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That was then.
This is now.
Jinhong Lin is reaching out to kids that love soda and the parents who indulge them. If you want to teach your kid about recycling while drinking soda, then I say 16 down and you have an instant stool or table. I don't know, something seems wrong. Can I use water bottles instead?
Okay, so I'm not a fan of the music per se but i felt the need to share this is a performance at a kindergarden concert back in 2006 for the Yamaha Music School. (location unknown...but the kid is named Jay and he's in the zone,) I'm with Cult Gear, this totally puts my rendition of Chopstix to shame.
L’Affiche Moderne is a french fine art print e-shop presenting the works of young photographers, graphic designers and children’s illustrators. The new works by FlipFlopDesign are rather nice and send a positive and subtle message about taking care of our environment. The site is really great if your looking for wonderful art for a kids space. Like the last image below by Nicolas Gouny.
Jenny Lacey, mastermind behind the on-line kids magazine LMNOP has come out with issue number three. The drive behind this issue is to celebrate animals. Packed with amazing photography by Ian Macpherson and styling by Lacey, number three does not disappoint. I am very happy to be a part of this (an introduction colulmn on page 12 and in the editor's welcome) and future issues with contributing stories. I am currently working on my story for the next issue and I'm thrilled to be on board! So head over to the site and get the latest issue of LMNOP. You download it here.
Last night, I was asked to participate in a brainstorm/salon to think of creative ways for a shoe company to enter the kids shoe market and increase awareness for the brand. Before I go any further, I am posting about them on my own accord. I believe and support their cause. I am posting to create awareness and introduce you to a brand that is doing something good for others. TOMS Shoes business plan is simple - for every shoe you purchase, they send a pair of shoes to a child in need. Since 2006, they have given 10,000 pairs to children in Argentina and 50,000 pairs in South Africa. This year alone, they plan on giving 200,000 pairs of shoes to children in need around the world. Here is a clip of an acutal shoe drop in Argentina back in 2006.
I was introduced to the Tiny TOMS line last night. I love the designs just as much as I love the cause.
Get involved!
White Rabbit England is the brain child of sisters Charlotte and Victoria who set out to recreate the magical lamps they loved as children. I'd say they are spot on. How sweet are these nightlights? I love the mushroom top fairytale approach and as well as the contemporary stripes.
I'll take them both in a size 4T. Nice work Buisjes en Beugels.
This modular storage system could make for a very interesting kids bookcase. Or better yet, throw a changing pad on top and boom - a changing storage unit. Thanks Link Studios. You know me, I like to stretch function for as many years as possbile.
I had the pleasure of meeting Maruja Fuentes over the weekend. She was lovely. Not only is she a professor at the University of Puerto Rico, she is also the designer behind Leaning-molds. This innovative furniture wall-system was created for public spaces where, instead of sitting, an individual can comfortably lean against it for support. It is composed of two molds made of recycled plastic that are identically shaped. These pieces fit together like a puzzle. Together, they can transform a space, creating infinite patterns. They can be used either individually or in a composition.
Color in stock is green but she will custom color for huge orders.
Akemi Tanaka showed these three new pieces at ICFF this year. I really love the consideration of small space in all the designs this studio outputs. I think the cat rest could easily make for a great wall mounted changing table and the the dresser and cabinet could turn into changing tables as well.
LTD Studio has come out with a sweet coat rack / height chart called the rack AUGU. It can also measure inches and feet, is made of plywood and additional colors are available upon request. Spotted at ICFF
It won a Red Dot award a few years back but it's worth the reminder. The Gaucho seat by Rebmann was made to reflect the saddle seat and I think it could serve as a sweet rocker.
Context Furniture's Truss childs chair and table is sturdy and fun. Found at ICFF.
Bloom just introduced the Luxo Sleep cot bed this weekend. It's got compact-fold construction for easy storage, no tool assembly, drop side panel on both sides, 4 lockable castors, converts from cot to toddler bed and actually looks really great in person.
The San Francisco based Link Studios has come out with The Link furniture system. Link, designed by Charlie Sheldon, is a mass customizable contemporary slot- together furniture line. Its construction uses no glue, no fasteners and requires no tools. The choice of scale - width, height etc - laminate, (including all common high pressure laminates such as Formica Brand and Abet, natural veneers and others), as well as the Icon or graphic engraved are all available. The substrate is also up to your choosing. Some examples here show white Formica Brand Laminate with FSC certified North American PureBond Plywood, Plyboo, and Medite II, all highly renewable or recycled materials.
Though this is not a new concept in design, I saw the green table and bench in person this weekend and I was impressed.
NurseryWorks debuted their new line by Lawson-Fenning this weekend. While the line is a serious nod to the classical and traditional design approach, I can't really get into it. I like certain things about it as well as the twist of modern and traditional......but there's just something a bit off to me about it. What do you think?
Kloss has got three nice seating objects for children. Meet the Ponny Chair, Tassen Stool, Bambi Chair and Bambi Stool.
After a one-year market hiatus, the Nest nursery collection designed by Scott Wilson including the award winning Nest Bassinet that converts to a Play Table and Toy Box, as well as the Nest Crib have moved from Ooba, LLC to a new home with Offi & Company. Look for it in mid to late '08.
Norwegian industrial designer Johan Ørbeck Aase's concept behind Designers go Playground was to create furniture that you could play, create, lay, build, cuddle, dream, store, sit and divide the room. Create your own style by assembling the soft and hard building blocks your own way. This is the second year that they have been at ICFF and I was saddened that the dope dollhouse is still just a prototype but very pleased with the furniture system.
Check out Daddytypes pic of the dollhouse from the show. (with whom I had the lovely opportunity to finally met yesterday!)
After speaking with Lucas Maassen yesterday at the ICFF, I now understand his Sitting Chairs, that I had seen years ago, a bit more. As we are both parents of 4 year olds, the question that he and myself had were : could this art be functional and still maintain it's message while existing in a house with children? Absolutely! Though still in the protoype phase, the Sitting Chairs will be available soon.
Stephen Procter's highly anticipated highchair (DINA) and cot (ALMA) will be available in Aug 2008 from Bloom Baby. I was lucky enough to get a prototype tour of the entire line at ABC last year from Stephen and was even happier to see how far they had come along with the design at ICFF this year. I cant wait! (it even comes in rouge, black or white!)
Never fear, I'm heading to ICFF tomorrow so I'll be back in full swing!
I think this car mirror is kinda cute and playful.
I think that Rainer Spehl's Qoffee stool could make for a great toy storage bin as well.
This lunchbox from Beaba really comes in handy when you are traveling about.
I am a huge fan of Zozio's spring/summer 2008 collection.
Quax is a Belgium based maker of children's goods. Ranging from playpens to beds to bath and changing stations to textiles to a stroller. I like the color tones and clean lines of their offerings.
Mmmmmmmmm. How cute is this pan from Norpro?
Paristic have got two really sweet vinyl carosel horses for a kids wall. Available in a variety of colors.
I like the simple and clean idea behind Play Mountain's stackable toy box.
I really enjoyed being out of town for a bit. However, had I been up to my usual internet searching, I would have scooped up this Creative Playthings Magnifier.
Wow. I just knew it was a matter of time. Kartell has release a "Baby" version of the Lou Lou Ghost chair by Philippe Starck.
Does your mini crave dinner on plates made from fine English creamware that just happen to have robots on them? Then might I suggest these Robot Plates designed by Clifford Richards.
