New high quality sustainable furniture for children

-  isn't that what we are looking for? And if we add also durability, safety and good design, then we have got almost everything at one place:) - that is the ambition of the young Danish company COLLECT furniture.
Have they succeeded? I suppose time will say and their customers, but I like what I see from their site.

The new member in their new FRAME-series, FRAME BED is expected in shops fall 2012. FRAME BED is composed of 4 frames fixed onto each other to form the supporting structure for the canvas sides of the bed. This canvas is partly transparent, detachable and washable.
Pictures show their first prototype.
Design for children is one of the most important themes of this blog - furniture, accessories, bedding or toys, because we believe that design is an important part of raising our children in the best possible environment and all suggestions and news for publishing good quality eco-friendly design are very welcome.
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How to make a classic style building into something modern, energetic

and entertainig? And further more when we are talking of a bank! Ask Paris-based architect Fabrice Ausset of Zoevox who crated this concept bank  located in the historical building of 2, Place de l’Opéra.

"almost 1,000 square-meter funhouse of colors, shapes, textures and forms with the goal to entice the customer to discover, interact, experiment and (gasp!) enjoy."(Cool Hunter)

 Definitely atmosphere to enjoy working in or only visiting this bank to do business with!

Clever recycling for better living

Recycling is one of the major trends in design and characteristic of our lives today. But it is important how do we recycle - is it worth the efforts, are the results good enough?  One great example of efficient and really useful way of recycling is what RubberRecyle are doing with their rubber mulch product - in an effort to preserve the environment, Rubberecycle manufactures a unique rubber granule product recycled from 100% scrap tires.
We can't just throw a tire away and we don't want them in land fills.And we all do our best to secure safe conditions for living and play for our children. But did you know that 90% of playground structures are considered unsafe? And it's largely due to inadequate and poor surfaces.This where Playsafer™ Rubber Mulch is most useful - available in a variety of vibrant colors, it cushions falls and minimizes dangerous playground impacts. It is safe, economical, long-lasting, loved by children and their parents and most importantly, environment-friendly - Playground Mulch tire chips conform to all CPSC safety guidelines and has earned ADA approval, making playgrounds safe for our children while preserving the environment. It is claimed to be the safest playground surfacing and is guaranteed to last a lifetime!
This is definitely a clever way of recycling that is worth the efforts and makes our life better. And it is obviously considered a good choice for the White House playground, too - have a look:

Rubber Mulch Playground at the White House

Toys that play with imagination

and at the same time stimulate your child's thinking and interest in science or art - isn't this the best way to help our children learn and love school? Educational toys can cultivated this interest  since very young age and good design can play an important role in this process. One example:This beautiful Alphabet Butterfly Puzzle by Imagiplay Natural Toys helps kids ages 3 and up learn their A,B,C's the fun and colorful way! It is made from plantation-grown rubberwood, an environmentally-friendly hardwood, hand-crafted and hand-painted with child-safe paints. 
With Anatex Musical Slices of Fun Table we can help our children develop their musical skills and talents - the table is divided into 4 pie shaped sections featuring: 8 note Xylobells, a wooden Xylophone, 2 Remo Drums, 3-Tone Chime and Cymbal. The sections of the table can be separated, played in a circle, or set up in a serpentine shape to accommodate individual play or an entire band! 

Specialty toys allow even to set up your own science lab -
Big Bag of Science Kit by Be Amazing Toys covers the three areas of science (Physical, Earth and Life) as well as activities in Chemistry, Physics, Magnetism, Weather, Biology, Geology and Flight.With more than 70 unique, fun, hands-on science activities, this kit guarantees hours and hours of science fun. 
If interested in helping your children learn with fun visit
    - the world's largest variety of educational and specialty children's toys.

GOOD DESIGN Awards for 2010

The World's Most Prestigious Global Awards for New Product Design and Graphics for 2010 have been announced. Here below you can see some of the awarded furniture:

Pebble Table, 2010-2010
Designers: Matthias Demacker, Matthias Demacker, Munchen, Germany
Manufacturer: Bonaldo

Babel Bookcase, 2010-2010
Designers: Mario Mazzer, Mario Mazzer Architetto e Designer, Conegliano, (TV), Italy
Manufacturer: Bonaldo

Ruche Sofa, 2009-2010
Designers: Inge Sempé Paris, France
Manufacturer: Roset

Stockholm Furniture Fair - a glimpse

Stockholm Furniture Fair with guest of honour Arik Levy

Stockholm Furniture Fair that started on February 8th is the world’s biggest meeting place for Nordic design and celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2011! At an award ceremony earlier today Forms +1- prize for best new product was awarded  to the shelf "Ivy", designed by Thomas Bernstrand for Swedish Swedese.

The Norwegian Miljømøbler has its debut at the Stockholm Furniture Fair, with its environmentally friendly paper furniture. All furniture and fittings in the booth B09: 18 made from 100% recycled cardboard, designed by the Hungarian designer, Janos Featuring.
The paper is recycled cardboard that is folded and assembled in a unique way, thus giving strength to the furniture so that chairs can withstand up to 300kg and bookshelves can handle +35 kg!




more pictures at designws.com 

Design Inspiration for your Valentine's Day Feast

Bake up something special for your loved ones this Valentine's Day or add some real luxury to your table. We can share the love in many ways:
This Swarovski Heart Crystal Cake Top by Cathy's Concepts is a charming way to proudly proclaim your love with style and panache. Each shining topper has a scripted flair and is accented with sparkling stones. These jeweled cake toppers are crafted of sterling silver-plated metal and accented with genuine Swarovski crystals.
Swarovski Heart Rhinestone Cake Top






Heart Shaped Cupcake Molds- Set of 8 - they are made of silicone and the set includes 8 molds, 4 pink and 4 red hearts.

Cupcakes can be served in an inspiring way, too:

Wilton® Cupcake and Dessert Stand - Holds 38!

Nordic Ware® Sweetheart Rose Muffin Pan - Makes 12

Heart Copper Cookie Cutter

Florentine Giant Fortune Cookie with Caramel
 First, this decadent cookie is dipped in your choice of the finest gourmet Belgian Dark or Milk Chocolate.... It is then hand decorated in White Chocolate by master Confectionary Artisans in a Traditional Florentine Design. Inspired by a traditional Italian pastry design, this cookie is not only abolutely gorgeous, but is equally as delicious. Dimensions Dimensions: 6.5" x 6.5" x 6" Circumference: 19.5" Weight: 10oz to 16oz depending on how they are dipped/decorated Components Optional 1 ft-long personalized fortune inside. Fortune message can be entered during checkout Hand packed in 7" x 7" x 7" glossy white gift box.
















Sweet Talk Embroidered Guest Towels - Set of 2


Bubble Glass Goblets - Set of 6 Red by tag®

Design for Children from IMM Cologne 2011

'rocker' by doshi levien
photo: richard beck, murr

monica förster with 'wonder box'
portrait © designboom

We saw a lot of interesting new design for children at this year's IMM Cologne:

'Famille Garage' by Alexander Seifried for Richard Lampert

'Pit Stop' by Bertjan Pot for Richard Lampert

German manufacturer Richard Lampert launched the new Kid's only collection, containing several objects by famous names in design like Doshi Levien, Bertjan Pot and Monica Förster: