Last week, celebrity interior designer Jake Arnold debuted his new Crate & Kids collection in an unlikely spot—a moody cocktail lounge at the top of New York City’s Fifth Avenue Hotel. And while there were no actual kids in sight, there were plenty of adults ogling the home goods—everything from upholstered twin and double beds with curvy headboards and hidden storage, to the runaway hit of the evening: a rattan shell lamp enclosing a white globe that glows like an oversized pearl.
Children’s furniture designed by Jake Arnold for Crate & Kids.
The British-born, Los Angeles-based designer—and co-founder of the digital platform The Expert—debuted two collections for Crate & Barrel that night—the second one was a line of actual grown-up furniture and accessories for outdoor living. But the kids’ designs were the star of the evening—from oak play tables that were the perfect height for cocktails, a bouclé accent chair perfect for any petite corner, and an octopus pillow that no one could resist.
Of course, not everything translates. The collection’s oak crib, toddler bed rails, and changing table with a quilted cover adorned with sea creatures are best reserved for the junior set, the youngest of which will also benefit from stylish accessories like bibs and burp cloths.
But the rattan standing lamp, bamboo-style cast metal mirror, swivel gliding chair and Venetian-esque linen ceiling light are another story. They have everyone thinking, Steve Buscemi-style: How do you do, fellow kids?
Ingrid Abramovitch, the Executive Editor at ELLE Decor, writes about design, architecture, renovation, and lifestyle, and is the author of several books on design including Restoring a House in the City.
