Designed For Kids

If you ever wondered if it were possible to create an atmosphere for your children that was stylishly devoid of puppies and duckies and soft pastels, check the stores on Oct. 1 for Designed for Kids by Phyllis Richardson (Thames & Hudson Inc., $34.95), a sourcebook for great kids design and décor.

The publisher sent us an advance copy, and as a mom, I quietly cursed not having this at my fingertips when my sons were born. In addition to fabulous products, Richardson also interviews top designers about their kid-design philosophies. Yet for all the gorgeous objects in this book, some of them are literally too good to be true. I pounced on a car seat that can swivel to the side so you don’t have to contort yourself reaching around to get the strap fastened, but psych! You can’t buy it in the U.S. And I LOVED a “modern playshed” with mid-century lines, but some quick checking proved that it’s been discontinued. Same thing with a Lego building table that I would have bought on the spot. I would still recommend this book – just curb your enthusiasm until you type in the Web address to see if you can actually obtain the item. Here are some of my favorites:

The Sleepi line from Stokke includes a crib that transforms later to a toddler bed or day bed, and a changing table that converts to a desk. I’m all for baby equipment that grows with the child – especially when it looks so good. 

Speaking of conversions, this “Tea Pod” children’s furniture not only provides the kids with different shapes to play and sit on, but the tray on one of the elements serves kids and adults equally well.