Category Archives: Children’s design, toys & furniture

Let me introduce; Eames the Elephant, by Vitra at Skandium

May 8, 2013 by Scandinavian mum

Almost no other animal is as popular as the elephant. Admired for its majestic size and loved because of its gentle nature. Charles and Ray Eames were also taken by the elephants charm and developed a toy elephant of plywood in 1945.
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However, this piece never went into production. Now manufactured in plastic, the Eames Elephant is available for the first time to the target group for which it was originally intended: children.
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Whether as a sturdy indoor-outdoor toy or simply as an attractive object in a child’s room, this friendly looking animal with prominent, oversized ears will bring delight to children and parents alike.

The Eames Elephant is available £160 from Skandium in London

Skandium is a retailer of modern Scandinavian furniture and design, lighting, kitchenware, and glassware for the home and office. Brands include Artek, Asplund, Fritz Hansen, Georg Jensen, iittala, Marimekko, Louis Poulsen and Orrefors.

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Children’s Design posters by Danish Maileg and Dorthe Mailil

April 20, 2013 by Scandinavian mum

The Maileg children’s collection has a whimsical and sweet style created by designer Dorthe Mailil, the Co Founder and Creative Director of Maileg. She founded Maileg together with her husband Erik Mailil in 1999.
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Dorthe has since the very beginning designed all of Maileg’s products with her unique touch and expression. She studied at Danmarks Designskole and graduated in 1996 followed by additional courses from Ecole d’art de Marseille in France. She then worked with illustrating before embarking on a joint venture with her husband. Maileg is today a huge success, highly popular bu parents and children alike. See more at maileg.com
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Dorthe’s unique style has been widely used as illustrations for both commercials and books.

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Normann Copenhagen Newborn Gift Box -Design for the new baby

April 16, 2013 by Scandinavian mum

Newborn Gift Box from Norman Copenhagen designed by Ole Søndergaard is the ultimate stylish gift to any newborn child. Available in red and blue this set compromising of a soft cotton onesie and a crafted wooden toy. Ole Søndergaard wrote the following in his diary:

Above me, in the distance can be heard the sound of the engine of a little sports plane. It is summer and the air is completely still. The sky is a brilliant blue and as always I am drawn when I see a plane in the sky. With an almost childlike joy I can permanently forget both time and place and soar up into the wide blue yonder.

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That´s how Plane came about, designed in 2006. The extremely simplistc, minimalistic and symbolic approach to product design is a clear characteristic in all of Ole Søndergaard´s work.
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The Plane can be used as decoration hanging from the ceiling, above the cradle, in your window or as a colorful toy. The Body is fitted for children 3 months of age, and should be washed in 40°C.

Do you have expecting relatives and friends? The Normann Copenhagen Newborn Gift Box recommended retail price is 350 SEK. However it’s on offer now for 199 SEK (approx. £20) at scandinavianbrandsonline.com

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Review of the award winning Fabrikators ergonomic toddler cutlery

April 15, 2013 by Scandinavian mum

Fabrikators, whose tagline is “ingenious yet simple”, has developed a set of ergonomic cutlery, specifically for toddlers. When the Danish design company wanted us to review their 3 piece toddler cutlery set we didn’t hesitate one moment, having heard so much positive feedback from others that have tried the award winning set. Also anything that supports the youngest family members dining experience is of great interest, as family meals are so important.

Our reviewer, MiniM aged 14 months got the reviewing task. He’s in the middle of refine his table skills, and he gets immensely proud when achieving eating independently. His mum has kindly shared their experience with us.
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Josefine Bentzen is the Danish designer behind the ToddlerTable Collection. She is making innovative & functional flatware for children. All the pieces in the collection are ergonomically designed for small hands. The ToddlerTable cutlery is round and chubby. It fills up the palm of your little one, which gives them more control and prevents slipping out of greasy hands.

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I’m amazed on how well the food sticks to the fork and spoon. He is a bit young to understand how to use the knife yet. But it’s incredible how confident M suddenly eats when he has a go with the fork. M is very much at the stage now where he wants to try feed himself, but currently with the cutlery we have at home its more food on him and on the floor then what he manage to get into his mouth. With the ToddlerTable cutlery the food is still on the fork even when he turns it up side down and it shape fits perfectly in his mouth!

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So far we have successfully tried it with dinner, porridge, fruit and soup. I would say the soup was a bit challenging both for M and mum. It wasn’t very easy to hold in my hand as I am not used to small chucky feeding utensils. However the fork has excellent gripping tips which are not sharp to harm you child, but pierces the food easily. The deep, round shape of the fork and spoon prevents food from sliding of. The cutlery is non-slip coated in a range of beautiful vibrant colours.

Features are
:: Ergonomic design for easy grip
:: No BpA, Phthalates and PVC
:: Microwave & Dishwasher safe
:: Recommended ages: 6+ months

The collection includes matching bowls, plates and cups and comes in the bright, vibrant colours orange, blue, green and red and I have seen prices varied from £20 – £30 online.
I’m so grateful that I was introduced to this cutlery set that I will have to get one more!

Thank you to M and his mum for reviewing this product!

To find out more about the Toddler Cutlery Set and other ingenious designs by Fabrikators visit fabrikators.com

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Dala Horse – The Wooden Horses of Sweden

April 11, 2013 by Scandinavian mum

A Dalecarlian horse or Dala horse is a traditional carved, painted wooden horse statuette originating in the Swedish province Dalarna. In the old days the Dala horse was mostly used as a toy for children. Nowadays the Dala horse is not only a decorative home accessory but it has also become a symbol of Dalarna, as well as Sweden.
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Pictures from Pinterest

The first Dala horse was made by wood workers when they were out in the forest working together with their horse. In front of the fireplace in the log cabin, they were made as toys for their children. The earliest references to wooden horses for sale are from 1623, by the 19th century the art of carving and painting the small horses flourished. Soon the Dala horses were traded in exchange for household goods with rural families depended on wood horse production to help keep food on the table.

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Did you know that many early Dala horses were not painted at all? But in the beginning of the 19th century painting them in a single color, white or red, became common practice. According to a local tale, a painter came across one of these Dala horses in a farm he was decorating. When asked by one of the children why that horse was not as beautifully painted as the ones in the decorations, he painted the Dala horse in the same style. This tradition was then carried on in order to raise the market value of the Dala horses.
Today you’ll find the Dala Horse as a decorative item, printed on fabrics for the home, as jewellery and even on iPad cases. It must be one of the most popular symbols of Sweden. And it all came by in a log cabin, more than 400 years ago…

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Picture from Nordingården Blog

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Children’s toy storage -decorative and fun design for the nursery

April 9, 2013 by Scandinavian mum

Step one to make your child enjoy their room is to keep it clutter free, to create a functional children’s bedroom where the tidy up game at the end of a play session is part of the fun.

Danish company Rice, known for colourful home accessories have made these fun children’s storage baskets. And there’s a favourite for everyone, from garage and police station to large houses and theatres. Let the tidy up fun begin!
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The Rice toy baskets is available in various of design and sizes, buy them separate or as a set of three. Prices from £21.50 for a small basket to a set of three houses for £151.80. rice.dk

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Hoptimist Hopping collectable fun toys and a Danish Design classic

April 5, 2013 by Scandinavian mum

In 1968, Danish cabinetmaker Hans Gustav Ehrenreich (1917-1984) started the production of Hoptimists. Ehrenreich began with the famous Birdies, but by 1969 Kvak and the classic Bimble and Bumble figures had been born as well.
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The cute figures and the happiness-inducing design quickly spread throughout Denmark and far beyond. Ehrenreich has received many honours worldwide and today the Hoptimists are regarded as part of the extensive Danish Design family, from Kay Bojensen’s monkey to the PH lamp.


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In 2009, the famous figures were relaunched by the company Hoptimist. It was the belief in the infectious joy of the Hoptimists that prompted the company to dust off the classic figures and show them to the world again. 


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Hoptimist has developed the famous figures in new materials and given them new expressions whilst keeping true to the original design and spirit of Ehrenreich. Timeless and joyful quality toys. Made in Denmark – Hoptimist.com

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Spring Essentials for Rays of sun and Woodland flowers

April 2, 2013 by Scandinavian mum

When there’s finally rays of sun finding its way to damp gras, cold stone and pale skin -there’s an overwhelming feeling of life and joy. As Madicken, a character from Swedish author Astrid Lindgren said: Jeg kjenner livet i meg! I can feel the life in me.
Below is a small selection of clothes suitable to wear, when discovering the woodland flowers decorating, for Spring.
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And when small bouquets in muddy, chubby hands reaches the kitchen -make sure you have a selection of vases ready. Upcycled jam jars serves the purpose. Or we love the tiny ceramic vases in organic shapes and natural shades, Botanica Mini by Danish Kahler Design. For a authentic Nordic feel, perfect keeping with the interior design trends of the new season.

Clothes from Pale Cloud, Petitbo, Petit by Sofie Schnoor, Soft Gallery and Indikidual via polyvore.com

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Allow your baby to have a snooze in -10 degrees -Would you do it?

February 26, 2013 by Scandinavian mum

Scandinavia is known for enjoying the outdoors, regardless of weather. With a common saying “det finnes ikke dårlig vær, bare dårlig klær!” which directly translates into ”There is no bad weather, only bad clothes!”.
Across Scandinavia, mums and dads are more than happy to allow their children to play outside every day, even in winter when the temperature reaches sub zero temperatures. Also common in the Nordic countries is to leave babies napping outdoors, wrapped up in their prams, all year around.

Parents in the Nordic countries believe children are healthier and less likely to catch winter bugs when exposed to plenty of fresh air. That counts for babies as well! Day nap outdoors is regarded as the best thing you can do for your sleeping child, during all for seasons, even in freezing temperature down to -10 degrees. And to be able to do this safely the children are wrapped up warm in layers of wool; Wool underwear, wool playsuit, winter snow suit, wool hat and all tucked in a warm sheepskin or feather filled bag. It doesn’t get more snug and comfortable than that!

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Sleeping bags for the pram by Voksi, one of the leading brands in Scandinavia. We love this one, called Urban, in the shape of a penguin. It’s filled with a combination of wool and down, and the penguin head is made of soft fleece. This sleeping bag regulates temperature, ensuring your child is comfortable when outdoors. See more styles and colours at voksi.se

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Recently the UK press have shown an keen interest in this phenomenon, with newspapers and blogs. BBC shared the article The babies who nap in sub-zero temperatures, that caused lots of interest. We shared this article on our Facebook page, and it has so far resulted in lots of comments with parents sharing their own experience and insight.
So what do you think? Are your little penguin ready for arctic sleeping conditions?

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Children’s gifts – toys they will love!

February 25, 2013 by Scandinavian mum

Here’s our short list, the top kids toys and gifts that we’ve tried and tested -and love!

Soft toys, baby’s first, secret’s friends… Regardless of age, Luckyboysunday have a soft toy ready to be all yours! Only problem is that they are known to be highly addictive! When one quirky little fellow, knitted in soft alpaca wool, has made his way into your home and heart, you will be wanting to get his friends to move in too! luckyblysunday.dk
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© Luckyboysunday

There’s certain classics that never goes out of date. Brio train sets and Lego is safe buys when buying children’s gift. The Brio Fun on the farm starter set has lasted us a decade, it’s still in pristine condition and nowadays young guest play with it when visiting when it’s not stored practically in its box. brio.net
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Another classic toy that you will never grow out of is Lego. Must have is the Lego Creative Bucket, where there’s no end to what you can build. For the baby, Lego Duplo Ceative Bucket is a good introduction to the imaginative world of bricks. lego.com
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Decorative on the shelf and highly entertaining for young and old(er), the russian dolls from Danish company Babushka is made to last. It comes with the advice to always put them all together again after play. Or else the tiniest dolls have their own way on going on adventures! Babushka.dk
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© Russian dolls by Babushka

And last but not least, a delightful present to give and to receive is your favourite children’s classics books. Search for a nicely illustrated hardcover version at your local bookshop and it’s sure to be treasured for generations.
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When buying children’s toys and gifts, what do you recommend?

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