NEW B bench by Rafa-kids

Please welcome our new Rafa-kids members :

 B bench and BB bench. We couldn't wait any longer to show it to you! 

We wanted to create new furniture which would be good to use under our F bunk bed. Fitting exactly between the ladder legs it is creating a new siting/reading possibility for your child. That’s not all of course! Free standing bench can be used by our toddlers in many different ways. Racing, building, lying or rolling…kids love to play on the floor, don't they?  

Imagine it as a table in the middle of a room. Your child can draw on it or use it for other favourite activities. Under the bench there is space to put baskets, boxes or little suitcase.  It is of course easy to sit, and try to put your little shoes on. Or climb it to grab something from above. The bench can be used by older kids too. We see it as a side table next to A90 or A120 teen beds, just perfect to put magazines, books or clothes.

We have two models : with or without the backrest and two lengths of 90cm or 120cm 

and it is possible to use the benches with all of our furniture.

Simple design of this bench, makes this furniture perfect to use from early years into adultness.

We are in the production phase, so the new benches are going to be available in September. 

Makii from Rotterdam

Sometimes  I think: ‘what a small world’ ….especially when I discover local designers and realise they almost walk the same street as I do. It happens to me with Jessica Nielsen and now also with other Rotterdam based, graphic design brand - Makii. Already in 2013 illustrators Idris van Heffen en Mielo Pouwer started their brand called - Makii. Makkelijk in Dutch means - easy, and we often say to our kids , if something doesn’t need to much work,…..ohhhh this is “ makii ”, so I really like the name which is easy to remember. Makii strives to create fresh and creative products for children. Their collection includes large colouring pages, wall stickers, posters and postcards. Few weeks ago we were exited to see our furniture taking part in a photoshoot for their new lookbook. Rafa-kids A teen bed in white and K desk in natural finish were taken and beautifully styled by Cynthia Schrijver  and photographed by Bart Brussee. The final pictures are very summery and fresh, don’t you think ? 

I hope you enjoy your weekend! 

Handmade knitted toys - Lauvely

I absolutely adore this beautiful Spanish brand Lauvely, created by talented Laura Cima… 

“ When Ariadna (  friend's daughter ) was born I gifted her a random toy that became her best friend. It was called Lula and she carried it everywhere. I have always regretted that that toy was not such special as she deserved. Now she has a mermaid named after her and this one is special…”  

Please discover the beautiful new collection of charming and soft knitted toys designed and handmade by Laura. She was inspired by two different universes : the world of the Circus and the stories of mermaids and pirates. The little Gelsomina, the Zampano and Monking, sweet Isadora and cheerful Jack. All the collection is carefully handmade, knitted with 100% lambswool and embroidered one by one.  I’m glad I found Lauvely and that there are such a small brands around us which put so much care and attention to making unique products for our little ones. 

Ask Rafa - Giveaway

Yes, July is here.  We have 3 weeks to go till our Summer break and holiday time for our family…

It is not easy to keep working when the holiday mood is all around and all seams slowing down, 

don’t you feel it ?  I hope you are still here and would like to play with us? 

Let’s have some fun and do a simple Giveaway. 

You can win this cute little pillow called Pantomime from our collection. Our giveaway is worldwide and is very simple to enter. Please visit Rafa-kids Instagram and leave a comment with question for Rafa-kids  #askrafa. If you prefer to comment below this post it is also fine.

Question? Yes. 

Would you like to know something special about Rafa-kids brand ? How we started or what inspires us? Perhaps would you like to know something about me, Agata? A person behind this blog? Well….I’m here for a small interview and will answer all your questions. To thank you for your time and effort I will select 1, 2 or maybe even 3 people to get this little quirky pillow. Good luck!

Petit-Bateau - 120 years

Can you imagine a company which is producing a basic cotton underwear for 120 years? Well, HATS OFF -  here comes French Petit-bateau. Late congratulations to this amazing brand, because in April 2016 they had celebrated their over 100 years in the making of clothes. 

Their production still takes place in Troyes France, the hometown of the company. We have to imagine, that many things changed and evaluated in all this years, an there were up and downs for sure. From an only for children brand, they now serve a truly multigenerational garments for adults, children and babies. Petit-bateau new store concept and identity is taken from bold colours of the brand’s origins – to the pure white of the cotton fabric combined with the midnight blue of the sea. White was put at the heart of all the brand’s communications such as the logo, stores and packaging materials. I absolutely adore their chic aesthetic, using the finest quality cotton to create timeless staples. From the famous yellow raincoat and soft knitwear to classic breton. Petit-bateau. defiantly know how to bring the basic style into so much fun and enjoyment!  

and did you know? “ In 1994, Petit Bateau becomes a fashionable brand thanks to the fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld. Indeed for a fashion show, he dressed the model Claudia Schiffer with a Petit Bateau T-shirt under a Chanel suit. So a lot of women went to the stores to buy these T-shirts originally created for children.

The Live Loud Girl

Blogging can open the doors for possibilities that you never expect. You can even find a dream job of decorating 7 room house in South Arabia…well, this is really happening to Linda right now from The Live Loud Girl blog , who I’m presenting to you today. 

Difficult to imagine that she started blogging only in 2014. This Dutch mom living in exotic Dubai with her family including 2 cute boys is one to follow! She started her blog because she wanted to share her inspiration of home deco, sharing pictures from her own, very bright and open house and this led her to her first interior project…. Well done, don’t you think ? Before I will tell you what I like about her style, let’s give her a voice: 

“ The Live Loud Girl signature look is based on mixing it up. Scandinavia meets Manhattan with a touch of my Dutch roots you could call it. Combining old with new, vintage with IKEA making interior styling accessible and affordable, creating an atmosphere with attitude… “ 

Well , I can only say, I really like the spacious and full of light atmosphere she creates. Also her choices for furniture, light and accessories are unique and often not products you would directly relate with kids, which I always like to see. A fresh air in the kids world. 

Dream house and WOTH

My followers probably remember, that my family is looking for a new place. Our dream was to adopt an old school in Rotterdam and I talked about this here. Unfortunately we were not the lucky ones to get this place but we still keep looking. 

A while ago we had chance to see a very special place in The Hague during Festivaldesignkwartier. I’m still not over this house and could move in there straight away. WOTH – Wonderful Things – creative studio of the former head of Eigen Huis & Interieur and More Than Classic magazines, Mary Hessing. She lives there together with Toon Lauwen and their tree daughters. It is difficult to believe that this enormous space is hidden in the heart of the city.  But it really is! This place was created in a former milk factory and the transformation is absolutely stunning. Of course the house was ‘decorated’ for the design event and became a gallery for few days, but using such a beautiful space on a daily basis is just a dream to me…..

 There is a NEW Design magazine created by Mary Hessing, 

soon to be lunched. You can support the concept and get the first edition here!