The Globe Storage Cabinet by Studio Job for Gufram.

This freestanding whimsical piece of storage furniture was created by Studio Job for Gufram of Italy, who is known for their playful polyurethane foam furnishings. The armoire or wardrobe cabinet is set with a soft polyurethane foam globe in the center which stays in place whether the doors are open or closed.

A $16.3 Million Solid Gold Bassinet and Luxury Cribs For The Insanely Indulged Infant.

Dear Celine Dion... just kidding. But clearly I'm hanging out with the wrong crowd because I don't know many -if any- parents who can spoil their kids with products like these. Baby furniture and accessories company Suommo, who I first introduced you to in 2010 with their modern white baby furnishings, is now touting themselves as 'luxury for baby' with fewer products, but far fancier ones- all designed by Ximo Talamantes.

A Dog-Shaped Children's Desk, Le Chien Savant, by Philippe Starck.

A recent addition to the Magis Me Too Collection, the children's arm of Magis Design, is Le Chien Savant.





Designed by Philippe Starck, Le Chien Savant is a children’s combination chair and desk in the shape of a dog that was inspired by C. Bavaud

"As a child I never liked school, but I loved dogs.
Should I had met this learned dog at that time, I would have become a scholar, too.
But I missed this occasion and unfortunately the learned dog now exists, but unfortunately only for children. Too late." - C. Bavaud

Le Chien Savant is made of rotational-molded polyethylene and available in five colors. Suitable for indoor or outdoor use.





Magis Me Too

Available at or through various modern furniture retailers.

Modern, Adorable and Affordable Lamps from BuoKids.

BuoKids is a personal project of Roberto Celada and Raquel Esteve, members of “rqrstudio”, and children Angela, Carlos and Daniel who are their inspiration and who give the nod to their products.

Pirate Ship Room, Climbing Cave and Golf Simulator Make a Home A Playhouse.

Kuhl Design + Build of Minnesota is a full service, residential design/build company specializing in large remodels and whole house renovations. Their way of doing business is dynamic, interactive and as they say "fully transparent." They feel that it's your house, and it's your money. Recognition of this fact is seen in every facet of their business because they respect their clients enough to be honest about the numbers. In exchange, their clients trust them to do the right thing. And the results are beautiful. Kitchens, bathrooms, interior and special projects like this amazing home dubbed "Pirate Ship House."





The Pirate Ship House was initially created for builder Steve Kuhl's brother as part of a 6,800 square foot home in Medina, Minnesota (the house has since been sold.) The project is complete with crow's nest, brig and a wood plank bridge.



The ship's hull was made with ribs of laminated plywood ribs and flexible masonite and the coating was made by combining epoxy and drywall compound with brown colorant to find the perfect mix. After applied, it was combed to give it a rough texture:



The bridge that extends across the room to a pirate's ship can handle the weight of four adults:




"This hole (behind the Captain's Wheel) provides a quick escape down to the closet below the ship for emergency wardrobe changes," Kuhl says:


Approximate budget for a pirate room like this one: $40,000


A Secret Superluge in the Mudroom:



In the mudroom, one of the four doors conceals a secret passage that takes you into a closet where you will find a spiral tube (the SuperLuge) that when slid down takes you to the Climbing Cave which includes a climbing wall fit for both adults and children as well as an indoor golf simulator room that has carpet mimicking a golf green and sand trap.





Approximate slide budget: $2,500 to $5,000 for the components

The Climbing Cave:

Approximate climbing wall budget: $15,000

The Golf Simulator Room:




Approximate budget for the golf simulator: The software was around $18,000 when it was purchased; Kuhl is not sure how much it costs today.

About Kuhl Design + Build:


In 1999, Steve Kuhl and Dan Murphy started Kuhl Design & Build. They set out to create a little something different in the remodeling industry. Their business plan would hinge on a bold idea. They would only work with people they trust and only for those who trust them. They used to keep this a secret because they were afraid people might take it the wrong way. Now they announce it proudly because they realized it has allowed them to grow into a truly unique organization. This approach has also resulted in them having the most excellent clients on the planet. Nothing beats doing what you love for people you adore and then getting paid for it.

images and info courtesy of Kuhl's Design + Build and Houzz

Kuhl Design +Build

If Dr. Seuss Were Your Decorator: Cartoon Furniture (Updated for 2012).

This original post has been updated to include new products as of March 2012.

When it comes to unusual furniture, my post about Judson Beaumont's cartoon styled furniture for kids always gets a lot of attention. But he's not the only one making whimsical furniture for children's rooms.



Introducing a company actually named "Cartoon Furniture" whose fun products will make you feel as though you are living in an animated world. The brainchild of Randall and Sharon Porter, they combined their experiences as an architectural lighting designer and make-up artist to form Cartoon Furniture®.


above: Randall and Sharon Porter of Cartoon Furniture

The line includes dressers, bookcases, headboards, wall mirrors, side tables and even bulletin boards and a clock. They use only the finest woods and materials to manufacture their whimsical line. All the pieces are painted over and over until the finish is perfect using only the best non-toxic, lead-free and child-safety paint and finishes. Top, bottom, back and sides are all painted, there is no exposed wood. Their drawers slide on Swiss Stainless Steel Slides with ball-bearings and each drawer includes a safety stop to prevent the drawer from falling out completely.



Their furniture is so animated in its design, I half expect them to get up and dance away! Take a look at some of their pieces.

Beds:
The French Twin Bed with four drawer storage unit:

The Little King Twin Bed with 4 drawer storage unit:

The Daisy Twin Bed with 4 drawer storage unit

The Zzzed Twin Bed with 4 drawer storage unit:


Dressers:





Bookcases:


Side tables:



Wall mirrors:


Other accessories:


They also have custom ordering options, so you can choose from several color combinations if you so desire:


All Cartoon Furniture® pieces are proudly manufactured in the USA under the strictest guidelines and specifications for years of enjoyment.

Put a smile on your child's face and shop there now.

Click here to see Judson Beaumont's Straightline designs, cartoon styled furniture.