We were so happy to happen upon the collection of rugs by Nanimarquina. First of all, there are lots and lots of choices. Second, we couldn't find one that we didn't like. So much beautiful variation in patterns, shapes, colors and textures. And they all look so soft and cozy--maybe they'll inspire our kids to cuddle up for a nap.
Every kid knows that when it comes to drawing, the walls, tempting as they may be, are a big no-no. That is, until now...
Thanks to the brilliant Mini Moderns Colour-Me wallpaper from London-based design group Absolute Zero Degrees, the walls are no longer off limits. The paper, from sustained and certified forests, is designed to be colored in once on the walls. Your budding artists get the ultimate canvas for their creative outlets, and you get extremely cool, one-of-a-kind, wallpaper.
Spotted on Print & Pattern
Now that summer is in full swing, child-friendly fans are on our minds. We love this whymsical FlowerPower Floor Fan by Heckhausen + Zetsche. It has a powerful yet extremely quiet motor with an built-in safety switch that cuts the power if little fingers can't resist touching the soft foam blades. There's also a desk version in black.
First inspired by New York City's flower market, the designers of Trove consistently crank out beautiful lifelike wallpaper designs--all using non-toxic coatings and archival inks said to last 140 years. Our favorites are the fantastical Azha (above) and Hitchcock-esque Indi (below). Check out other color options for these and all of the designs here.
Inspired by the Argentinean cowboys, designer Tanja Schoeller's interpretation of a gaucho-style seat features a purist design consisting of two interlocking arches of different woods (nut, cherry, african zebrano, maple, olive ash, or beech) providing for a bouncy yet stable seating. Gaucho (being manufactured by Germany based Rebman) is not only an eye-catcher for every living room or kids room but also the cure for back problems: the upright seating position strengthens thighs and torso.
Certain cities instill great pride among their citizens. A pride so strong that even if those citizens move away--for luxuries like a back yard, a parking space and wide-aisled grocery stores--they wish they could keep a bit of the city with them. Something to remind them of all those interesting people in all those interesting neighborhoods stuffed together doing interesting things.
If you have lived in or loved just such a city, then we've got the perfect posters to share with you.
Made by Ork. Printed on recycled paper. And sold for very reasonable prices. Available cities: Boston, Brooklyn, Chicago, Los Angeles, Manhattan and San Francisco. Coming soon: Portland, Seattle, Toronto and Washington D.C.
Thanks to reader Theresa of Citrus for the link.
Unleash your kid's inner architect with this Adjustable Dollhouse. The five hinged wooden walls may be rearranged to reconfigure the design of the house, really putting the child's imagination into play. See your child create one big room or five separate areas. And what we love best, is that it folds flat for easy storage. A wonderful reimagining of the traditional wooden dollhouse.
Or see how to easily create your own dollhouse that folds flat.
Inspired by our other reader submissions, Jennifer Kirk of Ventura, California, created this nook for her son, Kai. We love all of the critters in it to keep him company during story time.
And if you missed them before, check out these nooks in our editors' homes. And keep the pictures coming--send them to us here.
We fell in love with these molded P.U. Elefants at first sight. Designed by dutch Richard Hutten, they can be used as a decorative object or seat. As if this wasn't enough to win us over, they are also available as a light. Now the only question is, should we put it in the kids' room or living room?
One of our favorites at this year's International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) here in NYC was 'Das Paket' by Offi (not on their website yet...but stay tuned). Srdjan Simic is the designer of this ingenious collapsable table and chair system. 'Das Paket' will be available in mid August in the U.S., Europe and Japan in white, dark grey, and orange. We can't wait!
This super minimalist home featured in New York Magazine is completely mesmerizing. Jon and Shiryln Hsu built this masterpiece for their family (which includes 2-year-old Lindsey and 4-year-old Dilynne, below) in a Queens neighborhood full of traditional homes. Despite two audits from the Department of Buildings and picketing from the local homeowners' association, they pressed on to create their dream home. See the complete house tour here. 
It's no surprise that we're big fans of DwellStudio's gorgeous graphic patterns--and the company keeps finding new ways to partner with others to find more ways to bring its signature style into your home. Yesterday DwellStudio teamed up with The Shade Store in order to create these incredible window treatments. Whether you're in the market for drapes, Roman shades, or roller shades, they've got you covered. (Prices start around $200.) 
And don't forget to check out our "Now You See It, Now You Don't" storage contest finalists. Vote for your favorite, and you could win a $900 DwellStudio gift card!
Chardia Budiman of Germany based Kokokaka is the force behind these tactile animal shaped playmats. They come in shape of an octopus, bear and cat. All of them have removable velcro elements that allow room for play. They measure 39"x39" and are washable. Who said playmats need to be in primary colors?
Spring fever giving you the urge to redecorate? Our market editor, Meryl Levin, offers this piece of advice for anyone needing design inspiration: "One amazing focal point is often all you need to pull it all together. These three chairs can work in just about any room--bedroom, living room, foyer, even nursery--and need little else around them to make a room look finished."
Holden chair, $795, Mitchell Gold+Bob Williams
Kendall Bobbin chair, from $704, Martha Stewart for Bernhardt
Beau Hall Chair, $686, Baker Furniture for retailers
Woodland Veneer Back Chair, $2,749, Palecek for retailers
Click here for more of Meryl's decorating tips.
Our friends over at Design*Sponge are always digging up gems, and this time they've gathered 37 of their favorite fun patterned rugs. The three above are from Bev Hisey--see the full post for all of the gorgeous floor coverings.
A chic lounge chair can make a living room or bedroom. These two cradle you like a hand (but blissfully don't look like those chairs actually shaped like hands) and one is 10 times (!) cheaper than the other.
Splurge: Mute chair, $3,150, Council Design
Upholstered in 100% wool and available in charcoal, white, blue, and red.
Steal: Tirup swivel armchair, $299, IKEA
Choose from cotton (in yellow or white) or leather upholstery (in white, black, or lilac) for $349.
Green Lullaby managed to redefine what we consider a 'cardboard storage box'. Multi-Box is a 3 in 1 combination of storage box, a child's seat, and a learning tool made entirely of corrugated cardboard. Although designed for kids, the box seat can carry as much as 220 pounds. Multi-Box can be used to teach your child about shapes, numbers, and letters. It is completely recyclable, made mostly of recycled material and protected by a green and non-toxic fire retardant. We're smitten.
We've long been fans of wall decals. They're playful, cheap and a million times easier than wallpaper (just peel and stick!). So we were thrilled to discover the adorable designs of mother-and-daughter team Elly Nelly. Our favorites are the cheery Walk This Way and the newly released Safari. And say your little guys are begging for a puppy? Here's a compromise...
Okay, we realize this makes us sound like giant nerds, but we tend to get excited about advancements in the dry erase world. (Like this fridge we found earlier.) And we love these colored Chatboards from SUITE New York. Available in pretty much any color you could imagine, the boards are also magnetic. As all the to-do and reminder lists grow by the day, it's nice to have something this pretty to keep things organized.
If you think keeping a modern home is hard with a kid, pets certainly don't make it any easier. It's hard to hide the ratty cushion they sleep on. This is why we love Hepper pet beds. They're comfy for them (made of molded foam and lined with sherpa fleece or micro-suede), and they're definitely easy on the eyes. The designs hold cats and dogs up to 50 pounds. You'd assume these beauts were Scandinavian-made, but the company is based in Burlington, Vermont!
Wave bed, $85
Pod bed, $155
Nest bed, $95
Every mom knows the virtues of melamine--it's durable, it's easy to clean, and it's cheap enough to buy in bulk. We've gathered the newest, most creative, stylish melamine plates. Not only are they fantastic for your upcoming outdoor dining, whatever your kids toss at 'em, these plates can handle it.
Clockwise from top left:
Melamine Paper salad plate, $1.25, Pier 1 imports for stores
A clever nod to the ubiquitous paper plate, this cute version will dress up any outdoor fete.
Poketo Middletons melamine plate, $40 for a set of 4, Poketo + Marco Cibola
Add a little whimsy into your dinnertime routine with this abstract pattern.
Custom melamine plate, $15, Freddy & Ma
Cater to your taste for design by customizing your plates from a selection
of about 400 cool, vintage styles.
Melamine salad plate, $10, Smith & Hawken
The
scalloped edges and dainty dots make it look like fine china, but it’s
just as sturdy as your kid’s favorite Spongebob plate.
Sea Life dinner plate, $36,Thomas Paul, Velocity Art and Design
Choose from lobsters, seahorses, goldfish, crabs, and more, and pretend you're dining oceanside.
Photography by Philip Ficks
Scullcave is not your usual play hut. Made of lightweight durable sensaten, a material used as isolation when laying the foundation of cemented roads, it's easy to unscrew and roll up with just a few simple steps. This funky looking play hut will sure make a bold statement in your child's room--and will probably make him the envy of all his friends.
Last week we showed you Cynthia Rowley's cute backyard accessories for Target, but the colorful new outdoor living collection from The Conran Shop is making us even more eager for summer. Bring on the mojitos!
Cambi Table in Orange by Aldo Ciabatti, $495
Luxembourg Bar Cart in Apple Green by Frederic Sofia, $595
Casanova Sunlounger in Emerald, $425
Lizz Chair in Red, $285
We're big fans of Target over here, and we are so excited for the arrival of their Whim by Cynthia Rowley summer collection. Starting Sunday and through June 27, you can glam up your backyard at incredibly reasonable prices. (Who would of thought an inflatable pool could be such a style statement?) Here are some of our favorites from the line, which includes everything from a cute turquoise mini grill to a hot pink hose.
Madras Plaid inflatable pool, $10
Badminton set, $13
Blue/Green hooded towel, $10
"I'm decorating my nursery (due in August!), and I'm stumped about the rug. I want something pretty graphic and modern because I'm going with very simple furniture. This is where I want to bring in a ton of color--but I don't want it to look too grown up. Do you have any recommendations?" --Melissa Taylor, Tacoma, Washington
Oooh, a fantastic question! And luckily, we have the perfect source for you. Avalisa's modern rugs are super soft because they're made from hand-tufted New Zealand wool, but they're still durable enough to handle kid wear and tear. (They're specifically designed for kids.) And the patterns are graphic, colorful, and gorgeous. And while you're at the nursery decorating, check out our Home Market Editor's foolproof step-by-step guide.
Looking for the perfect little reading light for your kid's room? Consider this adorable Dragon Lamp by Haba. Fortunately this dragon doesn't spit fire, but emits a lot of light. Its flexible neck makes any bedtime reading position possible.
With spring comes the redecorating bug, but instead of cleaning out your wallet with the rest of the house, we suggest investing in versatile accent pillows. Like the flowers that bloom in your garden, strategically placed pillows will pop and transform any space. 
SOL throw pillow, $86, Porridge
Add character to your armchair with an abstract work of art--one cheaper and more durable than a Mondrian.
Fleur Pillow in Sage, $75, Henry Road
The informal shade of green balances the regal fleurs-de-lis. Try mixing this print with some
monochromatic pillows for a powerful statement.
Aspen Pillow, $175, Shokay
Like the for-all-occasions sweater this pillow resembles, this beautiful green number can go with (or on) everything.
Turn up the volume in an otherwise plain room. Studs complement the loud colors and shapes.
La Rue Solid in Persimmon/Lamb, $195, LoooLo, 2modern
Texture packs the punch on this 100% organic wool pillow with leaf-like embellishments.
Infinity Cable Pillow, $175, Shokay
This bold pillow is made from environmentally friendly yak wool, which feels a lot like cashmere.
Small polka dots in earth tones are fun enough for a kid's corner yet muted enough for the master bedroom.
Medallion pillow, $98, K Studio
This pillow is made of sustainable hemp, and has concentric star shapes that will add a bit of sparkle to your living room
couch.
Radial Bloom Pillow, $120, Three Sheets 2 the Wind (available May 1)
The delicate lines on
this pillow are hand printed, and the size allows it to double
as improvised seating.
Photography by Philip Ficks
From top to bottom:
Napkin Catch placemat, Josh Jackus, $19
The napkin holder is cut right out of the recycled-tire rubber mat. (Also available in aqua, black, cream, grey, and orange.)
Monster placemat, Modern-Twist, Uncommon Goods $15
This graphic beaut is made of nontoxic silicone (the design is silk-screened on). It'll stay put on the table and can even handle ballpoint pen scribbles.
Sticks Print placemat, Sandy Chilewich, MoMA Store, $15
The playful design on these woven vinyl placemats is hand-printed silk screen. They also wipe clean. (Also available in green.)
Photography by Philip Ficks
Here at Cookie, we're huge fans of Apartment 48, the lovely, whimsical home shop in Manhattan. While stopping by last week, we spotted this amazing lamp by California-based Roost. Although it's not cheap ($348 to be exact), the glass bottom can be filled with whatever you want. Pictured here are an assortment of branches and stones, but we can imagine it filled with balloons for a birthday party, family polaroids for a bedroom, inflatable globes for a nursery, inspiration clippings for a home office...the ideas are endless!
(To order, call Apartment 48 at 212-807-1391.)
Please meet Renee, the large woven giraffe. If you'd like to adopt some of her siblings, we found some really tall ones (66"H) over in the UK. And some smaller ones here in the US (30"/40"H). You probably need some more members of your family, right?
Dana Brandwein Oates actually did what we all dream about--leaving a high-stress corporate city job and moving to Connecticut to take up pottery. Turns out she had quite the knack for it, and now she churns out tons of gorgeous handmade bowls, plates, vases, even lamps from her home studio. All of them are slightly unique, and any one makes an amazing gift. Here are a few of our favorites:
This seaglass/snow glazed plantlife soap dish is paired with handmade soap wrapped in gorgeous paper from Soap & Paper Factory. $45
Truly elegant, the Esther lamp is painstakingly made out of handcrafted porcelain and walnut. (Each is made to order.) $450
Dana's pup, Rueben, was her muse for these adorable Dogface cereal bowls. $28 for a set of two
We're loving the new gorgeous all-birch crib from Oeuf. The New York-based company is one of our favorites for modern eco-friendly kids' furnishings and clothing, and this easy-to-assemble beaut comes with a conversion kit to transform it into a toddler bed. And it's just $690.
Wouldn't this look great with one of these all-natural crib bedding sets?
