A celebrated Berlin designer turns her eye to kids’ furniture
If you walk through the kids’ furniture section of a Target or Walmart, you’ll get a glimpse into what adults think children like: pink for girls, blue for boys, a parade of cartoon bunnies and Disney princesses emblazoned on bed frames and step stools. But do kids actually want all this? Or have we simply stereotyped them? Hanne Willmann suspects we underestimate children’s ability to appreciate…
In the world of children's furniture, Hanne Willmann, a celebrated Berlin designer, is bringing her unique perspective to the scene. While Target and Walmart displays often showcase a sea of pink, blue, and cartoon-clad designs, Willmann believes that children can appreciate clean, minimalist aesthetics. The German industrial designer, founder of Studio Hanne Willmann, has spent a decade crafting products for adults, including chairs and sofas for various brands.
Now, Willmann has joined forces with Piccalio, a Los Angeles-based furniture startup founded by Ali Tavsanoglu and Aneta Kostic, to design a collection of minimalist wood furniture for kids. The collection includes a table and chair set inspired by a 1970s Swiss chair, featuring interesting curves and a focus on natural beauty. Willmann's design philosophy aims to inspire feelings of comfort, safety, and creativity in children, while also being functional and adaptable.
Her approach contrasts with many Montessori-based products she finds to be too clinical or pedagogical. In her first project for Piccalio, Willmann designed a toddler table and chair set in calming colors, which has exceeded sales expectations. The chair's design allows children to engage their imagination and transform the piece into various objects, such as a boat or a bed for a doll.
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