minor details

cubed

Theses affordable and recyclable storage cubes from Re:Modern could make any kid's space fun. (via)

the up and down side

BE MINI is a cradle/bassinet that turns into the BE MINIDESK. I love it when adaptability is applied well. BE also has a COT/crib that turns over into the BE DESK.

have baby . will travel

Christopher Lavelanet designed this Baby Bottle Thermos for Stelton and it's a beauty. 

The 2-in-1 bottle features a temperature retentive case that keeps the contents warm. The semi-transparent finish, fine chrome detailed rim and see-through rubber lid on the top, complement the design perfectly. The innovation lies in fact that the bottle doubles up as a thermos; hence you can store and use the same bottle for feeding..

june - you're fired

At the moment, New York is having an up/down , love/hate relationship with the weather. Perhaps it's the fact that rain and grey skies have taken over and that summer only comes in small doses. So don't be alarmed by my post of Danefae jackets and winter jumpsuits. Global warming made me do it. Red Rover, Red Rover please send summer over.

 

dad

Things that I now understand and truly value about my father:

1. He was a very young father at 20 and had two girls. Although he was out numbered by 3 girls to 1 guy, he never made us feel like he would have wanted it any other way.

2. He is one of the hardest working men I know. His drive and focus blows my mind. 

3. When I was in grade school, my dad would spend his mornings walking about 2 miles a day reading gas meters for the gas company so that he could be home in the afternoons with us. 

4. He is a Bass Master Fisherman. He taught me that waking up at the butt crack of dawn to go fishing was also about calm waters, sunrises, quiet and peace.

5. His best friend is his dad.

6. He used to know all the words to Eddy Grant's Electric Avenue. I'd like to challenge him to a sing off with that one. 

7. He is the best softball coach and teacher I have ever known. On one of our last visits to see them, he taught my little girl how to swing a bat properly. That came in handy yesterday at her birthday party when she beat the crap out of her pinata! He would have been so proud.

8. He told me a long time ago that "we never try to fail, we just sometimes fail to try." Those words have carried me many places.

9. Next to his mother, he is the most positive fighter I have ever known. 

10. In the eighties, my sister's friends had such a crush on my dad because he looked like Tom Selleck. I always thought he looked like the Marlboro Man.

11. I have never seen my father without a mustache.

12. I have however, seen my father in full drag attire. (It was for a fund raising event!)

13. He always picks up his phone when I call.

14. I got my zest for life and adventure from my dad. He got kicked out of a few boarding and private schools growing up. For nothing that was mean spirited mind you, but he certainly had fun and was living life.

15. He continues to show me how to give and take love and respect. How to laugh at life and when to cry with it. He is my rock.

He is my father, who is a stellar example of how a husband and father should be to a woman and family. He was involved in an accident on May 30th that has still left him in the hospital. A few weeks ago, I went down to spend some time with him and help where I could. There was one point where my mom, myself and my sister were all around him and he needed all of us. He was not bitter or angry or grumpy but rather so thankful and blessed that his girls were there to help him. I am so lucky and honored to have been  able to help my father when he was down. It's just a little speck of payback for all the times he's been there to pick me up when I was down. 

And yes, that is my family picture, circa 1975. And yes, I am the freaky one sticking my tongue out. But really...this picture is all my about groovy dad. 

I love you dad. Happy Father's day - juni

Happy Father's Day weekend everyone .... see you on Monday.

a lil mini modernist bauhaus never hurt anyone

Resene, a New Zealand professional paint company, chose to showcase their latest range of Karen Walker color paints for the home, by using mini- modernist Bauhaus inspired architectural models of homes crafted by Auckland sculptor Gidon Bing and styled by Katie Lock. (via)

Hey Resene - since the photo shoot is over, would you consider selling these? They would make for stunning dollhouses. 

come again?

My daughter's 5th birthday is approaching ... is it wrong that I want to get her THIS instead of that Barbie Princess House she asked for?

scandinavian origami

BANGBANG Cph is inspired by Japanese origami and street wear when they design their dope kids line. Available HERE.

felt up

For no other reason then I just love felt. Now you can as well. Just hope on over to FlizFelt and scoop some up. Make a rug, get some coasters or make a sweet seat pad ... just go. (via)

creatures

Andrew Zuckerman makes amazing animal portraitures. His book, Creatures, was huge. He has just released the Creatures 16 piece Floor Puzzle (2 double sided) and is set to release a 120 page Creatures ABC book in July. Way to take a theme and roll with it ... I totally don't mind at all! 

get in your soap box

Alright, it's Danish and freaking awesome. Downside? This PLAY Soapbox Cart is $2,755.32.

an amazing use of space

H2O Architects had a problem to solve for a client. Their family was expanding but their home could not. With a new baby on the way, they recreated space within space and HERE is what they came up with. Bravo!

The arrival of a new child in the family pressed a young couple to think about a way to divide a room into two parts. The idea was to provide a personal space to each child. The project answers to this request of separation by adding a third space making the partition. The creation of a “multiple-use furniture” in the middle of the space allows to add some depth to the primary basic partition. It afford passages, secret storage, bed, office… in a funny way. The specific blend generates a concentrated typology of spaces and situations in perpetual renewal. The new partition is porous creating steps, cavities and niches which suggests many possibilities for appropriation (climbing, hidding, drawing, etc…). Many uncharted and intermediate spaces led by the furniture allow for the invention of any kind of practices and uses. Let’s play!  

stamp of approval

Having a 5 year old who loves to see her name in print as well as stamping everything in sight, I think I might need to get her one of these custom name stamps from Imprintables.

spreading the good juju

i'm of to georgia for the week ... my dad needs me (and i need my dad) ... see you on friday.

anthropodino

I think the best way to describe Ernesto Neto's interest was found in the program for his latest installation at the Park Avenue Armory in New York City - "architecture as a kind of second skin with which we surround ourselves." 

My daughter had a school holiday yesterday so we met up with lovely Lynn of Appaman and her cute little mini then headed uptown. I was blown away with the size and structure. Although it seemed more like an indoor playspace than an art exhibit, I was impressed with his use of color, texture, materials and the inviting hands-on appeal. It's up through June 15th and I would highly recommend this one! Click HERE for more information on this current show, Anthropodino. (first two photos are by James Ewing) 

 

in the press

That's right kids, our room was featured in the current issue (June) of Cookie Magazine. Such a pleasant way to end the week!

yes please

RS is based in Spain and put out some pretty dope designs for kids. First up is the Guerrilla Containers - just right for lazy play and easy cleanup. Second is the By Yourshelf Metal bookcase with many colors to choose from. Lastly is the hexagon shaped Beecolour stool. 

steel accordion

TSÉ&TSÉ designed this great light called Armlite from India. Although it's got a big price tag, it could serve a child's room very nicely. 

a b c what's in my drawer

Inspired by vintage printing blocks, this 26 chest of drawers from Kent and London is quite nice. It would be a great place to store little toy collections and art supplies. (via)

love

Deadgood has a super sweet Love Chair that's perfect for a nursery ... or anywhere in your home for that matter.

house for the little ones

French designer Matali Crasset  just completed La Maison des Petits for the arts centre 104 Centquatre in Paris, France. It's venues like this that completely inspire me. 

The venue aims to provide a public space where children can exercise their creativity. The space is divided into distinct areas for children of different ages and abilities and furnished with free-standing, mushroom-like structures. A circular seating and play area in the centre of the room features an inner, cushioned play-area for babies and toddlers and is surrounded by stools so parents can sit at the same level as their children. When covered, this area becomes a large meeting table or platform for activities or performances. The canopy above provides diffused, coloured lighting. A large, orange structure acts as the central hub of the venue, housing facilities including a nappy-changing unit, kitchenette, shower-room, electrical services and equipment storage. The interior wall is made up of three parts: at the lower level some panels are articulated, allowing them to become inclined seating, shelving, sound and light deflectors or a small ladder; the middle tier acts as storage and the upper, perforated level offers acoustic dampening. (Photographs by Jérôme Spriet.)

in an instant

Matali Crasset designed the Instant Seat, Instant Table and Xtra Room for Moustache due out this September. (photographs by Tania & Vincent)  

about face

These FACE chairs by P-Arch could make for a playful desk chair for junior.

little green riding hood

This ModernChild exclusive from wovenplay is simply beautiful. It goes smashingly with Bruno Munari's book by the same name.