its fun for a girl or a boy
Sisusta Jandivaani's Lapsille table is perfect for the curious mini.
play
August 29, 2008
August 27, 2008
the art of origami
I observed that the garden is more and more looked after. It has become the location of a 'lifestyle', a place where people can gather, play games, have fun, eat...a place to furnish. The Paper chair, inspired by the arts of Origami is an amusing and functional injection moulded plastic chair. The folded nature of it brings a refreshing geometric aspect far awayfrom traditional shapes usually obtained with plastic materials. Once upside-down, the chair become a Paper figure which turns into a toy for the kids. The particularity of the design lies in the straight lines and corner details that are combined to lead to its functions.
This is the message behind the Paper Chair and it's designer Simon Joyau. Look for his new website this fall.
August 25, 2008
LMNOP four
I know I said that I would not be back until tomorrow but the latest issue of LMNOP has come out and I could not help myself. This issue is fantastic. It's filled with amazing finds, great features and dope photography. There is a great piece on Chicago with kids as well. Make sure to hit page 17...... it's my contributing piece on Paris!
August 22, 2008
little tree
Pear Studios in Japan have a very sweet little stool. I'm not sure if Little Tree is the name of it or if it's a company they made it for but I love the little house they put it in.
August 21, 2008
its not that small
By far the largest Small Magazine for Aug 08, at 144 pages they don't disappoint. A bit long for an on-line zine but great spreads, beautiful images and well considered.
August 19, 2008
playful food
I really like the new Happy Birthday cake pan and Dont Play With Your Food Bowl from SUCK UK.
August 18, 2008
3 in 1
Unlike any other running bike, the Wishbone bike evolves with a child’s different stages of development. It starts at age 1 as a trike, converts to a running bike as the child grows, and by four to five years old, the 'wishbone' frame is flipped, making the Wishbone Bike one of the largest running bikes on the market. With its environmentally sustainable design, and innovative 3-bikes-in-1 feature, the Wishbone bike designed in New Zealand really is the ultimate pre-bike.
August 14, 2008
dem' bones
Fred Flare's Fossiliced is fun for all ages.
August 13, 2008
dance dance dance
The other night at dinner, we put our forks down and literally started dancing around the table to this song. Thanks Lykke Li
pasta as art
I think this idea from Tutus and Turtles could make for a perfect rainy day art project.
what you need :
1. food coloring
2. dried pasta (any kind)
3. rubbing alcohol
4. ziploc bags
what you do :
1. place noodles in ziploc bag. double bag or place in a tupperware bowl in case of leaks.
2. completely cover the noodles with rubbing alcohol
3. mix in food coloring
4. let the noodles sit to absorb color
(the longer they sit, the deeper the color. I left mine over night)
5. once desired color is reached, drain liquid (do not rinse) and dry noodles on cookie sheets
enjoy! let your child's imagination flow.
August 12, 2008
wooden goods
Estia Holzspielwaren has a nice kitchen and accessories collection for kids, including this coffee maker, tabletop cooker, tea and plate set.
August 07, 2008
lets play outside
MetroPlay is a modern pre-fab outdoor playhouse. It comes insulated and offers an electric package ready for AC/ heater units, computers, TV’s, etc. There are even full-size tempered sliding glass doors. Here you see MetroPlay 1 and 2. They certainly are not cheap......the range is $5800-$6900, depending on how you outfit it.
August 06, 2008
fun and function
KOON Co. is a based in South Korea and have just launched Little KooN, a children's line of functional furniture. Some of the highlights are the TOTIPOOL, TOXIBOX, The JUST SIT stool, and The ROONY BENCH.
August 05, 2008
pure inspiration
70°N is an architecture firm from Norway. Back in 1996, they took part in a competition to build 2 kindergartens in Tromsø. They won both. The kindergarten in Fjellvegen was completed in March 2006 and the kindergarten in Lars Thøringsveg in September 2006. The kindergartens have been built to have the possibility of variety in the use of rooms. With very simple moves one can change each room into new rooms of various sizes and functions. There are several options for combinations and joint actions of rooms and spaces.
Both teachers and students can change the environment as needed. I really want this type of thinking in more American schools.
August 04, 2008
look closer
ZoomArt is a small and practical "zoom" with high quality optics, that make it possible to admire the details of fine art, sculptures, architecture and miniatures from 3 feet to infinity. I think this is a wonderful tool for little hands to explore what we see everyday.
August 01, 2008
todays date
What a fun way to get your kids up to speed on the day of the week as well as the month!
July 31, 2008
a mini house
I think you could make some sweet rooms for a mini dollhouse with this Dollhouse Bookshelf.
sweet candy without the rush
Liquorice Allsorts have been around since the late 1800's. Now your kids can enjoy the popular candy without the sugar high. Meet the Allsorts House.
July 30, 2008
a residential update
Things are coming together for one of the residential playspaces that I am creating for a little boy. We are in the home stretch. As I mentioned before, the wallpaper is up! This week, the rug, tee-pee, train set, cooktop, table, chairs and custom-built cabinets were installed. Only a few more things to go. I'll keep you posted!
boys and their toys
Toronto, Canada has a new claim to fame not only does is have the CN Tower it now holds the record
for the highest tower created from Lego bricks. The Lego tower construction began at the beginning of
july and was completed last week. Official Lego builders from Denmark were flown in to supervise the
effort. A crane was needed to complete the tower standing at 29.3m made from 465 000 Lego bricks.
July 28, 2008
another knock-off .... just smaller
Hey look, even Walgreens is getting in on the knock-off craze. Check out this "Swedish Style" High Chair for a doll.
July 25, 2008
have a great weekend
Photo Funia is a fun little place to put your pictures into. (via little big pants)
we wanna dance
Picture turning up your volume and dancing around the dining room (several times) ..... thats just what my daughter and I did.
July 24, 2008
industrial loft living
One of my favorite stores is KIOSK. The owner, Alisa Grifo, was featured in the NYT House and Garden section today. In it, she shares great things to think about as well as few items she fancies. One was this loft building kit. Very industrial and very fun! You can purchase one here.
July 23, 2008
etsy + minor details
I LOVE searching through Etsy...so when they asked me to be a Featured Buyer and take part in the Handmade Kids series, I was honored. I gave some of my picks for the family friendly home. If you have never tried an Etsy stroll, I highly recommend it! Check out my piece here. Also, be sure to check the new Handmade Kids features regularly!
July 18, 2008
July 17, 2008
i think i'm turning japanese
These Talking Japanese Watches will teach you and your child what time it is in Japan and how to say it!
forest inspired oddities
Little Odd Forest has a wonderful collection of playful things. I am a huge fan of their huggables as well as the Lovely Day Plate. They both are just the right size for the pint-sized eaters and toy handlers.
July 11, 2008
a multiple establishment part deux
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!)
welcome to somewhere city
STRANGEco has joined forces with The Museum of Modern Art and Goran Lelas to create Somewhere City. A place where children can make their own magical creatures.
Inside the gates of Somewhere City you will find an imaginary labyrinth of pure play, where everything is constantly changing. Somewhere City's motion is fueled by the "Secret Thought" of its wonderful, positive inhabitants. Everything floats in this City - houses, street lamps, even faces. So be ready! You might have a new neighbor when you get home from your day exploring...
July 10, 2008
its whatever you think it is
This "Seeing Outside the Box" card set challenges our visual perception.....in an amazing way. The idea is to look at the cards from each side and describe what you see. Use the cards as a great classroom or therapy clinic tool that really makes kids, and adults, use the creative side of their brain.
July 09, 2008
if you build it...they will come
Just when you thought a kid's world was powered exclusively by batteries. Crazy Forts uses geometrically precise balls and sticks to create a multitude of play fort possibilities that you simply throw a sheet over. If you go to the site, you can download different "blueprints". They are also coming out with interior lights for the forts. (via notcot)
eat and learn
Go and grab this sweet Game Baby Compartment Tray.
July 08, 2008
a custom idea
Head on over to Chalkydoodles Etsy site and custom pick your oil cloth fabric for this nice folding table and chair set for kids.
July 07, 2008
creative building
The creative people over at Kidsonroof have done it again. As a great follow up to the Mobile Home, they have come out with the TOTEM line.
TOTEM BOYS : Create your own spaceship, airplane, cathedral, sailing ship or any other construction from your imagination! Over 120 building cards, with secret codes and symbols, with imagery of metal, wood, fire, air, space and more! For kids with imaginative powers, young designers and builders. With manual for 4 models: Katar, Yak, Barca and Buran.
TOTEM GIRLS : Create your own church, witch house, lizard, reindeer or any other construction from your imagination! Over 120 building cards with flowers and butterflies, golden coins, fish and wild animals! For girls with imaginative powers, young designers and builders. Including manual for 4 models: Katar, Yaga, Lisar and Olen.
Ages 7+. Made from recycled laminated micro-wave cardboard. (Thanks Irene!)
the lil man at the table
Get your lil guy to be like daddy and stay clean at the table with these Dress For Dinner Napkins!
July 04, 2008
July 03, 2008
flip it
So a client has 8 year old boy twins have an entire floor of a townhouse to themselves. They share a bathroom and a walk-in closet with one bedroom in front and one in the back. The problem? Well, they are eight and they have a lot of energy....and a new little sister. So my client wanted to figure out a way to keep them occupied....especially when it will be too cold to play outside. To that I say.......... a PING PONG TABLE DOOR !
go speed racer
This wooden Rubber Band Racer is sweet.
July 02, 2008
making music mini style
MIMUMA means "Mini Music Machines." This group of protoype instruments, by PKNTS and Florian Schwab, is geared towards children and making music. With a wireless connection that permits file swaps, kids can create a mini recording studio anywhere. I am looking forward to production.
