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!
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.
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!)
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.
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!)
I really adore the Mini Togo chair by Ligne Roset.
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!
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.....
Bosch & Fjord create art projects in dialogue with companies, public institutions and others, where art gets a distinct function. Take for instance the "IT´S NOT MY FAULT" – CHILD FRIENDLY VISITING FACILITIES. Bosch & Fjord has, together with personal and inmates at Vridløselille State Penitentiary, created child friendly visiting facilities for children with a parent inside prison. Take a look: (photos by Laura Stamer)
They call it the Peanut Chair but it looks extremely similar to Fritz Hansen's Series 7 child's chair. With a rounded back, an almost $480 price difference and 7 colors to choose from ...... it seems this knock-off might not be so bad. But I still prefer the original.
When asked to help create space, the last thing I think about is IKEA. Don't get me wrong , there a little nice bits here and there that don't "look" IKEA. It's affordable and they just opened one right down the street from me. Everywhere I go, I am always on the hunt for something I need for a client. I will randomly walk into hardware stores looking for that special hook, walk into a restaurant and look at how things are made or a into store for inspiration. So in my long stroll through IKEA, I stumbled upon this cat/dog bed. A bell went off. A client of mine has been wanting a lounger for her 4 year old. It was too pricey to custom make one and all the other lounge chairs for kids were just not her style. Here was my solution. (the 4 year olds favorite color is blue and my client LOVES anything Damask!)
schubLaden – in german meaning ´drawers´ – is a unique shop in Berlin. It is devoted to the reuse of old one-off original drawers.
We design unique furniture for anywhere that the right piece of furniture is needed and can bring order to one´s beloved mess – each a unique piece with it‘s own story, signed and numbered.. I think these would make great bookshelves with hidden treasures in all the drawers for your mini to fill and remove. Or perhaps create a rolling canvas on the wall above and use the base to store paint brushes.
So a client had a problem with a open staircase...in a townhouse with an 8 year old boy, 6 year old girl and a year and half year old. She wanted to make this flow as child-safe as possible. She wanted to know how to stop an 8 year old from sliding down the bannister and how to stop a year and half year old from falling straight down onto a marble floor, should he ever fall over the bannister. My solution? Well, to build a custom piece to suit the space. After much thought, myself and master woodsman Samuel Murray came up with this idea to create furniture piece that would take up the entire space without causing too much visual noise. With a nod to the classic bent curves of the interior of an original Airstream meets an old rail car... this is what we came up with (a before and after):
Professor Mogens Koch, Architect, (who kinda looks like an older Tommy Lee Jones) made this very sweet Grandchild chair in beech and natural canvas. If my math is right, you can own this little beauty for a mere $725 USD!! really??? Does anyone know when this chair was made?
Die Baupiloten is a programme run by Susanne Hofmann to give architectural students of the Technical University of Berlin practical experience of building. Its first job has been the rehabilitation of the Erika Mann Elementary School in Wedding, Germany, one of the poorest parts of the city and afflicted by over 50 per cent unemployment. The old building is a typical product of the Bismarckian welfare state, solid but most unwelcoming. The students decided to transform it into a fairy tale. The “Baupiloten” together with the pupils developed created the imaginary landscape of the Silver Dragon to serve as the basis of an expressive and playful architecture: the further you get into the school building, the stronger you feel the spirit of the Silver Dragon - a spirit which alters, resonates, glows and shimmers. A sensuous architecture, socially engaged and experimental.
Out of the three amazing floors, my favorite is the second floor. The dragon prepares for flight on the second floor, where bathed in pink light, elements reminiscent of wings fold down from the walls to provide small study areas.
Here is their inspiration picture:
Here is the outcome. Bravo.
I really like this Batua Rocking Chair from Usona Home
Leave it it Marie of Little Fashion Gallery to bring back rattan. I think this might be the first time that rattan has "made me look". La Maison De Lena made this line in traditional rattan and in resin; it could be described as ‘clever’ furniture, allowing children maybe to hide, or just to sit and chat. The furniture is comfortable and aesthetic, combining traditional charm with a unique contemporary design.
Fishbol, a design atelier based in Canada , made this interesting chair called "Book Seat". It's made of bent plywood and I think this could make for a very cozy reading chair for junior. (via designboom)
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?
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.
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!)
I think that Rainer Spehl's Qoffee stool could make for a great toy storage bin as well.
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.
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.
Shara Liou's Cradle Rocking chair rocks from side to side. Why? Actually it's pretty smart. It's to mimic the movement of swaying from hip to hip when cradling a baby.
OFFECCT's Flower Mini is made of foam with polyurethane surface. Available in red, orange, white or black. I think that designer Eero Koivisto has made a lovely little seat for your mini - indoors or out.
Two perfect words to describe Teori's Root tray table - simple and clean. This would be perfect for a small space where a chunky big child's table and chair would not work. It could even be a coffee table for a kid's couch. (ok, I secretly want this for myself. How sweet would breakfast in bed be on this for mothers day??)
