Spring Learning Centre

Well would you know it, another brilliant learning centre for kids has appeared in my inbox (via Contemporist). Another amazing space for children that enhances learning, creativity, movement and even cooking!

Introducing, 'Spring', a learning centre that specialises in the education and learning for small children. This clever space has been designed by the Joey Ho Design Studio and is located in Wanchai, Hong Kong. The centre resides over 7500 square feet and it aims to bring together the perspective of a child and that of an adult. To me it fills like a Google office fitout for kids, it really does create a space that can be enjoyed by both generations. 

The space tries to enhance the dialogue between generations by the adults viewing the world from the perspective of a child.

I love the furniture systems and the use of colour. The furniture is ergonomic and designed for the use of children so that the reception counter has stairs to allow children to climb up to interact with the adults. The bathroom has a dual height washbasin in the shape of a large fountain with a huge whale graphic on the floor reminding us that the space is for children.

Personally, my favourite part of the space is the large treehouse. This element brings the outdoors in and provides an active space for the children to play, imagine and dream.

Image Source: Contemporist

Armani Junior - Spring Summer 2014

The new Armani Junior collection by Ethnic by Armani is out and it doesn't disappoint.

The collection is timeless, elegant and almost adult looking with simple yet stylish pieces. Casual dresses for the boys and sleek shirts and jackets for the boys are featured in the collection.

The girls range displays colour in block form with pleated and ruffle details to the dresses, cardigans and jackets.

The boys collection follows suit but with patterns to the casual shirts and shorts all while maintaining the classic Armani minimalist look.

Check out the advertising campaign, it's super adorable!

Images Source: 
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151975974841342.1073741890.18658586341&type=1

Video Source:
You Tube

Armani:
http://www.armani.com/au/armanijunior

I just love creative spaces for children and this one may just be the most creative I have seen in a long time. Kita Hisa by Baukind have created an adventurous and entertaining kindergarten located in Berlin, Germany. 

The use of colour has been cleverly used creating a calming interior with splashes of punchy colour.

Here is a detailed explanation of the interior from the designers:

Kita Hisa is located in a space previously used as a retail store, which has been reconfigured to create a comfortable, safe and stimulating kindergarten with space for 70 children. As with all of baukind´s works, the design is rooted in a well thought out philosophy of what children require of a space and how intelligent design can allow them to grow and develop.

In this case, furniture and space merge into one, with many usable furniture zones being created without unnecessarily dividing and breaking the space. A combination of feature furniture, storage space and forming elements save both space and costs. The design creates space by incorporating storage into the furniture; everything is multipurpose, which keep the focus on the children, where it should be. While the spaces all flow into one another, “functional areas” such as the wardrobe, bathroom and hall are emphasized and given extra character with the use of color or standout elements All the spaces are considered educational spaces. Different distinct areas are located in the corners of the room, encouraging discovery and exploration. There is constant visual communication between different spaces, in various forms such as wall openings, small windows, and passageways.

The color concept manages to be both forceful and relaxing. A vibrant palette of blue, orange, pink and yellow is nonetheless calmed by white, natural wood, and daylight to create a childfriendly room with a calm feeling. Children are natural explorers of their environments and this design promotes social interaction and the spirit of discovery of children. Finished in wood, linoleum and carpet and recently opened, Kita Hisa is an exemplary kindergarten, focusing on the child, his or her development, and simple but effective design.

Source: http://www.contemporist.com/2014/02/17/kita-hisa-by-baukind/

http://www.baukind.de/

Very French Gangsters - Eyewear For Kids

Are your kids sporting shabby frames on their adorable faces? Well toss those frames and check out these super chic prescription glasses and sunglasses that are sure to give your children pure street style!

Very French Gangsters has been created by the super talented duo Karoline and Anne. Three unisex frame styles are on offer, Very Bombe, Very Boss and Very PanPan from the Collection 1 series. Made extremely durable with Italian Mazzuchhelli Acetate, polarized lenses, flex hinges and adjustable silicon tips. So super tough for the playground antics!

See the complete collection and adorable marketing campaigns on their website.

http://veryfrenchgangsters.com/

Image source: Very French Gangsters

Animal Series

Good morning friends, I hope you have all had a lovely and relaxing weekend.

To kick start Monday off  we explore the wonderful world of 'The Animal Print Shop'.

I am a little obsessed with these animal prints largely because they are perfect for nurseries and children's rooms and they are also great for adults! That's right, one for the grown ups today!

You may have seen these prints pop up on the blog in various images so today we look more closely at the dynamic photographer who has created these wonderfully simplistic prints.

Here is a little straight from their website:

The Animal Print Shop by Sharon Montrose is an online art gallery and store created by independant artist, Sharon Montrose together with her husband Spencer and operated with the help of their tight-knit team. Our fine art photographs feature Sharon's playful, yet sophisticated Animal Series, including her most beloved series, Little Darlings. We're committed to producing high quality art at an affordable price and our range of editions (both open and limited) offers options for various budgets. Sharon has taken great care in choosing paper stock and using the latest technology for digital capture and printingmethods to ensure her works come to life in a way that's well-crafted, archival, and beautiful. 

The prints start at $25 and come in various sizes to suit your space and they ship internationally.

Please check out their website and their blog as they have loads of examples of how the prints have been used.

http://www.theanimalprintshop.com/

Just a little note: all images above have been sourced from The Animal Print Shop website. 

Have a wonderful week.

Little Hipsters - Hipkins

Attention all hipster, fashion forward, edgy and just darn right super chic parents..... because today we bring you a kids online store for the little hipster!

There really is a shortage of super chic street gear for parents who want to dress their kids with a bit of attitude, style and edge! Well here I am to the rescue to introduce you to the wonderful hipster world of Hipkins!

Born out of the need for a 'not-so-kiddy' clothing store, Hipkins is an online store stocking fun, fresh and functional street wear with an adult level of fashion. Hipkins collection of kids clothing showcases fashion-forward brands from around the globe. 

What I love about Hipkins is that their clothing is sourced from the depths of New York Soho, to the corners of Scandinavia and then back to home base, Melbourne.

Hipkins has a very specific style - simple and fun with a bit of a street edge - this is so reflective of the brands they carry such as; I dig denim, Fred Perry, Mio and Cheap Raven to name only just a few. I really adore the accessories they carry as they compliment the clothing oh-so-well, super cute boots, hats, necklaces and bags to complete the outfit.

I really haven't stumbled across another online store quite like these guys, they really have hit the mark of a niche market in kids clothing.

You must stop by their online store and check in to their styling section where they give you styling ideas and their favourite looks from the collections currently in stock.

http://www.hipkin.com.au

Favourite Things Thursday: Kids Reading Nooks

We had a special request from one of our loyal fans to do a blog post on kids reading nooks.

So we had some fun sourcing some great examples of reading nooks from the modest of nooks to the most elaborate! 

Creating a calm and peaceful reading nook for your kids to play and read is a great way to inspire them to open up those books and get lost in a world of fairy tales, learning and illustrations.

Floating shelves are a great way to display the books for your kids instead of hiding them away in a bookshelf and many of the examples above show this.

Comfortable seating or cushions / rugs on the floor will entice your children to the reading nook or why not an indoor tent so your kids can hide away in their own magical little hideaway. I personal love the graphics on the walls like 'think' and 'read', it really defines the space as their own private reading nook.

What do you think? Do you have a reading nook at home?

Tell us what you think, we always love to hear your feedback and please send through any ideas that you would like to be posted on 'little lagom'.

Enjoy your Thursday!