Oh, oh, oh it's Magis

Design for children -- with an extra supply of creativity.

The Villa Julia by Javier Mariscal for Magis is a light-weight cardboard playhouse -- and will ensure hours of creative play while your mod tot colors and decorates their new space.

P.S. -- Christmas is only 4 months away...

-- allie

Tags: modern baby, modern children's toys, modern playhouse, cardboard playhouse, Magis, creative play, modern Christmas

Andromeda Lighting

Recent custom residential works by Andromeda.

 

One Good Chair

Designers and students around the world have been creating sustainable chairs expressive of their own environment for the annual "One Good Chair: Fit Right Here" Design Competition that will be held during the inaugural September Las Vegas Market.

The judges have spoken. The following are the 2009 One Good Chair: Fit Right Here finalists:

Andrej Blazon, Movo Mesto, Slovenia : "The Charity Chair." This chair is made of recycled/recyclable materials and its Escher-like shape is inspired by the cornets worn by the Daughters of Charity order (i.e. a nun's hat).

Azul Cadenas, Miami Shores, Florida: "BAMTAK Chair." This chair pays homage to the chaise lounges in which Argentinians sit during "asados," or barbecues. Made of bamboo found near the Delta River in Buenos Aires, this chair is a more compact version of the traditional chaise, aimed at urbanites looking to lounge without taking up too much real estate.

Helene Cany, Cambrai, France: "Sediliegi Chair." Designed to evoke the sensibilities of Turin, the Sediliegi was inspired by the seats in Fiats and Ferraris (both made in Turin). Made of molded cork, with seating for two people, the lounge chair is easy to transport and a comfortable spot from which to gaze at the Alps.

Detailed information on the three finalists and 20 semi-finalists can be located at www.onegoodchair.com.

For the first time, prototypes of the finalists' chairs will be on exhibit during September Las Vegas Market Sept. 14-17. Patagonia Legacy and Piper Plastics worked to manufacture the prototypes.

Mom's best friend

As promised, we're filling the last week of August with modern finds for modern babies!

My husband and I not only have a very inquisitive dog, but a baby on the way as well! This of course begs the question, "how do we keep the dog away from the baby," and vice versa. A sturdy baby gate will soon become a necessity -- keeping the dog out of the nursery while baby sleeps, and keeping baby contained (and the dog happy) once crawling.

My personal favorite (so far) is the walnut and brushed-metal Numi gate. Sadly, I'm having a hard time finding a US retailer. The search continues.

-- allie

Tags: modern baby, modern baby gate, Numi stair gate, trendy baby products, high-end baby, modern dog gate

Modern Looks for Modern Tots

August is the biggest birth month, and new parents are eager to rifle through the cutesy stuff and find unique, modern accents for their little one’s room. Lucky for them, we’re on the hunt too, and we’ve come up with a trove of modern looks to withstand the test of time…

If you're looking for modern accents for a baby's room or a modern gift idea for a baby, check out Modern Gear, Modern Nursery.

Baby dining

August is the biggest month for births, so it is only appropriate that we bring you some baby gear highlights.

The Zzapper and Moonlander highchairs from Compact Care. Their outlandish design is befitting of their names. Transparent food tray, seat cushion, and safety harness available for purchase as well.

My thoughts -- if I'm buying a highchair (especially a pricey one), the tray, cushion, AND safety harness better be part of the package. Second, I question the degree of comfort the design will provide to baby.

What do you think of the Zzapper and Moonlander?

-- allie

Tags: modern baby, modern highchair, Compact Care, trendy baby products, high-end baby

Snowflake Pendant Shade

This whimsical pendant shade, inspired by the intricacies of a natural, wintry snowflake is made from polypropylene and ingeniously flat-packed.  The large-scale Snowflake unfolds into a spectacular array of illuminated, 3-dimensional cones. So great it almost makes me look forward to winter.

$59 at Generate Design.

Modern Unusual Headboard

In white it may be a bit too padded cell, but this pillow headboard by Olivieri can be created in a variety of configurations and colors. I love the comfort it exudes, and the fact that the clipped together pillows would be easier to clean than a solid, padded headboard. Unfortunately for the modern Italian manufacturer, I can see this unique design becoming a DIY craze.

All the buzz

The Quinny Buzz Stroller -- now escorting mod babies.

-- allie

Tags: modern baby, modern stroller, Quinny Stroller, trendy baby products

Pure

Luxury bathroom brand THG USA, known for their over-the-top bejeweled traditional faucets and fixtures, shows us their modern side with the Pure Collection.

-- allie

Tags: modern faucet, luxury bath, THG USA, modern bath fixtures