Tag: kids

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Design Homewares Interiors Addict Kids Rooms Shopping Styling

The best new interior finds for kids + designer chair giveaway!

Ailanto
Ailanto's Angkor Wat wallpaper in apricot

From bed linen to furniture, there’s always something new to discover within the kids’ interior scene. And this month, not only are we bringing you the latest children’s interior finds but we’ve also got a fabulous giveaway. Il Tutto’s bouclé recliner is the perfect addition to any chic nursery space – scroll down to go into the draw.

Ailanto Design: A collaboration between Amanda Ferragamo and the recently profiled Australian interior designer Keeley Green, Ailanto Design is a purveyor of luxury hand-designed wallpaper, fabrics and homewares for children’s rooms. All of the brand’s whimsical designs are hand-drawn by Amanda who draws on her extensive travels and family life in Italy for artistic inspiration.

Ailanto
Ailanto Design Angkor Wat wallpaper in apricot and Broad Not Bored fabric
Ailanto
Ailanto Design Cottontail wallpaper and Stripe Me Skinny fabric
Ailanto
Ailanto Design Woodland Squirrel fabric wallpaper and Stripe Me Skinny fabric

Il Tutto Paige glider recliner chair in vanilla bouclé: Il Tutto’s popular Paige recliner chair is back but this time it’s wrapped in a luxe, on-trend vanilla bouclé fabric. The chair fully reclines, boasts a high backrest and armrests positioned at the correct height for relief while breast or bottle feeding your baby. The chair retails for $889 but scroll down for your chance to win one for your nursery, or even elsewhere in your home if you don’t have a baby (it sure is stylish enough!).

Il Tutto
Il Tutto Paige chair

Lorena Canals rugs: Available locally from Momy Decor, the Spanish designer Lorena Canals has been a trendsetter in the children’s home decor market ever since she created the washable rug concept. The range is brimming with fabulous designs that are practical, cosy and lightweight so that you can easily move them around.

Momy decor rug
Kaarol washable rug, $428.
Momy Decor rug
Tropical Green washable rug, $438

Linen House Kids: The new range of children’s bedding at Linen House is rather fun and many of the designs are reversible meaning you get two looks for the price of one! With something for every child’s room there’s large spots, hearts, bears and bunnies as well as large, bold checks and more.

Linen House bedding
Roundabout quilt cover set, from $159.99.
Linen House bedding
I Heart You quilt cover set, from $159.99.

Rockabye River play mat: Eco-friendly, biodegradable, certified non-toxic, extra thick, durable, easy clean and waterproof this Australian owned and designed range of play mats are also super cute and fully reversible. 200cm x 140cm. $189.95.

Rockabye River mat
Savannah/Outback play mat
Play mat
Our Journey Home/Reef play mat
Rockabye River playmat
Savannah/Outback play mat

The winner was Kate Bowles from VIC.

Designing children’s rooms: flexible spaces they won’t outgrow

Mum of two and founder of Incy Interiors Kristy Withers, knows first-hand how quickly children can grow and their tastes…

Designer profile: From expat childhood to high end interiors

Growing up as an expat, Brisbane based interior designer Keeley Green lived in Africa, Papua New Guinea and England which…
Categories
Recipes

Foodie Friday: Ed Halmagyi’s cheesy mac-o-lanterns

With Halloween fast approaching, we thought we’d share a sugar-free but no less fun treat with these cheesy mac-o-lanterns by Mitsubishi Electric Australia ambassador Ed (Fast Ed) Halmagyi.

Cheesy mac-o-lanterns

A quick, easy, creative and kid friendly dish for this halloween

  • 75 g unsalted butter
  • 50 g plain flour
  • 2 cups warm milk
  • 2½ cups boiling water
  • 250 g dried macaroni pasta
  • 1½ tsp garlic powder
  • 1½ tsp onion powder
  • 1½ tsp mustard powder
  • 1½ tsp dried sage
  • sea salt flakes and freshly-ground white pepper
  • 1 cup grated mozzarella
  • 1½ cups grated Colby cheese
  • 8 small orange or red capsicums

  1. Combine the butter and flour in a large saucepan set over a moderate heat and cook for 1 minute, until it resembles wet sand. Whisk in the milk and bring to a simmer, whisking constantly. Add the water and simmer again.

  2. Mix in the paste and spices, then season generously with salt and pepper. Stirring well. Boil rapidly for 5 minutes, stirring often, then reduce the heat to moderate and simmer for a further 15 minutes, until the pasta is al dente.
  3. Stir in the cheeses, then set aside for 5 minutes.
  4. Use a small sharp knife to carve a ghoul face into the side of each capsicum, then remove the lid and seeds. Fill with macaroni mixture, then set the lid back on again.

Foodie Friday: Guy Turlandʼs salt, nori and ginger crusted salmon

A succulent salmon dish from Guy Turland to celebrate World Salmon Day earlier this month with Tassal Salmon.

Foodie Friday: Pear, chocolate & hazelnut tart

Bake this pear, chocolate & hazelnut tart for your next dinner party to send the guests home happy. This recipe…
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Interiors Addict Recipes

Foodie Friday: A healthy chocolate Not Tella smoothie

Today’s recipe is by Kathryn Bamford from The Wholefoods Refillery. Featuring their famous Not Tella spread, it’s like a chocolate milkshake, but make it healthy! Get 20% off your first order with the code JEN20.

Not Tella Smoothie

This Not Tella Smoothie recipe is the perfect way to satisfy those sweet cravings, without reaching for a block of chocolate. It also makes the ultimate after school snack that your little ones will love! 

  • 1 Heaped tbs The Wholefoods Refillery Not Tella Spread
  • 1 Frozen banana
  • 2 pitted dates
  • 1/2 tsp cacao powder
  • 1 cup almond milk
  • 1 Handful ice
  1. Place all ingredients in a blender.
  2. Blend until desired consistency.
  3. Serve and enjoy!
Breakfast, Brunch, Drinks, Snack
Modern Australian
breakfast, drinks, health food, smoothie
Categories
Interiors Addict Recipes

Foodie Friday: Cinnamon donut apple rings

Today’s recipe is cinnamon donut apple rings by Kathryn Bamford from The Wholefoods Refillery. They’re the perfect after-school snack for your little ones… or for Mum & Dad too!⁠ ⁠Get 20% off your first order with the code JEN20.

Cinnamon donut apple rings

Now this is our sort of cinnamon donut.

Apple rings topped with The Wholefoods Refillery famous Cinnamon Donut spread and handmade paleo granola!

  • The Wholefoods Refillery Cinnamon Donut Spread
  • green apple
  • The Wholefoods Refillery Handcrafted Paleo Macadamia & Cranberry Granola
  1. Cut out and discard the core of the apples.
  2. Slice your apples into thin round slices, about 1/2 cm thick.
  3. Spread our famous cinnamon donut spread on your apple slices and then top with handmade paleo macadamia & cranberry granola.
  4. Enjoy!

No apple? Don’t worry it’s also just as yummy on a croissant or a nice piece of sourdough #yum!

You can of course substitute a nut butter or granola of your choice.

Snack
apple, cinnamon, healthy, snack
Categories
Bedrooms Homewares Kids Rooms Shopping

Where to buy Australian kids’ bed linen online

Castle & Things

It’s no secret that we absolutely love what Aussie designers are doing in the world of bed linen! So much so that a few weeks ago we showcased our top 10 best places to buy Australian-made bed linen online. But today it’s all about the kids! So check out the amazing kids’ linen brands below, where you’ll find something to suit every little one, from classic bedding, to colourful, to just plain crazy!

This always popular post has been updated for 2022.

Sage & Clare

If you’re after a bit of 1970’s inspired colour and print in your child’s room then Sage & Clare is the place to hit up. Featuring clashing prints, gorgeous quilt covers, embroidery, pom poms and a host of fabulous mix and match cushions, the range allows you to create a layered and original kids’ bedroom look with a touch of the bohemian.


Sage and Clare

Kip & Co

2014 saw the girls at Kip & Co branch into kids and cot linen and the line has been a huge success. The brand’s anything goes approach sees designs include fairies, monsters, checks and more and we love their motto: “We’re not trying to be the sophisticated kids bedding company, or even the cute or the pretty, we just want to make a spunky, fun kids bedding range.”

Kip & Co

Sack Me!

Sack Me! has three goals: to be fun, stylish and gender-neutral. Hitting the nail on the head for all three, their range is all about food, bringing about that friendly familiarity to kids and kids-at-heart.

Sack Me

Castle & Things

Rachel Castle is the queen of fun yet stylish bed linen and we love the way that she mixes and matches her fabulous prints that are designed by hand in her Sydney studio. From spotty sheets to beautiful floral designs, as well as beautiful complementary cushions, Castle is all about whimsical colour pops making it perfect for kids’ rooms.

Castle & Things

Cultiver

High-quality linen bedding in a range of beautiful full-bodied colours, Cultiver is the perfect alternative for parents tired of garish colours and clunky bed designs. With a selection of their range available in single sizes, their bedding is sophisticated and promises to last the test of time.

cultiver1

Society of Wanderers

This beautiful, retro inspired bedding brand isn’t just for adults with single sizes available too. From leopard print to gingham floral patterns and more, the range is created in 100 per cent French flax linen and the brand also produces a lovely line-up of cushions to complete the look.

Little Willow Vintage

For a personal touch, you can’t go past the Little Willow Vintage range of personalised embroidered cushions. Each pure linen pillow is hand stitched and features a contrasting oatmeal linen backing and is filled with an eco insert made from recycled plastics. They make a lovely gift.

Little Willow Vintage

Linen House

A stalwart of the Aussie bed linen scene, the Linen House kids’ bedding offering just keeps getting better. From on-trend prints and colours to matching novelty cushions, there’s plenty within the range to build up the layers in your child’s room. And in a welcome move for many parents (who are tired of the standard pink or blue!) the brand’s latest range is designed to be gender neutral.

Linen House

Sheridan

Established in 1967, Sheridan bed linen has been adorning Aussie kids’ beds for a very long time and its quality has remained. From stars to stripes, quilting and sorbet-hued designs, the range is perfect for those that favour a more classic children’s room aesthetic.

Sheridan

Pottery Barn Kids

From animal prints to plains and a smorgasbord of licensed designs (think Harry Potter, Hello Kitty, Star Wars and more), the Pottery Barn Kids bed linen range has something for everybody. The brand also does bed skirts and plush children’s comforters too.

Pottery Barn Kids

 We hope you found this list useful. Please let us know who you’d add!

Categories
Furniture Kids Rooms Living Room

Attractive indoor toys to keep young kids entertained in lockdown

Table playhouse

With many of our readers in some form of lockdown, we know it presents countless challenges, and particularly for those with children. Whether you’re working from home and trying to homeschool, or simply trying to keep young kids entertained, we’ve done the research and found the most attractive looking indoor toys on the market. And while it might feel like a war zone, it doesn’t need to look like one!

My Nook modular play sofa: Perfect for building a fort, castle, obstacle course or sleepover bed, this Australian made design is perfect for lockdown. Soft, safe and ecologically sound (the foam inserts are sourced from a zero-waste factory), the set features ten individual pieces that zip together and zip apart to create infinite combinations that should keep the kids entertained for hours. From $595.

My Nook
My Nook play sofa
My Nook
My Nook play sofa

HipKids grey ball pit with 200 balls: Made from thick foam and covered with silky soft removable and washable jersey material, this ball pit is ideal for indoor play. A stylish alternative to standard issue primary coloured balls, the balls are available in pink, blue, grey and white colour ways. $279.95.

Hip Kids ball pit

Pikler Play Cube: A cult favourite, this play cube is made from 100 per cent Australian grown timber that is sourced from sustainable forests. Designed for the six month to five year age range, crawlers will like crawling through and around the cube while older kids can climb up and over. $225.

Moov Pikler cube
Pikler
You can add many more pieces to the cube including a ladder and ramp

Target Kid’s concept playhouse pavilion tent: Easy to assemble, and pull apart again, this cosy tent is made for play and rest. The more pillows, blankets, and cuddly toys they can cram in there, the cosier and more fun it becomes! $199.

Target play tent

Balance board Equilibrio: Made from sustainably sourced beechwood, and ideal for developing gross motor skills, this multi-purpose board can be used to strengthen little legs, core muscles, or as a slide, rocker, or bridge. $124.95.

Petite Maison table tent: Another fabulous cubby alternative, this clever design will fit over the dining room table. The tent features a roll-up door with ties for entry into the cubby plus two windows (one with a tie-up curtain). We like this cute Australian themed one. $199.

Table playhouse
Petite Maison Australian Bush table tent
Table playhouse
Petite Maison Petite Shop table tent

Kmart Wooden Work From Home set: If all else fails and they really must be by your side while working, this set could be just the thing to keep them occupied! $13.

Kmart

Kids’ room decor ideas: Stylish new art prints

I don’t know about you but with the school holidays over, I’m super keen to declutter my kids’ rooms and give them a mini-makeover. Beyond the sorting and storage battles,…
Categories
Design Kids Rooms Shopping

Kids’ room decor latest: Storage, wallpaper & more!

It’s been a while since we’ve ventured into the world of children’s interiors but our latest finds are some of our best yet. From rainbow wall hangings made by a talented US-based fibre artist to gorgeous new Aussie-designed jersey fitted cot sheets, these are some of our most coveted kids’ buys.

Go To Bed fitted cot sheets: The creation of talented stylist Magdalene Liacopoulos of The Bebe Style Co., these cot sheets tick all the right boxes. Made from soft cotton jersey fabric in delectable hues, we’ll take one of each please! $49.95.

Go To Bed

Go To Bed

Marmalade Lion: Stylish Australiana is always a winner in my book and these pieces by boutique Australian brand Marmalade Lion are no exception. The toddler couch cover, $69, comes in an array of stylish prints (perfect for updating your discount store original) and I adore the shelfie-worthy Australian bird nesting dolls too ($59).

Marmalade Lion

Marmalade Lion

Graham & Brown Superstar silver wallpaper: Chosen by Jen for her four-year-old Sebastian’s bedroom, this cleverly unisex wallpaper combines two of our favourite things – metallics and stars! It’s $60 per roll. “After more than two years, I felt it was time to give Seb’s room a refresh but I kept all the timeless furniture pieces (bought with longevity in mind) the same. The wallpaper really changed it visually and he was really excited about it. I feel like the design will last him several years without being too babyish.” She added: “I like to keep the boys’ bedrooms quite calm and neutral as all the mess and colour happens in the playroom at our house! The metallic sheen of the paper adds a bit of depth and interest though and stops it being too safe!”

Want to visualise it (or any of their other designs) in your home? You can use their free app for that!

Graham & Brown wallpaper
Seb’s gorgeous room

Mandi Smethells colourful fibre rainbow: I came across these gorgeous wall hangings on a late-night Instagram session when I should have been sleeping (sigh..) but aren’t they stunning? Available on etsy, they’re the work of US-based fibre artist Mandi Smethells. $296.04 (large)

Rainbow wall hanging

Kmart: When it comes to storage options, there’s no denying Kmart does a very fine job of producing on-trend options at great prices. Available in blue and grey and pink and grey, this tufted hamper is a steal for $10 and the matching hanging storage, $6, is rather fab too.

Kmart
Tufted hamper, $10

Kmart
Hanging storage pom pom, $6

Onyx & Smoke personalised velvet santa toy sack: Made from smooth, upholstery grade velvet, I can see these classic sacks becoming family heirlooms. Available in over 30 colours, you can customise them with three embroidered initials (or leave plain) but with orders closing on September 30th you’d better get in quick! $290.

Onyx & Smoke

‘SNOO’ Smart Baby Sleeper by Happiest Baby: Not only does it look stylish but this bassinet boasts technology that senses when a baby is unsettled and automatically responds with white noise and gentle rocking, essentially mimicking the rhythms of the womb. Wow! $1,925.

SNOO

SNOO

Freedom launch cute & classy kids’ range | Jen’s last round-up of stylish kid wares

Categories
Kids Rooms Shopping

Kids’ room decor: The latest fabulous interior buys!

Cam Cam Copenhagen Harlequin wardrobe

From stylish printed blinds to a lovely Australiana themed nursery range and a preponderance of sloths, the latest children’s interior buys are so much fun!

Sack Me Australiana range: There’s something retro and nostalgic about this nursery range and it definitely recalls May Gibbs for me. Emblazoned with hand illustrated native flora and fauna, the gender neutral collection is comprised of cot and bassinet fitted sheets, security blankets, playmates and swaddles. Any piece would make a fabulous gift to send overseas. From $29.95.

Sack Me!
Sack Me’s gorgeous new Australiana range

Sack Me cot sheet
Australiana fauna fitted sheet, from $39

Fauna playmat
Australiana fauna playmat, $99

Cam Cam Copenhagen Harlequin wardrobe: A new addition to the stylish Danish brand’s popular Harlequin range, the timeless design has four drawers, four shelves and hanging space too. Built to last, this is perfect for a child in need of stylish storage. $1912.68.

Cam Cam Copenhagen Harlequin wardrobe

Luxaflex kids print collection: Custom made to order, the latest Luxaflex roller blind range includes vibrant animal block prints and striking motifs in a variety of colourways, available in blockout and translucent opacities. The new prints (‘Jungle’, ‘Zebra’, ‘Elephant’ and ‘Hedgehog’) are perfect for the nursery, bedroom or playroom. 

'Zebra' print
‘Zebra’ print

'Elephant' print
‘Elephant’ print

“An eye catching pattern such as these can let your blind act as a modern variation of the ‘feature wall’ in a room. This is particularly appealing in children’s rooms where their tastes may change quite rapidly as they grow, as well as rental properties where there may be limitations on the redecorating you can do,” says Luxaflex national marketing manager Jenny Brown.

Luxaflex hedgehog print
‘Hedgehog’ print

'Jungle' print
‘Jungle’ print

The sloth trend: We first reported on the sloth trend at the end of last year and suddenly the slow-paced mammal is proving rather ubiquitous. From framed prints to soft toys and printed bed linen, the sloth is really enjoying its fifteen minutes. Who would have thought?

Adairs sloth
Adairs is in the midst of a sloth frenzy. Its Smiley Sloth quilt cover set, from $79.99, is a lovely unisex design.

Adairs Sheldon sloth nigh light, $39.99.
Adairs Kids Sheldon sloth nigh light, $39.99

Adairs Kids Sherpa sloth text pillowcase, $19.99.
Adairs Kids Sherpa sloth text pillowcase, $19.99

Kmart hanging organiser with sloth print, $6.
Kmart hanging organiser with sloth print, $6

West Elm & Pottery Barn Kids nursery collaboration | Good looking children’s play kitchens

Categories
Homewares Kids Rooms

IKEA Australia releases new play range for Christmas

IKEA LUSTIGT

Just in time for the Christmas holidays, IKEA has introduced a new collection of games, activities and associated accessories titled LUSTIGT following the 2017 IKEA Play Report that found 30,000 parents in 12 countries believe play encourages creativity and helps people lead healthier lives.

IKEA LUSTIGT
The new IKEA LUSTIGT play collection

Interestingly, the study also found that games feel a little socially unacceptable in this digital age but IKEA are doing their best to challenge that!

Featuring 20 different games and activities, the LUSTIGT range aims to help early development, logical thinking and promote exercise too. There’s no doubt that play encourages family interaction also – a timely reminder with the holiday season imminent. Here are some of our favourites from the range.

LUSTIGT colouring paper roll, $9.99: Literally a 10 metre colouring book with endless possibilities.

IKEA LUSTIGT colouring roll

LUSTIGT wall shelf, $9.99: The perfect spot to store all your child’s small play related accessories.

IKEA LUSTIGT wall shelf

LUSTIGT skipping rope with LED, $14.99: Skipping illuminates the rope’s LED bulbs. A great one for wearing the kids out at night!

IKEA LUSTIGT skipping rope

LUSTIGT arts and crafts storage, $19.99: The perfect way to organise all your small crafty bits and bobs.

IKEA LUSTIGT arts and craft storage

LUSTIGT tag game with vest and balls, $24.99: A great one for the whole family. The first one to stick all of their balls to the opponent’s vest wins.

IKEA LUSTIGT tag game

LUSTIGT building blocks, $29.99: These building blocks offer endless play possibilities and I love the illustrations that they’re emblazoned with.

IKEA LUSTIGT building blocks

LUSTIGT wheel of fortune game, $19.99: This wheel has a plethora of possibilities, allowing you to invent your own games and prizes.

IKEA LUSTIGT wheel of fortune game

LUSTIGT weaving set, $29.99: A fabulous way to explore hand weaving, this loom comes with four different ribbon colours but you can use any material you want with it. From the literal to the abstract, the creative potential is infinite.

IKEA LUSTIGT weaving set

Shop online | An IKEA before and after

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Kids Rooms

IKEA soft toys: we love the latest kids’ creations!

IKEA soft toys

Currently in its fifth year, IKEA’s new limited edition SAGOSKATT collection features five soft toys designed by children from across the globe. Incredibly, the judges had to sift through 87,000 pieces of art (entered in a drawing competition) before deciding upon their favourites which include a pink unicorn, a rainbow coloured shark, a mischievous blue monster, a hedgehog hybrid dinosaur (of course that’s a thing!) and a spotted seal.

IKEA soft toys

“It is incredibly fun to look at all the drawings and select the five winners. And hard! There are so many fantastic drawings to choose from. This year we saw a lot of unicorns and monsters and rainbow coloured creatures in the selection. But also owls and penguins,”says Children’s IKEA product developer Bodil Fritjofsson.

IKEA unicorn
SAGOSKATT soft toy, pink unicorn, $4.99

“I drew a pink unicorn named Pink Unicorn who loves to fly in the sky. I hope other children in the world can play with my soft toy with me,” says China’s Peixin, 5, of her design.

SAGOSKATT soft toy, glove puppet shark $4.99
SAGOSKATT soft toy, glove puppet shark, $4.99

“I drew a little shark because I love swimming and want to swim together with the little shark. During the days I think he is travelling under the sea,” says South Korea’s Jimin, 9, of his creation.

SAGOSKATT soft toy, seal $5.99
SAGOSKATT soft toy, seal, $5.99

“My seal’s name is Unda. Unda is very friendly and when it is happy, it pats its belly with a flipper. It can do a lot of funny tricks, such as flipping a fish on its nose. Fish are her best friend and for this reason Unda always carries one in its pocket,” says Poland’s Natalia, 8, of her creation.

SAGOSKATT soft toy, monster/light blue $5.99
SAGOSKATT soft toy, monster/light blue, $5.99

Not only are the soft toys super cute but IKEA are donating the full purchase price of SAGOSKATT globally to local children’s charties. IKEA Australia will donate all proceeds to Save the Children Australia and UNICEF Australia.

And just like last year, where over 5,000 toys were donated to children in need across Australia, IKEA will have donation boxes at each store’s exit where you can donate any IKEA soft toy or book. All of the toys and books collected will be donated to four Australian charities in the lead-up to Christmas – Camp Quality, Special Olympics, Red Cross and Asylum Seeker Resource Centre.

Time to start the Christmas shopping for the little people in your life?

For more | Stylish children’s interior buys

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Designers Furniture Homewares Kids Rooms

Melbourne trade show celebrates boutique lifestyle brands

Running from 3 – 5 August in Melbourne’s Kensington, Rogue Lifestyle is a three-day trade event showcasing over 40 Australian lifestyle and kids brands. With exhibitors including Pony Rider, Ahoy Trader, Bobo Choses and Sack Me, the boutique event will also feature local food and coffee vendors as well as live music.

It’s been brought to life by Emma Patterson, designer of kid’s homewares brand Homely Creatures, who wanted to showcase her wares in a way that didn’t cost the earth.

“We are a small industry and we love to connect with each other – not just brands to buyers, but brands to brands as well,” says Emma. “We’re going back to why we all started going to trade shows in the first place: to connect, get inspired, make quality collaborations happen, and get real value.

“Australia has so many great brands, but many of them have taken to showing in their own studios or hotels, making it really hard for buyers to visit everyone they want to see. It’s also stressful for them to all have to become event coordinators and deal with the time and monetary costs associated with creating your own mini show, which may not pull the crowds.”

This year, Rogue Lifestyle has teamed up with students from Jenna Densten’s (of The Block’s Josh and Jenna) Design School. They’ll be co-ordinating live flatlay installations and interior shoots using the products from the event’s own line-up.

Interested in other designer events like this one?

Categories
Kids Rooms

The latest interior finds for little people

Children’s furniture and homewares just keep getting better and better with an increasing number of gorgeous things hitting our inbox on an almost daily basis. From a retro toy kitchen to Leander’s latest cot and Australia’s first white chalkboard, these are our latest finds.

Violet Eyes ‘Bilby Boy’ print: The Victorian illustrator is back with another native animal and this time it’s for the boys. $65.

White Moose resin unicorn head: While we may be in the midst of unicorn overload I still have a soft spot for them and this whimsical statement piece would look amazing on a nursery wall. $149.

Leander Linea cot: After the huge success of the brand’s curved range, this new collection is a design departure that boasts much more angular, architectural lines. $899.95

Little Louli personalised baby bassinet sheet: This custom hand-printed cotton number is the perfect gift for a newborn. $49.

Love Mae Australiana 5-piece dinner set: Mae nails it again and this time she’s all over the Australiana trend. We love! $37.95.

Little Red Industries white chalkboard: The first-ever white chalkboard to hit Australia, it makes a nice departure from traditional black. $395.

Donkey products Spoonimals kids’ bamboo spoons: When you’re out of options to get the tiny tyrants to eat, these gorgeous spoons might be just the ticket. $7.95.

Mocka Mezzi kitchen: With its cute retro styling, gender-neutral colour scheme and great price, this wooden toy kitchen is a winner. $129.95.

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Kids Rooms

Hot trend: Stylish dollhouse furniture & where to find it

From miniature bentwood chairs to potted fiddle leaf figs, designer fridges and even abstract art, today’s dollhouse is certainly a much more chic affair than its retro cousin. Gone are the twee furniture and accessories of old and in their place is a collection of on-trend wares, many of which we wish we had in our own homes! Here are our top picks.

Tiny Bungalow’s Bondi tiny bungalow: For that pared back, chic and minimalist Australian beachside aesthetic, Tiny Bungalow have it covered. From this bungalow dollhouse to the complementary ‘Bondi’ lap pool, this is miniature hipster decor heaven. $249.

bondi-4

Whimsy Woods’ pink faux fur throw: We’ve only just written about the sheepskin trend and there we have it in miniature! Adorable. $5.

image

Mini Home Co’s dollhouse pallet couch: Beachy cool vibes embody the Mini Home Co’s dollhouse furniture collection and this on-trend modular sofa is just one of their great pieces. $30.

il_570xn-1067202638_3zqp

Mostly Miniature’s Maggi Macdonald mini print (framed): The work of contemporary abstract artist Maggi Macdonald (whose pieces have featured on The Block), this print is the perfect finishing touch. $14.

mostly-miniature-interior-high-res

Mostly Miniature’s dollhouse four-poster bed: Perfect for Scandi lovers, this chic bed was inspired by west elm’s real life version. $43.

mostly-miniature-four-poster-high-res

Mini Home Co’s dollhouse plant: No home is complete without a touch of indoor greenery so why should your dollhouse be any different? $12.

il_570xn-1145952319_4aq6

Tiny Bungalow’s furniture collection pack: From an aztec rug to breeze blocks, a SMEG style fridge and lots of boho finishing touches, this collection is everything you’d ever need to create a super chic dollhouse. $312.
home-collection

Miniature Co’s bentwood chair: A design classic, they’re now available for your dollhouse too. $11.95.

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Categories
Bedrooms Designers Homewares Kids Rooms

Six local brands form The Little Pop Up Shop

What do Sprout and Sparrow, Hello Little Birdie, Homely Creatures, Cream Empire, Sienna Baby and Tutu Du Monde have in common? Well apart from holding super-cute brand names, they have come together to provide you with a boutique collection of kidswear, décor and Nordic interiors.

No 74_-36

Known collaboratively as The Little Pop Up Shop, it was formed when a small, empty shop was discovered by Mel from Hello Little Birdie in Melbourne’s Armadale. She invited Sprout and Sparrow and Tutu Du Monde to join her ambitious adventure (through Instagram), and the rest is history.

No 74_-51

Styled by Mel, The Little Pop Up Shop stocks imported Nordic interior items, from candle holders to Scandinavian furniture (from Hello Little Birdie), as well as contemporary Melbourne-designed children’s wall art, décor (Sprout and Sparrow), quirky cushions, doll houses and timber stools (Homely Creatures).

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You’ll also find exquisite tutus (Tutu Du Monde), baby-smooth leather kids shoes (Sienna Baby) and gorgeous kid’s bed linen (Cream Empire). This lovely little whimsical wonderland popped up in Armadale over the summer and will be there until February.

What’re you waiting for? Pop in to The Little Pop Up Shop.

Categories
Designers Furniture Kids Rooms

Meet the must-have, Scandi-style, designer high chair

Not having children, I must admit highchairs don’t exactly get my heart racing, however what does, is good design, and the TOWER Chair certainly ticks that box.

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First popping onto the scene when Country Road used them in their one-of-a-kind lifestyle cafe (if the tastemakers at Country Road like them, you know they’re good!) the TOWER Chair is a revolutionary, contemporary, Scandinavian-styled highchair.

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Brought to Australia by Dane Studio, the highchair, with its sleek lines and beautiful profile, can be folded almost entirely flat, is wall mountable and easy to store. Designed by architects, it is crafted from the highest quality genuine leather, steel and wood and is a durable investment piece, designed for many years of use.

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Also recently added to Dane Studio’s offering is the equally stylish Changing TOWER. A contemporary change table made from a sleek coated metal frame with natural leather detailing, it features two wooden storage boxes with acrylic dividers so you can store and organise all your change-time essentials.

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But the coolest part is the change table can be transformed into a tent-like cubby house once your baby has grown! The tent cover features a whimsical forest print by famed French illustrator Audrey Jeanne, exclusive to the TOWER range. We love.

Shop online.

Categories
Competitions Kids Rooms Styling

Incy Interiors and Tutu Du Monde’s magical pop-up + win a tutu

Appealing to homewares and fashion enthusiasts alike, this Christmas season the magic of Incy Interiors and Tutu Du Monde will come together for a one-of-a-kind pop-up shop.

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Launching this Saturday at Incy Interiors’ Chatswood Chase store, both mothers and daughters will be wowed by Tutu Du Monde’s The Wonder Hour collection, whilst sipping on French Moet champagne and enjoying the sweet delights of LADURÉE macaroons (respectively!) in a visually spectacular setting. What’s more, face-painters will add a little more glitter to those gorgeous faces.

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Styled by Leonie Barker, the Incy Interiors shop will come to life with fairy lights, garlands, lavender and all things festive. A beautiful accompaniment to The Wonder Hour collection, which features garments available from sizes infant to tween, and a dazzling selection of accessories. Silvery beads will be splashed across ruffled bodices, crystals will peep from fabrics and jewel-bright hues and ethereal pastels will adorn the collection.

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Open until Christmas Eve, the launch party runs from 12-to-3pm. But better yet (and what can be better than free champagne and macarons?!), we are giving away a Very Merry Tutu Dress (above) and a Crowning Glory Feather Headband, so your little girl can feel like a princess just in time for the festive season. For you chance to win, all you have to do is fill out the form below by 5pm Sydney time on Monday 23 November 2015.

For more information.

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Categories
Designers Furniture Homewares House Tours Styling

Inside the home of Little Dwellings’ Kate Sparks

With 110k Instagram followers and hundreds of happy little customers, children’s interior designer Kate Sparks, has amassed quite the following. Creating gorgeous rooms for kids of all ages, through her business Little Dwellings, I, like many, have always longed to take a peak into her own home. And today, I finally did!

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Located in Sydney’s Hills District, the home has always had a special place in Kate’s heart, belonging to her grandparents until 2011. “My hubby, Jono and I bought it from my Nan just before we had our first child four years ago. The style of our home is strongly influenced by them, having a strong Scandinavian design which is my Dad’s family background. My hubby and two kids, Georgia and Harry, love living here.”

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[contextly_sidebar id=”YFOfH5eLHbDNxSTIDvajqHQxg2ctscEi”]With the design process being a journey of renovations and constant layout changes, it was important for Kate to create a home that best suited her growing family. It is for that reason, she favours her living/dining area, which was recently extended into the garage to accommodate a play area. “We spend so much time in there. We recently extended our living space into our garage (which we never used for our cars) and converted it into a playroom for our kids. This joins the living/dining room and playroom all together — definitely my favourite area of our home.”

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However, it wouldn’t be a real reno if there weren’t challenges! And for the living/dining area, that appeared in the form of structural walls. “The biggest hurdle we faced was needing to consider structural walls. This is when the exposed beam idea took place to create a feature piece where structure was needed.”

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Now with a layout that’s open and airy, Kate, like many of us, wanted her home to be functional for family events and open plan for modern-day living. However, for those that can’t afford (the money or the time) to make those big structural changes, Kate still has some tips for giving your home that new and fresh feel: “Decide on a theme or a style you are trying to create. Once you have settled on something you like, you should prioritise the big items you want to change first. If you are on a budget it may take some time for all the items to be purchased and the room to come together, so just keep that in mind.”

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Before you ask, much of the furniture shown is available from BoConcept, including Kate’s favourite piece, the entertainment unit.

Photography by Jacqui Turk.

Categories
Bedrooms Designers Homewares Kids Rooms

10 great rugs for kids rooms

Don’t get us wrong, we LOVE Armadillo and Co rugs for kids rooms (and Jen has one at home). But it’s safe to say they’ve been the rugs of the moment for, well, significantly longer than a moment. Years! So if you’re looking for an alternative, check out our top 10 below.

With a bold triangle pattern in a contrasting palette of pinks, blues, charcoals and eggplant, the Harlequin Rug will add a playful pop of colour to your kid’s room. Available from Arro Home, it is 100% cotton, measures 120x180cm and retails for $350.Colorful-woven-rug-with-geo-trianglesHand-woven on a loom by Indian artisans, the abstract Zeta Kilim Rug ($299) from Olli Ella is fair trade and made from New Zealand wool. Fresh, warm and rich in colour, it measures 100x140cm.

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Available in a range of colours and two sizes (91x152cm and 152x244cm), the Addison Rug from Pottery Barn Kids is richly textured with a high-cut trellis design. Featuring a hand-tufted blend of pure Indian and New Zealand wool, prices start from $199. It’s the classic option.

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Hand crocheted from the finest 100% cotton yarn, the Dolly Rug ($250) from La De Dah Kids can be used as a floor rug or a beautiful bed throw. With a diameter of approximately 120cm, it is available in a wide range of colours, our favourite being the mint and metallic silver.

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The original Down To The Woods Freckle Rug is carefully handmade in Nepal, meaning no two are exactly the same. Made from 100% pure New Zealand wool, it is oh so lovely to look at, but even more lovely to feel underfoot. Coming in two sizes: 100cm and 140cm, prices start at $400.

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This too cute Don’t Forget To Dream Bear Rug designed by Bloomingville (and available through Leo & Bella) is durable and practical, yet whimsical enough to support your child’s wild imagination. Made from cotton and measuring 120x60cm, it retails for $99. Screen Shot 2015-10-06 at 12.38.27 pmOn sale, the Kip and Co Pastel Croc Dhurrie Rug from Shelter 7 is available for the affordable price of $292.50. Hand woven from 100% cotton in India, it measures 120x180cm.

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The Stef Cloud Rug is a contemporary and fun. Handmade using 100% felted wool, it is available in two sizes (74x52cm and 120x80cm) and many colours. Prices start from $59.99.

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Available for the bargain price of $49.95, the Floor Filla Rug is perfect for the on-trend, monochrome look. Designed by Cotton On, it measures 150x190cm.

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Brand new, the Doughnut Felt Ball Rug is sweet deliciousness in a rug! Available from Happy As Larry Designs, the 100cm diameter retails for $399.

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We hope you found this list useful. Let us know what you’d add!