Featured Buyer: Jenn of Minor Details with Picks for the Family Friendly Home

2008-07-23T12:13:00-05:00

We have a special Featured Buyer this week: Jennifer Ward aka minordetails, the owner, blogger, Imagination Agent and Creative Director of Minor Details Design, a children’s interior consulting firm focusing on commercial, residential, and recreational spaces. Jennifer also writes a daily blog about design for children by the same name, is a contributor for the online children's magazine LMNOP, and lives in Brooklyn with her husband and 4-year-old daughter.

I attended Parson's School of Design for Interior Architecture and then had a daughter. Getting tired of the freelance world, I set my sights on the Creative Agency called The Apartment. It was here where I learned a great deal about running a creative business and the moxie it would take. With my daughter Parker as my main source of inspiration, Minor Details was born in early 2007.

I have a very minimal and clean approach to my design, with a flare for vintage and bargains. My personal style is very comfortable. Most days you'll find me in my Converse shoes, white t-shirt, jeans and hair pulled back. My true passion lies in creating space. For parents, I want to show them that you can set the footprint for your home to include your children and not sacrifice aesthetic or design.

I'm really influenced by the Reggio Emilia philosophy. It's an educational approach that can easily fall into your home, playground or any place a child thrives. The Reggio Emilia approach to teaching young children puts the natural development of children, as well as the close relationships that they share with their environment, at the center of its philosophy.

I love this Bird on Elephant Sculpture! This would make for such a sweet baby shower or newborn gift to get the parents excited about little pieces of art in their child's room. By bunnywithatoolbelt, $45.

The Cretaceous Dinosaur Shadow Puppets are just what any kid needs to stimulate imagination and fantasy play. Get a flashlight and a tent in the living room and you've got instant creative play. By orangemoontoys, $30.

One of my favorite Etsy shops is modmomfurniture, as all of her pieces are truly wonderful. The one that stands out the most to me is the Sammy Toy Box. But that's just me....I'm a modern minimalist at heart! By modmomfurniture, $375.

The By Order of the Management posters are just what any child's wall needs. By johnwgolden, $20.

The Waldorf Playstands are one of my absolute favorites. In fact, I just put one in a playspace for a little girl. I turned it into a fruit stand. These playstands can take on many uses! By palumba, $309.99.

I think that these bird prints would complement any nursery wall very well! By jaimers, $18.

This Wear Me dress is such a fun piece. It's made with just the right mix-match fabric to remain delicate but fun at the same time. Beautiful! By hautechocolategirl, $87.50

The Fancy Folding Furniture Set makes for a wonderful indoor or outdoor table for children. Easy to clean up and simple to put away. By chalkydoodles, $115.

Zaragardner's Pirate Punk set can turn any kid (or adult) into a pirate in seconds. I like that you get two colors for the price of one, as the patch and mustache are reversible. By zaragardner, $12.

I really like the idea of customizing your items. Take for instance the Animal Pull Toys from hiccupdecor. These toys are just right for little hands and are a product of your choosing. By hiccupdecor, $20.

I'm a sucker for vintage toys.

Take for instance this red vintage cash register from bluebellbazaar.

I just missed this vintage child's sand pail over at kelleystreetvintage!

I could also be happy with anything from whiteelephantvintage. Especially the globes!

Don't go into child item overload. Keep a minimal approach. If you overwhelm a baby, toddler or child with too many things, they will lose focus and interest quickly. Leave the large kid items to their bedrooms, but share the rest of your home with them as well. Give them the bottom crisper drawer in the fridge, make desk space for them in your home office, make space on your lower bookcases for their books or toy bin and always keep the art supply bin well stocked. Also, getting items that serve multi-purposes is a nice way to maintain budget and creativity. For instance, get a low coffee table that the kids sit around and enjoy as well. Adaptability is key.

To find out more about Minor Details Design, go to www.minordetailsnyc.com or email info@minordetailsnyc.com. Look for their website this fall.

Handmade Kids Series | Special Kids Showcase | Baby Gift Guide | Children Gift Guide

Storque articles by minordetails

Featured Buyer: Jenn of Minor Details with Picks for the Family Friendly Home