Such Great Heights · Wonder Tents
Shopping
9th July, 2013
'Grand Hearts' Wonder Tent by Adelaide based company Such Great Heights. Photo - Eve Wilson.
'Floral Bomb' Wonder Tent by Adelaide based company Such Great Heights.
'Floral Bomb' Wonder Tent detail. Photo - Eve Wilson.
'Khaki' Wonder Tent by Such Great Heights. Photo - Eve Wilson.
We don't make a habit of covering too many kids things around here, but sometimes we stumble across a new idea that just too cute and clever to keep to ourselves! These 'Wonder Tents' by Adelaide based design studio Such Great Heights are one such recent discovery. A refreshing new contender in the 'hipster childrens' teepee' arena!
Such Great Heights is run by husband and wife team Ryan O'Connor & Jo Fahy, and is based out of their family home, in Adelaide. With combined backgrounds in film and TV, paediatric physiotherapy, and fashion design, it was the birth of their two daughters which originally inspired Ryan and Jo to start Such Great Heights. After a couple of years in development, their debut kids product range was launched mid last year - a friendly little collection of sweet, sturdy play tents, dress up capes and merit badges.
'In 2008 our proudest achievements came in the form of our daughters, Grace, and two years later Daisy' explains Jo. 'Parenthood thrust us into the world of mass produced plastic toys. We found that so many are one-dimensional in their functionality and are not built to last beyond their second change of batteries. Rather than inspire creativity, they dictate play. So we set out to design and manufacture a small children’s product range of beautiful items that encourage rich, imaginary play. We also wanted to create a design aesthetic that adults would appreciate and would gladly welcome into their homes!'
Each Wonder Tent range is handcrafted locally using Australian hardwood and organic cotton canvas. I particularly love Ryan and Jo's inspired choice of vintage-style fabrics, which really give these tents their unique personality, and an umistakable sense of nostalgia. There's a style to suit every child and every bedroom - from the boy-scout inspired 'Khaki' (complete with custom merit badges which can be ordered separately), to 'Grand Hearts' and 'Floral Bomb' - for the girliest of slumber parties! INGENIOUSLY, Ryan and Jo have also created a simple conversion kit which turns these solid little structures into the sweetest childrens' clothing rack when not in use.
The very first run of Wonder Tents was made entirely by Ryan and Jo from their home studio, with Ryan shaping the timber uprights, and Jo at the sewing machine. Twelve months on, this industrious pair are now collaborating with local machinists and makers to produce their product range. Prices start from $279.00. (Clothes rack conversion kits are priced at an additional $45.00).
Do check out Such Great Heights' website and blog for a look at the full Wonder Tents range, and a few more inspired product ideas for imaginative kids!
'Grand Hearts' Wonder Tent in red, by Such Great Heights. Photo - Eve Wilson.
Conversion of Wonder Tent into kiddie clothes rack, using Such Great Heights' handy conversion kit!
A great idea, beautifully executed. Love it!
I love it when you cover Kids things. And this one is the best so far!
Oh my goodness I just found these two weeks ago via pinterest and I am so in love.
The second I find out if its a boy or a girl the flowery one or the scout one will be on order….then I guess the baby will just have to grow into it.
Thanks for another fabulous post!
Whatever happened to encouraging a child’s creativity by allowing them to make the tent. It may not have the designer fabric but it has meant that the child considers how to use and recycle what is around them.
wow love these tents, do they come in adult size ;) ?
Sold! Gorgeous.
Great! And a single mattress could fit in the tent to make a cosy, partially canopied bed. Would love a clothes rack for myself too!
Love these!!! And I’m with you Barbara kids things rule!! There are plenty of Aunts/Uncles/Godparents etc among your audience Lucy who purchase for their family and friends. I don’t think you have to be a parent to appreciate good design whether for kids or not. I think I need some of these for my shop!!!
These are amazing! I love well-designed kid stuff. My daughter has a teepee but it’s nowhere near as stylin’ as this!
So cool, I especially love the clothes racks. Probably because I’ve been looking for something for my daughter’s wardrobe-less room. x
Clever and cute!
Wish my kids were younger … well, maybe not?
Thanks a million for the fabulous feature Lucy & Lisa. It’s safe to say that we are now in the thick of the ‘Design Files’ effect… Craziness!! Love it.
Cass – We are in the process of making a small run of adult sized clothes racks… if you are interested, please get in touch! mail@suchgreatheights.com
Thanks again, Ryan & Jo, Such Great Heights x
I would love to fit into one of these tents! Gorgeous, clever design.
LOVE the fabric choices! I recently came across a table cloth that was beyond dry clean repair, this has now given me some inspiration to get same fabric paint and let my little Baby Bear decorate – A colourful tent here we come, then picnic in the park!
It’s so great to see TDF covering kids stuff for us parents. It’s so hard to find unique, creative, non-cookie cutter stuff for kids so … More please!! Also great to see local Adelaide guys doing so well! Well done x
Too cute! Love the fabrics! On the Christmas list!
You really make it appear so easy with your presentation however I to find this topic to be actually something that I believe I’d never understand. It kind of feels too complicated and very wide for me. I am having a look forward in your subsequent put up, I will attempt to get the dangle of it!