Kids designs that never go out of fashion

Design aesthetics is a big thing for Born.  We think it's important that we take time to try and seek out products that offer something truly original.

But trying to find new, exciting designs for baby or toddler toys & furniture can be a very time consuming process, it seems there are few radical designs that ever make it into the nursery.  Which makes many of the following antique products even more interesting - not only cutting edge all those years ago, but many would seen as radical today!



Rocking chair by Hans Brockhage - 1950"

This rocking chair doubles up as a push car by flipping up upside down - so twice the fun!

Kids high chair by De Stijl. 1950's

Interestingly the design suggests the chair was designed so that the toddler or young child was able to sit at the family table - this same principle can be seen in today's Stokke Tripp Trapp.  (Although I'm not sure today's health & safety would approve)



High Chair by Nana Ditzel - 1955

This is a very elegant forerunner of baby high chairs that are common today.  Less common today is the quality of construction and the hand finished beautiful design.



Kids chairs by Kristian Solmer Vedel - 1957

This pair of Danish kids chairs are truly functional, and like Tripp Trapps allow you to move the slotted seats up & down to suit the child.  Plus the design means they require no screws!  Today just one of these chairs would cost approx 700 euros.



Wheely bug by Aarikka - 1970's

This is my favorite antique toy.  It's by the Finnish design company Aarikka who still today produce beautiful household items, although sadly not very many toys.  This is the earliest 'wheely-bug' type I've come across, and interestingly despite it being only from the 70's the preferred look was plain wood rather than adding fabrics or paint as producers do today.



Train set by Ko Verzuu - 1939

Not exactly a design classic like the furniture pieces but this charming train set is a fantastic example of the Adu brand of toys.  Rare as hens teeth, this train set would typically go for close on 800 euros at auction.

It wasn't just European designers that were making toys that would last as this dolls house from the 1800's shows.  Made in the US it was made for a little girl called Nancy Allen and was a massive 5ft 6in wide!  (Not sure where we'd have the space in our house).

Nancy Allen's dolls house - 1800's



If you're a fan or collector of such fantastic design then a must see website is the Dutch website Mid mod design.  Thanks to them for many of the images.