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In the Playroom

Objects of Design #213: Personalised Light Box

Now I hate to mention the C word - shall we call it D (for December instead) but wouldn't this make a great present? And frankly not just for children. A solid oak light box that can be personalised and that doubles up as a night light or even a bedside light for reading. I'm
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Objects of Design #212: Oksa Oak Wall Hook

Hanna Francis Oksa wall hook is available from cloudberry living The September series is nearly over and it has come back full circle. You may remember we started the month with these fabulous tree bookshelves, which were perfect for children and grown-ups alike. the branch also comes in walnut Well today we are returning to
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Objects of Design #211: TeaTowel/Cushion by Mibo

is it a tea towel? Continuing with the multi-tasking themes of the last few days I just love this tea towel. Which, if you are four and you have no need for such things, you can have made (by those big people that hang around with nothing better to do than watch your every move)
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Objects of Design #210: Embrace Storage Unit, Table and Stool

mult-tasking furniture Yesterday I spoke about multi-tasking furniture (yes I did, did you read to the end?) and while I know that many of you are reluctant to spend lots of money on items that your children will grow out of in ten minutes, there are pieces out there that will really go the distance.
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Objects of Design #209: Lucky Boy Sunday Cushions

  secret man cushion by lucky boy sunday Isn't this cushion great? It's called the Secret Man and it's by a Danish company called Lucky Boy Sunday. The company's designers, who are both called Camilla (Kerschen and Ebdrup since you ask) make knitted toys and soft furnishings inspired by, but not reserved exclusively for, the
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Objects of Design #208: Picture Frame Wallpaper

family wallpaper by Lisa Bengtsson Yesterday we looked at the colour in wallpaper by mini moderns  and today I wanted to show you another variant on what you might loosely call interactive wallpaper. display your family photos This is by Swedish designer Lisa Bengtsson and I love it so much that I used it in
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Objects of Design #207: Colour Me In Wallpaper

In Town wallpaper by mini moderns Today I wanted to bring you some fabulous wallpaper ideas. Both, with their strong graphic designs, would be perfect in any room of the house, both would also work well in children's rooms as they have a slight, shall we say, interactive element to them. mini moderns do you
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Objects of Design #206: Design Letters by Arne Jacobsen

design letters cups These gorgeous alphabet cups are part of a collection of crockery and melamine with letters designed by the famous Danish architect Arne Jacobsen. The architect, perhaps better known for his Swan and Egg chairs, as well as many other design classics, came up with the font in 1937 and the Danish company
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Objects of Design #205: Curve Hanger

image from designboom, This isn't necessarily an idea for a children's room but would work well in any space where there isn't much room for a wardrobe, or perhaps in hall, where you don't need to hang much, or, in fact, in a kid's room as they don't usually need to hang that much. I
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Objects of Design #204: Plexi Glass Display Boxes

not just for kids Clever idea this. And not just for the playroom. Children are always making and drawing new things and it becomes increasingly difficult to find ways of showing you care and, er, not shoving them in a cupboard (or the recycling box ... yes you have). a simple idea for displaying their
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Objects of Design #203: Hedgehog Rug

hedgehog rug from plumo.com Now seriously who doesn't love a hedgehog? This felted number is made from organic Tibetan wool and is handmade in Kathmandu providing FairTrade work for women. It's sold through Plumo (click the image to be taken to the site) but is part of the new collection from Sonia Spencer of Sew
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Objects of Design #202: Donko and Nillo

nillo the storage unit Meet Nillo, the cardboard shelving unit. And his friend Donko. Made from 12 pieces of cardboard that slot together, they will provide great storage for your kids' rooms. and donko, his friend Mind you, the manufacturers, Toyno, think they will be just as good for adults and prefer to think of
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Objects of Design #201: Nina’s House

nina's house is a cot, changing station and storage unit all in one This is a very clever (if expensive - we might be as well be upfront about that part) idea. It has everything a newborn baby needs including a place to sleep and a space to play as well as a changing table
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Objects of Design #200: Aeronaut Wallpaper

up up and away; aeronaut wallpaper from Kate Usher Studio It may not seem like it when you're deep in the land of nappies and no sleep, but they really do grow up so fast and it's bad enough having to buy a constant stream of new beds/prams/shoes and clothes without feeling that the nursery
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Objects of Design #199: Drawlamp

draw your own lamp This is one of those things that does exactly what the name implies except that you can't imagine what that would be until you see it. Are you with me? No, thought not. the ceramic bedside lamp is perfect for notes It's a simple ceramic board with a space for a
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Objects of Design #198: New Fabric from Rachel Powell

the new range of cushions from racheljpowell.com I love Rachel Powell's playful graphic designs and it's great to announce that, in addition to her gorgeous wallpaper, she is now launching a range of fabrics. woodstock is now available in fabric as well as wallpaper New to the range is nelly (seen on the cushions above)
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Objects of Design #197: Grey Felt Owl Wall Clock

grey felt owl clock from rigbyandmac.com Isn't this a great clock? Made from wood and felt with a baby owl on the pendulum, this is perfect for the kid (or their parent) who doesn't want a room all done up in those stereotypical blues and pinks. Now I grant you it's not the easiest clock
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Objects of Design #196: Any-Mal Stool

decorate it anyway you like A clever idea from the Netherland for today's Object of Design. This stool, or you can buy a table, comes with a chalkboard at one end so your child can decorate it anyway they like. Yes, furniture that is supposed to be drawn on. is it a duck? or a
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Objects of Design #195: Moomin Throw

moomin throw from skandic hus I am a huge fan of the Moomins but have tended to steer clear of the mass merchandising revival for reasons which aren't even completely clear to me. Yes, I admire the mugs, quite fancy a shopping bag and would eat cereal from a bowl but, despite the great designs,
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Objects of Design #194: RaFa Kids Furniture

Continuing the quest for cool, contemporary kids furniture (I'm doing the looking so you don't have to) today I bring you the Dutch company RaFA, run by husband and wife architects Agata and Arek. F bunk bed from rafa kids This loft bed is designed to encourage play, there are two ladders so you can
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