Ideas how to use bench in your home.

Trip to Copenhagen and Høst

I’m just back from a little trip to Copenhagen where Rafa-kids furniture were presented at CIFFkids fair on the Fabelab stand. Any excuse is good to visit this beautiful city. It was such a fresh and cold weather and I managed to look around the center and step by some stores and coffee bars. One of my ‘must see’ visits this time was famous Høst Restaurant designed by Norm Architects. 

It is already 4 years old, and won many international design awards…but well, I wanted to see it myself. What I like the most is the combination of the imperfect materials like recycled wood, aged concrete, steel, next to some warm wool of the blankets, greenery and delicate modern light. The old wooden ceiling and the not perfect walls, give such a relaxed and cosy atmosphere. The neighbourhood is also nice with a big park, food markets and plenty of space to breath. Probably even more beautiful during warm days, when you can sit outside. I will be back! 

Photos from Norm Architects website / Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen

Sloane’s modern room

Today I would like to invite you to discover a little girl’s room in Utah, US. Her name is Sloane and she turned 4 few months ago. Her mom’s name is Becky Kimball , happy mama of tree, lifestyle photographer and an occasional blogger. As you can see , she has an aye for a sleek modern furniture designs. Rafa-kids F bunk bed took a central role in the space with very cool accessories and smaller furniture around.  A perfect contemporary clean look of a child’a space! We really like the contrasting green rug, different textures and colours together. If you have a smaller room and limited space a loft bed will create an extra space underneath to play. We are so happy to see this little brave girl climbing her new bed and taking the adventure to sleep so high. That’s so cool, isn’t it? 

We are glad to see this modern room featured in the Littlepeanutmagazine winter issue. 

Slow House

During our visit in Tokyo, we had a chance to discover few of ACTUS stores. 

Ouur by Kinfolk was hosted in one of them, which was so nice to see personally. 

If you are not familiar with Ouur, it is lifestyle publisher and agency creating print and digital media for young creative audience. Under theIR roof you can find Kinfolk. A slow lifestyle magazine which explores ways for readers to simplify their lives, cultivate community and spend more time with their friends and family.It is all about homemade, handmade, the craft-made and the self-made.  The idea of creating a product that satisfies a particular use or user rather than the global population, is very close to Rafa-kids concept too.  

ACTUS also hosted in 2016 collaboration with one of my favourite designers Cecilie Manz, called Moku. The series includes chair, bench, table for everyday life. It’s all about simplicity, pure materials and beauty. 

“ … That’s one response to society’s increasing speediness: making designs effective rather than efficient. We don’t want to waste time trying to do things, find things and make things happen when they’re completely unnecessary. At the same time, we don’t want to live like machines: We want to feel “at home.” We want to prfioritize the unmeasurable stuff: things like atmosphere, tactility, beauty and comfort. These qualities slow you down; they really embed your body in a place…” 

Ilse Crawford 

Rafa-kids XL shelf in cosy Black&White

I’m so exited to show you something different from Rafa-kids today. 

I was dreaming about a photo session with our furniture which is out of kids’ zone. I’m a bit proud of the final effect….

Please welcome - Rafa-kids white furniture collection.

K desk, A teen and our new beautiful XL shelf. We designed all these pieces in different periods but they match so well together as of they have always belonged to each other, don’t you think? 

Our A teen bed become a day bed with pile of soft pillows, ready to relax and wonder. K desk in white and XL shelf are so simple and stylish , perfect background to be personalised with pictures, favourite quotes and little accessories. It’s like being a single and living in some loft in NY for me….and yes, a bit of chocolate was necessary too. Let’s hope someone is making a great coffee in the kitchen next to it and we can dance a bit in a moment…. 

Carl Hansen Wishbone chair

I have a new chair love! Carl Hansen, Wishbone chair. This Danish classic design piece is very easy to spot in many Danish houses, but I have actually never had chance to touch it and see it in real. Last week we visited the Scandinavian design heaven in Rotterdam:  Northseadesign, and there it was! The quality, each little detail that you see and touch,  just so perfect….We had opportunity to borrow the chair for a photo session in our Rafa-kids studio! That’s why you can see our NEW white K desk together with the dark wood Carl Hansen, Wishbone chair….Can you imagine, this beautiful chair was designed in 1950! Some furniture pieces never get old and I am now pretty sure I will welcome some in my home one day. 

I wish you a wonderful weekend! 

Pictures: K desk  from Rafa-kids (1 & 2 ) /3 & 4 /5 /6  

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 ? 

NIDI - furniture for today's youngsters

Finally! For ages I haven’t seen such a fresh and brave children’s furniture collection. 

Please discover the new : NIDI Graphic Collection, made under the roof of  Battistella. Well known, family company which started in 1953, by Mr. Alfredo Battistella in Soligo, Italy. In 1963, the Battistella brand was the first to launch a line of children's bedrooms in laminate on the Italian market! Currently the innovative business is run by the founder’s son Mario. NIDI is a collection of children's bedrooms that combines play and design in the spaces dedicated to today's youngsters.

“ … Basic shapes and minimal design are the keywords of Nidi graphic world! 

Squares, lines and triangles give shape to Vanny, the geometric desk with secret storages,

 in all your favourite colours!..” 

Where do I begin my delight? The architect’s heart beat faster when I see a modern house like that, chosen for a photo session for a kids collection.  Open, big space with concrete walls and floors.  The furniture are designed with an appreciation for the modern aesthetic  with a twist. Contrast between raw concrete and red accessories make the space so playful and fool of light. Fantastic! 

info and photo’s via: busyboo