|
|
Kids' Furniture Gets the Soft Touch at the 20th International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) - Part I I thought I knew what to expect at the recent ICFF (May 17-20, 2008): lots of well conceived, beautifully executed kids' furniture with an emphasis on green materials - after all, the exhibition celebrates modern furniture and surface design. I wasn't disappointed. Designers launched impressive debut collections, and established manufacturers stayed true to their style while freshening looks with sprightly new additions. After a quick perusal, I realized that I was correct in my assumption, and, in some instances, way off the mark. No, there was no gold and white Rococo style bedroom sets, no nursery suites for Hansel and Gretel or faux farmhouse settings. What I found was a softening of surfaces with more textural interest, richer or brighter colors (often available for custom orders); one modernist who hasn't strayed far from black, white and wood tones, added towering velvet headboards in jewel shades. Nothing makes me happier than a good surprise.
OEUF Homebase: Brooklyn, NY DESIGNERS: Sophie Demenge and Michael Ryan Wholesale prices: $115-$690 "Oeuf's mission is to make good design available to as many people as possible while having a minimum impact on the environment," says Sophie Demenge, the company's co-founder. "We carefully select materials and manufacturers based on what feels right, not by what will reap the highest margins." To that end, all Oeuf's production is based in Latvia, a country where conservation and recycling is utilized to its fullest.
Outstanding offering: The. Say "yes" to kids collecting books with the classic Mini Library. Several shelves offer space for that first copy of "Charlotte's Web" right up to the "Gossip Girls" series or whatever book you wish your teenager wasn't reading. Tel: 718-965-1216 E-mail: Celine@oeufnyc.com
10 GRAIN AND SMALL PAUL BY PAUL FRANK Homebase: Rancho Santa Margarita, CA DESIGNER: Eric Pfeiffer Wholesale prices: $44.50-$112.50 Product designer Pfeiffer employs bent plywood for the minimalist furniture in his 10 Grain line of kids' furniture, as well as the collection he creates with Paul Frank Industries. The wood utilizes eight-to-ten times more of the tree than standard solid wood production, so little is wasted in production.
Outstanding offering: A chair isn't just a chair in this eight-piece group. The Lounge Desk offers a curvy seat, a drawing surface and storage area; the Julius Pad resembles a hip Sixties' track home and functions as a doll or play house or a side table for mom and dad's cocktails. Touches of red on each piece add a happy spark.
SMALL PAUL BY PAUL FRANK DESIGNER: 10 Grain and Paul Frank Industries Wholesale prices: $44.50-$112.50 Take the 10 Grain collection, print Paul Frank's infamous monkey face on the surfaces and you have the beauty of Pfeiffer's pieces with the trendy icon.
Outstanding offering: One small step for kids' design. Tel: 949-354-8765 E-mail: Sales@10grain.com
CASAKIDS Homebase: Brooklyn, NY DESIGNER: Roberto Gil Wholesale prices: $110-$490 Even if the furniture in the Ola! Collection didn't last from infancy to teenage years, you'd admire its striking good looks. Gil, who cites "sawhorses and scaffolding" as inspirations for his "practical minimalism" sells his wares to Barneys New York, FAO Schwarz and museum shops.
Outstanding offering: With a little rearranging, the handsome crib made of plantation grown wood converts to an attractive twin bed. Tel: 718-694-0272 E-mail: Info@casakids.com
CHERNER CHAIR COMPANY Homebase: Westport, CT DESIGNER: Benjamin Cherner Wholesale prices: Contact manufacturer Cherner calls the collection of molded plywood chairs and tables "Children's Classroom Furniture."
Outstanding offerings: The chairs and tables are curvy and chic and with the touches of red, visually stimulating as well. If only my elementary school was as stylish! Tel: 866-243-7637 E-mail: Tcherner@chernerchair.com
DUC DUC Homebase: New York, NY DESIGNER: Duc Duc design team Wholesale prices: Contact manufacturer The Duc Duc team has reclaimed and renovated a factory building circa 1897 in Connecticut. With the new space, they're able to expand their workshop and are now able to offer customized veneers and a number of different paint surfaces for their high-end kids' furniture.
Outstanding offerings: Few parents have ever said, "Go write on your bed." Now they can with Duc Duc's Parker collection. Select a color, or colors as you see here, chose a chalk-friendly surface for the footboard, and kids have a cool bed for a sleepover and an art studio in one.
Add one of the new veneer options to the handsome Morgan changing table/dresser (the piece shown is a sample of all the finishes available), lift off the tray, and no one would guess that it started as nursery furniture. Tel: 212-226-1868 E-mail: David@ducducnyc.com
Originally published June 15, 2008
|
|
