This modern Flensted mobile is so calming, it would put any baby in the mood for bedtime. The proud owner is Sweden-based artist Elisabeth Dunker, of Cookie house tour fame. And since we're on the subject, here are few other additions to her lovely home since our house tour. (We have to admit, these photos kind of make us want to move to Sweden....how about a Swedish Cookie?)

Here's part five of our Great Nursery Art Round-Up. For little dudes, the day begins, middles and ends in the nursery. It makes sense that a child's vision of the world is shaped by that bedroom--and the blankets, mobiles and artwork inside it. Thankfully, etsy offers photographs, paintings and drawings that will inspire little minds and paint a lovely picture of the world outside.

Barely Tangible, $15.

A Bit of Paris, $20.

Map Collage Hand, $20.

Family Sweet Family, $20.

Red, $17.50.

Here's one way to ensure that your kid's high chair will grow with him. Saw off the legs as he gets older. Designed by Maartje Steenkamp, the Droog High Chair comes 57" tall with equally spaced sawing guidelines and a small saw for you to change it as the years go by. Pretty straightforward, eh?

See our high-chair road test here.

"I loved the beautiful terrarium story in your Oct./Nov. 07 issue, but I'm wondering if you might know of an all-in-one ecosphere I can buy for my son's room--one that's more educational than decorative. He's completely obsessed with biology." --Samantha Cosler, Grants Pass, Oregon

Believe it or not, you can find exactly what you're looking for at Brookstone. Yes, the purveyors of personal massage wands and various other gadgets also sells four different-sized self-sufficient beautiful and fascinating worlds from EcoSphere. Each contains seawater, red shrimp, algae, and microbes. Kids will love watching the little shrimp swim around, and the best part is, you don't have to do anything to keep things running. (Just avoid extreme temperature changes.)

Somehow we missed this amazing bathroom when Ohdeedoh showcased it the first time around. (They're currently running through the best posts of the year, and we're honored that our Kids' Eye Kitchen is part of their favorite ideas in March.) Anyway, Jeanine covered the walls of this half bath in chalkboard paint, and as potty-training incentive, they wrote something on the wall every time he went, you know, in the toilet. There are reminders to wash hands and quotes from him. Bathroom graffiti worth reading...an excellent idea.

Here's part four of our Great Nursery Art Round-Up. Not to turn this blog into a total etsy love-fest, but I have to tell a little story. Last year, I wanted to do an etsy art round-up, but there wasn't enough strong art to complete a full post. But today, there's so much incredible art on etsy, that even after narrowing down my list for an hour, there was still too much for just one post. So, my fellow art-lovers, here is one etsy round-up, and this Friday, there will be a second! Just think of all those well-curated nurseries....

2 Zebras, $48.

Bicycle, $20.

Animal Equation, $20.

Paper Deer, $20.

Head Not There, $20.

Remember the fabulous home of Dutch designer Esther Veereschild? (See the full home tour here.) Well, she just made this incredible rug from her embroidery collection. What an engaging splash of art and color in the otherwise white living room. We love this, Esther!

Love this idea! A modern update on of the embroidered monogram, stitch your child's initials using 9-hole buttons from Charles & Marie. It's so easy, and any of the 26 letters are possible. (They would also be incredibly cute on backpacks or pillows.)

Roebuck Studio, which consists of husband-and-wife design team Kate and Barret Roebuck, is selling its line of modern--and yet still cute--kids' furniture through Mahar Drygoods. Crafted in Michigan, the pieces are made out of materials (birch plywood and nontoxic paint) from local distributors. Of the five easy-to-assemble slot design pieces in the collection, the Chick chair (above) and Trillium rocker (below) are our favorites.

"Every holiday I throw a party and have to break out my ugly chafing dish. Do you know of any that actually look nice on a buffet?" --Melissa Wolfe, Tacoma, WA

The smartly designed Cucina is head-and-shoulders above the old-school catering-style dishes.

Out of all the classic pieces, this Sur La Table one is our favorite.

Vintage and unique, 1950.com has a limited supply of these great antique styles.

Graca Paz, her husband and their three sons live in close quarters--in fact, their house in Portugal has only a few small rooms. But Graca decorates with such bright colors that the rooms pack a punch. "I'm passionate about how color plays with mood," she explains, and, we must admit, it's hard to imagine feeling crabby in her green kitchen, blue bathroom or pink terrace. "Not everybody likes this type of house," she says, "but 80 percent simply loves."

Tell us about your family. We have three boys--all eight years apart, but not on purpose! Coxi, 19, is studying fashion, the love of his life. He always said he'd be a fashion designer one day. Sebastian, 12, draws spectacularly and admires his old brother. Antonio is three. His favorite thing is to be with Sebastian.

Did you always have such a colorful home? A few years after I got married, I looked at my white house and decided it was time for a change. I painted the walls a Portuguese yellow. The impact was strong. My paintings looked transformed; I felt much happier. It was fantastic!

So you're a yellow fan? My life has stages of color: I had my yellow stage, now I'm in my pink stage. (I'm lucky to have a husband who loves my stages!) After this, I'm going to live in the countryside and do greens...

What a great use of fabric on the cupboard doors. Fabric paneling helps block the dust in the open cupboards, and I love mixing patterns in a room.

The green kitchen is gorgeous, too. Do you think a love of vibrant color is part of Portuguese culture? We have a strong tradition with color. We have the dresses of Viana do Castelo, the blue-and-white houses of Alentejo and the bright fishing boats of Nazare. Lisbon is yellow and pink.

What's it like to raise a family in Portugal? We live in Porto, a quiet northern city with well-preserved traditions. But raising kids here is, I think, quite limited because Portugal isn't very open-minded, like Denmark, Sweden or France. We miss a lot--like a Tate Modern museum where we can go constantly without getting bored.

How did you approach the decor in the boys' bathroom? The striped carpet is the unifying point. My house has lots of color and furniture but the carpets are the same in every room.

What's your favorite part of the house? My bedroom, which has a huge terrace and great view. I painted it strawberry, which makes it cozy. My husband built a fantastic wooden bed with so much personality. It's tall because I like to clean underneath easily. This is also Antonio's room, but he has his own corner.

How do your boys feel about all the color? Color is the first thing they see when they open their eyes. Color grew up with them and is part of them. Sebastian likes green; Coxi loves grey. Antonio always says our pink house is beautiful.

Do you think they would have turned out differently if they hadn't grown up around so much color? Yes. Depending on the colors you use, the ambiance will be cozy or happy or fresh or cold. In cities with great criminality, the jails paint the cells pink to make prisoners quieter. Plus, if you live in an artistic family, you have 90 percent of the ability to become one.

This bench is beautiful. Funny story: A boat had an accident near our house and dumped tons of wood onto the beach. People went crazy taking the wooden boards; my husband went to the beach with our dog and got some. The wood is well sanded and full of sea life.

You have a lovely, confident approach. What advice would you give new decorators? Never buy a complete set of bedroom furniture, never! I hate furniture sets where the bed combines with the wardrobe and table, and the curtains have the same flower as the bed pillows. Ahh... Things must start slowly so your house can grow with you.

For more, visit Graca's flickr site, etsy shop and website.

We've all seen those ironic deer heads made of porcelain and wood, but cardboard? Yes, now even cardboard. The Cardboard Safari puzzles are laser-cut for a perfect fit and assemble by slot (don't worry, there are detailed instructions). Each puzzle comes in three sizes--the medium one is best if you want to turn this into a kids' craft idea for a wintry night in.

Another year has passed and those little faces are looking more adorable--and grown-up--than ever. It's time to show off those noses and eyelashes!

Remember the family silhouettes by DIY-genius Stephanie Nielson? Follow her instructions to make your own...

Feeling craft-adverse? Send artist Karl Johnson photos and he'll create silhouettes for you, $25/each.

Or maybe you'd rather wear the little likeness? Order a custom pendant in a vintage ring, $48.

Incredibly brilliant and highly appropriate during this entertaining season, the Xpand table will grow to accommodate extra dinner guests (a good 20 extra inches) simply by being pulled on one side. The secret is the middle section of thin strips of wood latticed together that becomes looser--yet still sturdy--as the table expands. Choose from seven different colors and three different sizes. Buy the table in the U.S. through Maximilian Fine Furniture.

Isn't it amazing how a string of sparkling lights (or, say, an enormous batch of sugar cookies) can instantly make a house feel festive? As you gather together decorations, check out the handmade wares from Swiss letterpress studio Letteria. The red-and-white combo is so chic, and we love those kissing reindeer!

Who wouldn't want a nursery like this one, designed by ducduc in Southport, Connecticut? The theme of the showhouse was "For The Wonder of the Earth," which you can see through nature-inspired wallpaper, wall hangings, and even the little mobile. The crib and credenza are both from ducduc's Cabana collection.

Etsy, the market for handmade goods, is the best place to find....well, pretty much everything. Apart from coasters, toys and a market bag in which to carry everything, we've been loving the clothing for moms and kids. So, this week, we did a round-up of Etsy fashion. See it here.

Before you buy the valu-pak of holiday-themed wrapping paper this season, consider the shelf life. (Glittery snowmen in June?) Here are a few long-lasting and gorgeous options (from left to right).

Personalized gift wrap, Erin Condren, $95 for 10 sheets

Snow & Graham Snowberries, Luxe Paperie, $2.75 per sheet

Superdeluxe monogram wrapping paper (choose any letter), Bradbury Lewis, 212-260-8300, $10 per sheet

Dot Collage, Lineweaver, $6 for 2 sheets

Sprinkles, Peculiar Press, Broadway Paper, $3.50 per sheet

Blue Geese, Joy by Mel Lim, $3.80 per sheet

Photograph by Philip Ficks

1. set of 3 bubble bags, $6
2. poo pooing snowman, $6
3. heidi hairclips from haba, two for $4
4. bananagram, $16
5. monster socks, $8
6. two tiny stencils, $7
7. critter luggage tags, $3 each
8. snowman in a box, $14
9. toothfairy pillow, $21
10. 52 alternatives to tv cards, $7
11. karlos cook bear mitts  from haba, $16
12. boo boo gel packs, $3 each

See more great stocking stuffers for the whole family here.

We love this Etsy gem for two reasons: 1) It's equal parts candy and sculpture, and 2) It forces you to eat sweets in small portions as you have to wait for the jellybeans to Plinko their way down the chute. And if you're wrapped up in the anti-plastic toy movement, the seller, stumppondtoy, has a smattering of other great wooden pieces for kids.

Designer Eric Pfeiffer (who formerly worked bent-wood magic at modern furniture company Offi) has launched 10 Grain, his own line of cool kids accessories and playthings--and just in time for holiday splurges. Of the eight products introduced this fall, our favorites are the Log Rocker (above, $215) and Uroll (below, $175).

Both designs re-imagine classic toy concepts, and balance modern styling with lots of actual fun. Pfeiffer has partnered with Paul Smith to create a few fun patterned panels, but solid-colored panels are also available.

Rumor has it spring will bring more clever pieces for kids, as well as a spin-off collection for grown-ups, so stay tuned.

Melbourne, Australia, is regularly named one of the "World's Most Livable Cities." So we decided to check in with Lea, who lives there with her husband, her young son and, come 2008, a new baby. "We live right by the city and sea," she tells us, "so we can raise our kids in a cultural center and play at the beach." The family's home reflects this love of both the indoor and outdoor--just check out their amazing greenhouse! Let's look inside....

You're expecting? In early 2008; sex as yet undetermined. Names are very much part of lounge-room conversation...

How are you narrowing down names? I like names that are 'normal', yet not in 'the top 10' of popularity. You only have to look at all the famous "Jennifers" around these days to figure out the number-one name of the early 70's.

What does your son like best about his room? The bunting I made. He calls it "Party Flags." I guess everyday is a party for a 3-year-old! The bed is from Capt'n Snooze, and the bedspread is from Ezibuy.

What's in the black-and-white photos? I bought them from a street vendor in New York. We buy prints from every city we visit as a reminder of our stay.

Did Callan help decorate? No, thank goodness! But he came in often to say "WOW" and be encouraging, which was nice.

What does he like to do? I love catching him on the bed, reading from memory, and using all the different voices and expressions. Favorites include the Hairy McClary series, Charlie & Lola, Dr. Seuss and Monsters, Inc.

Does he ever get scared at night? No, although he pretends to. If he wants to sleep in mummy and daddy's room, he'll tell us there are "roars" (his word for monsters) under the bed. He's very transparent, but we don't mind his snuggling in with us every once in a while...

This nursery is stunning!
This room is for our second baby. We don't know if we're having a boy or girl, so a gender-neutral environment is essential. If the baby is a girl, flowering blossoms can be added to the tree mural, and perhaps monkeys for a boy. The mobile and most of the furniture are from IKEA. The bedding is from Target.

What inspired you as you decorated? Flickr, as well as a love of trees for as long as I can remember. Trees are beautiful, calming things, and babies love to lie under them, or by a window and watch them flutter, move and breathe. It can keep them captivated for hours. The thought made me happy.

That's so lovely. How did you create the "baby" letters on the wall? I made the word out of flexible decorative reeds (which are usually arranged in vases) and secured them at specific points with florist's wire. The tree and leaves are made of paper stock. I drew the pattern freehand.

How do you use the giant pillows on the floor? They're great for breastfeeding, reading, relaxing and playing. My son used to curl up on them for naps. They're my alternative to a breastfeeding chair, which always seem to give me a crick in the neck!

Was there anything you bought that you ended up not needing? When we had our son, we were living in a one-bedroom cottage from the 1800's, so there wasn't room for gigantic furniture and bits and pieces. We vetoed items some new parents find neccessary, such as a changing table and rocking chair. I never missed them. You can change a nappy on a bed or on a mat on the floor--in fact, I find it easier!

I love this area for blow-drying your hair. Why not use the bathroom?
This house was built in the 1930's, and there are no electrical outlets in the original bathroom! Instead, I use this room, which also serves as a space to stick up magazine pages, try paint samples on the walls, and hang my son's artwork. I love this room and will miss its quirkiness when it's transformed into a real bathroom.

Why did you hang this particular magazine page?
I love the picture of happy children running in the garden. I hope to recreate the lush style in my front garden. Instead of keeping magazine clips in folders, I like to have ideas out in front of me.

As a busy mom, is there any makeup you swear by? Banana Boat Aloe Vera gel. It's supposed to be for sunburn, but I use it under makeup as a moisturizer. I love its clean, non-greasy finish, and it doubles for 'healing/cooling' on scraped knees and cut fingers. Also, lip gloss--without cloying strawberry/vanilla smells. Why do they do that with adult makeup?

Can you tell us about your amazing greenhouse? It came with the house and appears to have been made from "scraps." Some panels are old shower screens, others are old Art Deco doors...

What do you grow? Mainly herbs, succulents and easy-grow vegetables or flowers for Callan to look after.

So Callan helps you garden? Callan loves gardening, and thinks everything smells wonderful (even weeds that smell like pee! ). I'm trying to teach him to be more discerning...

That's hilarious.
He also loves checking the fruit trees daily to see if the fruit have grown. He's basically a happy kid who finds delight in the everyday.

What advice would you give new decorators? Think organically: Look to ebay, friends, thrift stores, chain stores, antique stores, old, new. Mix and match and build your own 'look' from things you love. You'll be surprised what a lick of paint can do to an ugly hand-me-down.

Any decorating fantasies for the future? Oh, yes! This house is our "ten-year project." Down the track, we might add an upstairs extention, throw the kids up there and turn their current rooms into a study and kitchen. There are always projects here--it's fabulous to always be planning and dreaming of the future! I love evolution and revolution!

See more photos on Lea's flickr site.

Looking for something understated and elegant to send to everyone on your keep-in-touch list no matter which holiday they celebrate? Here are a few of our favorites (clockwise from top).

Button Flower, Night Owl Paper Goods, $24 for six

New Year, Set Editions, $16 for eight

Penguins, Foxy & Winston, $24 for six

Let It Snow, Binth, $18 for six

Peace No. 17, Pancake & Franks, $6

And if you're scrambling to get pictures of your kids out by Christmas, check out the best online photo card services.

Photograph by Philip Ficks

We've long been fans of The Red Balloon, the movie starring Pascal, a Parisian boy who loves his big red balloon. So we brought together all the ways you can revel in the twosome's adventures.

The hardcover book with beautiful big film stills, $16.95. Apart from the joy of reading it, the book would look so lovely on a child's shelf.

The artist Francesca Iannaccone's three-page wooden book, $60, with collages using photographs and colorful dots. (Read about the making of the book here.)

And, best of all, a big red balloon, $5.

Several of you have asked where you can buy the adorable puppets we photographed behind Oeuf's puppet stage on our Editors' Picks page in our December/January issue. These guys are made by DwellStudio and are just $21 each. Did someone say gift idea?

You may have seen her at a cocktail party, or passed her on the Barney's escalator, or maybe she was on the co-op board of a building you desperately wanted to live in, but whatever your acquaintance, Fifi Lapin is the world's most fabulous bunny.

Fifi's hilarious blog sheds light on her spoiled upbringing (her father struck it rich with carrot stocks), but she tells her fans: "Some people think I'm just a socialite but there is more to me than just an extremely stylish clotheshorse."

Luckily for us, this gorgeous bunny sells drawings of herself wearing the season's top styles, from Dior to Diane von Furstenberg. The etsy prints, $25 to $45, would fit well in any young fashionista's nursery. We just wish we'd had this kind of style inspiration while growing up...

Fifi wears Carolina Herrera:

Fifi wears Christian Dior:

Fifi wears Pucci:

"I'm tired of giving people lame hostess gifts at holiday parties, but I don't know where to go to find something unique. Any ideas?" -- Kris Willchote, Atlanta

Here are some of our favorite upgrades on the classics.

An import from France, these Cote Bastide candles are elegantly wrapped in wax paper in bundles of seven or twelve.

Mix and match Quel Objet tea towel designs to create a custom box.

These beautiful Seacloth reversible coasters are patterned on one side and solid on the other.

Pottery Barn's softly scented monogrammed soaps are made from vegetable-based ingredients.

Zwaggle is an online community that helps members swap no longer needed furniture, baby gear, and more. Instead of cash, you earn and spend "zoints."

Here's how it works: I no longer need our changing table. I sign up on the site and list the item. Zwaggle sets the value for me, and determines my table is worth 230 zoints. Now another needy zwaggler can "buy" the table and give me zoints that I can use to get something of equal value or simply save for a more valuable item in the future.

Ready, set, declutter!