What happened to roughing it? Oh yeah, Playtents ($325) happened. This is not your average backwoods camping tent, unless you’re camping on Lexington Ave. It’s luxe plus, with eight design schemes to choose from, all of which will remind you of your Ralph Lauren bedding. 5’ square and 5’ tall with a cut-out window in back and fabric tie closure for the door, these tents allow tons of playing and hiding room, too. Roughing it? Eh, not quite.
It doesn’t have as much mileage as Archie Bunker’s rocker. But it will, starting when baby sits down for the first time. The Oeuf Two Tone Baby Rocker ($98) is the kind of chair baby will never want to leave. Squishy soft 100% cotton canvas with 3-point harness and four color combos on a sturdy steel frame = 200% sleek and 500% comfort. No cigars for baby, though. Sorry: even Archie wouldn’t approve of that.
Rocker for two, please. The Hiya Rocker from Spot On Square ($149) is all about eco-conscious comfort for two. It’s made from recycled or reclaimed materials and low VOC non-toxic paints, so you’ll feel good about what they’re sitting on. And they’ll feel good about sitting on such a sharp rocker. They’ll really love the book bin in the back, too. Choose from white or bright orange. Both sitters will love your sense of style and décor.
Giddyap Galap! The Galap Rocker by Argington ($89) is the best blend of a horsey rocker and a front-porch swing for your little buckaroo. It’s perfect just for settin’ or just for rockin’. And it’s made of solid Baltic birch with a non-toxic clear coat, so, y’know, they won’t crash through and you won’t have any guilt about slapping them down on a chemical-plant chair. Choose from ebony, red maple or birch, and rock easy tonight.
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Wait, is it a chair, a toy or a sculpture instillation? Who cares! It’s the Julian Child’s Chair from Magis. ($112) The Spanish Designer Javier Mariscal came up with a winner here: this chair is full of whimsy and fun. And it’s just vague enough on all levels (chair? Toy? Animal? Other?) that it becomes whatever your child wants it to be. Four brilliant color options help add to the intrigue.
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It’s kind of like the chairs outside the principal’s office. But the Fiberglass Arm Shell Rocker ($375) is better. First, there’s no detention awaiting your child. Second, those old chairs didn’t rock. Duh. This classic chair has been modernized within an inch of its life, with a recyclable polypropylene shell, maple or walnut runners and sixteen (sic) colors to choose from. Modern retro, environmentally safe and no detention. Sitting does NOT get any more comfortable.
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Sleepy time is learning time with the Photo Mobile by Kikkerland. ($12) This stainless steel five-card mobile uses Wee Gallery flash cards (not included) to teach about animals. The cards are sharp and sleek, so you’ll get aesthetic hipness points. But really, it’s about baby learning while they drift off to sleep. Shhhh…..
Cue up the Velvet Underground and trip back to The Factory with this 4 panel Warhol-style Portrait. ($139) This is a truly unique work of art, and we think Andy would approve. Just send in a picture of your boy or Femme Fatale, choose your material and that’s it: singular Pop-Art in 14-21 business days. Hey, your child is a lot more artistic than a soup can.
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Okay, it’s a cardboard chair. But if you tried to build one, baby would be on the ground bawling. Try Take a Load Off Cardboard Chairs ($69 for two) instead. They’re made of corrugated, double-wall recycled cardboard, so they can hold up to 200 lbs. They have handles for easy transport, and they’re a blank canvas for crayon or marker work. You can try to build a cardboard chair. But we don’t recommend it.
It’s a toy! It’s a statue! It’s décor! It’s a retro post-modern nouveau classic! It’s the Eames Elephant from Vitra! ($290) The original wooden version, designed by Charles and Ray Eames in 1945, never made it into production. This polypropylene version finally brings the delightful Eames elephant to your children (and of course you’ll love it too). Choose from five colors, and have fun indoors or out.
