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Design Under 18 at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair Children's furniture manufacturers, and a few designers who exhibited child-friendly pieces at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) in New York City (May 15-19, 2005), turned their eye toward highchairs, platform beds and seating arrangements. The creators eschewed anything with a cutesy aesthetic for pieces with the sophistication and made-to-last workmanship associated with adult furniture. Others offered futuristic, otherworldly shapes in vivid colors reminiscent of Pee-Wee's Playhouse. Charley Wheelock, the owner and designer of Kapow says, "By introducing children to good design at an early age, we are setting the stage for a beautiful world in the future." Well put, Charley. Here are a few manufacturers determined to give kids a beautiful beginning. (All prices are wholesale unless otherwise indicated.)
ARGINGTON DESIGNERS: Jenny Argie and Andrew Thornton Price: $195.
Like all of Argington's designs, their new platform bed's cutting-edge style will suit a child's taste from the second he's out of the crib until his feet dangle over the bed's edge. Tel: 718-218-8508 E-mail: jenny@argington.com
ducduc DESIGNER: Brady Wilcox Prices: $1099-$2499
Ducduc offers "a new aesthetic to a new generation." Their Dylan collection "answers the spatial challenges of urban environments." The basic units are a crib that can convert to a twin bed, a "bonding bench" and a changing table that functions as a dresser. Each piece can be unlocked from its base and used separately. Tel: 212-226-1868 E-mail: maya@ducducnyc.com
IGLOO KIDS BY LISA ALBIN DESIGN DESIGNER: Lisa Albin Prices: Contact designer
Each curvy Tea Pod in Lisa Albin's Igloo collection is made from heavy-duty foam with no interior wood frame so kids can roll on them without getting injured. When children are ready for a snack, they can sit on the forms, place the removable tray - made to fit over the top of one Pod - and viola, the shapes become a seating area and tabletop. The set-up works for their parents' cocktails, too. Tel: 718-622-0047 E-mail: info@iglookids.com
KAPOW DESIGN DESIGNER: Charley Wheelock Prices: $60-$320
The Lilliputian-sized tables and chairs in Wheelock's Peep collection for the one- to three-year-old set, belong in the world's hippest nursery school. Tel: 503-236-3537 E-mail: charley@kapowdesign.com
MIGUEL DESIGNER: Miguel Retail prices: $2,400-$5000
Each Miguel design is hand constructed in Italy using materials such as washable suede, Crypton and fine leather. When the child outgrows the crib, the bars can be removed, transforming the unit into an elegant little bed with a luxurious head and footboard. Tel: 212-966-8160 E-mail: info@miguelonline.com
MOZZEE LIMITED DESIGNER: Sally Dominguez Retail price: $575 per chair
If Austin Powers were to sire a child, he'd insist on Mozzee's Nest chair for the tot, (and, hopefully, splurge on preemptive dental work). The orb shaped seat comes with a removable tray so it can be pulled right up to a table. Its tulip base is tip resistant and, with no chair legs to cause falls, it's trip resistant, too. The seat of Nest's brother, Spot, can be raised for teenagers and adults. Groovy! Tel: +44 (0)207 060 3636 E-mail: wcoombes@mozzee.com
THE OTHER EDGE DESIGNERS: Vanese Clough and Donald Corey Price: $290
The Other Edge's new Rev/One collection begins with an ingenious modular unit: a bent wood panel made of laminated bamboo that can be reconfigured six ways. In the Slumped arrangement, the panels work as a kid's seat with room on either side for a book, game or snack. Tel: 919-601-8326 E-mail: info@funmodern.com
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