Ubabub

Brilliant new nursery furniture by Melbourne-based Ubabub

Pod cot (converts to junior bed)

Nifty clear cot (also converts to junior bed)

Melbourne parents Natasha and Daniel Dumais are the clever couple behind Ubabub... and this is their very first range of fabulous nursery furniture and wall art! Is it not seriously gorgeous stuff?!

It's a common story - When expecting the birth of their first daughter, Natasha and Daniel went in search of nursery items which would reflect the contemporary style of their home, whilst of course providing optimum safety, practicality and freedom for their soon-to-be bundle of joy! They struggled to find pieces which were as handsome as they were practical... and so of course were inspired to create their own!

After three years of development and design in collaboration with local industrial designers, Natasha and Daniel have finally realised their ideas, with a striking range of furniture and wall art launching this month! Both cot designs convert into junior beds, there's also a Nifty changetable (coolest. changetable. ever), and a brilliant collection of affordable prints, perfect for any kid's room!

As soon as I saw the Ubabub's gorgeous branding and website design... I knew there must be a graphic designer behind the scenes....! Sure enough, Natasha’s background is in graphic design, whilst Daniel’s experience has been in business logistics. Together, the pair also own and run a brand and design studio in Melbourne, Magnetic Design.

SO, If you're not in the market for designer baby furniture right now... at least you'll be seduced by Magnetic Design's fantastic folio of design work...!? Super lovely.

Ubabub products will be available later this month, from local stockists listed here.

Ubabub's Nifty changetable and gorgeous wall art

Man. This is really cute kids room styling.

Wolf & Willow

Super-cute handmade kid's clothes by Melbourne-based Wolf & Willow (aka Nancy Alice Wood)

Wolf & Willow is an obscenely cute hand-made children's wear label, based right here in Melbourne! Local designer, seamstress and illustrator Nancy Alice Wood is the clever crafter behind these super-sweet clothes, toys, quilts and pillows for children. I love her fabric choices and vintage-inspired designs...! Cuteness.

When she's not crafting, Nancy seems to spend many hours blogging - Wolf & Willow has truly excellent (and super girly) blog - instant bookmark material!

Oooh this week is getting very girly isn't it? - sorry boys! What can I do? There is only 9% of you! NO seriously. I will balance things out tomorrow. We have an excellent interview with a photographer who is a boy. Promise. :)

'Petunia Pony' is just crying out for a good home isn't she!? Lavender / tangerine. Brilliant 50's colour combo!

LMNOP

I continue to freak myself out with a seemingly endless infatuation with styling and design for kids, babies, rugrats. I am totally nowhere near having babies, promise! But the November issue of LMNOP just came out and... well... it's just gorgeous!

Go download it here - it's free, after all!

DIY paper Christmas Critters by Mibo - as seen in LMNOP.

Sydney super-stylish store for tots Manon et Gwenaelle - owned by the fabulous Virgine Batterson - features in LMNOP, and was also featured in the Inside Out Christmas Issue recently (and blogged here a little while ago!)

LMNOP

LMNOP cover page. Cover shot - 'Coco in NYC' by Hallie Burton.

Do you get LMNOP? It is great! It's a quarterly e-magazine for super-stylish kids and their parents, edited by Sydney-based Jenny Lacey. It is seriously so well put together I cannot believe it is free. Full of beautifully styled photos, fun craft ideas, sweet recipes and such gorgeous kids!

As you guys know I have no babies but I sure can appreciate a cute kid when I see one! Especially one wearing insanely beautiful floral headpieces made by Saskia Havekes of Grandiflora! Hello!

All shots here are from the current issue.... download it for yourself here!

You totally should subscribe to LMNOP here.

LMNOP also has a blog here.
Cutest spring kids fashion spread ever! Photos by Ian MacPherson, Floral headpieces by Saskia Havekes of Grandiflora in Sydney.

The current issue of LMNOP has an NYC theme. Awesome! Love the illustrated NYC map by Priscilla Neilsen. Love an illustrated map of any kind really.

Melbourne Home - Shannon Lamden (aka Aunty Cookie!)

Shots from the home of Melbourne design / crafter / blogger / Mum Shannon Lambden (aka Aunty Cookie!)

Shannon's desk...

Home office. Swoon.

I'm sure all die-hard local bloggers will know of Melbourne's Shannon Lamden - aka Aunty Cookie! Shannon's an incredibly prolific designer / crafter / blogger / Mum of 2 gorgeous girls - Lola and Sadie. Under the Aunty Cookie label, Shannon produces a kooky, super-cute collection of printed fabrics, soft furnishings, totebags, kids toys, hand printed cards and accessories... all handmade by Shannon herself! Oh and she also works freelance in commercial illustration / design. AND she writes for Mixtapezine. (Did I mention she also has 2 kids!???).

Aside from being some kind of designing / crafting machine, Shannon also manages to maintain the most deliciously cosy, colourful family home. I spotted some shots on her Flickr page recently... and couldn't resist asking Shannon if she would share some more photos here! ...and as you can see by the length of this post, I had some major trouble deciding which shots were my favourites! How good are the kids bedrooms...?! And the lovely textiles everywhere... and those gorgeous little blue tiles in the kitchen and bathroom? All so gorgeous! Agghhh.

You can buy Aunty Cookie wares on etsy here. (and at stockists here)

You should also definitely visit Shannon's excellent blog here. You really have to check it out - in addition to being super crafty talented you will learn that Ms Lambden is also quite hilariously funny.

There is a great little interview with Shannon here.

There is much more Aunty Cookie eye candy to see here.

Phew. THANKS so so much Shannon! You're one super clever cookie.

Sadie smiling on the couch, Lola's legs!

best. kids. room. ever??

Lola. Cute shot or WHAT?

Lola's house, don't ya know.

I only share Melbourne homes with Eames chairs in them. (kidding!)

Shannon's new Zaishu stool!

Red and blue never looked so good.

Nice little details... perhaps this came from Arhur's Circus??

Apparently Shannon also has time for a VEGGIE PATCH!? Over-achiever alert.

Awww! Cute car!

KatyJane Designs

Got an email recently from another online stationery store... and couldn't resist sharing (I know I know, enough with the stationery already! - I just can't help it!).

KatyJane Designs is a brand new stationery design company set up by two very talented ladies (Katy + Jane) in WA. Their first range is all about super-cute kids party invites, thank-you tags, gorgeous grosgrain ribbons, and party bags... The designs are so sweet and quite unique - contemporary, detailed and graphic in style but each with a little retro twist! Very Martha - in a good way!

Buy online here or check out the KatyJane website for upcoming markets and stockists... No interstate retailers listed yet, but I'm betting it won't be long before these colourful papery delights find eager stockists in Melbourne and Sydney!

Magnolia Square in Sydney

Magnolia Square Sydney retailers - Electric Firefly (lights top left), Bride and Wolf (laser-cut wall deco), Ella Sanders (hot water bottle), States of Nature (timber brooches) Redberry Design (cylindrical lamps).

You may have noticed my newest sponsor Magnolia Square, whose ad popped up here a week or so ago! Thanks so much to Nic from Magnolia Square for her support :)

Magnolia Square is a carefully curated pop-up retail event, showcasing the work of Australian artists, designers, craftspeople, and artisan food producers. Products range from homewares, to jewellery, clothing and accessories, textiles, stationary and gourmet treats... and the 'Tiny & Small' area also showcases super-cute products for little people!

After 3 successful years staging the event in Sydney, this week Magnolia Square makes it's debut in Sydney! For a full list of Sydney retailers see here.

If you're in around do pop in to check out the work of 50 boutique retailers from both Sydney and interstate - showcasing craft couture, great local design and a little bit of cute!

The Teahouse at Royal Randwick Racecourse

Thursday July 2nd - 2pm - 9pm
Friday July 3rd - 10am - 5pm
Saturday July 4th - 10am - 4pm

ps) Magnolia square also has a cute little blog here.

Newest Sponsor - Boombi !

Boombi babywear, designed in Melbourne

Heeey! How was your weekend? Mine was SHORT. 2 days just isn't long enough anymore. Not after Easter. Surely 4 days on, 3 days off would be much more civilised?

Annnyyyway.

I want to take a moment to introduce you guys to my newest sponsor!

Boombi is a uniquely kooky range of unisex babywear for newborns to 2 year olds. It's a one-lady business based in Melbourne, and designed by Tarnya Chambers.

With a background in retail and also graphic design, Tarnya based her range on the idea that babies clothes should be more in line with what grown-ups like to wear. So instead of pinks, powder blues and teddy bears, Tarnya created a slightly more punky range of babywear, in great grown-up colours like marle grey, teal green and black and white. 'Cos if you've got a tough, sassy, discerning 1 yr old, you just might need to dress them in something with a little more punch than a frilly pink jumpsuit and matching booties. You know?


Boombi's first range includes long sleeve jumpsuits, long sleeve t-shirts & short sleeve t-shirts, and there'll be 4 new series designed per year!

A huge thanks to Boombi for supporting The Design Files! :) If you have a sec, share the love and pop on over to the Boombi website to check out Tarnya's unique range! You can buy online through the Boombi online shop, or email for local stockists.

Made by Mosey

Made by Mosey Bunting in orange

Made by Mosey - Girl's Hankey Blankey - handmade patchwork quilted blanket made from vintage handkerchiefs, filled with organic filling.

Boys Hankey Blankey

Made by Mosey products are made by hand with love and care by Madeleine Sargent in Melbourne Australia. Being a mother of two, Madeleine is an expert in all things soft, cute and cuddly.

Isn't her work absolutely gorgeous!? There's just something so special about handmade quilty-things. Especially when the colours and fabrics are as delicate and inviting as these. Love the Boys Hankey Blankey using vintage checked/striped hankies. Genius. Madeleine's work is also ridiculously affordable at just US$70 for a child's quilt, and $30 for bunting. Agggh. This is handmade, people!

Madeleine has just opened her first Etsy shop here, and her beautiful pieces are also available at a select few cute little stores around Melbourne, such as Mac Pelican in Hawthorn. Snap them up, because at these prices they'll be gone before you know it.

Can you think of a more perfect give for the mother-to-be? ...and is it just me, or does it seem like everyone in the world is pregnant right now?

Cloud Mobile ($40!!)

Interview - Beci Orpin

'Oh-Deer-Me' and 'Electro Dino' collages for baby Princess Tina 2006

Print ads for Mebourne bar/restaurant Cookie 2005/2006.

Various commissioned illustrations. Top - tee print for '22 Flavours' exhibition, Lifelounge 2007. Bottom left - 'Ink Snakes' Tee print for Mambo, 2006. Bottom right - 'New Peacock' Tee print, Irony, Japan 2005.

'Affluence' poster design for Don't Panic magazine, 2007.

Watercolour/vector illustration for 'Built by You' Simplicity patterns USA, 2006

Being a Melbourne-based blogger with an eye on design and a penchant for independent creative business, it really was only a matter of time before an interview with illustrator, artist, fashion / kidswear / accessory designer and all-round Melbourne creative queen Beci Orpin!

Luckily for me (and you!), my partner Gordon half-knows pretty much everyone in Melbourne. Seriously. Can't take him anywhere without bumping into some long-lost friend/housemate/friend-of-housemate/work colleague etc. SO it was with great excitement that Gordon introduced me to the lovely Miss Orpin when we crossed paths in the CBD on a mad shopping dash the week before Christmas! After a few temporarily star-struck seconds, the shameless opportunist in me seized the moment, and later I managed to pin her down for an interview :)

I have long been a fan of Beci's incredibly varied work. She's so prolific - recent years have seen her establish and grow her popular line of clothing and accessories under the label Princess Tina, illustrations have been commissioned for numerous publications both here and overseas, she's consulted on various design projects, and she's also managed to squeeze in a plethora of solo exhibitions Australia-wide. All this while rearing 2 kids! Next on the agenda is a kidswear label called Tiny Mammoth, the end of the Princess Tina era, and the launch of a new line of accessories, stationary and homewares under Beci's own name. Jeepers. Hold on to your seats!

Tell me a little about your background - what did you study and what path led you to what you’re doing now?

i mucked around with few different courses after high school, but didn't really take anything seriously until i started BA textile design at RMIT. i loved the course and did pretty well, and was offered my first freelance job at my graduate show, so i just kind of snowballed from there. it took at least 5 years before i could solely exist off freelance work, so initially i worked a few other jobs (such a screen-printing, managing a bookshop) to support myself. in 1999 i also met my husband raph, and we run the business together. he is creative too but also does all the things like production and accounts that actually keep our business running. i would be nowhere without him.

Your work is so varied and you seem so prolific! Your illustrations have graced many Australian and international publications, your clothing and accessories range Princess Tina sells internationally, you exhibit your artwork and illustrations regularly in Melbourne, and you somehow find the time to be a Mum too! How do you manage to balance all these varied creative projects? Did you always plan to have such a variety of projects on the go as part of your job?

i didn't really have a plan, but i really loved what i did (and still do), and i have discovered i create the best work when i am busy. i guess its a momentum thing. i also get bored pretty easily, which is why i like to work on a few different projects at the same time. i also find when you work on one thing, its generates an idea for something else un-related, so even though they are different projects they all end up being connected and part of the same process.

and actually, i have just finished up princess tina (after 8 years!). i am going to concentrate that energy on my new kids line (called tiny mammoth) and also launch a line of accessories, stationary and homewares under my own name in early 2009.

Tiny Mammoth kidswear 2008/09

Items from the last ever Princess Tina range! Get 'em here!

What have been some of your favourite projects?

i am lucky enough pretty much love the majority of things i get to work on so its hard to choose! the illustrations i have done for the "sew u" book series (in conjunction with built by wendy) has definitely been an awesome project (am just finishing 3rd book in series now). doing some mural work for the toff has been great. artshows are always fun, but definitely the hardest as no-one is telling you what to do! i have also loved working on tiny mammoth, because it means i get to design exactly what i want my kids to wear!

Illustrations from the 'Sew U' book series in collaboration with NYC's Built by Wendy

More 'Sew U' lllustrations

Wall graphics for Melbourne bar The Toff in Town

How would you describe your artistic style?

i am so in my own world i find it hard to do this. i guess feminine, stylised, folk-inspired, nature-based, reminiscent, a little dark, quirky.

Which designers, artists or creative people are you inspired by?

a plethora!! but here are just a few - alexander girard, bruno munari, shauna.t, dick bruna, rita ackermann, tove jansson, mike mills, henri darger, whitley, charley harper, mirka mora, norman lindsay, peter max, robin boyd, charles and ray eames.

'Memory Tree' - laser-cut timber veneer installation for 'In the Shadows' exhibition, Sydney 2007.

Where else do you find inspiration – ie books, magazines, your environment, travel, your family and friends?

inspiration comes in many forms - always from my friends and family. i used to travel a lot and that is a great way to see new things and get inspired, but i haven't got to do so much in past few years. i like nature a lot - doesn't have to be out in the country-side, urban nature is awesome too. i try to deny it but i am a bit of a magazine junkie - my current favs are anorak, won, milk, short and amelia's magazine. i also treasure my old copies of nest magazine. i have a pretty decent book collection - i think i buy books every week - many from opp-shops and second hand bookstores.

What's the best thing about your job?

being able to dictate my hours so i can spend lots of time with my kids. that it still doesn't quite feel like a job. getting to draw pictures everyday.

'Menagerie' papercuts for 'Menagerie' exhibition, Perth, 2008.

And the worst?

because i dictate my hours i also end up working most nights. and sometimes its scary not having a guaranteed wage, especially when you have mouths to feed and a mortgage to pay.

What would be your dream project?

renovating my house with an unlimited budget. working with jonathan adler or todd oldham. illustrating children's books.

'Favourites' illustration for Mess + Noise magazine, Australia 2006.

What are you looking forward to?

launching my new beci orpin line, our backyard transformation which we are working on in the next month and hopefully an overseas family holiday.

Timber brooches and hankerchiefs from Beci's latest range under her new Beci Orpin label.

Holiday giftcards from Beci's latest range

Melbourne Questions –

Best gallery to see the work of artists/illustrators like yourself in Melbourne?

outre gallery sells some of my works, they such a great collection of pop-inspired print-based work. i also like utopian slumps in collingwood and craft victoria.

Illustrations for screenprints as part of 'Folklore' solo show at X-Girl, NYC, 2006.

Where do you shop for the tools of your trade in Melbourne? (ie art supplies, computer bits and pieces, fabric / paper / haberdashery supplies?)

i just go to my local artstore (deans on sydney road) for most of my everyday supplies. there is a great paper store on victoria st in west brunswick called paper indulgence. i try and get my collage stuff and specialty glues from him. i like to buy things pre-loved whenever possible so i am always on the look-out for paper/haberdashery/etc at opp-shops.

What/where was the last great meal you ate in Melbourne?

i am a bit obsessed by food, and would like to say it was from my fav place cicciolina in st.kilda., but now i am northside i dont make it over there very often. i had the brazillian breakfast at a minor place (albion st, brunswick) last week - beans were amazing. i also had a great dinner at becco (crossley lane, city) - stuffed olives are a must!

Where would we find you on a typical Saturday morning?

organics aisle at vic market, or at home eatings raph's perfect poached eggs whilst reading the paper and doing loads of washing

Melbourne’s best kept secret?

the opp-shop around the corner from my house - its a regular goldmine. and i am keeping it a secret!

'Swallow Girl' Tee print, Princess Tina, 2006.

Thanks so much Beci! x