All things nature-oriented have taken the fashion and interior decor
markets by storm in recent times. I've been far from immune myself, with owls, birdies and trees featuring prominently in my own choice of products for children.
The
Swedese Tree Coat Rack
is a spendy way of getting back to nature but is a piece that is sure to live with you forever. Possibly the most chic coat rack I've ever seen, a couple of these would be perfect in my hallway for those
essential family items that usually end up slung over our dining chairs. Having eyed the Eames Hang It All for years, the Swedese
may have just taken over as my coat rack of choice!
These sculptural beauties come in two sizes - junior and adult -
and your choice of floor- or wall-mountable models. I love the tidiness
and artwork-like quality of the wall version, how it uses very little
floor space, and presents less of a tripping hazard than racks
with bases. There are three finishes to choose from - laminated birch
veneer, white or black. The floor model has a steel plate in the base for extra stability.
The junior and adult racks would look wonderful where wallspaces could do with a bit of visual interest. It's not only paintings and prints that can do that job! I'm always on the lookout for new ideas for decorating large expanses of wall. Alongside Scandinavian fabrics and art posters, we have our toddler's artworks and prized retro knick-knacks mounted up high, far from fiddling little fingers. Now if I can just re-finance the house to have the Swedese trees line our hallway for a forest-like effect, we'll be set!
huset
does not ship this item internationally, so you would have to arrange a reshipper. Prices start at US$600 for the junior white wall tree up to $950 for the adult oak floor tree.
When you want clean lines, no frou-frou, and loads of colour, you can always look to
Brio! The makers of fine toys are producing beautiful
cots
with minimalist tendencies, packing a visual punch with options in bright red and green.
There is white, of course, for those who want to stick to a classic colour scheme, or whose decorating is already wild enough. I personally love the red as a bold statement in a pure white room. Made from solid wood, the cot bed adjusts to two levels to cater for your growing baby.
I'm loving Brio's product expansion into furniture and prams. The new highchair in bright yellow has caught my eye, and I'd love to have a drive of the new range of prams. I can see their new products being as popular as their toys!
£170 (includes mattress) from
Panik Design. You'll need a reshipper or generous British relative...
Okay, so a dining table with a built-in marble run could work one of two ways with a fussy toddler: either they'll be so keen to be seated at this magical table they’ll eat anything, or - and I think this is the scenario to expect at my house - they’ll spend most of the time underneath the table following the trail of marbles as they wind down the legs of this amazingly carved piece.
In truth, the design of the Marbelous table from Dutch designers Ontwerpduo will appeal mostly to big kids, that is, pre-Wii adults who remember the hours of fun to be had with the board game Mousetrap (and trading marbles in the playground!).
Designed by Tineke Beunders from the Ontwerpduo studio in Eindhoven in the Netherlands, this Maple table, measuring 200 x 90 x 67cm, is what she calls a 'functional woodcarving', bringing together the worlds of adult furniture and children’s toys. She explains "From my childhood I remember it was always exciting to combine these two... I used the woodcarvings of furniture as a playfield for my puppets, to play in a new world."
There’s no need to worry about little balls running off the legs and creating havoc around the house – you won’t actually lose any of your marbles thanks to a couple of clever catch cups in the feet of the table as well as the centre. But if I were you, I’d check regularly for foreign objects. I wouldn’t be surprised to find the odd pea down there (if only my parents’ dining table was this versatile!).
At this stage the table is more of a design project, but it’s worth bookmarking the Ontwerpduo site for production updates. Watch this space for more information.
A big fat cuddly lounge is just what everyone needs after a hard day at work or play.
Fatboy
beanbags are not your typical beanbags. Industrial strength, your
Fatboy will arrive fully loaded with EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) cylindrical pieces which will never escape the heavy duty nylon casing. It wipes down easily and withstands all the flopping, snoozing and rough and tumble your wild ones can throw at it.
These beanbags would make a fantastic Christmas present for those with
slightly older children than my youngest. I'd pop them on from age two
or three years, depending on the model chosen. Imagine the delighted surprise when that huge 'Island' beanbag rolls in on Christmas Day!
You could grab the smaller size for the kids' rooms and they'll be reading and chatting on it for years to come. It'll probably go off to uni with them! I can see the black Island Fatboy in our lounge room. They could have a kip and watch a favourite movie together.
Metromum
is now stocking Fatboy Junior products. Prices include shipping to your door. The Junior beanbag comes in lime green, pink, black and turquoise and is $375. The Island beanbag comes in black and is $500. Also check out the giant outdoor hammock!
Back in January we mentioned these Eames Elephants. They were always made in plywood and very pricey. We have just heard they have released them in plastic (polypropylene).
They will be available in five colours - red, pink, ice-grey, white and lime. They are available at Utility in the UK for £139.95.
