La Petite Magazine - Q&A with Rafa-kids

I'm happy to share with you few photo's from great La Petite Magazine ,

and inside an interview with Rafa-kids ;-) Enjoy! 

Q: What was your inspiration behind Rafa-Kids?

We are both architects with my husband and it is a very broad profession. It is also more like way of living and looking at things, than just  work. So when one day, we tried to find a bunk bed, that would work in our two sons room, it was kind of natural for us, that we just sat, and drew it ourself. That was the very beginning of Rafa-kids. 

Q: If you had to choose one item from your shop, what would it be and why?

I will go for our F bunk bed because it is a great space sever, and our wheeled toddler bed is a great fun too. But actually I always try to look forward, so the most exited things are just lying on my desk. The sketches and models of the next designs are my favorite. I hope our collection will grow in time as we plan. 

Q: If we were to visit your home, what would say your style is?

I will say simple and modern, with a bit of loft and industrial atmosphere. 

Q: Do you have any kids? What has been your favorite Vacation Spot with them?

Yes, I have two boys: Franek is 6 and Robert  2 years old.  We spent our last holiday at the cost of Denmark, close to Arhus. We rent a holiday house with friends with children. It was just perfect. We had company for the evenings. The kids were busy with each other the whole day.  We had sea just around the corner of our house, beautiful nature to explore. One day Legoland for kids, and a great architecture and design in Arhus.  So there was something to enjoy for everybody. 

Q: Where do you find inspiration in designing your furniture?

I keep following contemporary furniture and look at good designers, which is a great way to learn.  But I am not keen on any particular style, but much more go for the classic furniture pieces. It's so fascinating that people can enjoy some furniture for even decades.  And since Rafa-kids is sort of a third child to us, it happens that Arek just draws something during a Sunday breakfast, and discusses it with me,  just over our kids making a mess at the table. So I guess we are great inspiration for each other. 

Thank you Rachelle for inviting us! 

Lucky chair - Nimio-Lab & Glück

Let's ask architects to make more toys and furniture for kids! 

We are sitting in the architecture crisis so why not trying something else - please ;-) Yes, this is a chair & toy designed by architect Francesco from Nimio-lab exclusively for Gluck shop. The glücksstuhl is also a walker and a blackboard for drawing. It has a secret drawer and two holes through which to hide things. This great basic form is carefully designed, handmade with love and dedication. Great! 

via: decopeques

Furniture from Finland - Nikari

" Luxury in the contemporary world means craftsmanship " Edeline Lee 

The trend to return to craftsmanship is getting stronger and stronger. 

Basic, quality furniture pieces. 

Timeless appearance which will last for many years, that's something which I really appreciate and am happy to see. The Finish company Nikari is one of the great examples. Founded in 1967 by Kari Virtane it manufactures sustainable wood designs of exquisite quality. In 2012 The company invited great contemporary designers to make beautiful pieces for Nikari. 

  "  we asked twelve great designers or design studios 

to study our philosophy and give their comments to it in a form of a wooden product. We co-operate with the WWF Finland and part of the sales price is donated to protecting rainforests and forests globally " 

via: lottaagaton.blogspot

Faye Toogood

I have a crash - Faye Toogood! She is just simply TOO GOOD!  

Faye Toogood is a London-based experiential designer. She is making furniture under her own name and she also runs Studio Toogood through which she photoshoots for editorial magazines, advertising campaigns or luxury brands. After 8 years at World of Interiors, Toogood left in 2008 to start up her own creative consultancy, Studio Toogood, based in her own home in north London. Her portfolio is very immersive including  work for Tom Dixon and Dover Street Market. She also enhanced runways and window installations, for Vivienne Westwood, Alexandes McQueen or Kenzo… I can only say it's an amazing talent, way worth to watch!  

" Straight out of university, where she studied fine art and art history, she applied for a styling job at World of Interiors and turned up at the interview with nothing but a suitcase full of objects that had grabbed her attention and though she had never styled a shoot in her life, she was offered the job. "I was very raw," she says, "but I think they just saw something about my eye."

  " With design, people have always either made objects or been interior designers – 

but that whole line has been blurred now.’ Faye Toogood

Milk Magazine 2 - Rafa-kids toddler bed

Just before holiday time I got this special issue of Milk magazine in my hands!

I think it is one of the best magazines about contemporary home decor. It's a bit pity it's only in French (or it is a pity I do not read in French ;-) There is short description at the end in English. I can watch it over an over again and find so many inspirations!  For me it is still difficult to believe that our R toddler bed, was selected for the photo shoot made at the Serendipity shop, for this issue. The strong concept of yellow, wood and gold is absolutely surprising and exceptional. Since our Rafa-kids brand color is yellow I feel even more attached to all this photos. I absolutely adore it and I am proud we made it into this selection! 

         photo's Claire Israël ,  styling dJulie Boucherat et Mélanie HŒpffner  

Li Edelkoort trend forecaster

photo Imke Klee

It is not a coincidence that I'm starting the new year post with Lidewij Edelkoort (often called Li) . 

I admire her work since a long time and when I saw a small interview with her on dezeen few days ago, I just wanted to share it with you.  She is a trend forecaster and if you are interested in getting some new perspective or overview of what is going on in the main stream trends in society, fashion or design, you probably would like to watch this video. She explains all the selected pictures I also put in this post. The work of Danish Dmoch I was showing you already here and the Mine Kafon is also very inspiring toy/tool designed by Massoud Hassani.

Li often uses pictures to illustrate her ideas and it is really worth reading and watching her forcatsts. 

At least she really gets to me ;-) Enjoy! 

photo by Thomas Straub for Madé for View on Colour                                                         and photo  by marie taillefer

2013

Hello New Year 2013! 

I like the feeling of a fresh start! 

All Christmas decoration is gone, the sun is shinning today….

Planing, dreaming and looking for the new to come! 

Rafa-kids Year 2012 - Thank you!

The year 2012 is going to end soon. When I look back I know I will not forget it so fast. We launched our children furniture brand Rafa-kids in April. Started with no big expectations. With only our own savings and a lot of production problems. There were many though moments, but we tried to believe in our design and carry on. After 8 months, there are kids around Europe sleeping in our beds, our design was published in magazines, there are shops carrying our brand and we got a design award! We are proud and overwhelmed.  We already look to future new designs and plans, which I can't wait to share with you in 2013. 

We would not be here without great people who helped us on the way.

I would like to thank you, Deborah, 

from Kickcan&Concers. You are really the first one, who noticed me in the virtual world and supported ever since. You are a real believer and I'm so glad we have you here, the blogging world would be so empty without you!  

I would like to thank you, Asia,

 from kavkadesign. We started 2012 on your blog where you invited us to show our house. 

I would like to thank Bert Karel and Greetje 

who gave us a lot of time and support, discussed the design and made the project better and real. 

We are so happy your sons are the owners of the prototype F&R set made in January 2012. 

I would like to thank you AnnaMarie and Tekke, 

for opening your house for us to make our first photo shoot also in January 2012. 

Your twins spontaneously became part of the whole session. We had so much fun!  

I would like to thank you Eva from Orphan socks, for the trust and patience! 

and Agnieszka from z potrzebypiekna for the time to listen my problems and complains. 

You always have such a good energy to give in difficult moments. 

I would like to thank all the bloggers who mentioned our 'new-born Rafa-kids'. 

Without your support we wouldn't be here!  Here are the ones I know of: rafa-kids -metion 

Thank you so much! 

I would like to thank you Valerie from Serendipity shop in Paris. 

This place is so special and I still can't believe we are standing in they showroom. 

Thank you for all your effort and work you did for us this year. 

I would also like to thank Carl from Toyella, for your passion and commitment to carry on with us. 

Thank all of you who trusted us and got our beds for your kids! 

Its a great feeling which gives us such a positive kick.

I just had to share all this with you, my dear readers. Now I can relax and plan the 2013 ;-) 

Thank you for staying with me on this blog. 

All the best for you from Agata & Arek

Warm white

Let's hope for a warm white Christmas….

Beautiful photos from vtwonen JAN2013 

 styling Cleo Scheulderman / photo's Jeroen van der Spek 

Happy X-mas from Rafa-kids

I hope you are ready to take some time off ;-)

I am! 

I wish you great holiday days. 

Take the time for the things you like….

No worries, no rush….slow down and relax. 

Very Merry Christmas to you all.