Etsy Find: Illustrations from TwoEms
These prints of Melenie Mikecz’s illustrations from her etsy shop TwoEms are just my cup of tea. I love the great colors and bold shapes. May I have one of each please?
Her animal prints include the Midnight Owl, Underwater Hippo, Turtle and Dragonfly, Good Morning Rooster as well as Purple African Elephant, Hummingbird in the Garden, Patterned Peacock, Colorful Snail and Two Whales.
I’m also very partial to the abstract designs like Abstract Arch Design, Bullseye Geometric Print, and Block Abstract Art Print.
Most prints cost between $23 and $26.
“Best High Chair That Isn’t An Eye Sore” 2011 Cribsie Finalists
The third category I’d like to introduce you to is “Best High Chair That Isn’t An Eye Sore“. Four of the finalists are on my high chair guide at buymodernhighchairs. I think there are some more choices out there if you’re really looking for something that’s not an eye sore but I’ll let you all decide. Here are the six finalists:
Boon’s Flair high chair is a beautiful, easy to clean high chair featuring a pneumatic lift for perfect height adjustment and a tray that actually fits in the dishwasher. It is also BpA-free, Phtalate-free and PVC-free. New colors are coming in the spring so keep and eye out for Kiwi/Coconut, Red/Coconut and Coconut/Blue Raspberry!
Chicco’s Polly Magic high chair adjusts to 6 heights, 3 angles and 3 footrest heights. It comes in this Silver Vinyl/Leatherette upholstery combo.
Peg-Perego’s Prima Pappa is another upholstered seat.
Stokke’s Tripp Trapp is the classic wooden “grow with you” chair. I love its multi-functionality and range of 12 beautiful colors to suit every decor.
The Svan Chair is an ergonomic wooden chair that features a 3-point safety harness and environmentally friendly finishes. This chair can last from 6 months to adulthood.
Inglesina’s Zuma high chair features a modern design and fun colors. It is easy to fold up, transport and clean.
Which will you vote for? Let me know if your favorite didn’t make the list.
“Statement Crib Bedding Worth The Splurge” 2011 Cribsie Finalists
The second category I’d like to talk about is “Statement Crib Bedding Worth The Splurge“. This is another category where I found it difficult to choose my favorite. Five of the finalists are already on buymodernbedding. Obviously, these brands aren’t your budget conscious choices, but if you would like to build your nursery around the crib bedding, there are a lot of beautiful places to start. The finalists in this category are…
DwellStudio always has an amazing collection of crib bedding sets. They’ve also recently added some organic mix and match pieces. These are particularly good if you don’t want to buy a set with a crib bumper. If you choose DwellStudio bedding for your nursery, you can’t go wrong. Their nursery collections are unparalleled and you’ll find any number of matching accessories and decor pieces to go with the bedding. Zinnia Rose is pictured below.
There are Serena & Lily crib bedding sets that can work in the most elegant, traditional nursery as well as the most stylish modern nursery. Choose a set (regular or organic), mix and match the basics (perfect if you don’t want a bumper) or order custom bedding. The Ben Collection is pictured below.
Carousel Designs is the one brand not currently in my bedding guide, but I look here whenever I’m looking for solid skirts, sheets or crib bumpers. They have an amazing selection of solid color bedding, some interesting sets as well as a fun custom bedding design tool. No matter the look you’re going for, you can probably create it here. You can also buy crib set pieces separately, so no bumper if you don’t want one.
Olli & Lime currently have three bedding collections: George, Billie (shown), and Charlie. These fun, modern collections can be used to inspire a fun nursery design. In fact, later this week I’ll be featuring a new design board using the Charlie set!
Oilo has a number of beautiful bedding collections in soothing, sophisticated colors. Their matching accessories make it easy to put together a nursery design around their bedding. Christina Applegate used their Modern Berries set in Taupe in her daughter Sadie’s nursery. Shown below is the Cobblestone Crib Set in Taupe. You can also buy the crib bedding pieces separately.
I added Rikshaw Design to the bedding list more than a year ago and one of my favorite nursery design boards was based on their Udaipur set. The crib sets are inspired by and made in India. They have really unique and fresh colors and patterns.
Who are you going to vote for?
“Coolest Cribs for Modern Tots” 2011 Cribsie Finalists
This weekend we’re going to take an in-depth look at a few of the Cribsie Awards that are close to my heart.
First, in the Nursery category (of course!), is “Coolest Cribs for Modern Tots.” This was a tough one for me to pick as all the choices are really excellent. The finalists in the category have all been listed on buymoderncribs for a long time. So long in fact, that they’ve never been properly discussed here in the blog. So, without further delay, let us introduce this year’s finalists.
First on the list is Oeuf. You may or may not know that our own crib is a Classic Oeuf, which I ordered before they were even in stores back in 2005. We’ve been happy with our Oeuf ever since and are using it right now for baby #2. Over the past 6 years, the Classic Crib has been joined by the Sparrow and Robin. All are beautiful, eco-friendly, sturdy and safe.
Second up is Stokke. Their Sleepi crib system is a now classic oval design that converts from bassinet to crib and then to a toddler bed and then junior bed. It’s the ultimate in convertibility.
Bloom’s beautiful Alma Mini, Alma Papa and Luxo cribs have the added feature of being able to fold up for storage. They are gorgeous enough for full time daily use, but they also make great temporary or short-term options. How cool would it be if your hotel brought up an Alma crib for your little one?!
Spot on Square has an beautiful collection of cribs that are all made in the US. I have yet to see one of these in person, but the designs are so amazing, I’m sure I’d go for it regardless. From left to right the models are Eicho, Hiya and Roh.
Muu’s Sam and Ray cribs are clean and simple cribs to begin with, but they can be customized in dozens of ways. The unique MuuPanel system adds a panel with the design of your choice to either style crib.
ducduc is the old man on the block, but they’ve got unparalled reputation, variety of incredible styles and tons of customization options. Be aware, you’re going to pay big $$ for this level of awesome.
So, tell us… which are you going to vote for?
The Great Crib Bumper Debate: Poll Results
I think the results of my highly unscientific poll, “Crib Bumpers- Yay or No Way!” were very interesting.
Overall, it looks like 70% (36+24+10) of you do not have or do not use a crib bumper. I think that’s high enough that all crib bedding makers should be selling their sets a la carte. There are a number of brands that only sell sets, but I’d imagine they might like to make customers out of that 70%.
Your thoughts?
They Posted These So I Don’t Have To
These are some of my favorite posts from around the web over the past week.
Bambino Goodies put together a great list of the most stylish versions of the ever popular memory game. Every home needs at least one and they make a great gifts.
This fantastic tutorial from Modern Parents Messy Kids makes me want to finally get a sewing machine. Be inspired and see “How To Use Spoonflower to Make a Customized Play Mat!”
Design Mom featured the book “Where Children Sleep” by James Mollison. I’ve been waiting to have a look at this book and you can now read it online! It’s worth a look.
One of my favorite wall decor ideas is to hang a map. I even had one in my college dorm room. It added color and helped me learn my way around town. Design*Sponge posted a gallery of maps used as decor.
I also really loved Modern Kiddo’s roundup of vintage kid chairs. These little gems would really add character to a child’s space.
How Many Planets? And You’ll Learn Them In Order Too!
Both my 5 year old and the 2 year old can name all the planets in order thanks to They Might Be Giants.
We love the entire album, Here Comes Science, and you can get it from my amazon affiliate or on iTunes.
This song is often requested as a bedtime lullaby by my 2 yo. Yeah- don’t try to imagine how that sounds. At least he likes it.
Baby Feeding Featured Brand: BabyBjorn
Next month we will be debuting a new guide on buymodernbaby.com featuring baby feeding products. There are so many well designed and innovative products on the market, and buymodernbabyfeeding will highlight them all. The page is nearly ready so to build up to its premiere, over the next few weeks I will be introducing you to (or reminding you of) some of the best brands in this category.
The first products I want to feature are from BabyBjorn’s kitchen line. The centerpiece of the line, the BabyBjorn highchair, is still not available for purchase in North America, but the rest of the collection includes the BabyBjorn Soft Bib, Eat and Play Smock (blue, green, pink, red and yellow), Plate and Spoon set (blue, green, pink, red, white and yellow) and the BabyBjorn cup. You can also purchase additional 2 packs of spoons (pink/black, red/blue or green/yellow) separately.
We had one of the Soft Bibs and I love the large pocket that catches falling food and it’s so easy to clean. You can just throw the bib in your dishwasher and so you could get by with just two or three bibs. Unfortunately with my first child, he was already used to lightweight cloth bibs by the time we bought the BabyBjorn one, so he didn’t like wearing it. Plan on using this from the beginning and you’ll never need another bib.
I love this photo of all the products in action!
rich or reasonable shopping guide: mobile nursery decor
by Esther
leave a comment
Rich or Reasonable: Glass Mobiles
If you’re looking for nothing but the best of the best for your baby’s nursery (and I’m not even talking about Mariah Carey’s reportedly $1.5 million nursery), you may want to consider these new Higgins Studio for Jonathan Adler glass mobiles. The Pink Higgins Mobile ($895) and the Blue Higgins Mobile ($495) could really serve as the centerpiece of a beautiful nursery design and then be a treasured art piece for decades after.
If you like the idea, but not the price, I’ve found a more reasonable alternative from Gilat. The Gilat Pink and Purple Mobile is $60 and the Gilat Big Green and Blue Glass Mobile is $100.
nurseries rich or reasonable: art gender nu mobile neutral nursery decor nursery furniture
by Esther
leave a comment
My Modern Nursery #37: For My Nephew
My sister-in-law contacted me a couple weeks ago to ask if I’d put together something for her son’s new room. They’re moving to a new house so she’s ready to settle in and do something nice. I thought she’d never ask! They already have the crib, dresser/changer and a shaggy cream colored rug so I started with that and have used them in the plan. They also have a brown leather glider, but I changed it to this lovely new Bungalow Rocker from nurseryworks for you all– because I like it much better. The rest of the room was on a pretty strict budget, but all put together, it sure doesn’t look that way!
So here’s my neutral nursery for my nephew:
1- Modern Mobile from babydarling- $74
Wood Wall Clock from West Elm- $50
2- Maclaren Cabine Crib – Natural Oak- $1595
3- Bungalow Rocker from nurseryworks- $800
4- Camille Wall Mirrors Set of 3 from Urban Outfitters- $48
5- Angora My Pet Lamp by Offi- $69
6- Kritter Children’s Table- $25
Two Kritter Children’s Chairs- $13 each
7- Ikea Expedit- $70 as shown
8- I Read- It’s A Passion Print from Parada Creations- $14
Be You Print from Parada Creations- $20
Acorn Love- Fine Art Photograph from Dovie Moon- $15
My Family Custom Name Print from Parada Creastions- $20
in Ikea Virserum Frames- $11 to 30 depending on the size
9- Maclaren Cabine Changer / Dressing Table – Natural Oak- $1595
10- Apa Storage Box from Ikea- $15
Hopefully we’ll get to see this one materialize!
To make this room work on a budget, I changed out the expensive furniture pieces:
2- DwellStudio® for Target®Silver Lake Convertible Crib 2nd Edition in Natural/White
3- Boliden Chair and Footstool from Ikea- $100
9- DwellStudio® for Target®Silver Lake Baby Diaper Table- $250
If you use these pieces, the total for the nursery is less than $1200!*
*not including the rug
