Since I started writing this blog, I’ve come across so many beautiful nurseries and kids rooms.  Each one is unique, individual and has been designed by the mama (or papa) in question with bags of creativity and love.  So I thought I would start sharing some of my lovely finds.  Today I’ve picked 3 simple nursery storage ideas that I love.  These 3 ideas are for small storage and show how, with a little imagination, you can make a real feature of stuff that you would probably otherwise have to find a storage space for:

1.  Inexpensive wire planters hung on a wall to store and display soft toys.  It looks amazing, the toys can be seen and it adds real style to the room.  This is the creation of a Texan mama called James (yes, a mama – see her blog for an explanation) who blogs at Blue Bird Vintage.

2.  Vintage suitcases look super cool, you can often pick them up for pennies at a flea market and they make very useful storage boxes.  I love how they’ve been used to keep the babies books tidy and besides looking chic, the books are easy to reach for little kids.  This is part of a delightful room created by an Aussie mama who blogs at One Claire Day.*

3.  Instead of a chunky wardrobe this is a wonderful and stylish way to store clothes.  They look stunning hung on this rustic, minimal, eco-friendly hanger.  Perfect for when space is tight but I would choose this even otherwise as it’s such a great feature for a room.  I found this at a blog called French by Design.

P.S. If you’ve still got all your Christmas shopping to do (like me!) have a look at our Christmas gift guide… it might just help! x

* Via Ohdeedoh

Yesterday I was browsing the latest collection at Caramel Baby and Child when I spotted these cool cushions and toy storage bucket bags.  I discovered that these gorgeous silk printed goodies are made by Ah Quel Plaisir, started by Belgian born Caroline Halusiak. The toy storage buckets are made of canvas and embellished with beautiful animal prints in soft tones.  They come in 3 sizes but all are on the small side so they’re just the ticket for small toy storage.  The star and cloud shaped cushions are stylish, fun and playful, the perfect combo for kid’s room decor.   The cushions and bucket bags cost around £45 each from Caramel’s shop.

The colours, the prints, the designs of the Orient have always inspired me for their richness and their almost magical qualities.  If you’re a regular here, you’ll know how much I also love the style of the Frenchies.  So when I discovered Zolima I was more than a bit excited.  Zolima combines the beauty of French style with the magic of the Orient to create sumptuous goodies for kids but ones that will so appeal to mama’s too.  They make storage cases, suitcases, little bags and purses as well as clothes, mostly for the girlies but there are some for the boys too. 

I like all of Zolima’s goodies but it’s the bright coloured suitcases that I’m seriously lusting after.  They are so pretty, so girly.  They come in different sizes and can be used for travel.  But when you’re back home, you’re not going to want to hide these beauties away.  Use them as creative storage for dolls, toys, books or anything else.  Check out Pivoine et Tapioca who have the whole range.

Ooh la, la… I’m liking this range of goodies by Range Ton Pyjama.  When I first spotted them I didn’t know what they were but I knew they looked darn cool.  With a little digging and some much needed help from good old google translate, I found out that they’re a range of yummy little French products for the kiddies.  At the top you’ve got table napkins, then a quirky, robot like pyjama case, a soft toy rattle and some little pouches to store whatever you like.  There’s more to the range including a mini hot water bottle (only made of grains, no water required)… so sweet. 

Range Ton Pyjama offer everyday kids stuff but they’ve added bags of funky style.  To get this range, go over to Prairymood, a French store full of yummies.  Sadly, it’s only in French so you’ll need to don your French speaking hat or there’s always google translate.  The range costs from €11 – €34 and shipping is €15.50. 

What a cool way to store and display all your bambino’s mini junk treasures.  Lets face it, these kind of little, tiny toys seem to multiply faster than rabbits.  They get under your feet, in the washing machine, under sofa cushions, in your boots (yup, that hurts)… it can feel like an invasion of plastic pests.  I can’t think of anything better than making a feature of them.  And these simple white floor to ceiling shelves do just that.  Lot’s of little colourful toys lined up against the clean white look super cool and very stylish.  To add even more pizazz to your display, stick some lights in the shelves.

This creative toy storage shelf is from a very cool home in Perth, Australia.  The mama and papa in question have created a home that looks super hot but still functions as a family home for them and their 2 bambino’s.  To see more pictures of their beautiful space head to lmnop, an Aussie kids magazine brimming with fun ideas and lots of happy style finds.

Photographed by: Ian Macpherson

3 Sprouts toy storage bins are what I’m feeling the love for today.  Truth be told, I’ve lusted after these toy storage baskets for eons but only recently discovered that you can get them here… hallelujah!  These super sweet storage baskets come with a range of animal faces in the most joyful of colours.  All the animals have the giant-est of eyes making them deliciously cute and happy looking.  The baskets are big and strong and bold and can hold a lot of junk toys… I should know as I’ve indulged in one for ebabee no.1.  And now they’ve gone and added toy storage caddies to their collection; more temptation especially the little mouse one.

To get one of these, get down to Huggle, a fab kiddy store in Swiss Cottage in London.  I have family in that part of town whom I suddenly seem to want to visit every week!  In case you can’t get down there, just hold your horses… they’re gonna be selling online in the very, very near future.  These 3 Sprouts toy storage baskets cost around £30 each.

Ooh… hello Marimekko!  I’m a fan, a big fan of this Finnish design house.  When I last visited their central London store, they were shut but I spied staff in there.  I practically glued my face to the glass front, knocked and begged and pleaded to be allowed in… desperate or what?!  But I got in (I think they felt sorry for me).  Hey, whatever it takes and it was so worth it as I found these delectable kids suitcases.  I’m already crazy about their ‘Karkuteilla’ print which is what these diddy suitcases are adorned with.  One look and it had to be mine ebabee no.1′s.  After all it would’ve been rude to make them open shop and not buy anything… that’s what I told daddee no.1 anyway!

These little Marimekko kids suitcases are made of chunky cardboard and come in 3 sizes.  The colours are super vibrant and they make for a super cute accessory for a toddler.  Mine uses hers to carry her ‘treasures’ in when she’s out for the day and she does insist on carrying it herself.  The large one costs £18, the medium £16 and the small £14.  Best place to get it is the Marimekko store in London (020 74866454).  But you can get it online at the Finnish Design Shop although delivery is steep at €15.

P.S. Here’s a sneak peak of ebabee no.1 with her’s…

I’m a huge fan of the cool Spanish label, Bobo Choses.  And just like everything they touch, this toy storage basket is up there in the style stakes.  The bold red, blue and yellow embroidery against the straw would add a splash of cool to any nursery or play space.  Heck, it’s so fab, I would even allow it in to an adult space!  If you’re looking for toy storage with a difference then this basket has to be it.  You could even hang it to liven up your nursery walls.  To get this oh so covetable toy storage basket, head to Coverture and the Garbstore where it costs £49 plus £5.50 delivery.

P.S. Check out ebabee, our little auction site with loads of bargains!

How super cute are these retro suitcases?  They’re gorgeous and I’m thinking no little girl (or big girl even) should be without.  Use it as storage indoors or better yet take it out filled with whatever stuff you can’t leave home without.  Made by the French Lale, there’s a range of deliciously chic retro prints on offer.  I can’t even begin to choose a favourite, so I’m not going to try.  They come in 2 sizes, small for the smalls in your life and big for the mama’s.  The mini ones measure 21x16cms and the maxi ones measure 39x29cms.  What a stylish hospital bag the big one would make for an expectant mama or even a very covetable retro diaper bag.  My hospital bag time has long passed but I’m seriously tempted for ebabee no.1.  You can get a selection from elias & grace for £40 for the small one and £60 for the big or try smallable.com who deliver internationally.

There’s something special about canal houses, y’know the kind you find in Amsterdam.  And there’s something equally special about these canal cardboard storage houses.  They’re just so cool.  They come as a set of 3, each with a different shaped roof… how authentic!  Each canal house box has a different coloured interior and a white exterior that is screaming to be decorated.  Sticker them, paint them, draw on them, wallpaper them, the choice is yours.  Made of 100% biodegradable cardboard, they’re sturdy and even have a carry handle.  Measuring around 53 x 33 x 22cms, they’re not as teeny-tiny as they look in their photo’s (thought the camera always made you look bigger?!).  The set of 3 Amsterdam canal storage boxes normally cost £25 but they’re currently on sale for £15 from All up and on and delivery’s £3.98.

If you like these, then checkout the Amsterdam Cabinets, they’re hot!

And last, have a look at ebabee, our little baby auction site.