Special Edition
the
issue 2013
Contents KIDs 2013
5 What’s up Sweet Paul? 8 Contributors 13 Your little ones will love ... 18 Recipe Monday 20 Crafty Friday 24 Gorg-wanna baby 28 Keep your eye on 34 Gorg-wanna handmade 36 Celebration of family 40 Gorg-wanna design 44 Toy story 49 Decorating for kids 53 Will’s picks
features 58 Pancakes of the world 66 Recyled into toys 74 Transformation 80 Kid approved food 90 Off to the circus 94 The wonderful Wizard of Oz party 106 Professor Figgy’s science class
Photography by Alexandra Grablewski
118 Fantasy kitchen 126 ABC 132 Fancy free
140 From Mormor’s kitchen
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What’s up Sweet Paul? Welcome to a very special edition of Sweet Paul Magazine. This is the second time we’ve made a special Kid’s Issue. And why a Kid’s Issue you may ask? Because everyone that works at Sweet Paul Magazine is a big kid at heart. For me, nothing is more fun than to try to figure out what eight-yearold Paul would love to eat or make. I would sure have loved to dress up as the Tin Man from The Wizard of Oz, make Swedish Pancakes, and even make Professor Figgy’s green slime. I was thinking the other day about what was on my mind age eight, a little Paul growing up in Oslo, Norway. Well, I really wanted to be an airline host. Back then, flying was fab and you got to see the world. Steward and stewardess uniforms were designed by Dior and Balmain. I even made an airplane cabin in the basement with our old dining room chairs and assorted teddy bears as passengers. Mormor did the catering, I had real food served on small trays. I could be down there for hours. Once in a while my parents would hear: “Welcome onboard this SAS Boing 747 bound for São Paulo, please fasten your seat belts.” I even used my parents’ liquor cart as a duty-free trolly. So welcome onboard this Sweet Paul Magazine, loosen your seat belt, and enjoy every page.
I would sure have loved to dress up as the tin man from The Wizard of Oz, make Swedish Pancakes, and even make Professor Figgy’s green slime
Photography by Alexandra Grablewski
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Paul Lowe
Founder & editor in chief paul@sweetpaulmag.com
Joline Rivera Art director joline@sweetpaulmag.com Nellie Williams Graphic designer nellie@sweetpaulmag.com Will Taylor Market editor will@sweetpaulmag.com
Paul Vitale Marketing & business development director paulvitale@sweetpaulmag.com Advertising Inquiries advertising@sweetpaulmag.com General Inquiries info@sweetpaulmag.com
Laura Kathleen Maize Copy editor laura@sweetpaulmag.com
Contributors
What was on your mind at age 6?...
Alexandra Grablewski
Photographer, New York I just wanted to be as cool as any other six year old.
Dana Gallagher
Photographer, New York What was on my mind? My sweet ride.
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Joline Rivera
Sarah Oster Shasha
“One of these days I’ll be designing my own books.”
When I was six, all I could think about—or talk about— was horses.
Art director, Chicago
Writer, New York
Lindsay Berger
Stylist, Des Moines “Where is the runway?”
Nellie Williams
Graphic designer, Chicago Barbies and Cabbage Patch Kids. I could play with them all day long.
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“We could never have loved the ear th so well if we had no childhood in it.” GEORGE ELIOT
GIRLS
BOYS
BABY
GIFTS
A collection of premium children's clothing, toys and books.
PeekKids.com
contributors
Lova Esmeralda Felicia Blavarg
Elise Dee
When I was a child I was convinced that if I could just reach high enough I would be able to paint the sky red. My mom and I went out to try it—luckily, she had brought some paper just in case!
When I was six, I was interested in sweets, crafts, and all things glamorous.
“Why is my mom dating that guy?!”
Susanna Blavarg
Jim Noonan
Crafter, New York
Laura Kathleen Maize
Paul Vitale
Photographer, New York I got my first camera at that age, a black plastic Kodak Instamatic with cube flashes. I loved it and shot many pictures of the same things in different angles.
I was pretty much obsessed with Fraggle Rock, Transformers, and these winter gloves I had that showed the temperature outside!
The Toronto Blue Jays, Disney movies, and my favorite band— the Skydiggers
Will Taylor
Dietlind Wolf
Colin Cooke
Market editor, London
Photographer+stylist, Hamburg
Photographer, New York
“Hey, that sand looks tasty: I’m gonna go eat it and then throw up in my parent’s car while on a summer holiday in France.”
I wanted my first writing exercises at school to be in color, so I told my mom we had to get colored marker crayons and wax crayons for class.
The first look at an ocean. Nothing but blue skies ahead…
Holly Becker
Writer+stylist+blogger, Hanover Going to my favorite candy store on the way home from school, reading books, playing with my dolls, roller skating, and being a proud member of my local Brownies (pre-Girl Scout) troop.
Crafter, New York
Crafter, New York
Copy editor, Toronto
Kathryn Gamble
Photographer, Des Moines
Marketing+business development director, New York At age six I was obsessed with Scooby-Doo and becoming a ventriloquist.
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Your little ones will love …
3 Colorful and quirky buys from Lucky Boy Sunday All products from luckyboysunday.dk
Bobby Chair pillow, $71
Janee Lookerse handmade kid’s banner, $17 janeelookerse.storenvy.com
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Uffie pillow, $124
Visiting an exhibition at a museum:
London V&A Museum of Childhood Cambridge Heath Road, London, E2 9PA | Special events all year round Paris Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle 36 rue Geoffroy-Saint-Hilaire, 2 rue Buffon et 57 rue Cuvier, 5e | All year round NYC Brooklyn Children’s Museum 145 Brooklyn Ave, at St. Marks Ave | March 23–September 15, 2013
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Baking a batch of Sparkle Cookies ⁄4 cup butter, softened 10 teaspoons golden caster sugar 10 teaspoons icing sugar 2 egg yolks 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 1⁄4 cups plain flour 10 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar, sifted multicolored sprinkles 3
Stanley Delarge doll, $120
1. Preheat oven to 400°F. 2. Combine butter, sugar, vanilla, and egg yolks until you have a creamy consistency, then add in the flour in thirds. 3. Roll the dough into 20 grape-size spheres and place on greased baking sheets. 4. Bake for around 15 minutes or until golden, and then allow to cool. 5. While the cookies are baking, mix up your confectioners’ sugar as per packet instructions so that the consistency is thick but still runny. 6. Once cooled, dip each cookie halfway into the icing, and then roll in in the sprinkles.
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spring
Our top three books for kids Kiki and Coco in Paris by Nina Gruener, $19, acorntoyshop.com This book is the perfect fairytale for the modern day. The sweet story focuses on a doll and the little girl who looks after her and follows their adventures in the City of Lights. The whole story is brought to life by beautiful photography from Stephanie Rausser and a real handmade doll created by doll maker Jess Brown. This contemporary fairytale will charm people of all ages. Play All Day by Taro Gomi, $20, thehambledon.com If you’re looking for a book that keeps on giving, then Play All Day is for you. With more than 100 perforated playthings to punch out and create, it will keep your little ones occupied for hours. The bonus of this this activity book is that no pencils or scissors are required, making it safe for even your youngest. The pop out playthings will help your little ones learn how to plan their own city or zoo as well as making colorful boxes and finger puppets. This Is Your Book by Ryan Maconochie, $12, amazon.com If you’re expecting or have recently welcomed a new baby, then this book by graphic artist Ryan Maconochie is a must. When Maconochie became a father he decided to make a book to help him document all the things that happened after his daughter was born. This is Your Book will give you the opportunity to record much more than vital statistics like weight, length, and time of birth. Expect to find spaces for recording amusing memories like all the baby names you ruled out. Just imagine the conversations your baby’s completed book could lead to in years to come.
Look what Sweet Paul spotted!
Although Charlie Brown was constantly hindered 2.
by self-doubt, you can be sure your
1.
little one will be full of confidence in this fun and colorful tee inspired by the loveable cartoon
4.
character.
3.
5.
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1. Blast off! banner $35, thepeoplespennant.com 2. Looks like Charlie Brown t-shirt $18, brika.com 3. Kid’s baking apron set $39, odettewilliams.com 4. Are we there yet? t-shirt $34, peekkids.com 5. Tangerine tunic $48, emeraldaugust.com
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Recipe Monday Small & baked Make these small baked donuts for your kids. They will love the size and you will love that they are not deep fried!
Food+styling by Paul Lowe | photography by Alexandra Grablewski
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Mini Donuts
Makes 24 mini donuts Donuts: 1 cup sugar 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon cinnamon 3 cups plain flour 1 cup buttermilk 3 eggs 1 tablespoon honey 1 ⁄2 cup butter, melted Frosting: confectioners’ sugar water sprinkles 1. Preheat oven to 400°F. 2. Grease a mini donut baking pan. 3. Mix all the dry ingredients together in a bowl. 4. Add buttermilk, eggs, honey, and butter and mix well. 5. Spoon mixture into greased pan. 6. Bake until golden, about 5–6 minutes. 7. Let cool on a wire rack. 8. Beat confectioners’ sugar and a little water into a smooth frosting. 9. Dip the donuts into the frosting. 10. Dip the donuts into the sprinkles.
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Crafty Friday New kids on the blocks Turn your kids and their friends into a very fun toy
Craft+styling by Paul Lowe | Photography by Alexandra Grablewski
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You will need: wooden blocks (these are from littlesaplingtoys.com) photocopied images of kids (do a photoshoot where they stand against a white wall with their arms straight down) glue 1. Cut out the photos so that they fit onto 3 cubes. 2. Glue them on. 3. Let dry before playing.
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Gorg-wanna baby
IMAGE: mundo melocotón
Duvet cover mundo melocotón, $45–$122 mundo-melocoton.com
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WILL’S FAVORITE
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1. A to Z poster The Indigo Bunting, $50, theindigobunting.bigcartel.com 2. Mr. Bear print Showler and Showler, $24, showlerandshowler.com 3. Sleeping in the rain pillow Zu shop, $32, showlerandshowler.com 4. Baby card Rifle Paper Co., $5, riflepaperco.com 5. Elephant pull along toy Acorn, $58, acorntoyshop.com 6. Animal wooden hangers My Sweet Muffin, $9, mysweetmuffin.com 7. Bonne Nuit glow in the dark wall sticker The Modern Baby, $45, themodernbaby.co.uk 6. Blossom newborn noonie Lala’s Pequenos, $54, lalaspequenos.bigcartel.com
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Summer is on the way!
S U M M E R 201 3
Sweet Paul Magazine Summer 2013, coming soon Get your copy at sweetpaul.bigcartel.com
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Keep your eye on Master of the dolls Quick to catch your eye
Text by Paul Vitale | Photography by Alexandra Grablewski
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I fell in love with Mimi Kirchner’s work the moment I laid eyes on one of her iconic tattooed-man dolls. Her work is equal parts charming, witty, beautiful, folksy, modern, and romantic. Her ideas are unique and her execution is as close to flawless as a handmade object can be. It was an honor to spend a morning in Mimi’s Boston-area studio and to chat with her about her work and her artistic life, and also to blatantly covet her dolls and vintage fabric archives.
PV: I’ve always been fascinated by doll making and sewing in general. I loved to try to hand-sew dolls from scraps of fabric at an early age. When did you first start to explore sewing? Doll-making? Who taught you to sew? MK: I don’t remember when I first started sewing. I know that I had those cardboard stitch cards that you sewed with a fat plastic needle and some pretty yarn and that was probably nursery school age. By nine years old I was seriously interested in sewing and all needle arts. I asked for the Weldon’s Encyclopedia of Needlework for Christmas that year and was beyond thrilled when I got it. I still have it! I have a little tin with doll clothes that I made at that age. I started using a sewing machine around then. A friend had a hand-cranked machine at her house and we were allowed to play with it as much as we wanted. In 7th grade I joined a 4-H group to learn sewing from commercial patterns. We all made A-line skirts with waistbands and a zipper. From there I was on my own, mostly. My mom was passionate about fashion and sewed all kinds of amazing things—evening gowns, suit jackets, beautiful coats. She would give me a little help if I needed it but mostly we were each into our own thing.
PV: How did you begin your career in sewing? Have you always been focused on dolls? MK: I have always done fiber arts—including at college where I majored in Crafts (BFA from Carnegie Mellon University) and tried a wide range of fiber techniques including weaving, spinning, felting, knitting, crochet, and more! Somehow though, I ended up getting distracted by the ceramic studio and spent 20 years making and selling decorated clay tableware. Of course, on the side, I sewed, knitted, and crocheted clothing for myself and family, made toys and quilts, and enjoyed those interests on a hobby level. In 1999 the studio building where I was working was destroyed in a fire. I had been feeling discontented with my creative life and figured that this was a sign from the universe that it was time to re-evaluate. I happily moved on from the pottery and started exploring other media. I took print-making, painting, and wire-work. While taking classes, I was helping my mother-in-law dress some family antique dolls. I started researching antique dolls on Ebay. Next, I was at the library, taking out every book they had on dolls. Then I found user groups online and found other people. Uhoh! I had fallen down the rabbit hole—I was obsessed! I started making dolls in 2000, but I didn’t consider it a new career for several years.
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PV: You must know a lot about dolls in general. Can you tell us a little about the history of handmade dolls? MK: Yes, I did a lot of research when I got interested in dolls. I discovered a whole new world! There has always been the mom who made a one-of-a-kind doll or toy from scraps or rags. The history of the business of doll making is very interesting, though. Doll making is associated with some of the earliest women entrepreneurs in America. And in the rest of the world too. The first patent given to a women in the US was for doll designs. There is a long history of independent women starting businesses with their original doll designs. Also, I was fascinated to learn about oil-painted dolls that share a history with American Folk Art portraits.
PV: Your tattooed dolls are widely appreciated, iconic works of art. How was this doll developed? What inspired you to use toile in this ingenious way? MK: It is very rare that I will have a fully formed idea that I act on. There is typically many months of thinking, collecting, and incubating an idea. The idea starts as sort of a brain tickle and if it keeps recurring then it moves forward. I started noticing people with tattoos and wondered how I could make a tattooed doll. I began collecting images of tattooed people and tattoos that appealed to me. I had already made a man doll pattern and that was a good starting point. I was stumped on how to make the tattoos, though. I tried embroidery but that was so laborintensive that there never would have been more than one doll. I thought about drawing on the fabric with permanent marker and that led me to think about fabric that already had “drawing” on it and that was it—toile! Of course there were still some challenges. How to make the toile a skin tone? I am no expert in dyeing and my first few attempts were terrible. I even tried using watered-down acrylic paints. Eventually I had something usable. I made a few fellows and I had no idea if anyone would be able to read the toile as tattoos. Hurray for the internet! I posted my guys onto Flickr and immediately got positive responses—I knew I’d gotten it right!
PV: What’s your creative process? Do you start with an end product? Do you know what each finished creation will look like when you begin? MK: Absolutely not. I have my basic patterns—a fox, a baby, or a tattooed man. They are simple shapes that I think of as my canvas. I enjoy how I can make the same shape over and over but make it different every time. I am actively making choices throughout the entire construction—colors, skin tones, clothing, hair color. Some are active choices like clothing colors, some things like the facial expressions just happen. I often feel that I have no control over that part. It most certainly is not a conscious design. If I had the whole doll planned out beforehand, I would be very bored with the process. It would just be construction and no creativity.
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k ee p y o u r e y e o n
PV: Where and when do you work best? MK: I seem to need to work in the morning to get my day on the right track. I can spend the afternoon doing photos, going to the post office, answering emails, but if I don’t spend the morning in my studio, nothing seems to get done. I also like to spend a few hours in the studio every evening. That helps me get right into the work in the morning. Hmm, that makes it sound like I work all the time. Actually I do.
PV: Do you have specific products that you only use? Specific types of floss for embroidery, types of fabric, sewing machine, etc.? MK: I like to try everything, and colors—the more the better! I do use 100 per cent wool felt (no synthetics), I try to stick to natural fibers—cotton, wool, linen. And I love my vintage Bernina 930—I’m not sure I could love another machine.
PV: Can you give our readers any trade secrets, useful technical sewing and embroidery tips, or time savers? MK: Hmm, I think I am probably the worst person to give time-saving advice. I’m more of a “use your seam ripper if it isn’t perfect” kind of person. Keep at it until you’ve got it right. You’ll never improve if you don’t figure out what you did wrong. I am never going to be the fastest! That said, if people haven’t discovered hemostats and freezer paper as tools in toy making, they are in for some fun!
PV: Do you have any tips for budding doll makers and fiber artists out there? MK: There are loads of books and patterns available, but taking a live class from an excellent doll maker will be a game changer. I learned so much from the first class I took (from Gail Wilson), and not what I expected to learn. I was able to touch a well-stuffed doll to learn how it should feel. I saw how she used her tools and the concentration needed to do fine detail. There was casual talk that would never be part of a book or pattern but was so interesting. And it is a way to become part of a community of people with similar interests.
PV: You have mentioned that you love to teach and conduct workshops. What and where are your upcoming classes? MK: I have been teaching at Gather Here in Cambridge, MA in April and hopefully other times this year!
PV: Where can we buy your work? MK: I sell my work on Etsy at etsy.com/shop/MimiKirchner. I also do a few craft markets every year. I am hoping to be at the Craft Fair in San Francisco in July and Chicago in September. And people can also contact me directly by email, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, my blog... whatever!
PV: What do you have in store for the future? MK: Well, who knows? I try to keep myself open to try new things when the opportunity presents itself. I’d like to do some online teaching. I have some characters in my head that might find their way into fabric this year. I always have “publish new patterns” on my list.
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Gorg-wanna handmade
IMAGE: The Bumble.Bee
Pinafore top and ruffle diaper cover, The Bumble.Bee, $45 etsy.com/shop/bumblebeeonline
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2. 1.
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1. Hot air balloon mobile pattern Craft Schmaft, $9, etsy.com/shop/craftschmaft 2. Colorful bunting Berry A la Mode, $29, etsy.com/shop/BerryAlaMode 3. Kid’s owl tee shirt Full Spectrum Apparel, $16, etsy.com/shop/FullSpectrumApparel 4. A cushion called Clive Heart Zeena, $16, heartzeena.bigcartel.com 5. Owl soft toy The Fox In The Attic, $35, etsy.com/shop/TheFoxInTheAttic 6. Sweet Dreams print Kelsey Davis Design, $8, etsy.com/shop/KelseyDavisDesign 7. Felt baby shoes Vilnone, $28, etsy.com/shop/vilnone
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7. PAUL’S FAVORITE
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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Celebration of family Father’s Day breakfast in bed As managing director of children’s retailer The Land of Nod, Michelle Kohanzo doesn’t always get a chance for a leisurely breakfast in bed with her husband and four children—but that doesn’t mean they don’t spend quality time together. Everyday routines, rituals, and traditions like this one are a great way to celebrate your own family. Meaningful events don’t need to be time consuming. You can create memories with your family through the moments you share together every day. Visit landofnod.com to subscribe to the catalog and see how Michelle celebrates her family every day. You’ll also get the latest recipes and crafts courtesy of Sweet Paul.
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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Croque Madame Serves 4 Michelle’s husband, Dave, often makes his household-famous Croque Madame for dinner. It’s kind of his specialty. 2 tablespoons butter 1 1⁄2 tablespoons plain flour 1 cup milk, warm salt & pepper, to taste 8 thick slices of good bread 8 slices ham 4 oz grated Gruyère 4 fried eggs, sunny side up 1. Preheat oven to 400°F. 2. Melt the butter in a small pan and add the flour. 3. Stir for about a minute, don’t let it go dark. 4. Add the milk, a little at a time, stirring until you have a smooth sauce. If it’s too thick, just add more milk. 5. Season with salt and pepper. 6. Place 4 slices of bread on a baking tray covered with parchment paper. 7. Add some sauce, ham, cheese, and another piece of bread. 8. Bake in the oven until golden. Serve hot with a fried egg on top. Bowtie Gift Wrap It’s a gift. It’s a gift wrap. Wait, it’s both? Give a bowtie as a Father’s Day present, and you can also use it to wrap a gift. DIY Stamp Art All you’ll need are vintage stamps and a frame. We bought this frame at landofnod.com. Simply glue vintage stamps to a piece of cardboard, then frame it. Arrange stamps by color to add a little extra design. Make it personal by finding stamps from locations you’ve visited.
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Gorg-wanna design
IMAGE: Lucky Boy Sunday
Favourite Place tent, Lucky Boy Sunday, $465, luckyboysunday.dk
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1. Line-up orange felt print The Modern Baby, $27, themodernbaby.co.uk 2. Bowling Skittles in a bag My Sweet Muffin, $78, mysweetmuffin.com 3. OYOY Elf light pull Story North, $47, storynorth.com 4. Maximilien & Ludo cushion cover Famille Summerbelle, $61, famillesummerbelle.com 5. Little elephant rug Bobo Choses, $250, bobochoses.com 6. Petit bentwood chair The Conran Shop, $129, conranshop.co.uk 7. Octopus drawstring bag Not On The High Street, $38, notonthehighstreet.com
WILL’S FAVORITE
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Toy story The quest for the perfect toy Text by Sarah Oster Shasha | Photography by Colin Cooke
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Everyone’s always looking for the perfect toy. These days, it’s becoming more important than ever to find a toy that’s fun but also thoughtfully designed and made with non-toxic materials. Custom furniture designer Ken Como was faced with this dilemma a few years ago. He started his toy company, Noli Noli, and masterfully handcrafts each piece out of reclaimed wood. His rattles, robots, boats, and racecars are loved by his own son and have quickly become the talk of the town. I sat down with Ken and ask him a few questions about his business and the inspiration for his beautiful designs.
SOS: Why did you start making toys? KC: I have always loved toys. As a child I remember having great fun losing myself in the quiet life of a toy. The toys I make now all have an individual character. They can be easily become animated in my mind.
SOS: Are your toys really for kids or kind of for grownups as well? KC: They are primarily made for adults but they are meant to be shared with children. I find that children are more likely to appreciate a toy if the parent shares it as a valuable object that they own.
SOS: How do you get inspired? KC: The wood itself is inspiring! When I see a chunk of wood I can’t help but see the toy that might be inside.
SOS: How did you start woodworking? KC: I was training to be an architectural draftsman for a wellknown NYC cabinet maker. When I had free time I would wander the shop and pick up scrap wood. I saved (rescued) it from the shop dumpsters. During lunch breaks I would annoy the
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seasoned cabinet makers on how to work with the wood. Then I spent a year in Tokyo learning about handmade joinery. In Japan, the teacher taught us that the wood has a life of its own and needs to be respected as if it was still alive. I thought that was a cool way to think about wood.
SOS: Where do you find your wood? KC: Ninety per cent of my wood is locally sourced from the northeast. I use Black Walnut, Black Cherry, and Hard Maple. The white wood that I use for the eyes is either from England or France—it’s called English Sycamore. America does have a very nice white wood (Holly) but it is much too expensive and kind of rare.
SOS: What did you make before toys? KC: I went to art school and painted. I received my MFA from the University of New Orleans, moved to NYC, and tried my hardest to make it. I liked painting for the same reasons I like making toys: it is a great way to lose yourself and animate your own world. SOS: How long does it take you to make your pieces? KC: Roughly about 40 minutes per toy. But designing a new toy can take months! Check out all of Ken’s toys at nolinoli.com.
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Take the ideas of your child
Decorating for kids Patterns, colors, and cute motifs! Text+STYLING by Holly Becker | Photography by Debi Treloar
Decorating a child’s bedroom is exciting because there are so many possibilities to experiment with. But it can be equally frustrating and overwhelming, since organization, maintenance, and the ever-changing tastes of children always pose a challenge.
into consideration. Work together to pull favorite things from catalogs and magazines and group them into a scrapbook or folder. This shows them that you are interested in their feedback and take them seriously! This is a unique opportunity to get to know them better. Naturally, some of their ideas will be out of budget and a little bonkers, but together you can develop a room scheme that works. While considering the overall space, keep in mind two key points. Most elements, like overhead lighting, will not interest children, so instead make it easier on yourself and focus only on what they do have an opinion on and make the rest of the design decisions on your own. Next, consider that a child’s room doesn’t require a lot of “decorating” because most things are already decorative. Stuffed toys, mobiles, artwork or school models, books, action figures, and dolls will do a lot of the work for you. Creative ideas for arrangements for floating shelves, beds, and bookcases may be all that is needed.
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After pulling together ideas, draw up a floor plan and sketch out how you’d like the room to work. I advise developing four major zones: a place to sleep with a table and reading light by the bed, a place to do work, a play area, and a space for organization and storage. Pay attention to what your child plays with regularly—less clutter the better! Labeled organization, with words or pictures of objects, makes clean up time easier. Work on developing an organizational system that is uncomplicated. Ask other parents for tips or read blogs and books on the topic. You can also adopt systems that are already successful in other parts of the home. If your child really wants purple walls but you are less than excited about the prospect, consider an accent wall in your child’s favorite color. Next, mix in bedding, toys, drapes or shades, and throw rugs. By keeping expensive basics neutral, the only thing you need to update over the years will be the less costly ones like bedding, a new wall color, switching out wall art, and arranging new toys and books on shelves to replace what they’ve lost interest in. That wasn’t so hard, was it? Please try to relax and enjoy the process. Encourage creativity, personalization, and joy! The moment your little one starts to have an opinion about their bedroom can be a very sweet time for you both, so enjoy the process. Use it as a chance to encourage, teach, build selfesteem, and bond. Happy decorating!
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By keeping expensive basics neutral, the only thing you need to update over the years will be the less costly ones like bedding, a new wall color, switching out wall art, and arranging new toys and books on shelves to replace what they’ve lost interest in
Holly’s fun tips for kids’ rooms Frame your kids’ artwork onto their walls along with work by other artists. This demonstrates that you value their work and hold it in the same high regard as the pieces you’ve purchased. Teach your child to cherish what they have by showing them how to take care of their toys and also how to display them nicely. You can create such nice vignettes using blocks, action figures, dolls, cars, or trucks. Children love to create little displays—let those displays be part of the scheme of the room. Children need a room to serve three key functions: a place to play, to sleep, and to learn. Try to carve out a little space for each activity and organize the room so objects that fit each activity are in the correct “zone.” Don’t get hung up on creating themed rooms. Children’s tastes change a lot faster than their parents’. Instead, create a space for them that allows creativity and flexibility in the décor over time. Children like to be involved in decorating their rooms, so ask your child what they like. Look through catalogs together, take them to kid’s stores, encourage them to create a little scrapbook of favorite things to get a sense of what they are responding to so you can make their room extra special and personal to them. Kids love to have sleepovers, so try to think of ways to incorporate space for additional guests—perhaps a bunk bed or a trundle bed. Two twin beds placed end to end against a long wall will create an extra-long daybed that can sleep a few children at a time; when there are no sleepovers, this can be simply a lounge space. Children love colors and patterns! Give them a clear space on the wall where they can draw or tack things up. You can use cork, chalkboard paint, or create a linen-covered bulletin board and then tell them that they can do whatever they want on that particular space. Display things that are fun for your child to look that are inspirational and that make them happy. Some examples are small trinkets, a music box, fun hats, or pretty necklaces on a hook.
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Will’s picks Sweet Paul’s top 10 wallpapers for children From quirky and whimsical to retro and playful, there’s no shortage of stylish children’s wallpapers to choose from. Sweet Paul’s market editor, Will Taylor, has surveyed the market for the ten best designs to decorate with this season
IMAGE: Famille Summerbelle
Morning in Manhattan wallpaper, in blue or yellow, $70 per roll famillesummerbelle.com
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Three top tips for choosing the right wallpaper 1. Before you decide on a paper think about how the use of the space might change over the next few years. If you’re decorating a nursery you can be safe in the knowledge it will stay that way for a couple of years and so a baby-like design will suit. If, however, you’re decorating a teenager’s bedroom, consider your wallpaper choice a little harder—you’ll want to make sure they won’t tire of the look within a few months. To be safe, stick to wallpaper designs that have simple, graphic patterns over niche wallpapers that reference a sport or hobby, as these interests could well be fleeting. 2. Wallpapering a whole room can be very overpowering, especially if the design features a graphic pattern with a regular repeat. Decorating with wallpaper often works best when the paper is used to highlight an existing architectural feature of the room, like a chimneybreast or alcove.
3. Decide on which wall you plan to paper before picking the wallpaper itself. Knowing the surface area you need to cover will help inform your final design decision. For example, a wallpaper design with a large, infrequently repeating pattern wouldn’t suit a small alcove, and a very detailed design could crowd a smaller space—ask the retailer for a sample and tack it to the wall to help you envisage how the design will look during both daylight and artificial light. Dotty, $90 per roll, ferm-living.com For simple Danish style there’s no better place to look than Ferm Living. Their Dotty wallpaper is a timeless design that will bring warmth to a bedroom or family room.
Will’s tip! The C-60 pattern by design duo Mini
Moderns is perfect for a teenager’s bedroom—it’s not too childish, so they won’t outgrow it within a year of it going onto the wall. C-60 wallpaper, $70 per roll, minimoderns.com
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w i ll ’ s p i c k s
Will’s tip! Let your child’s imagination set sail with a Maritime-themed scheme—to achieve a simple and contemporary scheme, opt for a paper like Funky Wall’s Blue Lines as it has a classic nautical feel, or if you prefer a more mythical feel, go for Fine Little Day’s OHOY paper. 1. Blue Lines, $56, funkywalls.be 2. OHOY, $54, finelittleday.com
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3. Fairy Design, $115, notonthehighstreet.com Perhaps your little one is a budding artist! Fun Wall’s Enchanted Woodland paper is a design that keeps on giving because it’s designed to be colored in over time—there’ll be no more worries of rogue drawings on the wall, either. 4. Dogs, $145 per roll, bainesandfricker.net Not all children get to enjoy the magical experience of keeping a pet, but thanks to Baines & Fricker’s Dogs wallpaper, any child can now invite canine friends into their room.
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5. Enchanted Woodland, $107 per roll, notonthehighstreet.com Pastels are still a hugely popular interiors trend, and the soft shades related to the trend create a relaxing environment; papering a nursery with this fairy tale-like wallpaper is the perfect paper for such a palette. 6. Fayre’s Fair, $70 per roll, minimoderns.com All the fun of the fair doesn’t have to stop when you leave the park gates—decorate with this merry-go-round design in a playroom to create a jolly and whimsical look.
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KIDS 2013
Photography by Dietlind Wolf
features
pancakes of the world | recyled into toys | transformation kid approved food | off to the circus | the wonderful wizard of oz party professor figgy’s science class | fantasy kitchen | abc | fancy free
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Food+styling by Paul Lowe | Photography by Susanna Blavarg
Thanks to Miss Malva, Miss Juliet, and Miss Harper
f o the wor s e k a c n ld a P
Most countries around the world have their version of pancakes. Here are some of our favorites 58 | SweetPaulmag.com KIDS 2013
Russia / Blini
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We love recycling here at Sweet Paul. Anything can be turned into something fun
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Crafts by Paul Vitale+Paul Lowe | Styling by Paul Lowe | Photography by Alexandra Grablewski
Rocket
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Fashion designer Thomasine Dolan transforms the simple white tee into a fashion statement, with only some dye and a pair of scissors
Crafts by Thomasine Dolan | Photography by Dana Gallagher | Hair+makeup by Dina Calabro Models are Clementine, Mim, and Helen | All clothes from thomdolan.com
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d e v o r p p a D O d i O F K ue r al t e r d n m a o r d f ie e e r t h m t o c re a ve t a a e h h s l a The cipes t ecipes v o r e r r l l p A p . s a e i il f s m o d i a k l f sea rom the f ogr
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Crafts by Lova Blavarg | Photography by Susanna Blavarg
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Believe it or not, you can make these amazing circus objects by simply using a pair of scissors and some glue! Sweet Paul crafter Lova Blavarg made this amazing circus menagerie for us. We were stunned by the cleverness in what she put together—they are true masterpieces one and all. All you need to do is to go to sweetpaulmag.com/make and print out the templates and instructions.
MoN kE
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They are all designed to hang together from hand to tail
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Th
i z a W l r d u f r o e f Oz pa d n o w e r
Dorothy & Toto
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Isn’t it amazing that a book published in 1900 still mesmerizes kids of all ages today? Hats off to Mr. L. Frank Baum. We invite you to our own wonderful wizard of Oz party with all the characters you love, like Dorothy, Scarecrow, and Lestat as Toto
Munchkin’s Cupcakes
Photography by Susanna Blavarg | Styling by Paul Lowe | Hair+makeup by Amanda Miller | Costumes+crafts by Lova Blavarg,
Jim Noonan, Elise Dee, and Paul Lowe | Backdrop by Lova Blavarg | Models are Malva, Kyle, Lola, Takeru, Serina, Lily, and Lestat sweetpaulmag.com | 95
Pf Professor Figgy’s science class
Crafts by Professor Figgy a.k.a. Jim Noonan | Styling by Paul Lowe | Photography by Susanna Blavarg 106 | SweetPaulmag.com KIDS 2013
Welcome to the wonderful world of your favorite science professor
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Fantasy kitchen
Welcome to Dietlind’s fantasy world, where the plates are edible
It sure is a wonderful world Photography+styling by Dietlind Wolf
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Table Setting
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How to turn old ABC books into easy and fun party projects!
Crafts by Lova Blavarg | Styling by Paul Lowe | Photography by Susanna Blavarg
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Garland
Sweet Paul Magazine crafter Lova Blavarg went to a flea market and was mesmerized by a bunch of old beat up ABC books. They had craft projects written all over them. These are the results of Lova’s finds.
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Fancy CARDIGAN Crewcuts by JCrew jcrew.com/Crewcuts SKIRT Wunway wunway.com CAPE Tutu Du Monde tutudumonde.com TANK Target target.com PANTS Wunway wunway.com
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Photography by Kathryn Gamble | Styling by Lindsay Berger Hair by Giovanna Morano | Paper Designer Kristen Stuart
Free The sky’s the limit Fashion that blends sophistication, subdued hues, and a touch of fancy lets kids’ imaginations soar
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