I'm always a little hesitant to post about furniture from Urban Outfitters, especially when it is available online only, but I remember what a hard time I had trying to find an affordable rocking chair for the nursery 4 years ago. With that in mind may I introduce you to the Mid-Century Rocker Chair. It looks good, and from the comments it seems like the biggest complaint is that it is scaled pretty small. Priced at $289 it is fairly inexpensive by rocker standards. For example the Nurseryworks Storytime Rocker we had retailed for $800 (now you can find them for $499 from websites like babycribstation.com et al). That is nearly double, but I will say however that the Storytime is a bomber piece of furniture that will last a very very long time.
Mid Century Rocker $289
As you know, we're big fans of wood toys here at GRM, so when I spotted these charming toys from Just Hatched I couldn't resist sharing them with you! With a focus on nature, each set is handmade from either Poplar or Birch, then painted with AP Nontoxic paints and polished with natural homemade beeswax. So far, you can have your pick between a wooden leaf puzzle (6 leaf shapes: Oak, Beech, Ivy, Dogwood, Maple and Cottonwood), bear set (2 bears, cave, rock, and tree), or a veggie set (Tomato, Cucumber, Onion, Potato and Carrot)!
What better way to start a Monday than with two sets of minimalist blocks from across the pond. The top photo shows Russian made Geo Blocks, which includes a set of 7 wooden blocks painted white. 7 too many for you? The how about the Swiss designed Designomat blocks. Comprising of only 3 blocks, they can be rearranged to form endless shapes.
Geo Blocks (via)
Designomat Blocks (via)
Here's a little insider tip for all my Salt Lake City readers with kids...
We've covered some cool Airstream remodels on GRM before, but never one quite like this. The Creative Capsule started its life as a normal Airstream trailer, but recently got completely gutted and refinished inside with one purpose in mind. Entertaining and teaching kids. Tenfour industries is using the space to teach children's craft projects and host birthday parties. They are making their inaugural appearance tonight at the Millcreek Community market from 4 to dusk.
Follow the Creative Capsule on Facebook to see where they will be next.
Success
[suh k - ses]
-noun
- A kickstarted project that includes a DIY paper robot made with bright colors and bold patterns
- the feeling you have when funding an awesome project like Paper Punk
Paper Punk on Kickstarter
My kids are growing up fast, and are quickly approaching bunk bed age. I'm loving this playful custom modern bunk bed designed by Finnish design firm Aalto + Aalto. The design was inspired by a teehouse, and it's modular and can be arranged into different configurations.
Aalto + Aalto
Via
A craft book for burgeoning modernists and pint-sized DIYers, Todd Oldham's book Kid Made Modern offers up loads of project and craft ideas inspired by mid-century designers and artists such as Charles and Ray Eames, Marimekko, and Alexander Girard. Get it for your kids, get it for your nieces and nephews, or get it for yourself!
P.S. Be sure to check out Oldham's other Mid-Century Modern-inspired DIY book, Handmade Modern.
How these colorful wooden robots managed to evade Capree's radar is absolutely beyond me. Sure, they were designed by a fairly obscure design group in Poland called Prodiz, but that's no excuse. Each robot is made up of wooden pieces with magnets that can be rearranged to your imaginations extent.
Robole by Prodiz
via
I absolutely LOVE these Alexander Girard Blocks from available from our new sponsor Module-r. As I mentioned yesterday, House Industries almost can't do wrong, and this is a great example of that. These were created in 2006 to coordinate with MoMA's exhibit on Girard.
Alexander Girard Alphabet Blocks $120
The "Stacking Throne" was a one-off, privately commissioned piece designed by Laurens van Wieringen, but I really love the idea of a modular chair that can grow with your child or even be used as a toy of sorts. This version is made from foam with a sturdy wood and steel base. I'm still trying to figure out exactly how everything stays together (especially when used as a high chair), otherwise it seems like a pretty great idea. Thoughts?
This cardboard child's chair is made from recycled paper and claims to support up to 132 lbs! It arrives looking like a small box, but once you open it up all the components for building your own chair are inside. I love that you can decorate and paint it, too (or let your kids do that part)! Clever, clever, clever.
DIY Cardboard Child Chair by MUJI: $30
I've been posting a lot of Kickstarter projects lately, and I keep finding more great ones. Gypsy Modular based right here in Utah is this weeks find. They have designed CNC cut modular furniture for kids that can be assembled without any hardware. They have stools, tables, chairs and more. The styling reminds me of some other modern kids furniture I've seen before, but the prices seem crazy inexpensive. Stools are $25, chairs are $45. I believe those prices include shipping.
Gypsy Modular on Kickstarter
We love Kickstarter projects here at GRM. The latest great project that we have stumbled upon is Blockets.
Blocklets are a system of interlocking pieces that can be used to make anything, from sculpture to furniture, and soon Arduino-based robots. Made of laser-cut wood and acrylic, they snap together with a satisfying 'click' and they feel great in your hand.
A $25 pledge will get you a basic Blockets kit with 86 wood and acrylic pieces.
Blockets on Kickstarter
Blockets website
Earlier this month I posted about the clever Bote toy boat made of cork and white plastic. Today I have an even more simple idea that could make a great DIY project. Dutch design team Floris Hovers has this simple concept to turn any shampoo bottle into a bath time boat. I'm sure with a little handiwork, a sewing machine, and some rubber bands, you could whip up the same thing.
If you are fluent in Dutch, read about the Flessenboot here.
Otherwise, just make one and send us a picture.
Typically speaking I'm not a big fan of vinyl wall sticker or light switch covers. Typically. Somehow when you throw a cute owl shape into the mix both those go right out the window. I think this would be adorable in a kids room.
Flight Switch £12.50
I love simple wooden blocks. Combine that with an interactive art piece that fits on your coffee table and you have a winning combination. The Motif Cubes.
No matter how Motif Cubes are aligned, their patterns will always match to create amazing images full of beauty and harmony. Unlike a traditional puzzle or game, there is no right answer or winning move, only billions of fascinating images to be created (68,719,476,736 possible combinations). Made of red birch hardwood and silk-screened, the nine cubes (1 3/8” SQ) are held in a wooden tray.
Available in red or white.
Motif Cubes $25
I've mentioned if before, but I have a soft spot in my heart for balsa airplanes. When I was a kid my grandfather used to buy me a small balsa plane every time he was in town visiting. It's one of my earliest memories.
These artful flyer balsa planes are much better looking than the ones of my youth. They feature artwork by Robert Shadbolt and Maki. They are rubber band powered and require assembly. Believe me, that's the best part anyway.
Artful Flyers $9
Last week I posted about the fabulous 
Who says robots have to be all hard and unhuggable. These new 
I'm admittedly horrible at following other design blogs, but one that I have kept tabs on over the years is Shelterrific. A few days ago they posted this fantastic