HOME DESIGN-ER DIGS

Little Urbanites

Backstory: Located in Portland, Ore., this boutique strives to be a knowledgeable resource for parents on issues of progressive merchandise and design. Their design philosophies “focus on clean lines and contemporary styles that allow the child to grow and develop as individuals.”
Why You’ll Love It: Great customer service is No. 1 here, and it’s not a hassle to get someone on the phone to help answer any question you might have.
Check Out: Their interior design services. They work to give children a comfortable place to live and play, one that supports them as they grow and incorporates educational elements.
Grooviest Item: Skip Hop Vine Floral Shine Nursery Lamp ($30). Cute and sophisticated all at once, this flower motif lamp will light up Baby’s room in style. If you like the look, check out the coordinating bedding.

Website: www.littleurbanites.com

Kustum Kribs Baby Boutique

Backstory: When Lisa Arreguin began painting murals and designing nurseries and kids’ rooms for her friends who were starting families, the response was so great, she opened a shop so she could bring her talent to the masses.
Why You’ll Love It: Innovative products, contemporary designs and cool clothing are the hallmark of this Chicago boutique.
Check Out: The wall murals. If you’re lost for inspiration, take advantage of a free in-home brainstorming session, then have your mural painted to perfection by Arreguin, who has been focusing completely on children and baby room design for the past few years.
Grooviest Item: The Alma Crib from Bloom ($400). Constructed from solid wood and stainless steel, this crib folds down to a length of just 10 inches, making space easier to come by for apartment dwellers and others in cramped quarters. It’s easy to transport, store and put together—not to mention chic.

Website: www.kustumkribs.com

Tottini

Backstory: Two cool Seattle moms joined together to create a space for families to shop while exploring art and design.
Why You’ll Love It: It’s oh so modern, with products you won’t find everywhere else.
Check Out: Their blog (tottini.com/blog), where you can get the inside scoop on new products and sales.
Grooviest Item: The Cubino ($109). This kids’ chair is so chic, we wish it came supersized for the adult set. Made of thick foam covered with soft microsuede, the chair is equal parts durable and eye-catching, so tots will be sitting pretty and comfy. Lucky them.

Website: www.tottini.com

Grasshopper

Backstory: This Portland store, run by a small team of ladies, is chock-full of all kinds of good stuff, including easy-to-wear clothes, nontoxic toys and a huge selection of books.
Why You’ll Love It: Free gift wrapping and a warm atmosphere make this an inviting place to drop a few dollars.
Check Out: The Jen Mercede growth charts. Keep track of how fast your kids are growing in a fun way, which makes for a great room décor item now and an awesome keepsake for them later in life.
Grooviest Item: Poem Tree Wall Stickers ($35). Use all 95 stickers from French company Djeco to create a beautiful tree in a child’s room or the family room, or split them up and stick them wherever you please—on windows, furniture…let your imagination and sense of design be your guide for this whimsical but timeless look.

Website: www.grasshopperstore.com

Kid’s Supply Co. Junior Homestore

Backstory: Calling New York, New York, home, this design studio and store is stacked with any kind of furniture you could possibly need—and it’s all contemporary and edgy without being off-putting. They also design and manufacture 95 percent of their pieces in-house.
Why You’ll Love It: It’s not your typical kids’ store—and with thousands of fabrics to customize bedding and a skilled team able to handle any request, they can get you what you want at the highest level of quality.
Check Out: The “Adult Furniture” section. Why should kids have all the fun?
Grooviest Item: Bauhaus Bed ($1,700). It’s minimalism at its best in this simple yet lovely bed inspired by the Bauhaus movement, made of solid cherry or maple and complete with a storage box below. Choose whether or not you want upholstered ends (available in a plethora of colors), the bed end height, and the stain and paint colors.

Website: www.kidssupply.com

Everything Green Home

Backstory: With a baby on board, owner Charane Sirrine decided it was time to clean up her act. “Carrying the responsibility of a vulnerable little person inside made me realize that the need for healthy products within my home was not only a smart consumer choice for me but also a vital necessity for the health and well-being of my child,” she says.
Why You’ll Love It: Products are vetted to ensure they’re eco-friendly without sacrificing function or style.
Check Out: The “Baby” section, which has everything you need to keep your little one clean and entertained the green way.
Grooviest Item: On the Rocks glasses ($22.50). These drinking glasses from Fire & Light are hand-poured in the USA, giving each one a great texture and color (choose from cobalt, celery, aqua, grape, plum, copper and olive). Plus, they’re made from 91 percent post-consumer recycled glass.

Website: www.everythinggreenhome.com

Planit Green Home

Backstory: “The idea for Planit Green Home came to mind when I had my babies,” says founder Shelly Brown. “I became much more aware of the harmful toxins that can creep into our everyday household products. But after moving from Southern California—where we seemed to have unlimited organic resources—to lots of cities around the country, I found it increasingly difficult to find eco-friendly products to use in our home.”
Why You’ll Love It: It’s everything you need, all in one place—bedding, kitchenware, cosmetics, travel essentials, etc.
Check Out: The “Gifting Green” section, sure to have something that will be a hit at the next bridal shower or birthday party you attend.
Grooviest Item: Bambu Lacquerware ($18 to $48). These bowls are a perfect balance of modern design and classic craftsmanship. Handmade, each piece is topped off with a food-safe lacquer made from cashew nut trees.

Website: www.planitgreenhome.com

Our Baby Bedding

Backstory: The family-owned and -operated online store focuses on delivering a great experience for all who shop with them. “Our customers come here to create that warm and loving nursery that will welcome their new little angel into the world,” say the proprietors.
Why You’ll Love It: The bedding is tops, and with matching accessories to complete your nursery, it’s never been easier to get ready for Baby.
Check Out: The “Baby Gifts” section, which features shower favorites like diaper cakes and gift sets in the shape of Chinese takeout boxes.
Grooviest Item: Love Bird Four-Piece Baby Bedding Set ($161.99). The yellow and pink tones of this set are pretty without being overdone, and the birds, trees and flowers that adorn the bedding are classic and cute, making the look a standout pick for a little girl’s room.

Website: www.ourbabybedding.com

Green Earth Market

Backstory: This company lives by the guideline that you can operate honestly, do good and honor Jesus, all while running a business. According to the website: “We believe that you would prefer to buy environmentally responsible goods for all your needs and wants and should be able to buy the best, most environmentally friendly products out there and not have to pay an arm and a leg for them.”
Why You’ll Love It: It’s truly a one-stop shop for everything green, providing home/office, clothing/accessories and baby/toddler products.
Check Out: The outdoor furniture collection. Sure, decorating the inside of your home is important, but don’t forget about the outside—the more inviting it is, the more time you’ll want to spend in the fresh air. A great Adirondack chair or a cedar porch swing may be just what your backyard is missing.
Grooviest Item: Ergo Soy Candle ($24). The stylized holder contains a high-quality candle with only natural oils used. Choose from eight scents to suit your senses—from a peppermint/spearmint combo to a green lavender fragrance.

Website: www.greenearthmarket.com

Pixel Organics

Website: www.pixelorganics.com

La Bella Baby Bedding

Backstory: This website prides itself on helping babies sleep in style and has specialists on hand to help you find what you’re looking for.
Why You’ll Love It: The extensive bedding collection comes in every style you can imagine. Teddy bears, patchwork quilts, a carriage…if you can dream it, you can find it here.
Check Out: The collection of Moses baskets. The chic fabrics and stunning craftsmanship make these baskets something you’ll keep for years to come.
Grooviest Item: Printed Rugs ($87.99). Add a little pizzazz to the floor of your kid’s room with a fun printed rug. Choose from themes of construction, mermaids, dinosaurs, flowers, wild animals and much more.

Website: www.labellababybedding.com

Marie Ricci Collection

Backstory: Marie Ricci hand-finishes every item, so no two are exactly the same. While quite labor-intensive, her methods ensure that each customer gets an artisanal piece ideal for showing off.
Why You’ll Love It: Everyone does—from Nancy O’Dell to HGTV to Redbook. And what’s not to love? The chandeliers, clocks, picture frames, mirrors, etc., are all to die for.
Check Out: Home and Garden Plaques. Hand-painted in Tuscan colors or white, these plaques have an old-world styling that spruces up any fence, porch post or outdoor wall.
Grooviest Item: Chandelier with medallion (starts at $450 for chandelier; $109.95 for the medallion). For an unsurpassed touch of elegance as the centerpiece of a room, this chandelier and hand-painted medallion take the prize. The wrought iron, drop crystals and carved leaf details on the chandelier are chic yet understated, while the options for the medallion include bunnies, butterflies and a message to “Play Ball.”

Website: www.mariericcicollection.com