I have always loved architecture. In fact, in middle school, I did one of those "what I want to be when I grow up" projects and designed an indoor/outdoor shopping mall. After doing this project I came to the dramatic realization that my drawing skills did not match the creativity that lived inside my brain and alas, architecture was another career path I was not likely to follow (similar to the professional ballerina I thought I would become). The nice thing about where I have ended up is every once in a while I get to indulge my love of great design in children's products with my love of beautiful architecture. Recently I got to coordinate our lifestyle photography shoots for our Svan family of products (the Svan Chair, Bouncer and Scooter). We were able to secure two amazing examples of local architecture which corresponded perfectly with Svan's "Exceptional Designs for Everyday Life" philosophy.

One was a private residence designed by Jessica Johnson Moore for her father and his wife, David and Charlene Johnson. Jessica studied at the College of Design at NC State University and is now an adjunct assistant professor of architecture at the College and runs her own design firm in Raleigh - More Space Studio. Her design turned a once hurricane-devastated parcel of land into a showpiece of green building and beautiful modernist design. The steel frame and block wall construction is made warm and elegant with touches of exotic wood on both the interior and the exterior of the home. Needless to say, as I drove back and forth to the office each day I thought what a perfect location for our Svan photo shoot. To my pleasant surprise the Johnsons were very hospitable and welcomed the idea of featuring their beautiful home in our photography. In the months to come you will see photographs shot at this beautiful location. Again my sincere thanks to Ms. Moore and Mr. and Mrs. Johnson for sharing this beautiful home with us. Below is a peek of one of the photos from this fabulous location featuring two of my favorite models, my son Max and my daughter Sophia.

The next example of great design is the Dwell NextHouse. This 5000 square foot model home is a light-filled modern structure on a 13-acre lot in Hillsborough, North Carolina. The home has 4 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, and a kitchen/dining/living area with adjoining decks on the main level, family room and office. It includes unique design elements such as a secret loft above the Master Bedroom, a special screened deck off of the main level living room and large windows that show off the beautiful forest-like setting surrounding the home. It also incorporates Green elements and features cutting-edge design and products, furniture and accessories inside the home from select partner companies. This was the perfect location again to feature Svan's beautiful, functional designs. The property manager, Dave Newey, and the folks with Empyrean Homes could not have been more accommodating for the shoot, and perhaps that is due to the fact that they are pros at this. The Dwell NextHouse has been featured in Dwell Magazine and many others due to the uniqueness of the design and construction.

I hope that you will enjoy the new Svan lifestyle photography from these great locations. I know that I really enjoyed getting to blend my love of great modernist architecture with my love of great children's products. Who could ask for a better work assignment!

Okay, you would think that by now (after six years!) I would be a bit used to seeing Scandinavian Child's products in magazines and on TV. But the thrill seriously never wears off! I am even shocked and delighted when I happen upon our products on the street or after walking into someone's home. It's so cool.

Today's example is Tori Spelling and Dean McDermott's baby Liam, who is now sitting happily in his Svan High Chair. He was also a Cariboo Bassinet baby and his baby sister now enjoys the Cariboo Bassinet (in a cute Baby Star bassinet bag!). We were fortunate to meet them a few years back at a gifting suite in L.A. News came directly from Dean about two weeks later that their wedding planner had a Svan Chair  so nice of him to think of us on his wedding vacation! HA HA. Whatever you have heard about these two, believe the good stuff. They are very nice and sincerely, insanely in love. I am not one to gossip  but this is just sharing a happy and true fact as observed by me.

Other recent publicity has caught us by surprise and is super fun. First, the Svan High Chair appeared in the background of a Scrubs episode last year, and has been shown in a few soap operas. And several staff members have seen it in a recent Hamburger Helper commercial (I am desperate to catch it one of these days!). The Svan Mini Furniture (now Anka Mini Furniture) also appeared in a cell phone print ad. But, by far, my favorite to date has to be seeing our very own Cariboo Bassinet on the set of a Saturday Night Live skit!

Oh, if I could just BE where my products go! How fun that would be.

We have crossed another major milestone in our home. Kelly lost her fourth tooth  making her two front (top) teeth something out of a classic Christmas song. It is so charming.

Unfortunately, I missed the loss of tooth #3 because she was visiting her grandparents, which made me as sad as if I had missed her first steps. I was lamenting this fact with a friend last Saturday night as our families enjoyed an evening swim at the local pool. Not ten minutes later, Kelly jumps out of the pool in hysterics screaming that she lost her tooth. And, sure enough, it's gone and she has somehow managed to keep it in her grasp while swimming to the side of the pool. (I won't go into the gory details, but it was a bit bloody.)

She immediately ran to me and was so distraught. The first thing she said was 'I'm going to be ugly.' I took a step back and told her that, in fact, she looks like a big girl and very, very cute. With that reassurance and a look in the mirror, she was fine and promptly jumped back in the pool to proudly show off her new look.

And, oh, how cute she looks! To be completely honest, I hope those two front teeth don't grow back too quickly. I want to cherish this time for at least a little while.

How I Did It: Thinking about the Tooth Fairy? When Kelly lost her first tooth, I ran out and picked up a roll of silver dollars at the bank. (Shhh, don't tell her.) She loves them, although she hasn't quite grasped the difference between the silver dollar and a quarter. Oh well, it's still fun.

P.S. Her proud Pappa thinks she looks like a hockey player ...