How adorable are these vintage inspired kids chairs from French design label Les Gambettes? Founded in 2011 by two school friends with a background in fashion, Les Gambettes aim to translate catwalk trends to retro furniture for kids and grown-ups alike.
Their first collection includes the Suzie chair and Little Suzie kids chairs, Regine school desks and Marcel side tables. Colour blocking, flowers, Vichy checks, cement tile and baroque patterns were printed on formica furniture with a distinct fifties feel.
All furniture is made in Europe and the timber used is FSC certified (meaning it comes from sustainably managed forests).
Les Gambettes kids chairs are available in the UK from Eenymeeny Kids.
(images: les gambettes)
Have you seen Colette Bream’s wonderful creations? This US based designer sells her childrens decor range on Etsy and has woven a magical world around her wares. The offering includes gorgeous toddler and cot bedding, whimsical star and cloud shaped cushions in soft greyed colours, room decorations and play things. I love her pretend animal tails below.
If you’ve become curious about this wonderful designer, you can read a great interview with Colette on the Etsy blog here.
(images: colette bream)
I recently stumbled across news of an exhibition called ‘Doudou Forever’ at children’s shop Un Zèbre au Grenier in Paris. It featured a series of portraits by French photographer Bénédicte Lassalle called ‘Mine Forever‘, capturing people’s soft toys – or as the French say ‘doudous’.
Bénédicte set up a mini-studio in-store to photograph doudous for those wanting a lasting memory of their little friend. Intrigued, I decided to contact Bénédicte and asked her what gave her the idea to start this project. Here is what she told me:
“I started this project soon after my daughter was born in 2009 for 2 main reasons: I am a freelance photographer and I wanted to create a special gift for my godson Lubin. Something that he would keep for a long time. And also at the time I wanted to create a piece of art to decorate my daugter’s bedroom. So I started to take pictures of some of her (many) stuffed animals and dolls. And then my sister-in-law told me that she still had her loveys (Catiche Rousse & Nounoute Orange), then my mother-in-law told me that she still had my husband’s lovey (Toutou) and then my mum told me that she still had hers (M’doudou)! My best friend too… Etc… This is how it all started! I choose the background according to the person’s age when he or she was a little kid. And now I organise mini photo studios in shops in Boston where I live and recently in Paris, to take the portrait of the children’s loveys so that they can decorate their bedroom.”
Don’t you just love this idea? For those living in Paris, the exhibition Doudou Forever will continue to run until 30 June at Un Zèbre au Grenier. For those who don’t, let’s hope that some enterprising store owners will invite Bénédicte to exhibit or organise a mini-studio at their store!
(images: bénédicte lassalle)
When I first laid eyes on this whimsical bedding from new kids on the block No. 74, in was love at first sight. Friends Nancy and Poupy from Italy and France combine their handmade creations with vintage children’s furniture and toys to create gorgeous style for contemporary kids rooms.
(images: no. 74)
I recently found out that pram legends Silvercross do dolls versions of their great British classic pram. I’m completely smitten with this gorgeously nostalgic, red poppy Chatsworth dolls pram. It features an adorable ceramic poppy plaque and I think it’s just perfect for little ladies and their babies…
(image: room to bloom 1. chatsworth poppy dolls pram 2. bailey bear)
I recently found out about xo-in my room, a new webshop and blog focused on kids furniture based in Spain. The company was set-up by Carina and her husband and is a real family venture. The webshop is due to open soon, but in the mean time I simply had to share this cirkus cot with you, which I absolutely adore.
(image: xo-in my room)
I grew up with prints of paintings by the Swedish artist Carl Larsson, and in my child’s mind I somehow imagined that this one above was a painting of me and my sisters. There’s me, the eldest – blond – with my middle sister – dark haired – and my little sister – blond again.
Carl Larsson (1853 – 1919) is best known for the paintings of his home Lilla Hyttnäs and his loved ones – Karin Larsson and their eight children. What I love about them is how they show snapshots of the rhythms of daily life, with toys and clothes strewn on floors, and children in the middle of play. There’s open windows, wind in the curtains, flowers inside and outside, a meal in mid preparation… I can gaze at them forever and discover new details every time.
The home’s interiors, with strong reds and greens, were designed by Larsson’s wife Karin, who was an artist in her own right. She designed much of the wooden furniture herself, as well as the fabrics, rugs, hangings, and the children’s clothes. Now a museum, you can still visit the family house, which remains largely unchanged (see above).
Here’s an image of a little girl’s Larsson inspired bedroom I found. I love that timber panelling on the wall!
And here’s a little board I’ve done with Larsson inspired kid’s decor:
1. rocket and bear blankets 2. laurette armoire parisienne 3. rockid 4. kritter table 5. brunte horse 6. jeans duvet cover 7. check pillow case 8. vertbaudet summer bloom sheet 9. hemnes linen cabinet 10. stek children’s chair
If you would like to see more of Larsson’s work, have a look here.
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I’ve had a weak spot for neon letters for a long time (don’t gasp!) – I think they’re great to personalise kid’s spaces. To have them made is pretty expensive, but there is a more affordable alternative with these cool looking typewriter inspired letters from Seletti.
You can buy any number of individual letters to make up your child’s name (or any other word), click them together and attach them to the wall. Some outlets also sell pre-set words such as i ♥ you above.
The black connecting wires and transformers look best against a dark background. They’d look ultra stylish against a blackboard wall, don’t you think? Find them at SCP or The Letterroom.
A little while ago I received my copy of the long awaited The Homemade Home for Children by stylist, designer and author Sania Pell. Long awaited, because I pre-ordered it last year when I discovered Sania’s amazing blog At Home, and the book wasn’t published officially until last Thursday – but boy, was it worth the wait! I’m really excited to be able to show you some of the loveliness that’s inside.
Besides being absolutely gorgeous to look at, Sania’s book is full of entirely do-able creative ideas for crafty projects that you can make for or with your children. The book is aimed at creative parents mainly, but also at family and friends of people with children, as many of the ideas would make super sweet, personal gifts.
This is perhaps what I liked most about the book and Sania’s approach. Her homemade projects really do come from the heart and many of the objects have the potential to become treasured heirlooms, or at least much-loved possessions that will grow with your child through the years. It’s easy to imagine how much love you’ll pour into each and every one of these handmade projects, or how much fun you will have with your child making something together.
My favourite project is perhaps the bookcase dollhouse (pictured above) – though it’s hard to pick just one! I have a soft spot for dollhouses – as my website shows – and I adore the colours and simple beauty of this one. My parents made me and my sisters a dollhouse when we were little, and though it sadly hasn’t survived, some of the handmade furniture and quilts that furnished the place are still with us! I find it amazing to think how they must have crafted away in secret night after night after we’d gone to bed to build us the house and all that was in it. But I digress…
The Homemade Home for Children includes projects for different skill levels and covers things to make for your baby’s nursery, child’s bedroom or playroom, as well as things to wear and things to use outside. There are easy to follow instructions with each project, which you can follow step-by-step or use as a starting point for your own creativity. This is something I really liked about the book as well – Sania encourages you along the way with tips and ideas on how to make the project even more your own.
I know a ton of people I want to give this book to already, so before I buy all available copies, you can order your copy at Amazon now. I’m absolutely sure it will give you so much pleasure every time you work on one of Sania’s ideas and connect with your loved ones – or feel inspired to work on your own. Happy making!
PS. If you haven’t visited Sania’s blog At Home before, go take a look. You’ll find lots of inspirational ideas for your home and gorgeous colour inspiration. You can also read more about the inspiration behind Sania’s work and her love of flowers over at the fabulous Flowerona blog.
(images: room to bloom)
OK – when I came across these eye charts at Molly-Meg my heart nearly stopped. How inspired are these prints!? They are produced as a limited edition by creative design studio Floor 4 Projects in New York, who make eco-friendly toys and room decor for kids. 
Molly-Meg have two of a 100 prints in black and also 2 in colour, so if you want to get your hands on one of these be quick!
(Oh – and this Easter weekend I noticed Molly-Meg offers free shipping or 20% off all purchases – I’m not paid to mention this, but honest to goodness get over there fast).
(images: floor 4 projects)
