You'd think, given the amount of baby stuff already out there, there'd be enough to kit out one small room for a tiny person. First-time father Jon Lake didn't think so. A US product designer, he grudgingly bought what was on offer, saying it was "functional but not attractive". Fast-forward a few years and nothing had changed. "My own children were older by then, but friends of mine were becoming parents and they found that the same PVC-covered atrocities were still being passed off as baby's furniture," he said during a routine visit to Hong Kong. ), a brand of baby furniture of European design and precision engineering. They tapped a trend: its start-up in Hong Kong in 2006 led to bloom products being sold in 56 countries and notching up US$20 million in annual sales. ), also wanted something stylish for her children. Not for Ma the old "blue for boy, pink for girl" convention. She and her husband mixed and matched from various retailers to get the desired effect, buying both in-store and online.
"For our [second] baby, we converted our dressing room ... into a nursery. ) .hk) in Casamance fabric." .au) were added for character. Ma says it's not necessary to spend a fortune on a nursery. "As a general rule, I like to mix and match - expensive with inexpensive, brands with no brands - to achieve a unique look." But she did invest in health-related items, such as a high-quality air purifier. Designer Silvia Marlia's influences go back to the womb. A student of the Rudolf Steiner pedagogy, she believes a newborn's environment should mimic that which it knew before entering the world. ), ), fine gauze coverings to shield new eyes from harsh light, and pale, calming colours. ) .hk) at prices ranging from HK$2,950 for a Books on Wheels box, to HK$13,450 for the MM wardrobe and rolling cabinet series. Parents also want natural, non-toxic materials, preferring a more tactile look and feel, and a lighter environment, Marlia says. "Designers are responding by offering products made out of wood, with organic shapes."
Sand uses hardwoods and bent plywood, leaving surfaces natural so that children can appreciate the construction of the shape. Marlia believes that exposing babies to good aesthetics, functionality and refined colours is part of their early development. In an ideal nursery, Marlia would choose wooden furniture, with a calm range of colours, and products that, as they grow, a child can easily handle by themselves. It would also have storage space so kids can find their favourite things easily. offer online decorating tools for planning a nursery layout and colour scheme, but as Australian designer Sara Slim points out, you can include in the décor something that already has meaning for you. For example, a beautiful handkerchief bought by Slim's mother-in-law in Paris in the 1940s, when mounted and framed, became "a wonderful heirloom and piece of art" adorning her daughter's bedroom. If you want to avoid sex-specific stereotypes, what colour do you choose as the blank canvas for a nursery?
Yellow or white are neutral, but not inspiring. How about grey, then? Contemporary grey, suggests Ursula Wesselingh, a Dutch interior designer living in Britain, can create "a soothing environment". Accented by other "soothing colours, like blue, green, and lilac", this palette can be calming, yet playful, she says. ) believes the two most important things to bear in mind when choosing colours are that you should feel good in the room, and that it is a good place for baby to sleep. "There is evidence that babies sleep better in dark environments. This doesn't mean you have to decorate the nursery in the darker colours that are very much in vogue right now. As long as you can adequately darken the room, a soft and light palette is restful too," she says. Another problem with items of nursery furniture is their short lifespan. A baby will grow out of a bassinette in a few months, and be too big for a high chair before they turn two. The bloom dads have addressed that with a high chair, fresco chrome (HK$4,250 - HK$6,000), which reclines to safely cradle a newborn and can hold a child of up to eight years.
Other bloom designs have Hong Kong's small spaces in mind. The alma mini-crib (HK$2,800) sits by the parents' bed, yet can be used by babies up to 18 months. Its small footprint allows room-to-room mobility between even the narrowest of doorways, and it folds to 25cm wide for storage when not in use. Expectant parents nearly always say a baby won't change their lives. Some things will change, but that needn't include the prized interior you've lovingly created over time.You currently have no recently viewed items Would you like toVariable Balans by Varier Add Soft Tape + Ships from Colorado in 1 - 2 business days. The Variable Balans comes with a varnished natural ash frame. This rocking kneeling chair encourages movement and supports the body through each movement made. Not only does it make you comfortable, it makes you feel good. The Variable Balans encourages movement and supports the body through each movement made. Body and chair, action and reaction, in a cycle of continuous motion that energizes and enlivens the body and mind.
Not only does it make you comfortable, it makes you feel good. After 30 years, the Peter Opsvik balans concept has become a classic. Considered "the Original Kneeling chair", the Varier Variable Balans chair has become the benchmark for all kneeling chair designs. The Variable Balans was originally manufactured by Stokke and was known as the Stokke Variable Balans chair. Several years ago the Stokke company decided to divide its brand and the Balans concept and designs were transferred to the Varier name. As versatile in design as in concept, the Variable Balans is the perfect instrument for the ever-changing demands of today's work places and lifestyles. Work becomes a breeze as the upright, "alert" posture promotes concentration and activity. The benefits are not just for adults, as the posture, breathing, and energy enhancements of active sitting have been directly correlated with improved homework performance in adolescents. Humans were created to move, not to sit still.
"I believe that the spine is happiest when it can adopt the natural curvature that it has when we stand upright"-Peter Opsvik Recent studies show that the human body operates to its fullest potential when allowed to remain fluid and open. Actually, there has never been any scientific evidence that can support the Western upright seating style is "correct". The angle of the knees and pelvis should be opened, allowing freedom of movement and circulation. The Varier Variable Balans helps to achieve just that. Forward-sloped seats on curved runners support the body in a seated, kneeling position. This allows the angle between the thighs and torso to increase, allowing the body to naturally adopt the same spine curvature as when standing, relieving pressure from the vertebrae and letting you breathe more deeply and freely. The Variable Balans promotes constant natural movement, keeping the back and abdominal muscles active at all times. While sitting, the user is actually strengthening the core muscles of the abdomen and back while preventing tension in the neck and shoulders.
Some seating options also incorporate a backrest that is ideal for extended periods of tasking that requires the user to be seated. Tilt forward for labor-intensive activities, and rock back for relaxation breaks. Regardless of the position, the spine will always be supported perfectly. This "active sitting" improves circulation and oxygen levels, boosting energy, concentration, and overall well-being. Free shipping to lower 48 states. For shipping rates to Canada, Alaska or Hawaii, please use "add to quote" feature, below "add to cart" button, and we'll provide a custom quote. Click here to learn more. When you purchase your adjustable desk, ergonomic chair or ergonomic accessory from Fully, rest assured that you are paying the lowest price available anywhere. Original Balans chair design by Peter Opsvik Handcrafted in Norway by skilled artisans Seven-year guarantee on wooden parts Five-year guarantee on mechanisms Three-year guarantee on foams and upholstery
Available in a large range of fabrics, colors, and finishes Many colors and options available for quick ship Optional back for extended seated periods Optional extension block reduces the distance between seat and leg cushions Previously known as the Stokke Variable Balans chair All wood is harvested from highly sustainable forests Overall dimensions: 28.35"D, 20.47"W, 20"H Shipping dimensions: 20" x 28" x 4" 13lbs Shipping dimensions for back: 37" x 6" x 4" 5lbs Upholstery and Finish Options The optional Variable Balans back is ideal for users that will be spending extended periods of time in their chair. The back is easily removed and installed and is available in all four finish options. Soft tape is recommended for chairs that will be used on wood floors or other hard surfaces. The tape easily attaches to the bottom of the chair and helps to protect both the chair and the floor during use. Soft tape is in stock and available for quick-ship orders.
Variér Furniture offers an extended warranty to customers who register their products in their product database. The warranty is limited and covers only manufacturing defects and does not cover misuse, normal wear and tear and defects caused by exposure to sunlight. Registration gives the right to the following guarantee: 7 years guarantee against fabrication faults on wooden parts 5 years guarantee against fabrication faults on the mechanism 3 years guarantee on upholstery and foam This requires a successfully completed registration of the product in Variér's Extended Warranty database, and that the warranty certificate is submitted together with the original receipt (proof of purchase). Once registration is completed, proof of guarantee can be printed from the Variér web site and will also be sent to you via email. Click here to visit the Variér warranty registration page. Best money I have spent in a long time Exactly What I Needed Nothing would make me change the chair again