Lust vs. Must: A 2011 Roundup
It's our Lust vs. Must roundup for 2011! Stylish splurges, budget buys, posh picks and design-savvy deals—they're all here for your perusing pleasure. Whether you're still stocking your nursery or holding out for that one key piece of gear for baby, check out these gotta have it choices.
Rockin’ chairs
In search of a high-style rocker for baby’s nursery? We're drooling over the looks of the Risom Rocker from Design Within Reach, $2300 (that tufting!), but are also smitten with the affordability of IKEA’s sleek Poäng, $69 (that price tag!). Balance your budget, and take a seat accordingly.
Sweet streets
In an unofficial poll of family and friends, we found that 100 percent of moms with sons have an assortment of miniature automobiles that rivals their own shoe collections in number. The nonstop vrooming practically necessitates a proper thoroughfare for Matchbox traffic and, if budget and space permit, a small town rug, like the Learning Carpets My Neighborhood Play Carpet, $53 at wayfair.com, makes a fun addition to the playroom. But if you’re tight on cash and square footage, consider rolling out a road of clever tape, like the My First Autobahn Tape Kit, $18 at dannabananas.com on the kitchen hardwoods. Just beware of crazy drivers!
Out like a lamb
We found two pretty pacifier clips to help you keep track of your sweet sheep’s binky. Left: HABA Pacifier Chain Wooly, $16 at maukilo.com. Right: Cunill Sterling Silver Sheep Pacifier Clip, $50 at silvergallery.com
Silver spoons
Treat baby to some nonplastic flatware! It looks great and lasts for years, making it well worth the extra cost. How much extra cost you choose to invest is up to you … here are two swoon-worthy options at both save and splurge price points. Left: Reed & Barton, $235 Right: Beehive Kitchenware Co. heart spoon set, $48
Make some noise
Whether you’re attempting to re-create the din of the womb or drown out the racket of rambunctious older siblings, you’ll no doubt be grateful for these when baby’s naptime rolls around. Left: Brookstone Tranquil Moments white noise sound machine for baby, $70. Right: Graco Sweet Slumber sound machine, $40 at amazon.com.
Walk and roll
It seems impossible, but it’s true! Some babies learn to walk by 9 months. If you’re looking for options for baby to lean on, here are two wooden walkers at different ends of the toy-budget spectrum. Left: HABA walker wagon, $144 at maukilo.com. Right: IKEA EKKORE toddle wagon/walker, $20.
Watch your wasteline
Keep bad odors where they belong—in a posh pail or cost-saving container. Left: Vipp 15 pedal bin, $319 at shophorne.com. Right: Playtex Diaper Genie II Elite pail, $40 at babiesrus.com.
Classic satchels
Chic moms require diaper bags of comparable sophistication. These beige beauties from celebrity-loved Storksak and its budget-friendly sister brand Babymel are just as well suited for Take Your Daughter to Work Day as they are a Saturday afternoon museum trip. Left: Storksak Elizabeth Quilted in Fawn, $450. Right: Babymel Ella in Mocha, $115.
Play Station
A neatly organized playroom is priceless, but often the process of creating one isn't. Fortunately, attractive storage options abound, making a put-together toy center within any family's means. Left: ViaBoxes 6 Pack with Fronts, from $349. Right: IKEA Trofast, $120.
