Have you heard of the so-ro cradle? The company showed off their innovative Scandinavian design at the ABC Kids Expo in Louisville last weekend and oh what a beauty it is! Unlike traditional cradles, this contemporary wooden cradle was designed to rock with a forward/backward motion as opposed to the traditional side to side.

The reason for the switch? Ane Lillian Tveit, an occupational therapist who studied neurology, discovered that the forward motion was much more soothing for a baby. This actually makes quite a bit of sense if you think about it, as when we rock our own children it is usually back and forth. For sensitive babies, this type of motion can induce dizziness and discomfort.

There are three levels of elevation at the head of the crib which helps to maintain a unobstructed environment around the baby’s head. It also helps with infants suffering from a cold or stuffy nose. Produced by FPI Baltic in Lithuania, the so-ro cradle is made from plywood Baltic birch and is available in either American walnut or laminated white.

There is a high level of safety with this crib as well as it can only be turned over when one end is lifted.

Celebrities such as Ali Landry, Tori Spelling and Jason Bateman have already picked up cradles for their little ones. Please visit so-ro for more information.

Price: $800 (single) or $1200 (twin)

It is always so interesting to see how designers can take a classic piece of furniture and give it a complete overhaul so that it becomes something completely out of the ordinary. Designer Dripta Roy did just that with the classic baby cradle, turning into a gorgeous piece that is perfect for those who love sleek and modern design.

Roy proclaims on his website, “I like to create ideas that others haven’t thought about.” And with the babyC he has certainly accomplished this! The babyC is made up of polyethylene and walnut, has a spot inside to lay baby to rest and rock to sleep.

I love this futuristic design, but I am not certain that would be super comfy inside for a wee baby. At any rate, along with babyC, Roy has some other adorable decorative items, all which are made in the United Kingdom. You can find the babyC here, and learn more about Roy’s other products here.

What do you think? Would you use the babyC for your little one?

I came across an interesting children’s table yesterday called Eat Play Grow. This design intrigued me right from the moment I laid eyes on it and saw greens peeking up. I love any children’s product that is disguised as a toy that can teach important lessons or concepts. In this case, it will educate your child on what it takes to grow food and they will likely even eat what they grow themselves!

UK-Based designer Ruth Vatcher, designed the Eat Play Grow table with these ideas in mind. She used a gorgeous slab of wood that doubles as a chopping board, a container for potting that will not leak, and a storage area for tools & seeds. This table would be perfect for those who live in apartments or areas where a garden may not be a viable option.

So many people today have no real concept of where their food comes from, and hopefully pieces like this can help to bridge that gap for the newest generation. There are plenty of products out there that can help assist in this task, but the Eat Play Grow table is by far the most innovative product I have seen!

You can learn more about Ruth Vatcher and the Eat Play Grow table here on her personal website.

If you follow our blog on Posterous, you’ll probably recognize this incredible see-through crib we came across while visiting the giggle store on Wooster Street in New York City. Made from Lucite and acrylic, this uber swanky see-through crib is definitely one-of-a-kind!

Nurseryworks, the luxurious modern nursery furniture design company is the brilliant mind behind this exquisite piece. Formerly known as the “Hollis” (named after Charles Hollis Jones, a designer who is actually considered a pioneer in the use of Lucite and acrylic), the crib has recently been renamed “Vetro” – meaning “glass” in Italian.

Designed to fit a standard-sized mattress, this wickedly cool baby cot sells for a cool $3,500, making it one of the more ‘luxurious’ choices on the market. Thanks to the materials used during production, the crib is actually recyclable although for the price I think I would much rather hand it down!

What do you think of the new clear crib look?

Deluxe and luxurious desks are gorgeous, but in my opinion nothing beats the stylish art centers designed in the past. As a mother who homeschools, I seem to be drawn to old-fashioned school desks. I have contemplated many times when presented with an opportunity to purchase one, would a desk like this really accomplish all that I hope it will? Is there enough room? Will it be comfortable?

On the other side, I am always on the lookout for great modern and new table and chair sets, and I think today I may have found the ultimate! The Deluxe Art Center from Guidecraft is a gorgeous piece of furniture and boasts a ton of great features that I love.

First off, there are TWO stools, so you can have two little ones at the same table. The size is rather large at 47″ x 30″, and included with the set is a paper roll holder, canvas storage bins, and a top storage cubbie.

Favorite feature? The paper roll holder which allows you to have a huge sheet of paper work with. Genius!

Visit Bluesky Rocket for details. You can expect to see pricing around $400 for this Deluxe center.

Oh, how I adore this desk! Offering a ton of space for drawings, papers and anything else your child may need to store, this beautiful desk has a cool little groove which has been strategically placed in the desk top so that you can store pens or other trinkets. There is also an opening for computer or lighting cables, so that they remain out of site.

Made from MPLX birch, the desk is available in either pink or yellow and measures 130 x 73 x 73 (cm).

To pre-order, please visit Buisjes En Beaugels +++. You can expect this piece to ship during the 3rd week of August.

Every trip to Costco lands me in the same place, “Mom, I think we should go play on that playground…” That playground is actually a display unit, but I can see a twinkle in my sons eye when he stares up at it, in all of its wooden glory. The price tag is steep, and my husband thinks the novelty will wear off, but I am not so sure.

I am sure however, that my boys would not get sick of one of these CedarWorks playgrounds, which are fit for little Princes and Princesses with their grandeur and beauty.

The Serendipity 7 (see top photo) from the Serendipity series is my favorite by far, and just look how many children you can fit up on the many areas of playground. Clearly this is more appropriate for a school, but it is nice to dream of it in my backyard!

Visit CedarWorks to view the complete line, and contact the company for a quote on pricing. The company also has some more average sized playgrounds as well.

I spotted this lovely dresser a few days ago and knew I had to share it! Aptly called the Training Dresser, this sleek and modern piece sets out to make it easier for your children learn to dress themselves.

The Washington-made dresser, designed by Peter Bristol, is made of maple plywood, ULDF, and most importantly, “Pacific Northwest fresh air.”

I love this piece because it really is a great way for kids to identify where there clothing items are located. Kids do well with visual support, and this dresser is a perfect to help garner some much needed skills as they grow.

For more details on this product visit Peter Bristol’s website.

Source: Babble’s Family Style

Fun, stylish, eco-friendly and oh so clever! These are just a few words I’d use to describe the neat kid-friendly items from Cheme Designs. My favourite? The Sanak-ji Water Table — a truly versatile piece of furniture that’s sure to keep your child’s interest for years to come.

From their cheeky website: “What’s better than a water table?  A water table surrounded by play space.  Will T-rex and Barbie go for a swim OR sit by the pool….your child decides.”

Too funny!

The Sanak-ji comes in four different colour combos — perfect for any decor — and morphs from waterworks to a simple play table (w/ storage) with the ease of a fitted lid! Don’t you just LOVE double duty toys? Your kiddos could even pull up one of their cute stools for a snack or craft time. Brilliant.

Eco-savvy mamas will also be happy to hear that this product has a GreenGaurd certified, Low-VOC, water-based lacquer finish and is made from high quality, furniture grade Baltic Birch plywood. Built with love in the USA and built to last!

Available online for $279.

Not loving the look of kids furniture? I know that the Winnie-the-Pooh couch in my living room is certainly not in line with the rest of my home decor!

Los Angeles-based design team Boom has solved this issue for parents, and has designed Mini Boom, a line of modern, not to mention gorgeous furniture for our children. The line includes a sectional-style sofa, loveseat style sofa, single chair, shelving unit, and a storage box.

I am in love with the microfibre furniture, particularly the Lucy Sectional ($690). The sofa screams comfort, is the perfect height for kids, and could comfortably fit three youngsters at a time. The microfibre makes cleanup simple, no worries about staining, and there are three design forward colours available; Red Rock, Chocolate and Slate Blue.

Another favourite piece is the Measurement Bookshelf ($315), featuring a sliding measuring stick. Cute idea that can save markings on the wall if you are not a fan of keeping track this way. The white shelving unit has 5 shelves, at 18″x18″ each, giving you plenty of room for books and perhaps a few baskets.

If you are in the market for furniture for your playroom/living room, visit Mini Boom‘s site or retailer Bratz In Vogue (some items currently on sale!) to have a look at the complete line.