Tag Archives: wooden toys

Normann Copenhagen Newborn Gift Box -Design for the new baby

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.
normann_copenhagen_wooden_plane

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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Dala Horse – The Wooden Horses of Sweden

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.
daladala_horse
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…

dala_hest
Picture from Nordingården Blog

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Hoptimist Hopping collectable fun toys and a Danish Design classic

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.
Hoptimist_Wood_toy



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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Oscar, no ordinary dog

Oscar was designed in 1953 with the characteristic joy and care in Hans Bølling’s mind, and the little dog is a token of fun and playfulness. Oscar’s body can be arranged so that he does everything a normal dog would. He can sit, scrawl, stand, beg or even sulk in the corner if you have been away from him for too long.

Oscar is a design classic, well made with attention to the smallest detail. This is a collectable toy that for sure will make you happy -almost as happy as the companionship of a real dog.


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Circa, the circular calendar

Seen at the number one UK event for designer gifts, toys and accessories Top Drawer;
With round shapes and bright primary colours like yellow, blue and green this calendar is a lot more than a high quality wooden toy.

Grasping the concept of time, from what day it is to how the year is build up with weeks, months and even seasons can seem a bit difficult for a young child. This rotating and stack-able interactive toy makes it fun to explore and it makes it easy for parents to explain and visualise time, how many days is it to Saturday, what month is after this one, what season comes next or more importantly, how many days is it to the child’s next Birthday! The circular calendar Circa makes learning fun!

The inventor and founder grew up in Denmark and lives today with her family in London. Learning through playing is exactly the main emphasis of the nurseries in Scandinavia, up until the age of 6, and it even continues into school life. Combining this with great design and you’ll have an educational toy that not only gets praised by parents but also wins awards after awards.

www.circacalendar.com

The Circa circular calendar is recommended from the age of 3, with my daughter soon to be 7 still showing a great interest in it. Retail price £39.99 at Nordic Elements

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Review of the Playsam black F1 Racer car



Playsam is one of the leading Scandinavian toy design companies. Designed by Ulf Hanses Playsam black F1 Racer car with four rubber wheels, red trim and a smooth, curved black body and measures 15cm x 11cm. Comes with a matching red driver with a black helmet. Presented in a black branded box which measures 16cm x 13cm x 9cm. Available £64 at alexandalexa.com


We think: First of all, again speedy delivery and well wrapped from Alex and Alexa. The toy is wrapped in a soft paper bag inside a high quality black gift box with the brand Playsam in silver all together making this the perfect present for occasions like babyshower, to the newborn as his very first precious toy or at the name day or christening.
The glossy colours red and black is just perfect for babies that seem to love high-contrast coloured toys, whilst their eye sight develops. The separate doll is perfect for the curious baby that wants to start exploring. The helmet is also removable.
Named an Excellent Swedish Design recipient, the Racer F1 flaunts a high-luster exterior and an aerodynamic body design -made for speed. An exclusive gift for racing fans around the world, this solid wooden race car gives a whole new feeling to the expression “vroom, vroom.” We think the Stig has finally met his match! theScandinavianDad will find it hard to let this go…

© Little Scandinavian

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Review of The Playsam Pink Childhood Toy Pram

Playsam is one of the leading Scandinavian toy design companies. The Playsam Pink Childhood Toy Pram, designed by Dennis Ingemansson, features four moving black wheels, a removable baby and a curved silver metal handle. Comes in a pearl white branded presentation box which measures 11cm x 9cm x 9cm. Available in blue/black or pink/black, £50 at alexandalexa.com


We think: First of all, speedy delivery and well wrapped from Alex and Alexa. The pearl white box is in a luxurious finish making it the perfect present also for more formal occasions like name day or christening. The toy is wrapped in a soft paper bag, again adding to the feel of quality.
The glossy colours pink and black is just perfect for babies that seem to love high-contrast coloured toys, whilst their eye sight develops. The doll is perfect for the curious baby that wants to start exploring. Both the doll and the pram in itself has perfectly rounded shapes, lovely to touch and hold. The curved silver metal handle is a nice feature too. Very soon they’ll be taking the imaginative doll in and out and pushing it around in the pram. And don’t be surprised if it last beyond the age of 2 as Little A, age 6, was spotted this morning taking it for a stroll! With Playsam’s Childhood Pram you get a nostalgic and classic design all rolled into one. We think this is a high quality toy that will be used, loved and saved for future generations.



© Little Scandinavian

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Where to find wooden toys and furniture by Jabadabado

We have previously mentioned the Swedish company JaBaDaBaDo and the high quality wooden children’s furniture and their exclusive wooden toy range, designed by the husband and wife team Eva and Calle.

We have received an email from one reader of Little Scandinavian:

Hi can you help?
I’m trying to get hold of Jabadabado wooden market stall which you featured on your site, I’m based in the Uk and the pressie place no longer stock it, do you know where else stocks it? I’m desperate to get it for my daughters 3rd birthday.
Thanks for your help and time.
Best wishes, Caz


Dear Caz. We have written to Jabadabado, asking for UK stockists. As soon as we receive a reply we will be featuring it here. Meanwhile -enjoy the fun and colourful wooden toys and furniture display!

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Best of the New Ikea 2012 catalogue

Foldable, stackable, affordable -beautiful -It’s out! The NEW Ikea catalogue 2012 is out! For fans of the Swedish furniture design house every new catalog is like a proper treat as Ikea’s designs are functional, stylish and most importantly reasonable.


This year the emphasis is on maximising small homes, get more into it and more out of it. It’s all about clever use of space and furniture that multitasks. No need to throw anything away as Ikea has storage systems for the tiniest and most hidden part of your home. It’s 374 pages of sustainable living.
We love visiting our local London store to admire the tastefully put-together set-ups, to visit all the pretend homes and most importantly indulge in the yummy Swedish meatballs. By the way, did you know that in Scandinavia we eat them with steamed potatoes, not french fries? Try it next time! Anyway, we had a look through the catalogue, and this is what caught our eye… The best of Ikea 2012 for the children.

For the nursery we think the handmade Byholma armchair would make the perfect nursing chair with it’s rounded and soft shapes and reasonable price. The adjustable Hensvik cot shows us that you don’t have to rob the bank to get your hands on a Scandinavian Designer cot.

BYHOLMA armchair £79

HENSVIK cot £59.99



Children’s Ikea isn’t only about extendable beds and fun lighting. They also have a great selection of educational toys perfect for role play in addition to more practical things for eating, sleeping, bathing etc. We love the simple stuff, like the three small soft mouses in white, grey and brown. Given to us as a present many years ago they are still with us. The girls plays with them all the time. They are soft to touch and small enough to go in your pocket. So excellent to bring on trips. We also love the Ikea Junior Kitchen unit. We visited some friends in Oslo this summer, and their 2 year old was cooking all day long on hers. Last but not least, the blackboard, the Måla easel. They never grow tired of it! Only remember to take some pictures now and then of their precious artwork before its wiped out.

GOSIG mus soft toy -perfect for role play! In brown/white/grey £0.99 each

DUKTIG Mini-kitchen £89.99

MÅLA easel £15.99



Most children are back to school and homework is back on the agenda. An inviting workspace will probably help getting started on both spelling and maths.
We think the tween and teen girl would love the Isala laptop table and the whole set-up as shown in the left picture. Fabrics, shelving units, pictures and light all create a private and cosy atmosphere for the older girl. We also think that roses are beautiful and that a grown up girl would appreciate the nostalgic romantic style in her room.

New ISALA laptop table £149

EMELINA knopp bedlinen 3 pcs £10.99


For the young man in the house this clean and functional style might be exactly what he wants. The desk is available in three colours; white, white and orange (as seen in picture below) and our favourite white and birch.

Beat the price: Shelf, desk, chair and lamp £116.47 (page 254)



Did you know that the Ikea catalogue is the worlds most read commercial print? Haven’t received a copy in the mailbox yet?
No worries, as you can view the Ikea 2012 catalogue online.

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125 years with Danish design and craft

Brdr. Krüger is an established and well known company producing Danish design and craft since 1886. Throughout its history, the company has been owned and run by the Krüger family, now in its fifth generation with Niels and Jytte Krüger.

This year Brdr. Krüger celebrates a impressive 125-year anniversary of Danish design and craft with the launch of 3 new products.
1: Re-launch of Nanna Ditzel’s exclusive cradle from 1964, in collaboration with the daughter Dennie Ditzel and the studio Nanna Ditzel Design, in limited numbered edition.
2: A special anniversary edition of Hans Bølling’s classic tray table from 1963, with glass trays. Also in limited numbered edition.
3: Launch of the rocking horse “Mokuba” by the Danish-Japanese architect duo O&M Design.



We love the collaboration with Lucky Boy Sunday, the quirky knitted soft toys that are surrounding the elegant wooden design items by Brdr. Krüger in the pictures, highlighting the excellence of combining heritage and traditional craftsmanship with innovative design.

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