One Year Old Rowan's Worldly Bedroom

One-year-old Rowan is so lucky to have an amazing room at his Nan Roberta's house (of Rowantree Design). Roberta has injected her love of traveling into the room with the amazing world map wall mural and lots of colourful travel-related goodies. I'm particularly taken with the Goebel figurines and the map of Australia.

Room: Bedroom at Nan's house for grandson Rowan.

Age: 12 months old.
Designed by: Nan Roberta (Rowantree Design)
Location: Ashfield, NSW

Cot: 'Turin' by Growtime - perfect for small rooms appts.

Cot blanket: handmade, purchased n Bali.

World map decal: The Wall Sticker Company.

Globe mobile: ABC Home, New York City.

Boat wall art: Mathilda's Market.

Letters: a variety shop.

Figurines: Goebel of Germany, from Rowan's great grandmother (let's hope he doesn't smash them).

Map of Australia: my own. I took it home from school in the holidays to clean it when I was in the fifth grade and never took it back, I really loved it so much.

Desk and chair: bought from an op shop for my daughters back in the eighties!

Globe artwork: Mondo Cherry. I love their artwork

Cabinet: IKEA PS cabinet.

Train: handmade vintage - I found it years ago.

Book shelves: IKEA spice racks.

Letters: purchased from Spotlight and DIY covered in scrapping paper.

Wooden bike: my own. Kept in my mothers garage forever with the Squeeky Lion.

Lion: my own. The squeeky Lion was made by Driclad company in Cabramatta in the very early 60's.

Artwork: Water colour from Vietman. Hoi Ann 'Japanese bridge'.

Bunting: Crochet bunting.

Round storage boxes: Spotlight.

Clock: Jo Melrose Design.

Cushion: IKEA EIVOR KVIST.

Pull-along Bee: Buzzy Bee (Kiwi icon).

Letter: Summer Hill Sewing Emporium.

Camera: My own box brownie (it still works).

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Thank you so much Roberta. So much inspriation for little Rowan. (oh and did you notice the IKEA spice rack book shelves?!?)

Images: Rowantree Design

Rachel Kennedy Designs greeting cards

Happy Valentine's Day! I hope you get to spend some time today with the people that you love. I spotted these gorgeous greeting cards by Rachel Kennedy Designs and thought they would put a smile on your face today.

You can find Rachel Kennedy Designs greeting cards and wall art prints in the MadeIt store and at stockists across Australia.

Images: Rachel Kennedy Designs

Fillyboo maternity wear for hip Mums

Do you remember the gorgeous clothes by Bali-based Aussie designer Pippa (of Pippa Little fame)/ I was thrilled to discover that Pippa also designs a line of ever-so-hip maternity clothes under the Fillyboo label.

I love the bohemian chic designs, pastel, black and navy blue colour choices and flowing silhouettes. Nothing too tight or too fitting here. I think these might be cooler than my normal clothes!

You can find Fillyboo in the online store .

Images: Fillyboo

Eulalie's 1st Balloon and Bunting Birthday Party

You all loved little Eulalie's nursery tour so much, that I thought it would be nice to share with you her first birthday. Eulalie's Mum is Claire from one clare day, whose style and taste I greatly admire. Claire shows that you only need a few special items (in this case the bunting and 3 huge helium balloons) to create a festive atmosphere. This lovely, casual, backyard party was beautifully captured by the amazing Tim Coulson. Enjoy!

Birthday: Eulalie's 1st Birthday.

Organised by: Mum and Dad.

Location: Our home - our back yard (Townsville, QLD).

Theme: No theme in particular - just a bit of vintage and whimsy. I'll save the themes for when she's old enough to request them!

Invitations: I made them myself on the computer using a Beatrix Potter illustration.

Cake: Four-layer gradating pink-iced butter cake. Made with love by Daddy.

Party Food: We had a very simple sausage sizzle with salads and a table of assorted sweet treats. It was very simple.

Decorations: Bunting and balloons, again, we kept it simple. We scattered the lawn with vintage chairs for adult seating and I created a little baby play area with vintage sheets to sit on.

Tips: Keep it simple to avoid any stress. Balloons and bubbles work a treat!

Something Special: A cake made with love by a family member. You don't get more special than that!

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If you would like to see more photos of Eulalie's special day, head over to Claire's blog one claire day for more Tim Coulson party goodness.

Images: Tim Coulson for one claire day

Fede handcrafted soft toys

I came across these super-cool soft toy rattles for babies and thought you would love them too. fede soft toys are unexpected shapes - hammers! spanners! cutlery!, handmade from fun vintage and new fabrics, unisex design, and made locally in Adelaide. Lots of boxes to tick right there.

These rattles would make perfect baby shower gifts, or newborn gifts. They are save to chew, have great patterns and textures for small eyes and hands, and I bet those tags are popular too. You can find fede soft toys and cushions in the Etsy shop.

Images: fede

Modern Printables: Elephant Party Pack

I'm such a fan of Jess Walsham's work (from Joyess Threads and Designs), and adore this new Elephant and balloon-themed printable party pack for Modern Printables in the Bondville Shop.

This is the gorgeous editable invitation (2 sizes) with blue elephant and red balloon:

And this is the full printable party pack:

The party pack includes printable .pdf files to print on your own printer and cut out:

• Editable invitation (simply type in your details before you print) - 2 sizes
• Round toppers - 5 designs (use for topping cupcakes and food, or stringing together to make a garland)
• Thank you note cards
• Thank you gift tags (attach to goodie bags)
• Bunting flags (2 designs)
• Juice and Water bottle labels
• Mini-bunting flags (use to make a garland, mini-bunting to top a cake, or use as food flags)
• Tented food labels or placecards (2 designs)

PLUS 5 pages of matching patterned paper that you can use for your own projects. e.g. paper chains, lanterns, placemats, bunting spacers, envelope liners, etc.

How great! This elephant design is so sweet - it would be perfect for a young boy or girl (one or two years old), christening, baby naming, or an amazing baby shower.

Co-ordinate!
There are so many gorgeous party products that co-ordinate with the Elephant party pack. Here are some ideas to get you started:

1. Sambellina party cup - polka dot blue 2. Red party balloons 3. Grosgrain ribbon - baby blue stripe 4. Rhubarb bubble plate - aqua 5. Party napkins - powder blue 6. Blue and white striped lollipops 7. Paper straws - red stripe 8. Blue hearts candy 9. Devine twine - blue 10. Cupcake baking cups - blue spot 11. Cupcake baking cups - powder blue stripe 12. Dessert plate - white with blue spots 13. Lolly bags - powder blue 14. Martha Stewart blue pom poms set

Baby Bondville's Doll Nook

We are moving house next week and as I've been starting to pack, I thought I would take a few photos of some of my favourite corners of our house.

It's an amazing space - an old Federation house with high ceilings and detailed plasterwork, Federation regulation colours (cream, green, burgundy), leadlight windows and a gorgeous garden. We are going to miss it a lot, but are looking forward to our new tree house, right on the edge of a national park.

This particular corner is my little one's doll nook, above a built-in desk. I covered the cork board with wallpaper (Bholu's Majorie Duck by Porter's Paints), and leaned against it a framed Suzy Ultman print. The ragdoll is Harriette from eeni meeni miini moh and the sweet Japanese doll was made using a new sewing kit by the red thread (to be released online in March 2012). I'll have to see where I can fit the lovely wallpaper in our new place.

Image: Steph Bond-Hutkin

Stylish Kids: Chalk n Cheese

My friend Mellissa is truly an arbiter of good taste, and when she mentions a label, I listen. She promises me that I told her about Melbourne kids' clothing label Chalk n Cheese, but I think I found it through her. In any case, welcome to a world of gorgeous clothes for children 0-8 years.

Chalk n Cheese directory Tracey Eastwood returned from the UK with ideas for a label with a European-inspired style - unfussy, classic colours, quality fabrics; smart clothes for smart occasions and play in equal measure. The pinstripe Floella dress (at top) is something pretty special with it's lovely tailoring, and grown-up fabric in a shape that most girls will adore.

You can find Chalk n Cheese in the online store, or through stockists across Australia, the UK and online. Head over now for some great savings in the online store!

Find all the Stylish Kids articles featuring Australian-designed clothes for kids, here on Bondville.

Images: Chalk n Cheese

Party Ideas: Aidan's 2nd Sesame Street Birthday Party

My dear friend Bron put together this super-cute Sesame Street-inspired party for her son Aidan's 2nd birthday. Everyone was asked to come dressed in the colour of their favourite Sesame Street character. It was a sea of primary colours and delicious goodies. I especially love the handmade paper lanterns - old school cool!, Thanks Bron for sharing your tips:

 Sour cream banana cake with freckles and smarties and Sesame Street cupcakes.

 Cookie Monster cookie pops.

 Cookie Monster cupcakes.

 Picnic table set up with handmade lanterns and streamers.

 Elmo sandwich bags filled with popcorn. 

 

 Birthday boy!

Mini quiches, Gran Fraser's cheese rolls, fruit, and Elmo and Cookie Monster cupcakes.

Abby Cadabby, Oscar the Grouch and Elmo

Mega bubbles and goodies with Elmo-inspired Thank You tags.

Birthday: For Aidan's 2nd birthday - a relaxed party with friends at the park.

Organised by: Aidan's Mum (Bron).

Location: Willoughby Park, Willoughby, NSW.

Theme: Inspired by Sesame Street. 

Invitation: Invitation, signage and Thank You tags made by Aidan's Dad.

Cake: Banana sour cream square cake with vanilla buttercream frosting, smarties and topped with a '2' made with freckles. Elmo and Cookie Monster cupcakes.

Decorations: Home made paper lanterns hung from the picnic shelter made by big brother, Mum and the birthday boy. Wooden posts wrapped with paper streamers. Red table cloth. Shoe box wrapped and decorated to hold the cookie pops

Party Food: Cookie pops, Elmo sandwich bags filled with homemade popcorn, my 100 yr old Gran Fraser's cheese puffs (made by Granny Joan), fruit skewers, samosas, spring rolls, mini quiches and juice.

Get This Look:
My picks for a bright, fun, Sesame Street-inspired party:

 

1. Sesame Street Elmo party decorations
2. Candy cane cupcake wrappers
3. Red striped paper straws
4. Wire cupcake stand
5. Solar lanterns - carnival set
6. Assorted colour paper boat streamers
7. Sesame Street Elmo party invitations


Images: Steph Bond-Hutkin