Let’s Discuss: Design Ethics and Affordability
I’ve been thinking about this for a while now, and my latest visit to ABC Kids Expo has really made me want to face this issue head on. Copycats and lower cost versions of designer products happen in every industry from cars to fashion, furniture to food. So how do we decide when to tolerate it? Do we tolerate it? Or do we accept it as a matter of course?
Of course we know this happens in the baby and nursery product industry all the time. When we see a brilliant idea, we know it’s just a matter of time before everyone has jumped on the bandwagon. Sometimes the imitations are merely derivative, other times they are blatantly obvious.
Now why would anyone choose a copy over the original? Sometimes it’s lack of awareness and other times it’s as simple as affordability. You can’t afford the original so you purchase a reasonable facsimile.
Part of my philosophy in my work on Buy Modern Baby is accessibility of beautifully designed products for anyone who shares a modern aesthetic. Frequently, cost becomes a barrier to accessibility of the most exclusive products. Not everyone, or I should say, MOST families cannot spend or do not deem it practical to spend upwards of $800 on a crib. Does that mean they must compromise on their style?
Should the companies who produce affordable, yet derivative designs be punished for lack of originality or praised for bringing high style to those who would NEVER purchase the originals?
I have great admiration for the creative and courageous designers who have worked hard to develop quality products and distinct brands in the nursery industry. I’ve also been able to develop relationships with many of those brands and know the work that goes into the development and promotion of their designs. I feel terrible for them when they feel their hard work has been stolen.
I also feel a responsibility to those expectant mothers who despite a meager budget, don’t want to have to compromise their personal aesthetic when creating a space in which they will welcome and enjoy time with the newest member of their family. I don’t want them to be denied the greatest variety of options to help them fulfill their design dreams.
Let’s discuss this dilemma. What is acceptable and what isn’t? Who is responsible? Does it matter? I’d like to hear from all sides. Designers, share your thoughts. Design snobs, what’s your take? Budget moms, how do you feel? Retailers, what position do you take?
If you feel more comfortable posting anonymously, do so. I just want your thoughts.
Oilo New Bedding Sets and Other Goodies
One of the highlights of my time at this year’s ABC Kids Expo was a lovely visit with Dorte Anderson, Co-Owner of Oilo, who showed me all their new products and designs.
I was thrilled to discover that despite already being a favorite of celebrities like Christina Applegate and Rachel Zoe, Oilo is not resting on their laurels and will be releasing two gorgeous new bedding collections.
Freesia is the first specifically girly bedding set from Oilo, and its Blush color is a wonderfully modern take on pink. The set is sweet and fresh, and would be a great starting point for any little girl’s modern nursery.
Oilo has also added changing pad covers with contrasting removable padded toppers. These are a clever and lovely solution for inevitable messes.
The other new set, Triple Band, features a sandy gray paired with a citron yellow, for a beautiful neutral color combination. Shown below is the bedding with a luxurious matching play blanket.
Here you can see the bedding with the changing pad as well.
Finally, Oilo’s newest offerings also will include layette sets for both boys and girls as well as Car Seat Canopies.
coming soon!: ABCKids backpack bath crib bedding diaper bags feeding ladybug penguin toys
by Esther
1 comment
Skip Hop’s Huge Showing at ABC Kids Expo 2011
Skip Hop launched more new items at the ABC Kids Expo this year than they ever have at one time before. I’m just going to share my favorites with you or we’d be here all day.
One thing in particular had the entire show buzzing…
Don’t you just love the Jonathan Adler collaboration with Skip Hop? This exciting collection includes four patterns: Wave Multi, Flame Yellow, Chevron Blue and Nixon. All four will be available as Duo Essential Diaper Bags ($75) and Pronto Changing Stations ($34), and the Dash Messenger Bag ($80) will be available in Chevron Blue and Nixon. The line should be in stores in December!
The other product that had everyone at the Expo talking was the Complete Sheet. With the bumper controversy continuing to brew, Skip Hop developed the Complete Sheet to ensure you can have all the style of a bumper without any of the risk. Genius.
The bumper free 4-piece bedding sets include the Complete Sheet, Nursery blanket, crib skirt and an Airflow wearable blanket for $120. The sheets and blankets can also be purchased separately and the collection will be available in November.
My two favorite sets are Chocolate Lattice…
…and Mod Dot (which is already a popular bedding pattern from Skip Hop).
They look incredible, right?
Skip Hop has also made a name for itself as one of the major players in the modern baby bath accessories market. I love all of the new products they are releasing in the coming months.
Your first must-have item is Soapster, the adorable foaming soap dispenser. Coming soon, he’ll be retailing for $24.
There’s also a new Yellow Ducky Spout Cover, and some fun toys like the Starfish Stay-Put Stacker, Octopus Ring Toss Fountain and the Sort + Spin Fishbowl Sorter.
These will be coming out in the next couple months.
The last thing I want to mention is the ladybug items. To satisfy the demand for another girly character, ladybug items have been added to Skip Hop’s mealtime and Zoo pack collections.
It’s always fun to visit with Skip Hop and as usual, I came away excited and impressed.
The Gadgets of Baby Gear from 4 Moms
4 moms debuted a new product at ABC Kids Expo this past weekend. Their all new playard is a “Breeze” to open and close back up.
In less than 10 seconds, Emily from 4 moms collapsed and reopened the new (coming next summer) Breeze playard.
I tried it myself and it’s as easy as it looks. The retail price for the Breeze is expected to be $250.
4 moms seems to have also finally nailed down a release for the long awaited Origami stroller. These should be available in January 2012. In case you haven’t heard about it, I’ll just share this video and you’ll see exactly what Origami is all about.
The Origami will probably retail for $850 and I’ll let you know once these items are released.
More to Love from Mod Mom Furniture: ABC Kids Expo 2011
One thing I was really looking forward to about the ABC Kids Expo this year was meeting Mod Mom Kiersten and checking out her new furniture pieces.
I was not disappointed with either. Kiersten is as lovely as you may imagine, and the new twin bed and dressers have a few tricks up their sleeves!
Part of the Owyn furniture collection (which already includes the toy box and table and stool set) the new pieces are the beginning of a new chapter for Mod Mom Furniture.
The Owyn Platform Bed ($900) features a reversible headboard so you can choose to use the bed as shown or use the other side with the natural wood stain and a small walnut bird detail.
The Owyn 3 Drawer Dresser ($1,100) and the 5 Drawer Dresser ($1300) are each beautiful separately, but if you set them side by side, the branch design connects from one to the other. So clever!
There is also a matching nightstand to complete the set (not pictured). I’ll let you know as soon as these new items are available!
I also have to mention that Kiersten was also giving out wonderful little goodie bags and check out one thing I found in mine!
My very own Racoon from Mod Tots!
coming soon!: ABCKids dresser glider nursery furniture twin bed
by Esther
16 comments
Dutailier’s New Direction: Show Stopping Collections
Wow. Wow. Wow. My mouth dropped open. I could NOT believe what I was seeing. I hadn’t even planned on visiting Dutailier. They were located way in the back corner of the furniture section, and they don’t usually have anything of great interest to me, so boy was I surprised at what I saw.
I’m just going to show you the photos right now and we’ll talk more about what’s going on later.
Here’s a closer look at some of the pieces:
Even their new gliders are WONDERFUL!
So? What do you think? Pick your jaws up off the floor and let me know!
Heading Home from ABC Kids Expo 2011
The show is nearly over. Louisville lacked some of the grandeur of Vegas but I met some wonderful friends, saw lots of my favorite brands and reps. and made a few great discoveries.
Exciting, right?
So now with my aching toes and a back full of over 10 pounds of literature and CDs (I weighed the bag at the airport!), I kick my feet up and start heading home.
More posts to come!
ABC Kids Expo 2011 and the US Debut of Ubabub
I’ve been waiting about a year to show these to you. The incredible furniture designs from the Australian company Ubabub are heading stateside. They’re still working out distribution details, but before you know it, we’re going to be enjoying these incredible collections in our nursery design arsenal! Of course I will continue to keep you updated.
First the Nifty Timber Crib…
…and the entire collection,
which also goes with the Nifty Clear Crib…
The Pod is another incredible design from Ubabub…
…which can transform into this lovely toddler bed:
So, what do you think?!
They Posted These So I Don’t Have To
These are my favorite posts from around the internet this past week.
This Living With Kids: Maria Fé post is a can’t miss room tour that was on Design Mom this past week. Featuring Ferm Living Wilderness Wallpaper and Spot on Square’s Eicho crib, this is a cozy, modern, and totally stylish space.
I’ve been wondering what a white on white nursery would be like, and if you can get past worrying about stains, this Shades of White Nursery Mood Board on chalk + dot presents a stunningly relaxing look.
Chic Spaces for Little Faces put together a great roundup of lockers in children’s spaces in the wonderful post Lockers aren’t just for school anymore. Lots of great photos and sources.
This Today I Love… The Night Sky post on Oh So Beautiful Paper was inspired by Stargazing. I think this would make for great nursery inspiration as well!
Finally, I liked Ohdeedoh’s roundup of Wall Art: 10 Pretty and Proud Peacocks. I’ve used a couple of the prints in nursery boards. For some reason I’m partial to peacocks.
Enjoy those posts for today and tomorrow! I’m leaving for ABC Kids Expo 2011 tomorrow and I’ll post from there ASAP!
Real Room Tour: Fresh Blue and White Nursery
Amy’s first nursery was all the rage throughout the blogosphere last year and I’m excited to show you what she has now put together for baby #2!
This fresh blue and white space has a grown-up feel but is a beautiful comfy space for a little boy.
The most striking feature in the room is the navy honeycomb fabric curtains. As is Amy’s signature, she had the fabrics done at Spoonflower for a perfectly custom look.
The dresser and mirror are both from Ikea, and together they create a chic changing and storage area.
This small approximately 9′ x 9′ space functions both as nursery an guest room, so the sofa isn’t just a comfy lounge space, it’s also a Queen sized sleeper.
Amy made the balloon mobile (so cool!) and her photo of her sweet new baby is a portrait she did of him when he was just five days old.
For more information about this nursery including product sources and paint colors, visit Amy’s blog, the b-line, and take a look at the nursery reveal.
Also, please visit her photography site, Amy Bethune Photography, and be inspired by her fresh, modern style. Amy also has an etsy shop with her own style of custom jewelry. This woman is seriously talented.
Thanks so much for sharing Amy! You have two lucky little boys!
