Portraits from Mat Mabe’s “The Animal Alphabet in Primitive Portraits” collection. Illustrations © 2012 Mat Mabe.

Designer Mat Mabe’s funky geometric stylings create an alphabet of wild and wonderful creatures – perfect for the kids’ wall. Read more

Love DEUZ’s bright and fun designs? Marie Findeling, co-founder, takes five minutes out of her busy day to reveal how the magic happens.

DEUZ is all about bright and lively creations for kids from 0-10 years, with energetic colours and good design. We use a selection of the best materials for kids and their planet (certified organic cotton, natural dyes, and recycled paper).

DEUZ’s very first product was the TAPIKID: a collection of 4 colorful play mats that we created to make kids imagination soar. They are made of heavy organic canvas and can be easily taken to the park, or the beach – anywhere kids like to play.

People know us for our graphic design and the quality of our creations.

We find inspiration while thinking about the way we used to play as kids (my sister Charlotte and I are from a family of six!).
I also get inspired by my own children now, who I spy on sometimes whilst they’re in their giant bedroom – a laboratory of sorts. I also collect pictures during my trips to buzzing cities like Barcelona or NYC.

Ideas flow when I have a good night’s sleep!

I can’t live without the love of my family – as I came to realise on a walking trip in The Sahara.

My all-time favourite kids’ products are PlayDoh modeling clay, Kapla and Weleda Calendula baby soap.

Everyday I try to organise my time. As a mum of 2 and a young entrepreneur, it’s a great challenge!

Charlotte and I share a love for children’s books, like the ones illustrated by Olivier Douzou or Blexbolex.

We work best when Charlotte comes from Paris to Montpellier where I live and work. We spend a few days discussing new creations for DEUZ.

I listen to Alt J, Metronomy, and French singer Bashung.

Our prized office knick-knack is an Indigo box I found at a flea market in Bruxelles. It is full of minuscule useless pieces.

I’d love to re-organise my desk, my bedroom, my living room.

Family down time happens when we all gather on our big couch and my husband starts reading my son’s favorite book. This precious moment lasts until my young daughter Lou decides to jump on her Daddy.

We look forward to seeing Lou walking. She is now 17 months. She’s taking her time…

The kids like it when I make a huge teepee in their bedroom with bamboos, a TAPIKID and pillows.

My quick dinner fix is pasta with cheese – cooked by their father. Even better!

On the weekends you’ll most likely find me by the sea. I’m lucky to live in the South of France. On Sundays, before a new week kicks off, we like to take the kids for a walk between the natural ponds of Maguelone and the Mediterranean Sea. It’s wonderful and re-energising.

See what’s inspiring our Pinterest followers this week:

Make: Milk carton boat
Art for Kids: Helen Dardik poster print
Organise: Here’s one way to keep the playroom mess at bay
Craft ideas: Homemade watercolours

This Know-it-all pencil set from Paper Pastries made us smile.

Henri’s Walk to Paris – illustrated by Saul Bass, and written by Leonore Klein, (Rizzoli, February 2012).

Today we’re celebrating the life and work of one of the greatest American graphic designers of all time,
Saul Bass (1920-1996). His memorable designs for film title sequences, corporate logos, record albums
and film posters defined an era, and his legacy is still evident in the work of contemporary designers and illustrators today.

Pages from Henri’s Walk to Paris, (Rizolli, 2012) illustrated by Saul Bass.

In 1962 Bass collaborated with children’s book author Leonore Klein to produce his only children’s book Henri’s Walk to Paris, (Young Scott Books) – which until recently, had spent decades out-of-print. Lucky for us, Rizzoli’s reprint hit bookshelves early last year.

Henri’s walk to Paris tells the story of a young boy who lives in rural France and dreams of going to Paris. One day, he decides to pack a lunch and head for the city, and what Henri sees along the way, is what we see: a panorama of colourful, bold graphic backdrops conceived by the great Mr Bass.

Google has honored Bass today (May 8, his birthday) with this wicked Google Doodle. Be sure to take a look.

Illustrations by Sabina; theinknest.com

Climb aboard and embrace this season’s favourite trend: nautical-inspired home décor, fashion and accessories, in seaworthy shades that’ll rock your boat. Here’s 7 of our best deep-sea finds…

A. Laura des villes, Laura des champes, Origami paper boat necklace; B. Anchors Away Throw Pillow from The Land of Nod; C. Soeur Lyne Belt; D. Boatneck Candy Anchor dress by J.Crew; E. Ahoy temporary tattoo designed by Mike Lowery for Tattly; F. Little Marc Jacobs Basket jacket; G. Sea Life shadow box by Oeuf.

Introducing Blabla’s Petit Home Collection. Images courtesy of Blabla.

Blabla have just expanded their range to include Petit Home, a new collection of sweet bean bags, play pads, pillows and totes. Read more

Marsha Golemac shows students at The School in Sydney how to create fashionable paper rosettes. Images courtesy of Brooke Holm & Marsha Golemac.

Melbourne-based paper artist and designer Marsha Golemac has been doing her bit to make rosettes fashionable again. Her recent paper rosette workshops at The School in Sydney have been a pack out – crafters flocking to Golemac’s “Make & Create Crafternoon” to learn how to assemble perfectly folded medallions for pleasure.

Rosette Art by Cathe Holden. (Chronicle Books, April 2013.)

Marsha’s not the only celebrity crafter currently shining the spotlight on this emerging trend. In the US, Contributing Craft Editor to Country Living Magazine, Cathe Holden has just released Rosette Art: Instructions and Papers for Beautiful Rosettes to Share, Wear, and Display. (Chronicle Books, 2013.)

Inside this bumper paperback portfolio you’ll find 20 tear-out, full-colour, patterned paper sheets, (pre-scored to facilitate folding) a booklet filled with basic rosette techniques, plus 14 step-by-step projects.

Rosette garland by Cathe Holden. Rosette Art, Chronicle Books, 2013. Photos: Angie Cao. Images courtesy of Chronicle Books.

Paper Rosette Mobile from Rosette Art. (Chronicle Books, 2013.)

Accessorize an outfit, decorate a birthday package, or simply gift your creations, and discover the joy in making prized rosettes – with or without the kids!

Rosette Art is available at My Messy Room

Oeuf Perch Bunk Bed. All images courtesy of Oeuf.

New York-based design outfit Oeuf has garnered plenty of attention for its smart, streamlined approach to nursery furniture. Here, they’ve branched out into the juvenile furniture space with the Perch bunk bed.

Compact and stylish, the sturdy, Baltic birch and eco-MDF bunk unit leaves plenty of room for play and separates without difficulty into a standalone loft bed and twin. Safety’s paramount, so Oeuf has made it lower than a conventional bunk bed for little bodies to get in and out safely. There’s an optional guard-rail for the lower bunk and the angled ladder also has a safety tread to prevent slipping. Colour schemes include a white and birch and a white and walnut option.

The Perch easily separates into a loft bed and a standalone twin, leaving plenty of room for additional furnishings and room accessories.

Launched in the US and Europe early in 2012, it’s finally landing on Australian shores this September, with Kido taking pre-orders.

Visit Kido to secure yours, or visit oeufnyc.com for more details.

I Ended Up Here paper goods designed by Dan Adams. All images courtesy of I Ended Up Here.

Like to keep a stash of attractive greeting cards on hand for last minute occasions? You’ll love the Full House pack from Sydney-based Dan Adams, creative director of design outfit I Ended Up Here… The new range consists of six designs: 10 of Spades; Jack of Clubs; Queen of Diamonds; King of Spades; Ace of Hearts;
and a Joker.

The Full House collection – Queen of Diamonds. All images Copyright © I Ended Up Here 2013.

Unsurprisingly, Dan’s stand at Life Instyle earlier this year was inundated with eager buyers.

“I initially wanted to create a playing card range of some sort – I loved the idea of having a coordinating print on back of the card to make it reversible,” he told LMNOP.

The Full House collection – Jack of Clubs.

The Full House collection – King of Spades.

The Full House collection – Ten of Spades.

The Full House Collection – Ace of Hearts.

The Full House collection – Joker.

“I found some fantastic ‘50s and ‘60s vintage cards with such character – a distinct look I love. I continued my style from my initial Colourful Creatures range, adapting a more retro feel with colour combinations.”

Cards are available separately or sold as a Full House set. Check out Dan’s entire collection of cards and prints here.