues in their third year at Sheridan College's Classical Animation Program. Everything is hand drawn and animated. They coloured the animation digitally, and the backgrounds are a mix of traditional and digital. The jazz music near the middle is from Louis Armstrong's "Jeepers Creepers".
Back in February of this year, I went to the Kids.Modern show in London. I was happy to run into Bugge, a multi-shaped structure for kids. Back then, there was no web resource for this piece.....until now. (thanks babygadget!)
John W Golden's latest print series, By Order of The Management, is superb!
STRANGEco has joined forces with The Museum of Modern Art and Goran Lelas to create Somewhere City. A place where children can make their own magical creatures.
Inside the gates of Somewhere City you will find an imaginary labyrinth of pure play, where everything is constantly changing. Somewhere City's motion is fueled by the "Secret Thought" of its wonderful, positive inhabitants. Everything floats in this City - houses, street lamps, even faces. So be ready! You might have a new neighbor when you get home from your day exploring...
I really adore the Mini Togo chair by Ligne Roset.
As we are in prime bike riding season, here are two bike seats for kids that I really like. The OGK child seat, for those who prefer your kid behind you, and the iBert for the front riders.
This "Seeing Outside the Box" card set challenges our visual perception.....in an amazing way. The idea is to look at the cards from each side and describe what you see. Use the cards as a great classroom or therapy clinic tool that really makes kids, and adults, use the creative side of their brain.
I know it's summer...and it's hot. But, come winter time, this Animal print fleece blanket from Little Factory could ease your cold woes.
(spotted while surfing a cup of jo)
Do you think that introducing a stuffed cow wall mounted trophy to kid's space is a good thing or bad thing?
Just when you thought a kid's world was powered exclusively by batteries. Crazy Forts uses geometrically precise balls and sticks to create a multitude of play fort possibilities that you simply throw a sheet over. If you go to the site, you can download different "blueprints". They are also coming out with interior lights for the forts. (via notcot)
U N I F O R M Studio designs and makes simple, modern clothing and accessories for infants, children, and adults. Located in Minneapolis, MN, U N I F O R M designs with consistency in mind and have a nice blog to boot. I say bravo!
Go and grab this sweet Game Baby Compartment Tray.
This fossil wallpaper just made it's way onto the wall of a playspace I'm doing in a private residence for a little boy. We are 50% complete with the room makeover and will be uploading pics soon!
Head on over to Chalkydoodles Etsy site and custom pick your oil cloth fabric for this nice folding table and chair set for kids.
Paolo Design have come up with some pretty sweet coat hooks for kids.
This Karlsson Do-It-Yourself Cubic clock could be super fun in a kid's space.
The creative people over at Kidsonroof have done it again. As a great follow up to the Mobile Home, they have come out with the TOTEM line.
TOTEM BOYS : Create your own spaceship, airplane, cathedral, sailing ship or any other construction from your imagination! Over 120 building cards, with secret codes and symbols, with imagery of metal, wood, fire, air, space and more! For kids with imaginative powers, young designers and builders. With manual for 4 models: Katar, Yak, Barca and Buran.
TOTEM GIRLS : Create your own church, witch house, lizard, reindeer or any other construction from your imagination! Over 120 building cards with flowers and butterflies, golden coins, fish and wild animals! For girls with imaginative powers, young designers and builders. Including manual for 4 models: Katar, Yaga, Lisar and Olen.
Ages 7+. Made from recycled laminated micro-wave cardboard. (Thanks Irene!)
The showroom of British manufacturers ercol hosted an exhibition of prototypes created for the brand by students from Buckinghamshire New University last month.
One that stood out was these school chairs by Philip Hutfield. “Since the release of the poly prop, wooden chairs have been priced out of the contract market for schools,” explains Hutfield. “These ply-constructed chairs have been designed for CNC mass production as a new sustainable competitor.” Very nice Mr. Hutfield!
Get your lil guy to be like daddy and stay clean at the table with these Dress For Dinner Napkins!
The Tiefschlaf Bed by Stadtnomaden makes for a perfect low bed for your mini or for a guest bed when family comes to visit. It's a great alternative to the Areo Bed. TIEFSCHLAF consists of six shaped wood modules which at the snap of a fastener turn into a comfortable bed. The shape of the modules means the bed does not need sides or a slatted frame. This innovative solution is not only pleasing to the eye, but also to the physical well-being of every sleeper, as the adjustable stainless steel legs can provide the desired hardness.
Minor Details have just moved into a new studio space. Perhaps you have heard from here or here. In case you haven't, you can see pics here. I am very excited after week one of pure bliss. A powerhouse indeed. With the likes of Swissmiss, Joanna Goddard, Anke Stohlmann , and Jason Kernevich...... this studio will bring nothing but goodness. As three out of five have children, (and mine came to visit today) I decided to bring in this ChildChildChair by Studio Maartje Steenkamp. After all, one good studio deserves another.....
So a client has 8 year old boy twins have an entire floor of a townhouse to themselves. They share a bathroom and a walk-in closet with one bedroom in front and one in the back. The problem? Well, they are eight and they have a lot of energy....and a new little sister. So my client wanted to figure out a way to keep them occupied....especially when it will be too cold to play outside. To that I say.......... a PING PONG TABLE DOOR !
This wooden Rubber Band Racer is sweet.
MIMUMA means "Mini Music Machines." This group of protoype instruments, by PKNTS and Florian Schwab, is geared towards children and making music. With a wireless connection that permits file swaps, kids can create a mini recording studio anywhere. I am looking forward to production.
The Progeny parent & child coat hook from Materious is right up my minimal alley.
that getting pen/paint/crayon marks on your clothing was going to be "in", i would have never thrown away that Stella McCartney dress that my daughter thought was a perfect canvas for her markers. (i guess i can't blame her). Introducing Renewable Clothing by Fernando Brizio. By placing colored felt-tip pens in the pockets of the dress its appearance changes over time. Within an hour - to one and a half hours the colored ink bleeds into the fabric and creates a one-off design for each occasion. the owner can then clean the dress and color it in a different way for each time they wear it.
