minor details

yes please

Is it too early to start a holiday wish list? Cause I really think this Fuji Instax Instant Camera is simply swell.

convertible cover

Habitat was a beautiful kids' 4 poster bed called Mini Hana I would suggest getting the Wendy Curtain to convert this bed into magic!

 

compact cardboard and connecting numbers

Carton Chic has a few new products that are pretty great. One is My Bio Little Market. It's made of compact cardboard and is 100% recycled. The next are disposable table mats with PEFC labelled paper. Each set comes with 18 mats. One set has Osez le dire + Bon Appetit + Voulez vous. The other set has Merci + You're Welcome + Say Hello.

 

purified

Andrea, the air purifier that uses indoor plants, designed by Mathieu Lehanneur & David Edwards will soon be on sale. Since its outline design two years ago Andrea has gone thru stringent tests to ensure perfect efficiency, enabling the system to step into the real world. It's the first award-winning designed air filter capable of absorbing toxic gases, such as formaldehyde, from home and office environments through the natural absorptive and metabolic properties of living plants. Ahhhhhh, I like you very much Andrea. (via)

 

timeout

If you are in NYC, then go grab a copy of TimeOutNY and check out the Designer Challenge on page 28 (Issue #735). I, along with some very talented designers, was asked to take an ordinary household object and turn it into some great. I had the trash can challenge. I took 7 Ikea trash cans and turned them into a wall-mounted shoe rack. However, this same approach can be turned into a toy cubby as well! I call this The Oscar Rack (for my friend in the trash can down on Sesame Street) Photography by Diana Sonis.

You can check out the challenge HERE.

 

clear visibility

Community Playthings has a very sweet and simple storage solution called The Browser Box .... and I like it!

 

 

design for walls

Andreas Golinksi was one of many designers that took part in Unduetrestella, an installation art show geared towards the belief that contemporary art introduced to children can be seen a game, light, sound, noise, music, designs on a wall ... if we just open their eyes to it.

Here is an example of Andreas' idea for design on walls, in his piece called House of My Dreams. (via)

headlight

This Moose Head Light makes me giggle.

ride 'em cowboy

Pininfarina's Giulia Big - Giulia Small Children's Rocking Horse is a just beautiful !

The object derives from a single piece of cedarwood sculpted so as to obtain graceful forms, enriched by a leather-covered handle. A little rocking horse made completely of solid wood, with neither finishes nor glues, often so dangerous for our health. Only natural wood and the simplicity of an object that has brought pleasure to countless generations of children. An original design thought up by the Pininfarina Research Centre and applied to an object of play in all its simplicity.

this morning with dwr

A friend of mine pointed me to DWR's latest kid offerings. I was impressed. It's refreshing to see them coming back around on the kids front. Here are a few of pieces worth checking out :

Plus and Minus : Designed as a children’s game in 1970, Bruno Munari’s Plus or Minus is an engrossing exercise for any age. The set consist of 72 cards, each with a different image. Forty-eight cards have transparent backgrounds, allowing them to be layered over each other to create evolving and compelling scenes. Trees, clouds, bicycles, animals and more are represented. Deal the cards out and let each player add a layer, creating increasing complex stories. Suitable for ages three and up.

Basic Shapes Growth Chart : Australian designers Paul Fuog and Dan Honey used just circles, squares and triangles to render animal friends on their bright and bold Growth Chart (2008). Fun for kids and visually compelling for parents, the educational Basic Shapes Growth Chart includes memorable facts about animals like Ricco the Rhinoceros and Kendra the Koala while tracking a child’s height as they grow up.

 

Walking Elephant : From Hindu deities to Charles and Ray Eames, elephants have been a source of endless fascination. Let your child ride their very own – a rocking motion, side to side, moves this elephant forward. They’ll explore their own jungle, while learning motor skills and coordination. The eco-friendly Walking Elephant (2009) is crafted from rubber wood, which comes from trees that no longer produce latex and would otherwise be discarded. Suitable for ages three and up.

 

I Keep Changing : Originally published in 1971, I Keep Changing is a tribute to relativity from a child’s perspective. Written in the first person, a child compares himself to the world, figuring out whether he’s slow or fast, big or small, hairy or smooth. Written by renowned poet and writer Alastair Reid, its accompanying images were created by designer and illustrator Bob Gill. This version, published by Corraini Edizioni, is printed in both English and Italian.

mom trends nyc

The lovely Nicole Feliciano, of Momtrends, just recently launched Momtrendsnyc. It's got everything for the urban NYC parent! 

She asked me some very in-depth questions not too long ago and just posted our interview! Check it out HERE.

bring it back

Back in 2007, I stumbled upon IREMONYA. I was blown away by the children's line of furniture. When I decided to check back in to see what was new, I was disappointed to see that they no longer make these dope little numbers: 

 

Never fear, they are making some pretty cute Storage Furniture in the mean time. (but it's just not the same .....)

PlayShapes

Miller Goodman has struck again....introducing PlayShapes!

PlayShapes is a modular set of 74 geometric wooden shapes which can be endlessly arranged or stacked to produce hundreds of 3D creations. The smooth shapes, with flashes of colour are pleasingly crafted in rubberwood which can also be used as drawing templates. The intrinsic simplicity of the product and clarity of design, freely allows children and adults alike to fully engage in the wonderment and joy of the creative process.

 

 

carry me

There is something very simple and clean about this Kid's Cambus Bag from Chigo. I only wish it would stay simple and clean after a few full school days! Could you Scotch Guard something like this?

 

brooklyn

Three Potato Four has teamed up with Jim Datz again .... and this time, it's all about Brooklyn!

store it

I am a fan of these storage bins from Parkhaus Berlin. What a nice place for toys to rest.

 

creative print

Madame MO has some sweet Japanese Alphabet Prints as well as Coloring Books.  

from one to another

Another find from 100% Design London was John Green's Embrace shelf/table. It's pieces like this that make total sense. Having furniture that is adaptable is key. This could start off as a great table and bench for junior then a shelf/bench for the big kids down the road. (via)

head in the clouds

The 6" laser cut Cloud Shelf by Estela Lugo is sweet and simple.

yes please

Ben Wilson Design just created the fantastic SEEBIKESAW for Brooks England. It is currently on display at 100% Design in London until Sept 27th. 

ala natural

Earth-friendly dollhouse is a natural fit for the eco-conscious family. House features a play wind turbine, solar cell panel, a barrel for collecting rain and recycle bins. Shade canopy can be pulled down to prevent or allow wind and sunlight (or little brothers) from coming through.

Finally, a forward thinking and environmentally conscious dollhouse! More info HERE.

playful storage

I had the great pleasure of enjoying dinner last night with my dear friend Marie of Little Fashion Gallery. We had a lot to catch up on! She is such an amazing force and taste maker for the fashion and design forward tot. I am in love with her collaboration with Agnes & Agnes. They created this amazing Toy Box. 

come here boy

Say hello to the Albie Puppy Light made of recycled and salvaged materials. Kind of playful, no?

This whimsical light created by designers JamesPlumb is only available in a limited edition of 25, and will be showing along with many of their other products at Tent London.

clean fun

I love when modern and clean packaging meets a really great product. The Clementine Art Supplies are just that. All of the products offered are made of non-toxic, recycled packaging and all natural. Sign me up ... I'm a fan. 

hop pop you dont stop

Hop Pop just launched it's new line of products and I am really intrigued. I like the baby bath, training toilet and 4 wheel trike the most.

 

the modern indoor treehouse

Do you remember the sneak peak from a few months ago? Well, I am very excited to show you the complete pics of that play space, or more over, the indoor modern treehouse! I had a lot of fun working on this space. 

What do you do for a NYC tot who needs an indoor modern treehouse? Well, I suppose this would be it........ I hope you enjoy it! (simply click on the images for a larger view)

 

spot on .... again

Spot on Square has come out with two new collections Roh and Eicho. The Roh Collection is my favorite by far. I really like the use of 100% recyclable clear acrylic and walnut. It's going straight to the higher price bracket cribs out there but it's really a fresh and modern approach that's been lacking as of late. Available November 2009.

yes indeed

Children's furniture...soft and modular...bravo Jannis EllenBerger!

the writing is on the wall

Lutèce has designed very playful and stimulating wallpaper. (thanks Stacey!)

 

decorate and store

Last year, I rode the canals of Amsterdam with my daughter and we both fell in love with row houses along the water. Perhaps that's why I'm drawn to the Canal House Box set. Made of biodegradable and recycled carton, it's a perfect solution to a rainy day activity followed by organizing that pile of toys in desperate need of storage.

transformer

Philippe Malouin designed this child's chair turned single bed called Tent Sofa. It's a great solution for sleepovers and playtime.

its an animal farm

Perhaps that Giraffe Wall Sconce will go swimmingly with Ferm Living's Animal Farm Wallpaper.

a playful sconce

I really like this Giraffe Wall Sconce from Jonathan Adler.

sneak peak - the modern blue bedroom

I wanted to give you just a peak into the bedroom that I'm working on for one of the cutest little boys in Brooklyn. My clients wanted to give him a big boy room that he could enjoy for years to come and needed to have a modern yet playful vibe. He's into robots, cars and blue..... just the typical things that every boy loves. I can't wait to show you the other side of the room. I hope you like it. More to come......

  

a goodnight bunny

This bunny nightlight from White Rabbit England is so sweet. 

r.i.p. sons and daughters

Nooooooooooooo. My go-to gift store for everything baby and child is closing. If you are in the New York area through August 23rd then hope on over and take advantage of the closing sales of the year. 

Sons and Daughters

35 Avenue A

New York, NY 10009

back to it

With school about to start, is it wrong to want to send a child starting kindergarten to class with this little number? Yes, it's a cowhide leather child's backpack ..... and I secretly love it.

collect

There is something very playful about Normann Copenhagen's Collect Bookshelf. It would be fun to turn it into a dollhouse of sorts.

sneak peak - the modern indoor treehouse

I hope that everyone is enjoying July and getting some sunshine. I have missed my little blog but I've got lots of things to share very soon. One thing is a project that I started last month and just completed on friday. Here is a little sneak peak ...... more to come soon. Cheers -jenn

the modern firefly

THESE solar powered outdoor lamps would make any backyard magical.

cradle rock

The VYSSA cradle/bassinet from Gylldorf and Svalin is a beauty.

B.Y.O.I.C.

Yes please. Nothing says "I'm bringing the party to the picnic" better then this Insulated Portable Container. Freeze the top, scoop some ice cream, grab junior and head to the park. 

meal time

I really like this dutch children's tableware set. The colors are perfect and the dimple cup is spot on. You can buy it HERE.

the suspended tree house

There is something very intriguing about the Treepee. I would imagine lots of storytelling and adventures could happen in there.

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..

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?

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)

get in your soap box

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