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!
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!
The Rolleiflex Mini Digital Camera proudly continues the Rollei Twin Lens Reflex tradition, pushing the famed camera into beautifully tiny territory! It has a big price tag but this would make for a superb first camera for little hands.
Mr. Olav Øen is a 78 year old pensioner but works full time with producing wooden toys. His factory is located in the south of Norway and his production dates back to 1928. His designs varies models and many of them date back to the beginning of this amazing Norwegian productionline. Mr. Øen is the last wooden toymaker in Norway.
Ahhhhh, summer in the park is now and what better way to spend a lazy afternoon than with flying a vintage Herman Miller Kite like this?
I think these little retro lunch boxes and thermos sets are really cute.
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?
Perhaps some of you know of the Phantom Tollbooth. It was a classic book written by Norton Juster and illustrated by Jules Feiffer in 1961.
In 1969, animation director Chuck Jones adapted The Phantom Tollbooth into a full-length feature animated film. So take a 10 minute break from whatever you are doing and take a ride.
Posts have been slow lately. I guess with the baby boom .... everybody suddenly wants to focus on the Minor Details. Never fear..... I'll be back shortly. In the mean time...go and play with this website that makes your pictures look really old. (yes, that's me .... via the apartment)
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?
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.
I really like this vintage tricycle from Bom Designs. (store found via Andy)
Man, I missed the boat on buying this Bronz Zoo Flag Banner by 2 seconds.
My love for the Magic Garden will never die.
Metro Retro has an amazing vintage collection. In this mix is a school desk from the 1950's, a 20 section pigeon hole storage unit and a 10 section pigeon hole with a sloped chalkboard top. I was lucky enough to see these in person while in London. I will be visiting them again soon!
I'm calling out to my readers. Can anyone help me find more information on designer Probst Walter. He designed this children's chair below. I'd love to know more. Thanks!
I really like these vintage blocks and pins from Arthurs Circus.
Véronique Cota has a bigger child's chair collection than me and for that I applaud her. She has a design shop for kids called Balouga based in Paris. I wanted to share some photos that I was lucky enough to get from Ms Cota that gives a glimpse into what this amazing shop, and its owner, have to offer. You might have heard of the Kazam Desk by Mahmoud Akram or the La Foret des Boites desk (The Forest of Boxes) by Matali Crasset that where made exclusively for Balouga.
If you are in Paris, you can stop by at 25, Rue Des Filles Du Calvaire 75003 Paris. (Crédit photos : Vanessa Gilles)
Dirty Wow Wow and other love stories is a tribute to threadbare companions of childhood written by Cheryl and Jeffrey Katz. With striking photography and personal stories of each companion, this book is a sweet nod to timeless childhood memories. Buy it here.
Here is a piece on "Blankie" : Blankie lives in the liquor cabinet. When Maggie would fall asleep feeling Blankie’s lovely silky edge—a fine thing to do when you’re trying to get some shut eye—she would also suck her two middle fingers. This made Maggie an orthodontist’s dream. One day Blankie disappeared. When, weeks later, Blankie was discovered behind the curtains, Maggie was already weaned from him. Maggie’s mom saw this as an opportunity to let Blankie stay lost and shoved it in the back of the liquor cabinet above the refrigerator. Now, whenever a recipe calls for brandy, Maggie's mother reaches into the cabinet, catches a glimpse of Blankie and feels a pang of guilt, but not $5,000 worth, which was the cost of Maggie’s braces.
Mini Spielzeug is open for business in Zurich. They have a pretty eclectic selection of vintage goodies as well as publishing and printing their own books for children.
(via stork bites man. Andy, you have such a great blog!)
These playful paintings are from French artist Coco Fronsac. I feel some old-school french inspiration for a boys bedroom.
(via les culottes courtes)
Yoko Jarvis is the maker behind Japanimals. These soft toys are made from 100% pure cashmere and vintage Japanese textiles. So sweet.
Clifford Richards is a graphic designer who started out in the ‘60s producing graphic work inspired by Pop Art. While in London, I managed to grab up his Noah's Ark poster for my child's bedroom. He also made paper folded objects and these really great Foam Fairy Wings.
This weekend, I stopped by The Modern Show at the 69th Regiment Armory in NYC. There were only a few really great finds. One booth that I was drawn to belonged to Sarah Latham-Kearns. She was a lovely lady with a great appreciation for design. She had the Hans Brockhage and Erwin Andra “Schaukelwagen” child's chair. This was made in 1950 in Germany. It is a rocking chair on one side and flips over to a ride on toy. Made with a laminated and bent beech plywood seat in a molded birch frame. Ahhhh, if only I had $1,200. She also had an Enzo Mari animal puzzle in it's original box. This was going for $450. An original Rocking Horse by Kaj Bojesen. Hanging on the wall was a Nanna Ditzel highchair in practically mint condition.
A few booths down was an original Eames Children's Chair & Stool. The chair was going for $6,800 and the stool $4,800. I think I'm gonna wait for these guys to knock them off.
Madallie has got a sweet oil cloth suitcase, vintage stamped luggage, and oil cloth passport holder for the little traveler.
Last night I went to an open house school tour for the mini, so she had an evening playdate with her best bud. When I came to pick her up, she was watching Free to Be... You and Me. My friend J is a HUGE fan of this soundtrack. In fact every time I get into her car, 9 times out of 10, it's playing. This record album and illustrated songbook came out in 1974 and has an amzing cast. Here is a little ditty about when you grow up....with Michael Jackson. Hummm. I wonder what happened?
You Can't Do That On Television started in Ontario Canada in 1979. It did not hit the Nickelodeon circut until 1984, making it the highest-rated television program of that time. The name says it all, there were alot of things that they should not have done on television.....but that's what made me watch it back then. Kinda makes SpongeBob SquarePants feel like Little Bear.
Luigi Colani designed the Zocker child's chair in 1972 and the Plycor chair in 1977 and I'm having a hard time tracking any down for purchase. Anyone know where I can score one of these?
(photo by Moneta Sleet Jr)
I'll be back tomorrow!
This is a sweet vintage barber chair for children. The seat fabric is held together by rubber bands so I'm not certain how long that would last. This would be a great chair to restore. Perhaps a new paint job and seat fabric? I think I might just have to buy it.
The town of Melborne actually. Arthur's Circus specializes in vintage toys, collectables, and lighting. The store's motto is "nostalgia ain't what it used to be." Although the website offers no e-commerce, I'm certain an email or phone call could get you those little vintage toy cars and soldiers you've been searching for.
THREE potato FOUR is a husband and wife team of treasure seekers. With a mix of modern and vintage objects, their collection is a true beauty. They are fantastic curators, with a cute sense of humor, based out of Virginia.
Chapi Chapo (chapeaux, in french means "hats") was a stop-motion French short series created in 1974. The music and them song is so catchy. I have found myself singing it several times in my life. The main characters, Chapi and Chapo, move around as if locked in a Atari game. It hit the American scene in the 1980's on the Nickelodeon show Pinwheel. Yes, yet another childhood theme song that I just can't shake......and I dont know if I ever want to.
Bu and The Duck is a hidden little gem in Tribeca. The owner, Susan Lane, has run this store for years with her daughter. They bring back a precious vintage feeling with this infant and children's clothing and accessory line. One thing that's really fantastic about this shop are the vintage toys and furniture pieces. Every detail is so considered and it carries over into their designs. It's a bit pricey but well worth every penny. Look for a second location to open in Los Angeles in 2008.
paul and ann rand created modern, clean and simple books for children. i am a huge fan of sparkle and spin as is my daughter. here is a list of some of their work. (though mostly done as a couple*, ann had her hand on every book below):
i know a lot of things*. 1956
sparkle and spin*. 1957
umbrella, hats and wheels. with jerome snyder, 1961
little 1*. 1962
so small. 1962
edward and the horse. with olle eskell, 1964
did a bear just walk there. 1966
listen listen*. 1970
Abner Graboff was an extremely talented illustrator for children's books in the 50's and 60's. His work has been described warm, airy and playfully absurd. i wish this type of bold illustration was in books today. i find that when i read my daughter a bedtime story, im more inclined to pull up to a vintage book that is packed with such consideration, style and grace. its books like these that make you stop in time, study the pages and really see a story.
here is a list of some notable books that illustrates his work:
a tail is a tail. katherine mace, 1957
please don't feed horace. miriam young, 1961
noise in the night. anne alexander, 1960
i want to whistle. anne alexander, 1960
mr, angelo. marjory schwalje, 1960
of course, you're a horse. ruth shaw radlauer, 1959
the hungry goat. alan mills, 1964
i know an old lady. alan mills and rose bonne, 1965
old mcdonald had a farm. abner graboff, 1969
