children room's at thesocialitefamily

A little bicycle in the middle of a living room, collection of tiny shoes in the corridor, a wall display with all the family’s photos….small traces of children’s presence at home.  What a pity I hardly ever see it in the magazines and blogging world. Mostly we have blogs dedicated to interior deco or to kids deco separatelly….I don’t really understand why this two interior styles seem to be separated so often. Thesocialitefamily blog, which I like so much, is a wonderful example that this two worlds belong to each other and can create a real , fascinated modern family houses. Constance Gennari takes us into some unique places : 

“ The Socialite Family offers a new perspective on home design and the lifestyle of contemporary families. Whether in Paris, London, New York or Milan, these families all share their unique vision on how to harmonise family life and interior design.” 

photos credits : Constance Gennari@thesocialitefamily.com

Jane Reiseger drawing for Royal Children’s Hospital

Visiting hospital with our child is one of the experience we wish to avoid. In my architect’s practice, few years ago I was having a chance to work on a transformation of an old children’s hospital into a friendly place for the little patients and their parents. We have had many meetings with the staff, listening their needs and requests. It was very moving experience for me. The final effect wasn’t so spectacular as the Royal Children’s Hospital I’m showing you, but it was simple and colourful too. 

I think it is very important to spread the good examples of how to create such a spaces. Jane Reiseger, an artist from Australia, was working on this project for an entire year! I really adore the world she has created in her drawings, with animals and floral patterns. Children like nature so much and sometimes during a long stay at the hospital, they miss the fresh air and playing outside the most. I wish investors/architects to put effort into creating such a beautiful and children friendly hospital interiors. 

Rafa-kids desk in boy's room - Australia

We were so excited to see this amazing kids’ workspace created by Jacinda Malloy with Rafa-kids’ K desk! Jacinda is an Australian interior designer, sharing her work and inspiration on her website Hidesleep.  This unique room belongs to Benij, who lives with his parents and two twin brothers in Malvern, Victoria. Can you guess what is his favourite color ? of course …Blue. The pin board next to Rafa-kids’ desk gives the space such a fresh splash of colour.  The rug with a strong pattern complets this cosy and modern space. Pin board is custom made by Alandem.  There is more custom made elements in Benij’s room. The hand painted compass on the wall is hand painted by artist Jane Reiseger. Jecinda’s aim was to create a boy’s room with meaningful elements for him. Benij is interested in the world, travel and learning. All the little elements make this space unique and reflect his personality. 

You can read and see all the story of this lovely  room ( and much much more )  in Mintymagazine : 

mintymagazine

photo’s : redrabbitphotography

Les enfants du design magazine - Summer 2015

Rafa-kids is glad to have a long relation with Les Enfants du Design store in France.  We received a first letter from Sophie Edeine (owner of the store) almost 3 years ago, when Rafa-kids was just a few months old brand. We are thankful to receive support from such a beautiful store. During these years there were up and downs -  believe me, but that’s a part of growing together. 

Yesterday I received a link to their new

  “ Les Enfants du Design “ magazine - Summer 2015

and skim through pages with excitement. The “ Les Enfants du Design “  is such a unique place to get inspiration and to shop design objects for our kids.  In the 1st issue of the magazine ( which is now only in French - but in 10 days will be also in English  ) we can meet the lovely family of Sophie and Thomas Edeine and their 3 kids. The room of little April is just so absolutely adorable. I just wished to see their whole house! Interviews , well selected design and contemporary products for kids…with a personal and well curated hand of Sophie. Well done! 

white & soft

Welcome the first day of July! 

Our kids enjoy the warm weather and counting days till school holidays…..we still have one week to go! I've already changed our summer sheets and they are all so beautify WHITE. 

Do you like to sleep in white?

It feels so good and fresh during such a hot days. Rafa-kids has a beautiful linen collection perfect for this season. All the duvets are sold out at the moment but good news is that next week we are expecting a new delivery ! Please also welcome little blue pillow made from linen with cotton. When I saw it for the first time it just brought me into mood of summer days…white and blue are for me the perfect match for this season. ..and the last one - Rafa-kids’ R toddler bed in WHITE. Minimal and sophisticated, we have only few in stock at the moment. 

Let's hope that July will be a magnificent Month! 

on the pictures :  

R toddler bed WHITE

linen duvet cover WHITE / BLUE

linen PILLOW 

basket WHITE

pillow with triangles

natural materials in children’s rooms

Can you imagine child's room without strong colours and accents ? 

What about keeping everything very tonal and natural ... 

Seems like a easy key into succes: keep it simple,  expose rich textures and natural materials. 

Don’t be afraid of experimenting with mix of old and new.

Few days ago, my younger son, who is 4.5  asked me for white bedding and pillows! I couldn’t believe my ears. He said he would like to have all white and fresh. Believe me , he is not watching any trendy magazines or Instagram. This makes me believe that neutral room can be a real hit for a child too.

Thank you for the inspiration :  1/2 -3 /4 /5 - 6 /7

College of 4 products  -  1/ 2 /3 / 4 

House of Orange - kids bedroom

Dark walls, industrial light and accessories and all in girls’ rooms,  

well , when I saw these pictures, I just had to show it to you! 

Photographed by Derek Swalwell with styling made by Rachel Vigor  for an Australian store House of Orange. An interior design store which was started several years ago in a back lane of High St, Armadale’s shopping precinct. The owners Hans and Ursula van Schoonhoven , had a goal to bring all the best qualities of Dutch design into Australia :  

“ ... the edginess, the natural mixing of old and new, and good form and function . “ 

Lloyd Industrials Rotterdam

Last week we bought two amazing lamps for our house. Yes, I am very proud of our new treasures… For the last four years I had to look at the hanging light bulb above my working space and in our library … but, you know, after having second child we had a bit different priorities. Now we are slowly getting back on track, fixing small things in the house that we never had time for before. It makes me very happy….

Coming back to these amazing industrial lamps. We got them from Lloyd Industrials, a starting business from our neighbourhood.  We both have our studio in the Hofbogen Rotterdam. All the lamps are coming from a factory in France and are brought back into their glory by hand. All the hard work is made with respect for details and high quality of the original, industrial design. Co-founder René has such a pasion and enthusiasm for his work, that taking these lamps to our house was definitely made with no doubts.