Kids Haus

Jen Talbot Designs

I began following Jen's blog, Cup of Coco, about 4 years ago and was enamored with her creativity and sewing skills. I remember falling in love with a felt birch tree that she was making for someone because it reminded me of something I would dream of wanting in my room as a child but it was always a distant dream {sigh}. Jen has managed to take those childlike dreams and turn them into a whimsical reality - it's a feast for the eyes and imagination, truly beautiful. Jen has recently launched her new website, Jen Talbot Designs, and has been designing custom rooms for kids amongst other interesting projects. I'm seriously contemplating hiring Jen to make something for our newly remodeled basement. Enjoy looking through her projects here.

Poufs & Floor Cushions

I know it's been said time and again but, really, how did we manage before the internet? Before Google? Before blogs? My quest for a great floor cushion or pouf for our newly remodeled basement began quite simply and it didn't take long before I found an abundance of floor cushion choices. In my search, I thought I'd share a few fantastic poufs or floor cushions that I found along the way. My criteria was: dark(ish) in color, washable, durable, modern and at least 2' wide and affordable. Ta-da! In about an hour of pouf-searching, I bought the gray one in the upper left hand corner from a fabulous & inspiring little business called Mookah. Clockwise from there: Poufix No. 24 by EvaForeva, Pumpkin Pouf, Ernest by Donna Wilson (via Small Magazine), Flora Pouf by Modern Dose. Enjoy!

CASAKids Loft Beds

I'm posting these pictures of beautiful loft beds by CASAKids with a bit of hesitation because I don't want Bean to catch wind of them, otherwise she will relentlessly beg me to buy one. Good news (for me) is, we actually can't functionally have a loft bed because we need a bunk bed (2 beds!) since both girls are comfortably squeezed into one room. However, if we should ever find ourselves with a bedroom for each girl, I would probably have to spring for one of these beauties - they are so functionally designed.

Risom Rocker

Just yesterday, I was reading my newest Dwell magazine and read the most inspiring story about mid-century furniture designer Jens Risom. Out of the big names such as Knolls, Eames, Nelson, Bertoia and a few others, Jens is the only surviving designer. At the age of 93, Risom continues to design furniture for DWR and Pucci and hasn't skipped a beat in designing his classicly beautiful pieces. In fact, I think his newest works are possibly my favorite of his designs. All of this led me to find the gorgeous Risom Rocker designed exclusively for DWR. Now if I were to have a third child, I wouldn't hesitate to find the excuse to buy one for myself (not that I ever felt the need to own a rocker with my two girls) - it would undoubtedly wind up being a classic piece, don't you think?

Knoll Kids

One of my all-time favorite chairs is the Womb chair by Eero Saarinen which was designed for Knoll in 1948. If you've never had the fortune to sit in one, it would be impossible to understand just how comfortable it really is and why it was so appropriately named. I got an email from the marketing folks at Knoll today introducing their recently launched line of Knoll Kids furniture that includes reduced versions of the Womb chair, the Barcelona chair, Cyclone side table, the Diamond chair and several others - and they're all made of the same quality as their bigger counterparts. 

Sovgunga

Within the first year of giving birth to C, I remember dreaming of a contraption like the Sovgunga. In my sleep-deprived state of mind, I recall telling my husband that it would be great to have a swinging baby hammock - something that would cradle her and sway her calmly. I love it when someone can take a concept and make a great design out of it and I think Sovgunga has done just that. Thanks to Terese at Minimalen

Molly-Meg

You want to know one of the ways to my heart? Oddly enough...chairs. Really, there's almost nothing better than a beautifully crafted vintage chair, in my humble opinion. Honestly, if I had the room, I would probably be collecting them on a regular basis. Molly sent me a note about her shop, Molly-Meg, that specializes in selling vintage chairs, objects and art for children but I chose to focus on the chairs since Molly has such a beautiful selection...though the art is pretty amazing too. Molly has put together a really fun and unique shop and I look forward to checking back regularly to see what she's collected...

Foldschool

How often do you come across beautiful furniture, for free? Well, Foldschool is just that -- a collection of free, downloadable cardboard furniture templates designed strictly for kids, handmade by you. The designer/architect behind Foldschool is Swiss-based Nicola Enrico Stäubli who came up with the idea to restore design to one of its original missions: to provide a product at an affordable price through a smart manufacturing process. The geometric shapes look similarly to some of the expensive furniture I've seen at high-end retail stores, so I think that's what makes Mr. Stäubli's creations so exciting -- the fact that they're easily accessible and that we can take part in it's construction.

CASAKids Design

Roberto Gil of CASAKids Design is a Brooklyn-based designer and architect with an amazing talent. He's designed successful furniture ranges for Offi, Simplicity, Alex Toys, Ameriwood, Crate and Barrel and Williams-Sonoma. What caught my eye, however, were his custom room designs. As parents, I think we could all agree that organization is the key to keeping the clutter at bay. When everything has it's designated "home", it's easy to keep clean. These spaces by Mr. Gil are dreamy! They're spacious, light and clean. I dream of having a space like any these someday...

 

Kids Rock

Alexander Taylor, the same designer who created the Antlers coat hanger and loads of other beautiful furniture, designed the sleek Kids Rock rocking chair for kids. It's made of English oak and rubber inlay that comes in five cool colors including blue, yellow, pink, lime green and red.

Funday Table (streamlined!)

The functional Fundy Table that we know and love has gone through a subtle redesign. The appearance has been streamlined and looks a bit more "grown up" now. Amazing what changing a few legs and slimming the table will do. You can choose from a chalkboard or dry erase surface and it comes in either orange, blue or natural. If I had the space, I would definitely have a Fundy table for stowing the stacks of paper and pens that are left in the aftermath of an afternoon of drawing.

Jennifer Delonge: Storage Options

I think I've finally found the ideal storage unit that will mesh seamlessly with the rest of our decor. Jennifer Delonge has come up with these sophisticated and functional pieces of furniture that are highly forgiving of child's play. The Audrey Storage can be nested or used as individual storage units and you can opt to have the lid chalkboard or lacquered painted.

The Charles Storage is very similar but without the nesting units. It can masquerade as a gorgeous side table while it secretly hides blankets or toys. I'm definitely in love with both of these pieces!

Nurseryworks - Loom Storage Trolley

Nurseryworks Loom Storage Trolley is a toy box/storage unit on wheels that also has a removable cushion on top! I'm a sucker for anything versatile and practical. It can also be tucked nicely under the Loom Storage System.

 

Nume Bed

I love this Nume bed/play area. It's a brilliant, versatile, space-friendly design. I rarely see Ms. Bean playing on her bed, so why not create a low structure that can be used for sleep or play? The canopy almost makes it feel like a playhouse structure as well. Add a sheet over the face of it and (voila!) you have the perfect hideout!

Ora Ito Desk & Chair

I've been to Terence Conran's Habitat  store a few times while in London and I have to say that it's one of my favorite stores of all time. They've got the most genius furniture and home decor. It's not fussy nor unfriendly and there's an element of surprise in a lot of their pieces. This bright red, plywood desk designed especially for Habitat by Ora Ita is a fine example of the things you would find.

Fairy Tale Ottoman

These felt footstools from Anthropologie are adorned with gnomes, flowers and mushrooms depicting imaginative fairy tale themes.

Introducing: Hazel Wood Children

Today was one of those days where I was a little uncertain of what I was going to write about. I had a few things up my sleeve but nothing that felt very compelling. That was, until I checked my inbox and found a lovely email from Jennifer of Hazel Wood Children, a new online children's store that's quite compelling and worth celebrating. Jennifer has pooled together a unique range of designers, small businesses, artists and craftsmen with an overarching philosophy of environmental consciousness (yes, including lots of organic products!). You will discover things that you have probably never seen before (I certainly did) and find items exclusively made for Hazel Wood -- note the adorable coats pictured below. Great products and great philosophy, this is my kind of store! Thanks Jennifer.

Boom Modern Chair

While on the subject of Boom Design, they've also come up with a very cute, modern chair for the mini. What I like about this design is that the seat is wide enough for kids to plop down in any formation -- including "criss-cross apple sauce". It's available in Chocolate, Poppy and Sea Green Micro Suede and that little circle pillow is included. Contact Boom to order your own.

Sustainable Crib

Being that we're all becoming acutely aware of sustainability in our world today, I thought the IoLine crib from Kalon Studios was an interesting and sophisticated design. Made from sustainable materials you can choose from painted birch or oiled bamboo.