Rafa-kids at ACTUS - Tokyo

It took me a long time to write this post, since I didn’t know where to start. 

I have a weakness for Japanese culture since my study time. I never had a chance to visit this amazing country, but I always knew it would come one day….Two years ago we had a special visit from Japan in our Rafa-kids’ studio.  ACTUS is a well known representative interior store in Japan, with 40 locations.  They were one of the first stores which imported Scandinavian furniture to Japan and collaborated with many European furniture brands. Their plan was to expand their collection of children's products and Rafa-kids was invited to take part…. We were very exited! 

The new store with design for children opened it’s doors last month. We could not be more proud to see our Rafa-kids’ beds standing in this fresh ACTUS store. There is no way, that we are not going to see it in real, maybe still this year….we will let you know!

plywood furniture by Rafa-kids

Do you like plywood furniture?  

Rafa-kids’ first furniture set F&R which you see on the picture was introduced 3 years ago. We just resized that since then we’ve never made any new pictures of the set in a natural finish! We focused on the new white wash version and then a dark chocolate one. Then it was time for a new K desk.

Last week, we took our boys to the Rafa-kids’ studio and asked them to play around….3 years ago, our younger son Robert  was just starting to walk and now he climbs the bunk bed!  

You might have the impresion, that our plywood pieces are left raw…no way! All Rafa-kids’ furniture in natural finish is double lacquered to best protect the surface. Not treated plywood will get dirty pretty fast especially with kids using it ( you can imagine the dirty hands all over it, right ? ) Lacquered plywood, stays beautiful and you can just easily clean it with a wet cloth. During the 3 years we’ve improved the assembly and packaging of all our beds, which we are very proud off. High quality details, perfectly shaped edges, invisible connectors - are all the details that make our furniture that more special. We look at them and we still like them a lot and our kids do too! 

…but there is also something new coming to our collection, so please stay with us!  

Shelf with treasuries in children’s rooms

It’s Monday again, so let’s talk more about children’s room deco. 

Today I would like to show you little shelfs in children’s rooms where you can put all the treasures and favourite little objects. My boys love to collect things and they would like to keep them as close as possible. I think their entire room could be made out of open shelfs! Well, one or two is really enough, to expose their favourite toys and books, the rest of belongings should be hidden but easy to reach for play.  Treasuries shelf, can be made from few simple wooden planks or you can buy ready made. My favourite ones are classic string shelf system. I see it very often in children’s rooms since it have a very neutral, simple look. 

Thank you for inspiring pictures : 1 / 2 /3 / 4 / 5 / 6 /  7

Oskar Zieta “ PAKET “

What a nice surprice to see a new design product by Oskar Zienta, with some kids’ dedicated objects! In the design world the name Oskar Zienta rings a bell of innovative design and smart technologies. 

His new “ PAKET” - is a first project made out of wood. In my option, follow by such a strong trend of DIY , the furniture pieces are very easy to personalise , since they are delivered raw, with no finish. You can paint it and decorate it to your personal wishes. PAKET would be ideal for student spaces, homes of young families, or small start-ups….and like you see on the photos also for kids! 

I have to honesty say, that this is not really my favourite aesthetics and I definitely prefer Oscar Zienta more futuristic innovative design. What do you think ? 

LOKAL

Today I’m taking you to inspiring place in Helsinki run by photographer Kaja Hagelstam. 

LOKAL

 is a concept store for independent Finnish art, design and craft with themed exhibitions changing every month. You can find at LOCAL a mix of recognised and up-and-coming artists. It’s not only local, because there is also an online shop for smaller products and selected photographs, including some handmade and/or unique items. Should I say more ? I would love to go to Helsinki ….

EXHIBITION # WOOD

EXHIBITION # PINK

EXHIBITION #24/ MIKÄ MIKÄ 

Rafa-kids pre-teenager boy’s room

My older son is now 8 and a half and I notice that on one hand he is still pretty childish but on the other he would like to be so cool and independent. He would go to bed with his favourite little bear, hang his favourite drawings around him and then only the sophisticated black shirt is an option for a day outfit.  Do you recognise this ? For me it is sort of in between phase of life , which I think can be called - pre-teen.  His room is then also a bit of mix of things from different ages and that’s what we also tried to imagine in our studio. Pre-teenager’s room with Rafa-kids’ black K desk and X stool. You can see his lego boxes, which he absolutely loves, pillows and cuddly, and a bit of messy space, because he doesn’t care so much….

We believe the K desk can be used for many years to come, because it is such a sophisticated furniture piece, for kids of any age. 

Special thanks to Paulina Arcklin for this inspiring day and styling the pictures and to Maike Timmerman, for this beautiful wooden snake / designfuersheim. 

Bohemian Vibe in children’s rooms

Today our Monday’s inspiration for you, is a bit different from what you used to see here. No more perfect mix-match children’s rooms deco.  We go for ‘Boho Vibe’. 

Term ‘Bohemian’ in a modern usage is applied to people who live unconventional, usually artistic lives. Bohemian decorating is very personal and original. Their owners often travel to exotic places around the world, collect original finds and take it back to transform their homes. These spaces are defined with a lot of textiles, colour and art . The style is just perfect to create casual and playful kids’ rooms. Bohemian decoration is made with a lot of creativity, it can be more minimal ( what I prefer) or can be a real explosion off colour and texture. We will spot different furniture , classic designer’s pieces, vintage finds and modern deco.  I’m more than sure that if we would let kids create their own space, they would turn ‘Bohemian’ very fast , since they are little artists themselves. 

I wish you a great week ahed. 

Picture’s are from :  1/2 /3 /4 /5 /6  ( 7- 8 - 9 )