The world of children’s interiors has come a long way in recent years. No longer an afterthought, there are now so many brands catering specifically to making kids’ bedrooms more colourful, educational and generally interesting… and many of them are based right here in Australia!
The owners of V. Happy Co had previously planned to bring a group of these leading brands together at the in-person event, Happy House, which has sadly been postponed due to Covid. We’ll keep you posted on when it returns, but in the meantime, here’s a closer look at seven of the best Aussie kids design brands – and where to find them!
Selection of V. Happy Co Alphapics Prints in A2 and A3. Plant and planter by Ivy Muse. Lockers by Mustard Made. Floor cushions by Sage x Clare. Taco by Make Me Iconic. Bag/key tags by V. Happy Co. Burger greeting card on locker by V. Happy Co. Photo – Amelia Stanwix. Styling – Paige Anderson. Art direction – V. Happy Co
V. Happy Co Alphapics Letter G Print + Letter C Print. Timber bed by Plyroom. Bed linen and Mathilda Crochet Cushion by Sage x Clare. Locker by Mustard Made. Wire basket on top of locker by Mustard Made. Letter B Bag Tag (on locker) by V. Happy Co. Oval Play Mat in Sage by jnr.life. Hot Chips Tall Lunch Bag by Doo Wop Kids. Floor cushions by Sage x Clare. Photo – Amelia Stanwix. Styling – Paige Anderson. Art direction – V. Happy Co
Letter B Print by V. Happy Co. Plyroom Ava Cot. Plyroom Dedo Wooden Storage Box. Linen and cushions by Sage x Clare. Mustard Made ‘The Shorty’ Locker. Doo Wop Kids Trucks Tall Lunch Bag. Plant and planter by Ivy Muse. jnr.life play mats and shapes. Letter A Bag Tag by V. Happy Co. Make Me Iconic Healthy Tummy Brekkie. Photo – Amelia Stanwix. Styling – Paige Anderson. Art direction – V. Happy Co
Whether you have kids of your own, or just occasionally buy gifts for other little people in your life, it’s always handy to be across the latest and greatest brands for kids.
From personalised art prints to Melbourne-made furniture, there are so many fantastic options currently on offer. These seven brands are just a handful of our local favourites!
Selection of V. Happy Co Alphapics Prints. jnr.life Play Mat (oval, rust), Play Mat (round, linen); Play Room Mate (gull/lobster); Play Go Round (ocean and gull) Play Arc (cloud). Mustard Made Wire Basket. Make Me Iconic Loose Change Binoculars. Make Me Iconic Healthy Tummy Brekkie. Photo – Amelia Stanwix. Styling – Paige Anderson. Art direction – V. Happy Co
New V. Happy Co Art Print – Robot Face Print (800mm x 1200mm, available framed for Melbourne pick up). Mustard Made ‘The Skinny’ Locker. jnr.life Play Mat (oval, rust); Play Room Mate (gull/lobster); Play Go Round (ocean and gull) Play Arc (cloud). Make Me Iconic Loose Change Paddle Ball. Letter A Bag Tag by V. Happy Co. Photo – Amelia Stanwix. Styling – Paige Anderson. Art direction – V. Happy Co
In a market saturated by clutter, Nikki Davis and Ashleigh Pyke saw an opportunity to enter the children’s interiors space with a more sophisticated and considered design approach.
Their label, jnr.life launched in 2018 with high quality quilted play mats, but their latest venture is jnr.play – a collection of soft play-shapes made in Melbourne for both indoor and outdoor fun.
‘We create useful play essentials for junior life (right from birth) that nurture the imagination and encourage play without forsaking a stylish sensibility suited to grown-up environments,’ says Ashleigh.
These are the kind of kids toys you’ll proudly keep on display in the home, and can even double as furniture.
‘We design for tots but appeal to a contemporary aesthetic with uncompromising detail and durable, premium textiles,’ says Nikki.
Maxi Round World Map Backpack by Doo Wop Kids. Letter E Bag Tag by V. Happy Co. Photo – Amelia Stanwix. Styling – Paige Anderson. Art direction – V. Happy Co
Sydney-based label Doo Wop Kids are bringing personality to gender-neutral kids fashion with their printed clothing, backpacks, hip packs, lunch bags, and handbags.
‘Doo Wop Kids create products that allow children to express themselves through bright colours, fun prints and loud patterns – without any rules,’ says Wendy Zakaria, who founded the label in 2015.
‘As a brand, we align ourselves to further the freedom of individuality and creativity within our children.’
With prints ranging from ‘70s inspired florals, to cheeseburgers, ramen, and world maps, Doo Wop Kids’ pieces are sure to make you smile. Items are made in both Australia and Indonesia.
Mustard Made ‘The Lowdown’ Locker. V. Happy Co Letter E Print. Letter E Bag Tag (on locker) by V. Happy Co. Australian Ute by Make Me Iconic. Australian Stacking Burger by Make Me Iconic. Plant and stand by Ivy Muse. Photo – Amelia Stanwix. Styling – Paige Anderson. Art direction – V. Happy Co
After 10 years living in Europe, Natasha Skunca returned to Melbourne and realised the gap in the market for stylish souvenirs depicting local icons.
‘The city has so much to offer that is unique, stylish, and contemporary and I wanted something in our home that brought those elements to life,’ says Natasha.
A decade later, her label Make Me Iconic is still going strong, and has evolved from tea towels, cushions and artwork to also offer beautiful, wooden toys. Amongst their best sellers are remakes of the Australia Post street mailboxes and Melbourne’s famous yellow and green trams.
‘Our wooden toys also simply don’t go out of style, and tend to be more timeless… [They] keep kids busy and they are actually doing some serious learning right before your eyes,’ says Natasha.
There’s also non-Melbourne specific souvenirs for those based elsewhere in the country – such as glass ornaments, wooden versions of Arnotts biscuits, and sequinned accessories.
Selection of V. Happy Co Alphapics Prints. Taco by Make Me Iconic. Locker by Mustard Made. Photo – Amelia Stanwix. Styling – Paige Anderson. Art direction – V. Happy Co
V. Happy Co creates playfully designed art prints and more, to inspire both big and little folk.
Founded by designer Vanessa Perilli in 2019, PR expert and brand strategist Esther Navarro-Orejon joined the business in 2020.
Among their most popular products are the Alphapics prints – a unique illustrated alphabet to encourage language awareness, while also just looking great in any kids’ room! V. Happy Co also creates personalised art prints of kids’ names – the perfect gift for new parents. All products are proudly made in Australia.
V. Happy Co were the masterminds behind the now-postponed Happy House event… so stay tuned to their socials for the rescheduled date, as well as new products coming soon!
Maxi Round World Map Backpack by Doo Wop Kids. Letter E Bag Tag by V. Happy Co Mustard Made ‘The Skinny’ Locker in Ocean. Letter A Bag Tag by V. Happy Co. Photo – Amelia Stanwix. Styling – Paige Anderson. Art direction – V. Happy Co
We’re big fans of Mustard Made – makers of colourful lockers for kids bedrooms, playrooms and adult spaces alike!
Lockers are available in a range of sizes to serve as versatile storage solutions. The Twinny for example makes for an ideal wardrobe, The Lowdown can be a TV console, and The Shorty is a bedside table alternative. The only problem is choosing a favourite colour!
‘Our lockers are designed to be simple, beautiful, and above all, super versatile, no matter how big or small you are,’ says Becca Stern, who co-founded Mustard Made with her sister Jess Stern in 2018.
‘It’s all in the little details, from the matching keyring to the flexibility of the shelves. We really want our lockers to last so they can grow with you as your clothes get bigger.’
Letter B Print by V. Happy Co. Plyroom Ava Cot. Plyroom Dedo Wooden Storage Box. Linen and cushions by Sage x Clare. Mustard Made “Shorty’’ Locker. Doo Wop Kids Trucks Tall Lunch Bag. Plant and planter by Ivy Muse. jnr.life play mats and shapes. Letter A Bag Tag by V. Happy Co. Make Me Iconic Healthy Tummy Brekkie. Photo – Amelia Stanwix. Styling – Paige Anderson. Art direction – V. Happy Co
‘Thoughtful’ and ‘understated’ are not words commonly used to describe children’s furniture, but not all children’s furniture is created by Plyroom!
Among this label’s wider furniture collection are several pieces specifically designed to grow with children, and last a lifetime.
‘Children’s spaces are often cluttered and busy. Our pieces sit lightly in the space and create a natural canvas for calm,’ says Plyroom director and founder Elise Heslop.
‘As families grow and needs change, our pieces can adjust and adapt to growing children and spaces as life changes. The Ava Lifestages Cot (pictured), for example, is also a desk, junior bed, and two-tier cot.’
Plyroom products are made in Australia and Italy.
A leap of faith saw Melbourne based designer Phoebe Bell found Sage x Clare in 2013, and she hasn’t looked back since!
The homewares, apparel and accessories label expanded to include a baby and kids range in 2017, offering a vibrant range of bed linen, cushions, wall hangings, blankets and muslin wraps.
‘Creating handcrafted pieces full of charm, colour, pattern and texture is the heartbeat of this brand,’ says Phoebe.
Sage x Clare’s soulful and textural wares are designed in Melbourne and made in India. ‘Each piece has such detail that it’s a joy to be surrounded by them,’ says Phoebe. ‘To hold these pieces in your hands and know that someone has learnt a time-honoured craft to create them is the most special feeling of all.’
