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Chapi Chapo (chapeaux, in french means "hats") was a stop-motion French short series created in 1974. The music and them song is so catchy. I have found myself singing it several times in my life. The main characters, Chapi and Chapo, move around as if locked in a Atari game. It hit the American scene in the 1980's on the Nickelodeon show Pinwheel. Yes, yet another childhood theme song that I just can't shake......and I dont know if I ever want to.
Leander's Stig Leander Nielsen has done it again! I am in love with the entire beauty and philosophy behind this collection. One more piece has been added to that list : The Leander Chair. It will not be available until Feb 2008.
Sara McMillan has done something that I love. She has created a lovely play piece that can sit in her living room and it blend in with her well-designed home. It does not look like a traditional play space/changing table. Play! can be used upright and encourage bonding play with child and parent OR can be turned on its side and become a play pit for your mini. I'm not sure if there is a changing pad that can strap to this thing but I don't think it needs one. This way, it makes the changing experience more concentrated and swift. With very minor tweaks, I think that Play! is a wonderful thing.
via (yanko design)
SOZ is the maker of an "art toy" called CARPENTER BLOCK mini. With bold colors and puzzle-esc structure, it's very easy to take advantage of it's easy build and easy break characteristic. It's triggers creativity for both young and old.
transFORM came out with a modern dresser/changing table and child's bench. Although I don't think these two should ever play in a room together, they both have a little something that I like.
Nicole Gastonguay is a "fiber artist" from NYC. Her style is so solid and sharp. I really like her humor and her carefree sense of design. A girl who can make a tv dinner look as cute as this is ok in my book.
(via core77)
Laurens van Wieringen is a young product designer from the Netherlands. He is quoted in regard to his approach as such "I try to offer a surrounding, atmosphere in which people can feel pleasant, have a laugh or are misguided for a moment, to trigger people to do what they feel like doing. In general I want to be as open-minded as possible on many levels in different branches and hierarchies."
Below are is the Carpet made of foam bars that give way to a landscape, the Furniture Ball that consists of five chairs, and the Rocking Chair made out of foam as well. Well done!!
Matthias Ries Design Office (MRDO) designed a flat shelving system called Piegato. This is the first product under the MDRO products line. The laser cut and powder coated steel system comes flat and simply bends into place. It also serves as a magnet board. What's a bonus is the fact that it displays high environmental friendliness due to it's production process and it's recyclability. I can't say I know what they mean by that but it sure looks industrial pretty.
Daniel Wandres designed a nice little shell chair for the garden called Turn-Michel. It's stackable and can be flipped both ways. Aside from the good color selection, I would like to see the underside's finish carried over and the sides perhaps a bit thicker for durability sake. Other than that, I think this chair is great. Just think of it as the modern day booster seat turned chair.
Daniel Juric designed this untraditional stool, table and shelving unit. They would play great in my daughter's creative work space!
(via pan dan)
So the mail woman delivered the Gift Guide from Design Within Reach a few days ago. I pull up to this said guide and when i get to page 13, i see a skateboard. Not just any skateboard. "The limited-edition DWR Skateboard (2007), a Bottega Montana Corvetta model, is numbered (only 57 have been produced) and has the number and DWR logo branded on the underside. Based in Lima, Montana, the Gillia brothers use only North American hardwoods from sources that practice sustainable forest management. The wood is treated with three hand-rubbed coats of natural tung oil and varnish resin. The Skateboard is assembled with Seismic® trucks (quick geometry fronts, stable geometry backs), Blast Wave 78mm wheels and Bones® Reds™ bearings."
Ok, you might be asking yourself the same question that I asked myself. First, why is there a skateboard at DWR? Why is this thing $1,000? Since when did skateboarding find it's way into an institution of such classic right? Don't get me wrong, I love that it found it's way. I love skateboarding too. What I don't love is the idea of the design snob having a mid-life jolt and skateboarding to work in downtown manhattan on one of these things. Unless they have knowledge or experience with the following things:
A. Knows who played the lead character in the movie "Gleaming the Cube."
B. Ever exploited empty swimming pools and/or cylindrical pipes as terrain.
C. Knows the first names of Alva, Adams and/or Peralta.
D. Can decipher between Dog Town and a dog park.
E. Have a child who will actually use this.
DWR is not the first to jump in bed with Bottega Montana. Take a look at Paul Smith.
Architects and designers Lionel Mazelaygue and Olivier Vadrot established the contemporary art space "La Salle de bains" in Lyon in 1999. Since then, they have gone on to create Cocktail Designers. Their design approach is very interesting and playful. I think these pieces speak a childs language the most! I especially enjoy the auto table/seat.
Paper Wings is a creative clothing company based in Australia. Here are a few pieces from the new spring/summer line and some of my favorites from the winter collection. I really love the way these clothes form to a childs imagination. It really sets loose the Peter Pan and Moulin Rouge in everyone.
Can someone at Muji help me with this. I'm confused. If you offer such an amazing line of children's products, then why on earth can we not buy them in the US? Are you still mad at us? Perhaps you're just waiting to unveil a bigger and better collection at the flagship store uptown? I guess for now, heading over the pond will have to do.
In her debut children's book, Laurie Rosenwald explores color and imagination through clever rhyme and striking collages. The book feels like a nod to past illustrator Abner Graboff and the poetic Dr. Seuss. It's a great first book for Ms. Rosenwald. I'm excited to see what's next!
Happy thanksgiving everyone! See you on monday.
Taro Gomi was asked to participate in the "My body science" book series for children back in 1993. Perhaps that is what put him on the map. However, this clever and wonderful children's book author hit the international circut just after with his books in spanish and french. I must say, his covers for the spanish market are so appealing in a very 50-60's kind of way. Although now he has hit mainstream with his coloring books, here are a few titles that will help him remain "the man" in my book:
in spanish
Adivina que es , 1993
Adivina quien soy , 1993
Hay un raton en la casa, 1993
Escapes , 1997
A moverse , 1997
Mira lo que tengo , 2005
Mis Amigos, 2006
Llego la primavera , 2006
in french
L' ete , 2003
Un, Deux, Trois , 2003
in english
Who Hid It , 1991
Where's the Fish, 1991
Everyone Poops , 1993
Scribbles , 2006
Doodles , 2006
Squiggles , 2007
Ok, so I'm on some sort of bed kick here. I'm having an issue with the toddler bed vs. the regular bed. So I have gathered a few in my journey for the right fit. Some are twin, toddler and even queen sized. I dont know, what do you think?
1. itbed 2. rune bed 3. nume bed 4. stapelliege
5. cloud bed 6. paza modular 7. laphoeff 001 8. junior
9. knock down drag out bed 10. elegant platform 11. leander bed 12. doze bed
I like this bassinet for a lot of reasons. However if I were a little lad, I would feel a bit encased. I would definitely get the natural wood and paint it..i don't know, a bit lighter?
I like to pull up to my 'ol computer and seek out the unseekable. These days, with the amount of internet action happening out there, I'm finding it harder and harder to get inspired. I see alot of website....A LOT. Some websites are good and some are really aweful. Last night however, I stumbled upon this website. It looks extremely similiar to this website. Do they know each other? Have the two sites ever met before? Uhm. Matter this Playmountain. Playmountain this is Matter.
Here is a abstract selection of bunk beds that I fancy for the mini(s). All could play very well in the right type of environment.
1. laphoeff 028
2. c 27
3. encompassco
4. kids factory
5. totem L8
Miguel is a modern children's furniture maker. They have a wide range of color and wood options on all the pieces. Each piece is hand-made in Italy. I would assume there is a huge lead time for the more custom pieces that you wont find in their Tribeca store.
Bu and The Duck is a hidden little gem in Tribeca. The owner, Susan Lane, has run this store for years with her daughter. They bring back a precious vintage feeling with this infant and children's clothing and accessory line. One thing that's really fantastic about this shop are the vintage toys and furniture pieces. Every detail is so considered and it carries over into their designs. It's a bit pricey but well worth every penny. Look for a second location to open in Los Angeles in 2008.
BAPE KIDS is a children's boutique that opened last year in Harajuku, Tokyo. They have a dope selection of kids wear that ranges from jeans to shoes to jackets. Although most of the line is geared towards boys, there are some pretty rad kicks for the little ladies. The store was designed by Wonderwall Inc. The insane designers behind the UNIQLO stores. For this flagship store, Wonderwall created a pool for the kids made out of soft bananas.
Genius I say. If you are anything like me, I owe a couple of birthday cards, thank you notes and holiday wishes to a few people. I get wrapped up in the day to day and just forget. For some people, it's just a part in your genetic makeup that makes this type of thing very easy to maintain. For others, like myself, i need a bit of help with those things. Thats why I like CARDSTOCK, every card you need this year. That's right, it's a box of cards for birthday, congrats, valentines, thank you, mother/father day, sympathy, anniversary, get well, holiday, new year, and they even threw in a few blank ones!
Office of Mobile Design is a Jennifer Siegal company based in california that specializes in green prefab architecture. their latest project is expanding The Country School's exsisting preschool and elementary school campus. the three new prefab buildings consist of abundant natural light, cross ventilation, eco-friendly materials, efficient lighting systems and intergration with the surrounding landscape. the landscape features outdoor classrooms and gathering space, a theater, a raised vegetable garden, a frog pond and a stream. this is so cool. i want to go there. hey t, can we move to valley village, CA?
via (inhabitat)
today, new york city gets another rad design store from japan. the first was UNIQLO. which is a mix between gap and h&m. next up is MUJI. which is like a better version of ikea. its hard to compare. its got everything from office furniture and supplies to electronics to kitchenwares. there is a true sophistication in their simplicity. so if your near 455 broadway between grand and howard, do pop in.
Madaket is a french line of childrens furniture. the collection includes chairs, beds, storage, a dresser, a table and a play board. certain items in the line are a bit hard for my design taste but i like the sweetness behind a few of the peices.
