With their Leis kitchen tools, Slovenia-based GigoDesign aims to revive a long-established Slovenian woodcraft tradition called "suha roba."
Above: A Three-Piece Set includes a spoon, fork, and spatula and is €49 from Leis.
Above: The tools include an integrated magnet so they can be stored on any metallic surface.
Above: The tools come packaged as a trio.
From Spanish craft designer Tomás Alonso: a series of colorful chairs made from a single bent, powder-coated metal tube twisted around a piece of solid ash wood. The ash wood supports the seat's wooden surface, which is made from reclaimed Victorian ceiling boards.
The series of V&A chairs are meant to accompany the V&A Table and Benches that Alonso designed for Somerset House's One Part Chef/Four Parts Design event. As Alonso says, "the chairs' slightly unbalanced appearance comes from the strong contrast of materials as well as the asymmetry and the oddness of the connections." Below, the warped metal tube is seen in teal, blue, white, pastel pink, yellow, and red and fit as stools or full dining chairs.
Above: The V&A Chairs are available at Victor Hunt Design and Art Dealer in Brussels or NextLevel Galerie in Paris (contact each for more information.
Above: A pink powder-coated metal tube meets a Victorian board to form a short stool.
Above: A teal chair features two legs in metal and two in solid ash.
Above: All four legs of the blue chair are designed using one piece of metal tubing.
For more colorful chairs, see Fashionable Chairs for a Cause from Marni, Macrame Chairs from Pacific Wonderland, and 10 Easy Pieces: Colorful Outdoor Dining Chairs.
If you've ever picked up a roller and brush and painted a room, you may have quickly learned (as I did) that it's not necessarily as easy as it looks. It's not that painting itself is hard; it's the prep work and the attention to detail that's required, both of which go a long way toward elevating the end result. So, for some expert advice, we turned to Philip Reno, the proprietor of G & R Paint Company in San Francisco and auteur of the Philip's Perfect Colors line of paints. Reno has spent the last two decades as a master painter, faux finisher, and color consultant, and, since 1995, he's operated San Francisco's G&R Paint Company, creating a palette of full-spectrum colors for C2 Paints.
Remodelista: Where do you begin when you paint?
Philip Reno: It may sound silly but I always tell my clients three things:
Above Paint essentials. Photograph by Sarah Lonsdale
RM: So once we've lined up snacks and music, what should we think of next?
PR: Don't start to paint before you've made a definitive color choice. People think they should walk into a paint store and pick a color, then paint straightaway. It's a process. You have to sample paint and live with it first.
RM: So how do you choose a color?
PR: This is difficult for just about everyone. It's a huge discussion, and people come to it from every direction. Colors will look different depending on the light in a room. Sampling is a process that should be done before a room is torn apart. A color can look completely different in two different rooms, so live with a sample color for a while.
Above: Paint sample: Benjamin Moore's low- and no-VOC paints in Super White and Decorators White.
RM: Prep?
PR: The more time up front you spend doing prep the easier the paint job will be. Move the furniture to the middle of the room and cover everything completely. Then, the most important thing is to make sure the surface to be painted is clean. Taking a duster cloth to the walls is enough unless there is obvious grime. Oil from hand prints around door knobs might be invisible so use household detergent to remove grease as this may be the one spot where the paint won't stick. Wash all walls in the kitchen and bathroom, the environments that get the most dirty. You may not see it, but steam from a shower is carrying soap to a wall.
RM: Nail holes and the like?
PR: Spackle nail holes. There is a great new product I am in love with called 3M Patch Plus Primer, which is basically a spackle with primer. Use sandpaper for sanding spackled patches or chipped areas on wood trim. And get a piece of 220 Grit Sandpaper for general purpose sanding.
RM: Essential tools?
PR: Quality tools will make this job better for amateurs. People can wrap their mind around buying good quality paint, but then want to use the cheapest applicators. The amateur in particular needs a better tool to make the job go better.
Above: Corona Paintbrush, photograph via Jack Pauhl.
RM: So what are the best tools to use?
PR: The most useful brush that covers most things is a 2- or 2 1/2-inch angle sash brush. It cuts into corners and covers 90 percent of what needs to be done. Corona makes the best brush on the market, no question. For roller covers, I recommend a 3/8-inch nap. It covers most things. Wooster is my favorite and our number one seller. Use a good quality blue painter's tape with edge lock technology. There's nothing better than the 3M Painter's Tape with Edge Lock.
RM: What's next?
PR: I think we're ready to paint! Work from top to bottom. Paint the ceiling first. You don't need to use a ladder; save your back and neck and buy an extension pole for the roller. You can go from side to side with your roller, and being on the ground means you can stand back and see what you are doing. After the ceiling, paint the walls, then the trim.
RM: What primer do you recommend.?
PR:: A good all-purpose primer will suffice for most things. Every brand will make an all-purpose acrylic primer. C2 makes a good one, and if you had nothing else this will get you there most of time. There is a lot of marketing of all-in-one paint with primers, but these can be misleading.
Above: Philip Reno. Visit Philips Perfect Colors to see his range of colors. Photo via Daly's Paint & Decorating Wood Finishes.
RM: Suggested paint finishes?
PR: For most walls and living spaces, like a hallway, bedroom, or a ceiling, flat paint is the way to go as it shows the fewest imperfections; it's especially good for an older house. Matte finish has a slight angular sheen and is more washable, so it's good for houses that get a lot of wear and tear. Reserve satin semigloss for trim, kitchens, and bathrooms. High gloss is more rarefied. Use it for places like trim or cabinets where you want to make a high impact statement—it's an aesthetic voice.
RM: How do you handle brushes and roller between coats?
PR: Wrap the roller in Saran wrap or an old plastic bag in between coats. You don't want to wash it out. At the end of the job, leave the roller cover to dry and throw it away when done. If you've bought a good brush, then you can clean it and it will last for years and years. I recommend getting a Paint Brush Comb; they're cheap and will help you clean the brush and get paint out of the heel of the brush.
RM: Final bit of advice?
PR: This is obvious, but it gets overlooked. Read the directions on the back of the can. It will let you know how many square feet is covered per gallon and if it specifies letting the paint dry for four hours then wait four hours!
Need to find the perfect white? Check out our Architect's White Paint Picks.
We've been noticing the power of minty green lately: from pale and washed out to ultra bright, here are 10 minty green rooms to inspire your next painting project.
Above: Green painted floors at Mikkeller Bar in Copenhagen.
Above: A stripe of mint green tile in the shower of a Victorian house in East London from A Botanically Inclined Interior in London.
Above: A mint green kitchen island and storage cupboards in a converted 200-year-old barn in Fahndorf, Austria from Architect Visit: Propeller Z Architektur in Austria.
Above: Kitchen cupboards are painted in a pale mint green at Riad Charai in Morocco.
Above: An almost fluorescent mint green door opens into the bath in Lorna Lloyd and Bryan Dyke's home from Read All About It.
Above: A washed-out version of green countertops from Guard Tillman Pollock in Ireland.
Above: A living room designed by Chris Dyson from Architect Visit: Chris Dyson in Spitalfields.
Above: A green dining room in a small castle, via KML Design.
Above: Two velvet chairs at Häringe Slott from An Enchanted Castle in Sweden.
Above: The main living quarters at Häringe Slott from An Enchanted Castle in Sweden.
Looking for more green, maybe in a darker, forest shade or jade? Get inspired with a gallery of 630 images of Green Rooms.
Is there any better fantasy than someone else's pool? When the weather warms, we think not. Here, 10 favorites from members of the Remodelista Architect/Designer Directory.
Above: Residents of this Hamptons home by Deborah Berke Partners can choose between their infinity pool or the ocean when they're ready to take a dip. For more from NYC-based Berke, see Architect Visit: Deborah Berke and Suzanne Shaker in Shelter Island.
Above: The main living area opens onto an interior courtyard and pool in this Baltimore-area home by McInturff Architects. For more from the firm, see A Forest of Wood in Northern Virginia.
Above: Gray stone lends simplicity to the pool of this Shelter Island beach home from NYC-based Wettling Architects. For more from Wettling, see 10 Favorites: Marble Baths from the Remodelista Architect/Designer Directory.
Above: San Francisco-based Charlie Barnett Associates remodeled this shingled house in Marin County, California, in partnership with landscape architect Todd R. Cole. For more from Barnett, see The Evening Hour: Houses from New Members of the Remodelista Architect/Designer Directory.
Above: Los Angeles-based Walker Workshop Design Build remodeled this 1916 Hollywood bungalow for a modernism-loving bachelor. Photo by Nicholas Alan Cope.
Above: The pool in this modern Austin home overlooks a nature preserve and the Colorado River; by Alterstudio Architecture.
Above: NYC-based SchappacherWhite added this pool and pool house to a 1904 Shelter Island farmhouse. For more from the architects, see Architect Visit: Tribeca Loft by SchappacherWhite.
Above: Leroy Street Studio designed this very modern Hamptons home and pool within a legal requirement that the building appear traditional. For more from NYC-based Leroy Street, see Architect Visit: Leroy Street Studio and CCS Architecture. Photo by Adrian Wilson.
Above: Ohlhausen DuBois Architects remodeled this 1950s ranch home in Sands Point, New York, by adding a glass pavilion to connect with new outdoor living spaces. For more from the NYC firm, see Architect Visit: Bathroom Roundup from Remodelista Architect/Designer Directory.
Above: This expansive pool lies behind the East Hampton home from Billinkoff Architecture featured in 10 Summer Cabins from Members of the Remodelista Architect/Designer Directory.
Our past week of 'Color Therapy' has us primed for our upcoming kid's week on Remodelista with plenty of children's rooms to peruse. Here's a roundup of some more colorful offerings and a review of what we've been up to of late:
One of the things I love most about being a parent? Getting to feel like a kid again as I join my children in experimenting with nature. Normally, on a gorgeous spring day, the kids and I disappear into the woods to build forts and collect specimens. But several weeks ago, Solvi and I found ourselves trapped at home on a lovely day while we waited for the dryer repairman. So we devised an at-home experiment.
It began, as usual, with Solvi collecting tiny bits of flora from the yard. Rather than arranging them in some Lilliputian vase, I decided to try something different: leaf prints. I vaguely remembered seeing something like this somewhere, but I didn't have the particulars, so we just winged it. We had so much fun gathering the plants and banging them with hammers that the results hardly mattered. But I do like what we got: an ephemeral homage to spring.
Above: To make leaf prints like this simple trio of sprouts, all you need is: leaves and flowers, paper, tape, a hammer, and some work surface that you don't mind getting banged up—we used a piece of scrap board.
Above: First we gathered various flora from our yard. The results are often quite different from what you'd expect, so I encourage you to experiment. For example, we thought that flowers would produce the best prints, but these were often too juicy and would just become a blur. Simple specimens with little water actually produced the most interesting prints.
Above: In terms of scale, you can be as ambitious as you want. This time we opted for smaller scale flowers and card stock. After securing a piece of paper with tape to our board, Solvi began arranging the leaves and flowers on top.
Above: A simple composition with scilla.
Above: When your arrangement is complete, carefully place another piece of paper on top and tape this to the board as well. Now the really fun part—start hammering. Make sure you hammer the entire composition underneath (you can see it through the paper). A rubber mallet would have been preferable, but we didn't have one, so a regular hammer worked just fine.
Above: Gently peel away the top piece of paper and carefully scrape away any plant "goo" to get the final prints. Here, I love how the hammering released a purple pigment in the stems that was not overtly visible in the original sprouts.
Above: In some leaves (those with less water), the veins were brought forth by the hammering.
Above: Solvi surveys her work.
Above: Our final prints, arranged on the dining room wall, make a charming and extemporaneous homage to spring.
N.B. Want more natural creations? Browse all our favorite flora DIY projects, from sugared violets to lavender soda.
Milanese designer Paola Navone's “dream bedroom collection” for Anthropologie includes bed linens, furniture, suitcases, lighting, and accessories. Our favorite piece? The neon bright Chroma Cases, which we'd use in a child's room as a storage piece.
Above: Paola Navone's Chroma Cases are made of powder-coated galvanized sheet metal and adorned with red pom-poms; they're available in blue, green, or lime.
Above: The Chroma Cases in green.
Above: A pair of red pom poms adorns the handle.
When we were little, the distance you could "fly" across the backyard after jumping from a swing was the measure of your superhero powers. It still is.
I cannot even begin to calculate how many hours my brother Jack and I spent costumed as Batman and Robin (wearing my mother's aprons for capes), and shrieking "Ka-Pow!" as we leapt. The news that a stork would be bringing us a little brother we greeted with relief: Finally, there would be someone to play the role of Alfred the butler. Time flies. The other day my youngest daughter asked if we could get a rope swing. I looked at her—finally, someone to play Catwoman—and didn't hesitate: Of course we can. But why stop there, with so many other superhero-worthy pieces of play equipment available?
Above: The Wedge Playhouse is made of sustainably sourced maple and can be assembled, according to the manufacturer, in half an hour by two people (whether this will be good for your marriage remains to be seen). It's $1,299 from Endeavor Toys.
Above: A Teeter Totter from Eureka Woodworks is just the kind of thing Batman and Robin needed in the Bat Cave. For information and pricing, see Eureka.
Above: Made from local cedar in upstate New York, the Handmade Cedar Wood Rope Swing is $225 from Kaufmann Mercantile.
Above: My brother and I had one of these too (for playing desert island castaways—my brother was Gilligan, and I was Mary Ann).The All-in-One Sandbox is currently on back order, for $139.95 from Sandboxes Online. Available immediately: the Sandlock Sandbox, for $289.
Above: The Original Tree Swing comes with 20 feet of rope; $88 at Terrain.
Above: The Great Plains Indian Teepee. I'll say no more—your imagination can take it from here. It comes in several sizes, with prices ranging from $130 to $330, from Ron June.
N.B.: This is an update of a post published on May 23, 2012.
Tantrum is not your average saccharine kids store. The brainchild of South Carolina transplants Amanda and Richard Weld and their partner, Michelle Spear, it is a rare combination of sophisticated style and timeless playfulness that makes it as much fun for grownups as for their children.
Tantrum's unique character stems from a rare marriage of classic, mid-century style with the best of today's handmade toys, all curated within the theme of a lively, old fashioned circus. The evolution of Tantrum started when Amanda, a former illustration major at Savannah College of Art and Design with a penchant for mid-century graphics, was casting about for a theme for her son's first birthday. The idea of a carnival, which encompassed so many of the Americana visuals that Amanda loved, was such a success that the family has continued this theme ever since—for the past 6 birthdays and now as a new children's store that encompasses all the magic of the big top.
Above: Like a big top of yore, the bright colors and bold graphics of Tantrum entice you to enter the spectacle of wonders within.
Above: Once inside, the carnival theme continues with a dark interior punctuated with colorful toys and circus stripes.
When Rich and Amanda acquired this space on Cole Street in San Francisco, its charm was buried under decades of bad linoleum and ugly paneling, as well as a drop ceiling. To achieve the look they wanted, the couple, alongside Michelle and her husband, Jonathan, striped back all these layers to reveal beautiful hardwood floors and tongue-and-groove walls (as well as myriad bobby pins and a receipt from a 1945 hair salon).
Above: Authentic vintage and retro-inspired pieces stand alongside hand-crocheted garlands and other festive accents. Amanda explains her approach: "We seek out toys that are designed to look amazing when strewn about on the child's floor or left on the living room couch. A lot of toys can look great when strategically placed on a shelf, but the reality is that we, as parents, will have to live among them too."
Above: At the entrance, a vintage gum-ball machine and seal ride, red stripes, as well as a ringmaster's top hat seem right out of the set for Water for Elephants.
In what was perhaps an overly optimistic move, Amanda decided that her first sewing project ever would be to stitch the striped panels of the curtains herself. Though grueling, it was worth the effort, for the signature curtains make the space. For big top birthday parties, these can also be drawn the length of the room.
Above: Another playful mix behind the cash register features a vibrant vintage phone as well as a Martin Krusche moon print from Mokkasin.
Above: Conjuring images of antique frocks with scalloped collars and sailor ties, handmade, vintage-inspired clothing by Claudine and Compagnie (collars) and Misha and Puff (knits) rests on an antique school desk.
Above: At the entrance, a vintage seal ride sourced from Kiddie Rides USA tempts children who pass by the store.
Above: Of course, Tantrum supplies all you need for your own circus theme party. (Well, almost. If you want a vintage merry-go-round like Amanda had at her son's first b-day, you'll have to rent that yourself.)
Above: A vintage folding picnic table offers Tantrum's orignal mix of retro and modern fare.
Above: Whether vintage or contemporary (like these dolls from Petit Collage), everything at Tantrum is in keeping with the look and feel of a mid-century carnival.
You can follow more developments at Tantrum via their Facebook page.
N.B. Looking for more inspired shops for little ones and their stylish parents? Visit an another of our California favorites, Maude.
Yesterday we featured a rambling cottage in East Sussex featuring muted color and rustic decor. The children's rooms feature reclaimed furniture and budget-friendly storage ideas (a milk crate as side table and Ikea shelving). Below we've recreated the look of a room meant for siblings with the following key elements:
Above: Photograph via Light Locations; for the rest of the house, see A Family-Friendly House in Sussex.
Above: The Classic Clock was designed by Howard Miller (son of Herman) and measures 12 inches in diameter; $55 at DWR.
Above: The Millbrook Iron Bed from Restoration Hardware Baby & Child is available in a twin ($499) and a full size ($599).
Above: Serena & Lily's Tassel Quilt is made from hand-quilted cotton voile and is $180 for the twin size.
Above: The White Pickstitch Matelasse Quilt is $250 for the twin size from Serena & Lily.
Above: CB2's Bruno Lamp is made of powder-coated cast iron and oak; $99.95.
Above: Made from FSC-certified reclaimed pine wood, the Wooden Truss Side Table is $279 from West Elm.
Above: Anna Bond's Animal Alphabet Chart Print is $79 NZD from Father Rabbit.
Above: Pair Ikea's Ekby Tryggve Shelf (available in two different lengths) for $6.99 with the wall bracket (below) to recreate the look.
Above: The Ekby Valter Wall Bracket are painted in white; $3 each from Ikea.
Above: Cable & Cotton's String Lights are offered in your choice of color combinations; $39 for a string of 20 lights.
Above: The Alphabet Wood Block Set is comprised of 26 letters in a mix of mahogany and pine woods for $70 from Anthropologie.
Above: A soft gray Farrow & Ball's Elephant's Breath (used above on the desk and chair) is $105 for a gallon of Estate Eggshell finish.
Redesigning a children's room and looking for more inspiration and sources? See our previous Steal This Look posts: The Ultimate Children's Playroom, Storage Included, Dutch Children's Bedroom, and a Pastel-Bright Children's Room in France.
Mirrors shaped like apples, a circular shelf, a parade of wooden baby animals—these are the whimsical imaginings of Melbourne-based Bride & Wolfe.
Above: Handmade from solid lengths of Australian timber (blackwood or white ash) that are gently steamed and bent using traditional methods. The shelves are lightly stained and then hand-finished with Scandinavian wood oils and bees wax to enhance the natural timber tones. The Three-Tier Circle Shelf is AU$400 (a smaller and larger size are also available).
Above: Wooden Baby Animals; AU$30 (a set of five is AU$110).
Above: The Pear Mirror and Apple Mirror are available in walnut or white in two sizes: AU$145 for the small and AU$290 for the large.
One of our favorite sources for craft and stationery supplies is Castle in the Air in Berkeley. With its array of colored inks, papers, fountain pens, and sealing wax, it's also a calligraphy lover's dream. The store is always decorated with creative projects, so with the onset of summer, we asked owner and illustrator Karima Cammell to show us how to make a pom pom garland. Here's how:
Above: Karima's pom pom garland made from crepe paper strung across a garden.
Materials needed:
Festoon your garden or room!
Owner and illustrator Karima Cammell also publishes charming Children's Books through Dromedary Press, Castle in the Air's publishing imprint.
If you are looking for more creative DIY ideas, check out the paper chandelier in the Berkeley home of Lauren McIntosh, owner of Tail of the Yak.
French designer Caroline Gomez takes the "lean to" concept in a streamlined and elegant direction with her series of wood shelves that lean against the wall for support. We think they're perfect for children, who seem to have an endless supply of projects, found objects, and the occasional trophy or medal that need displaying. But then again, don't we all?
Images via Caroline Gomez Mon Blog.
Above: In her Contre Collection, Gomez designed The Console, The Bedside and The Shelf.
Above: The Console can be used in a narrow hall or in a small child's bedroom; €260.
Above: The Bedside; contact Caroline Gomez for more information.
Above: The Shelf takes advantage of rooms with height; €290.
Above: A continuous groove in The Ligne Longue allows it to be used as a shelf and/or a picture rail, €45.
A good set of shelves can make a curator out of us all. See 254 images of Shelves in our Gallery of rooms and spaces.
A collaborative effort of two cousins, Gala and Nicolas, who graduated from ESAG Penninghen Art School and the Van Der Kelen Painting Institute respecitvely, Atelier Bartsch is a design studio that specializes in painted children's rooms. In 2012 the company, named for the duo's grandfather, released their first wallpaper collection, which is designed to look hand stenciled. The results are a "chic and dreamy" collection, that though grounded in tradition, is decidedly modern.
Above: Kid-friendly Moon Crescents in navy ink are sophisticated enough for grownups. Bartsch's collection is available directly from the company; €149 per roll. US residents can also purchase them at Pomme NY; $249 per roll.
Above: Printed on non-woven paper using traditional printing techniques from the nineteenth century, Bartsch textured papers are designed to look and feel hand painted.
Above: Fluffy Nuages de Coton (Cotton Clouds) are available in blue, pink, and soft green.
Above: Bartsch's enter collections including Croissants de Lune (Moon Crescents), and Parisian Dandelion are also available as notebooks; €10.00.
N.B. Interested a try your hand at a real hand-painted children's room? You can read about my own adventures stenciling my daughter's room.
Entryways are a reminder that we are transitioning from the outdoors to the inside of a home (or vice versa). It's a place where we can pause to think before we head out into the world making sure we have everything we need.
Even if you don't have the luxury of a grand vestibule, a good entryway can be whittled down to a few key elements: hooks for bags and coats, a place to put keys and cell phones, a mirror for last minute primping, and ideally a bench for plopping down groceries or for removing shoes.
Here's a roundup of some entry spaces featuring clever, easily replicated ideas.
Above: Bags hung low beneath a row of boxes maximizes the space in this hallway entry. Photograph via det Dia
Above: A narrow table proves a catch-all in the entry hall of this Danish home. Photograph via La Maison d'Anna G.
Above: A modern entryway made with plumbing pipe with wooden storage units on wheels below. Photograph via Welke. (The Brick House has a good guide to making shelves with similar plumbing pipes.)
Above: Vintage shoe trees serves as hooks and provide good visual punctuation in this entry setup. Photograph via Desire to Inspire.
Above: Stacked crates serve as both storage and shelving spotted on An Ordinary Woman.
Above: A block of wood doubles as a bench and shoe storage in this Finnish home spotted on Roadtrip in Finland.
Above: A row of hooks at child height level with a rail for hanging coats above in a Swedish home via Family Living.
Above: Not all homes have a transitional space. We like this solution from Ashley Helvey and Miles Pederson in Seattle spotted on Design Sponge. Two old stools are used as a base for this entry bench and a wooden pole straddling two hooks (with S hooks hanging from it) serves as a coat rack. For more, see our Steal This Look.
Above: Zig zag hooks on the wall provide storage in the marble floored entryway in the 1860s Brooklyn home of architect Elizabeth Roberts.
Above: A minimal hallway via Designspirationsk.
Above: A chalkboard wall for messages with coat hooks beneath spotted in a Hampstead home designed by Stiff Trevillion.
For more, check out our Coat Hook solutions.
Bunk beds are practical for space-strained living spaces and are, we have to admit, just plain fun. Here's our round up of bunk beds that will please kids and parents alike.
Above: Slightly lower than a conventional bunk bed, the Oeuf Perch Bunk Bed is available in white/birch (shown) or white/walnut. The adaptable lower bed can be turned to form an L-shape; $1,540 at Design Public.
Above: The Tromso Bunk Bed Frame in white powder-coated steel is $149 at Ikea.
Above: Nurseryworks Duet Bunk Bed incorporates a variety of storage options with two cabinets, six open cubbies, and three drawers under the bottom bed; $3,400 at 2Modern.
Above: The simple powder coated steel Bower Bunk Bed is hand welded and features a lower bunk with locking casters. Available in ten colors including natural steel;$1,299 at Room and Board.
Above: The Argington Brookline White Bunk Bed is made with renewable New Zealand FSC Certified pine. It also features an optional trundle bed to sleep a total of three; $949.
Above: Handcrafted in the US of solid poplar and maple, the Shutter Bunk Bed from Maine Cottage Furniture is available in a dizzying choice of fifty low VOC waterborne paint finishes (shown in Winter); $3,670.
Above: The simple Mydal Bunk Bed Frame is crafted of solid pine; $159 at Ikea.
Above: The Moda Twin Over Twin Bunk Bed is made from solid maple and white medium density fiberboard with a lacquer finish. Available in all white, two wood finishes (maple shown) and eight painted maple finish colors; $1,899 at Room and Board.
Above: The Scoop Bunk Bed features curved edges and a space-saving and naturally secure cut-out ladder. Made in Australia by Lilly & Lolly. Contact for pricing and shipping information.
Above: From ducduc, the Alex Bunk Bed System includes an upper bunk that sits atop an armoire and a lower bunk over a large storage drawer. Available in a wide array of finishes from rich woods to vivid colors; $4,345 at Layla Grace.
Above: Made in Brooklyn of Baltic birch with a non-toxic water-based finish, the Marino Bunk Bed by Casa Kids is very compact and super sturdy. The round cut-outs serve as easy grip handles. The optional attachable tray (shown above) is available for $200. Two additional options include a desk and shelf that attach on the ends; $2,200 (in natural finish).
Above: Another option with cubbie and drawer storage is ducduc's Austin Bunk Bed. Available in vivid colors or natural finishes (shown in white painted finish); $2,475 at Layla Grace.
Above: Resembling a built-in bunk, the Belden Bunk Bed features storage drawers and a fixed ladder. Available in white, chestnut or espresso finishes; $1,699 at Pottery Barn Kids.
If you are considering kid's beds, see our earlier Children's Beds Features for more inspiration.
A quick and easy way to add a bit of whimsy to your nursery decor, wall decals and kids go together like, well, PB&J. And it's even better when the stickers are reusable, encouraging your children to develop their own sense of creative expression.
Peridea is an innovative line of fabric wall stickers made in Italy. Woven from durable, phthalate- and PVC-free polyester and printed using energy efficient technologies, these stickers are both safe and good for the earth. But what we really love is how these reusable pieces, featuring fanciful designs by illustrators and graphic designers, can be moved around by your child. As much a plaything as decor, Peridea stickers foster your child's own imagination and artist sensibilities.
Above: The latest in Peridea's collection, Hotel Miramare was designed by Friday Project studio of Amsterdam. Contact Peridea for ordering information.
Above: Teaching your child to interact with his or her environment in a conscientious way, Peridea designs are made with vegetable-based inks and are free of harmful chemicals.
Above: Designed to be repositioned again and again, Perdiea fabric wall stickers are easy for children to apply. (Note that smaller pieces should be kept away from children under 36 months.)
Above: Peridea stickers can be placed on walls, furniture, glass, mirrors, or computers. Budding explores may enjoy Polar Route, which is available at Yoox; $127.
Above: Peridea's first collection, Bi Ciclo e Tando, is also available at YOOX for $121.
N.B. Searching for more creative ways to decorate your child's room? See our favorite collection of whimsical walls for kids.
Recently spotted (and admired) on the Dutch blog Frivole: a DIY canopy hung from a branch over a children's bed. This project can easily be replicated with a salvaged branch, two chains hung from a couple of hooks, and a simple curtain.
Photography by Frivole.
Above: Susanne Otter, writer of the Frivole blog, made the canopy for her son Pepin and hung it over his bed.
Above: Otter prefers the linen canopy to have a wrinkled look, which she achieved by removing the wet curtain from the washer and letting it air dry.
Above: Ikea offers several tab curtains which can be used to hang directly from the branch creating a canopy. The Lenda Curtain is $34.99 for a set of two. Buy the chain and hooks from your local hardware store.
As you may have noticed, we are obsessed with branches. Here are 203 Branch posts that may surprise you. Lamp fixtures, hooks, towel racks, handrails, all of which have been made by a simple branch.
Light switches out of reach of the little people in your household? Kids leaving the lights on when they head out for school? Here's a solution that will save energy, offer independence to kids who can't reach the light switch, and reduce your need to nag bigger kids to turn out the lights.
Above: Occupancy sensor switches with auto-on and auto-off operation are ideal for playrooms and children's bathrooms where switches may be out of reach and where you want to encourage your child's independence. They are also great for rooms like the laundry room (no more propping the door open with your hip while you wrestle with a laundry basket as you reach for the light switch). Most are equipped with adjustable time-out settings ranging from 1 to 30 minutes. They are easy to install and relatively affordable. Image via Flickr.
Above: Designed for residential use, the Leviton Universal (Model #IPS05-1LZ) Occupancy Sensor has a 180-degree field of view for an automatic on and off functioning and an ambient light sensor that prevents lights from turning on when there is ample natural light; $29.99 at Amazon. Lutron offers the sleek Maestro Occupancy Sensor Switch for $44.25, also at Amazon.
Above: While they require you to manually turn on the lights, vacancy sensor switches are a better choice for childrens' bedrooms (you don't want the lights to turn on when enter the room to check on your sleeping child, or when a child tosses and turns in bed). By turning lights off when the room is vacant, they effectively reduce energy waste and nagging.
The Lutron Maestro Vacancy Eco-Dim Switch detects when a room has been vacated and automatically turns the lights off. An adjustable timeout function allows you to set the time before the lights turn off. This model also features an energy saving dimmer function; $38.81 at Amazon.
For more ideas, check out our posts on Children's Lighting.
