The humble highchair has certainly undergone a metamorphosis from it first humble beginnings of a tall chair with a safety bar across it.
Italian company Inglesina have come up with two very stylish chair designs in their Mhome range of baby interior products that are at the high end of the design spectrum.
The Zuma has quite a space age appearance perfect for modern interiors with great features such as 8 height options and 3 position reclining backrest whilst also being able to fold flat for storage. The Club on the other hand is more simplistic in its styling and features and more suitable for older babies who are already able to sit up as there is no head support.
If you’re looking for a baby chaise longue, then they also offer the gorgeous Loft baby rocker which has similar design lines to the Zuma with on-off rocking motion and stylish colour choices. It seem the only downside on the futuristic styling is that it doesn’t have any play attachments to entertain your child when they are awake - but then for some the rocking motion and a good view is enough.
The range also includes a Spa – no, not for you, the baby! A baby bath and change table in one, it is ergonomically designed with sleek lines and available in the same 3 colours as the rest of the range – red, aqua and graphite.
Unfortunately the Mhome collection is not yet available in Australia, but we will let you know if this changes.
Toy boxes are a necessary evil of having children. More often than not when it comes to design there are not a lot of options and the clear plastic tub from a variety store starts its insidious takeover of the bedroom and living room areas all too soon. Let’s not kid ourselves, they may be practical but they are ugly. Via Toy Boxes are a great alternative. Built to last of durable Birch plywood, they are designed to bring a little colour and style to your little ones room. Basically a natural or white box with an open front, you customise by choosing between a triangle, square, circle or solid cupboard door for the opening in a choice of 10 colours ranging from brights to pastels.
Now here comes the fun part, you can then choose what sort of formation the boxes come. In options ranging from playtables – boxes underneath a solid birch top, to wardrobes, beds, vertical, horizontal and staked shelving – they offer a huge array of storage ideas. Easy to assemble and finished with non-toxic paints, all boxes are handcrafted in Portland, Oregon of sustainably grown birch.
Not yet available in Australia, order online at Via Toy Boxes. You will have to use a re-shipped from USA.
If you would like to add a more natural looking element to your little ones decor, whether it be in their room or in the living area, Roebuck Studios have a great selection of lounging furniture for little people.
Inspired by nature with help from local faeries and gnomes, husband and wife design team Barret and Kate Roebuck have come up with an adorable range of furniture, including the Chick Chair or Lounger, the Trillium Rocker (a woodland flower), the Hayloft chair and table or the Bunny Rocker.
Made of sustainable and responsibly harvested Baltic birch, their entire manufacturing process is has been considered for its impact on the environment and your child’s health. Non toxic paints, glues and shellac varnish are all used to ensure minimum impact on our environment – a great comfort in a time when there seems to be product recalls on toxic children’s products almost weekly.
Available online through Mahar Drygoods and flatpacked for easy assembly, you have different options available as to colour finishes when ordering. Prices start at US$184 excluding shipping with shipping available to Australia.
I am currently on the lookout for toddler furniture and am amazed at just how few options there are for something stylish in the home. After all, most of us will have to put up with it being in our living room in constant line of sight, so we want it to look at least somewhat tasteful. If only I had a whole playroom to hide everything away in and close a door on...I digress. So I am always happy to come across something new and exciting – which in this case is actually something old.
The Casalino chair was originally designed by Alexander Begge in the 1970’s – obvious in its groovy plastic molded styling. It has now been resurrected as all great design is and currently being manufactured again by Dutch company Casala. Looking a little like the Panton junior chair, it comes in two sizes – toddler and kids, and a range of bold colours. Impressive in its form and function, it is scratch resistant, impact proof, weather resistant (handy for indoor/outdoor use) and has softly rounded edges which is great for safety and comfort..
Not yet available in Australia, we will keep you posted.
If your child is now ready to sit down for longer than a few minutes and engage in an activity but you either don’t have the room for a tradition mini table and chair set, or are looking for something just a little different, take a look at the Zid Zid table and cushions.
Dreamt up by a husband and wife team of designer and artist in Morocco, the design takes a nod to their cultures more relaxed style of lounging.
Wooden tables are a generously sized 27” diameter and 10” high and are available in 7 gorgeous hand-painted designs, and all come with 3 faux metallic leather fully washable cushions.
Available through Arte Bebe, they sell for US$299 plus a shipping fee of US$30 to Australia.
