Luxe looks for babies and kids
High-end designs find a new niche
By Carole Sloan -- Kids Today, 5/1/2007
There's no end to the luxury and quality today's parents will bestow upon their kids.
Whether it's the softest blanket, the furniture designer highchair, the luxury china for mealtimes, or the Louis XVI chair for reading, today's kids can have it all, just like their parents — and expect more as they grow up.
Color plays an important role in today's children's furnishings and accessories. No longer is this generation of kids limited to pastels in blue or pink. Think bold and brash like oranges, bright yellows and chartreuse.
As for patterns, whimsical, sweet motifs are sharing kid's space with graphics and slogans as design themes.
There's nothing that can outdo the prestige of baby's furnishings like a high chair designed by noted French designer Philippe Starck for Maclaren. The nectarine colored chair has removable legs, a snack tray and full size tray, a loose removable cover with a storage pocket and a carry bag for easy transport, $240.
Garden from Dwellbaby features swirling vines and flowers in a modern botanical in shades of milk chocolate and pink. The collection includes a hooded towel, stroller blanket and bib/burp sets. The all-cotton crib set is $352 retail.
From French Heritage, miniature versions of classic Louis XVI chairs are featured kid-sized — perfect for reading or entertaining young friends. Prices vary by cover selection.
Wedgwood's classic Peter Rabbit-themed children's dishes update the original with livelier and more colorful interpretations. The cereal bowl/plate/mug set retails for $55.
Stickley Starters, a youth furniture collection from high-end furniture supplier Antiquities by Stickley, gives the younger set a sense of the company's iconic Arts & Craft design ethic. A full range of beds and desks, dressers and hutches is offered. Smaller scaled pieces are available as well. The trundle bed is $425.
Natalia, a pure cashmere, pure luxury baby blanket from Zambaiti, has a jacquard woven border with a viscose binding. Retail is $250 for the 27" X 43".
Hot Chocolate, an off-beat bedding and accessories collection from Freckles of Australia, and distributed by 100% Pure, offers many decorating choices from sheets to floor mats to picture frames and decorative pillows. The twin quilt is $170.
