Home Design

Hubby has his state-of-the-art recliner, Mom’s got a vintage rocker. Who says chairs have to be attractive, in the traditional sense?

Get your kid his own comfy seat. Sure this Baby Hairy Bertoia — a kid-sized version of designer Douglas Homer’s pop-art pun — looks like Cousin Itt, but it’s much cooler than your boring beige couch. Homer took the frame from Harry Bertoia’s classic Diamond chair and refinished it with hand-knotted sponge cord. It comes in patriotic red or white (sorry, no blue) and other colors.

And exactly how much is all that innovation? You may want to sit down first.

Available at geniusjones.com.

When it comes to nurseries, you can either do your chocolate-brown-and-pale-blue modern Baby-reads-Dwell thing, or you can just wholeheartedly embrace the kiddie theme, with teddy bears and alphabet-block letters. But just because it’s meant for kids doesn’t mean it has to be tacky. Take, for instance, the “Lions, Tigers, and Kittens…OH MY” crib sheet set from Pixel Organics. At a sweet 220 threads-per-inch count of organic cotton (no nasty chemicals for your kid!), these sheets feel as good as they look. And with a fresh vintage-look pattern, they’ll have your friends wondering if your mom saved your baby sheets in a box in the attic.

Available at sparkability.net.

You’ve found a rocker, bouncy seat and play mat that fit in with your furnishings. But that high chair — bright blue and plastic and junky all over — is your final battle.

Swap it for Svan’s new Anka convertible high chair, made from sustainable wood (read: no plastic junk). An adjustable seat, tray and footrest give babies 6 months and up their own little bistro for one. And if you manage to snag a reservation outside of Chez Mama, the chair folds and stores easily.

But why would you ever leave now?

Available at generationorange.com.

It’s one of those universal guilty parenting moments: Your child comes home, brimming with pride over his latest crayon on construction paper, and your first thought is not “Art lessons! This kid’s clearly the next Kandinsky.” But rather: “Where the heck am I going to put this one?”

When you’ve maxed out the installations at the office and your drawers are overflowing, it’s time to try a new tack. Send the creations, along with your child’s photo, age, grade and a few fun facts (favorite color, book) to the Art Archives. They’ll make a personalized DVD, set to music, of his or her greatest artistic hits.

Which leaves you free to surreptitiously recycle the “World’s Best Mom” series — without relinquishing the title.

For more information visit theartarchives.com.

Judging by all the 8/8/08 weddings, numero ocho is one lucky digit.

The folks at Grasshopper Design in New Zealand picked up on the auspicious trend for their Och-o children’s furniture. This simple upholstered form fits into that modern, minimalist home that is surprisingly child-friendly (or at least, child tolerant).

OK, the international shipping is almost half as much as the $499 price tag, but who said good fortune didn’t cost…well, a fortune?

Available at urbanatics.com.

If you’ve chosen a vintage look for your nursery or children’s room, Moonlight and Roses’ glittery vintage board art is the perfect accessory. The boards ($37) come in a variety of themes, including fairy vignettes, puffy cherubs, and realistic animal portraits. But our favorites are in the “Animal Antics” collection: dear little hedgehogs driving cars, kittens performing at a circus, bunnies about to take baths. Hey, it beats the poker-playing dogs.

Available at moonlightandroses.com.

There are moments in life when you need to hear those three, all-important little words: “No assembly required.” Like the next time you go furniture shopping after a humbling all-nighter spent piecing together your daughter’s dresser from 999 disparate parts.

Of course with kids’ furnishings, there are additional concerns: You want the items to be simple and stylish, preferably with rounded edges and non-toxic finishes. Eco Tots’ line, which includes an adorable, pint-size easel, coat rack and table and chairs, has all of this in spades. Plus each is made from sustainably harvested wood and — by George they’ve done it — big pieces that fit together easily and lock in place, no tools or hardware needed.

So you’re finished in a few minutes — and you don’t have to bring your Bob Vila game.

Available at ecotots.com.

So you pick out a fabulous color for your nursery, a stylish crib, modern linens…and then your glider chair looks as homespun as a prairie girl dress. Fling off that mass-market style with the stunning Luca Glider, $895, a clean-lined cozy nursing chair that would even look great in the living room. Check out the chocolate brown glider with the orange lumbar pillow. M&M-licious.

Equally stunning are the Cubino kids’ chairs ($99) and loveseat ($129), modern-looking square foam seating options covered with polyester canvas in colors that will compel parents — and won’t have to be hidden away when guests come over.

Available online at Montedesign.net.

You’re big into strategies – for birthing, breastfeeding, raising a bilingual child. But when it comes to decorating, your trial-and-error track record isn’t too solid.

Put a plan in place: The design experts behind chic children’s bedding collection Serena & Lily recently came out with their first book, Nursery Style. The bedding gurus offer useful advice on preparing a precious baby space, from how to choose focal points and furnishings to examples of gorgeous nurseries that are sure to inspire you.

And inspiration is exactly what you need. –B.S.

Available online at serenaandlily.com.

Returning your home to its pre-baby, uncluttered splendor is an uphill battle. After “organizing,” the place now resembles a college dorm room teeming with milk crates and disposable shelving. Call it shabby chic minus the chic.

Organize Me can manage your mess while paying homage to the principles of design. Owner and space architect Herve Aimable says even toys can be left out in the open if they’re displayed correctly. The firm searches for or creates stylish storage options – a sleek cabinet or built-ins, an antique chest – to match your home’s décor.

No need to throw aesthetics out the window.

For more information, visit organizemenyc.com.