Fairy Tale Imagery at Pottery Barn Kids

Pottery Barn Kids has a new bedding theme which includes fairy tale imagery, primarily Frog Prince, called simply Grace which isn't very helpful in showing that it is fairy tale related I captured some images to share here. I always enjoy non-character licensed fairy tale stuff for kids, so this is fun. I may have to get a pillowcase or two at some point. 

Description for the sheets:

Capturing the enchantment fairy tales are made of, our cotton percale sheeting features pretty princesses, royal castles and magical frogs rendered in soft watercolor style over a pink ground.

And for the duvet cover:

From pretty princesses to royal castles, our embroidered cotton duvet cover evokes the characters and stories kids love to dream about. The fun fairy-tale scene is rendered with running stitches and fill stitches, then trimmed in pink cotton cording.

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Jason Hulfish, Mural Artist

I discovered this short article about Jason Hulfish earlier this week, Mural artist brings imaginations to life in children's rooms by Alicia Roberts.  The artwork with the article was intriguing, so I read it.  Here's an excerpt:

Artist Jason Hulfish paints murals as big as the imaginations of the children who sleep among the fire-breathing dragons, open-sea pirates and beautiful princesses he brings to life in their bedrooms.

Although Hulfish admits he was one of those kids who sketched designs in his notebook at school while he was supposed to be taking notes, his initial artscapes were a bit smaller in scale.

"I started doing T-shirt designs," he admits. "My friends liked them and said, 'Hey, can you put this on my wall?' One thing led to another."

Bringing form and function to fantasy takes work. Hulfish designs each room with one-of-a-kind murals, painting each from floor to ceiling. He also incorporates custom furniture such as a pirate or princess-carriage bed that he creates and builds.

The 39-year-old artist grew up in St. Petersburg and lives in Tampa. He went to college as a pre-med chemistry major, decided it wasn't for him, and joined the corporate world for a while. He started painting murals at friends' homes and turned his passion into a full-time job in 2005.

So of course, I wondered if Hulfish has a website.  He does!  See Jfishart.com.

No, really, you must go there.  I only picked the rooms that are remotely fairy tale related to share here. 

But I fell in love with several of his room designs, many of which are in no way related to fairy tales.  There are pirates and oceans and Star Wars and jungles and fairies.  I didn't feature the fairies either. 

The picture above is lovely.  I would probably choose a garden for my walls.  I always like to be surrounded by sunshine and gardens.  My productivity goes up, too.  And clouds on the ceiling is always a very good thing...unless they are real and then you might have a problem.

But I would be tempted by a Jack and the Beanstalk room or fire breathing dragons.  Perhaps I'd choose Sleeping Beauty's bower, but I would probably prefer no people.  I would always wonder if they were watching me if they were life size.

But I know there are some blessed children with rooms like these in Tampa.  Wow...

You can click on the images to see them larger.  Or visit Hulfish's site to see these and many more.

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Posh Tots

I recently read this short article--2009: Year of Indulgence for Some
--that in summary says that luxury spending on children has not been affected by the recession. Posh Tots kept growing in 2009, for example. So I went exploring Posh Tots and decided to share their fairy tale related furniture. I've shared one before but here's a bunch.


Princess Castle Playhouse Loft Bed: This truly unique girls princess castle bed is every girls dream. The Princess Castle Loft bed is a bed, playhouse, storage in one with ingenious and discrete dresser drawer stairs, a fun slide, and large play space beneath, Armoire towers with shelving add even more storage space to this custom painted fairytale theme bed. The castle artwork is all hand-painted featuring beautiful garden details and faux finish. When disassembled the cottage fits through a 30"W or larger door frame. Bed size can be twin, full or queen.


La Belle Au Bois Dormant Coach: Your little sleeping beauty will dream of her prince as she sleeps away her enchantment in this exquisite coach. This hand-crafted piece is the most ornate and incredible creation we have found. The wheels of this carriage are solid cherry with white oak inserts that are spring loaded into their seats to form a heart shape. Each wheel features one hundred individual pieces of wood, contributing to the intricate design. The solid cherry quarter panels that define the contours of the pumpkin’s shape are fashioned from ¼" x ¾" rippings. Each piece has been hand tapered, beveled, and bent to create the desired shape and fit tightly together. The finished product has the natural beauty of varnished solid cherry but the delicately thin contoured panels have the durability of a boat hull. The carriage is draped with a petal-like canopy made in the likeness of a flower. All interior upholstery and drapery are made of 100% silk. (That's Sleeping Beauty Carriage to you non-French speakers.)


Princess Coach Iron Crib: Fit for a princess! Give your little one the very best with this enchanting and exquisite pumpkin coach. She will be sure to have sweet dreams as she drifts off in this fantasy iron crib adorned with vines and precious little birds perched on a floral wreath. Beautifully handcrafted by talented craftsmen to meet all current safety standards.


Woodland Princess Castle Bunk Bed: This Woodland Princess Castle is a combination bunk bed and playhouse. The design maximizes space in your child's room by giving her a play area and bed. The castle artwork is all hand-painted featuring the serenity of a forest with adorable animals throughout this realistic foliage on the castle grounds . Best of all the bed features a sturdy staircase with drawers and a waterfall slide exit. It is sure to delight your child and spark their imagination as they pretend they are in an enchanted forest made just for them. When disassembled the cottage fits through a 30"W or larger door frame. Bed size can be twin, full or queen. Artist can customize your cottage's colors to work with your existing room décor for an additional charge.


Majestic Carriage Crib: The Majestic Carriage Crib is the perfect place for your princess to catch up on her beauty rest. The carriage crib is constructed with a solid cedar frame and birch details. Features a front faux leather seat (not for sitting-max weight of front seat is 25 lbs), rear box designed as a changing table with an overall look of a luggage rack on the carriage. Round mattress included.


"Colbert Castle" Playhouse: The only thing missing is a moat! This fortress features a tower with a rock-climbing wall and an enclosed courtyard where the knight in shining armor can watch for fire-breathing dragons. Inside, a secret room is tucked away from view, accessed through a cleverly concealed opening in the fireplace. Surprise! The eyes in the portrait above the mantel slide open, so your child can slyly spy on anyone who dares to enter.


Fantasy Coach: Wave your magic wand and this carriage may appear to make your little princess' dreams come true. This fanciful coach bed is the most extraordinary children's bed we've ever seen. Handcrafted in England of wood and fiberglass, the oval shaped interior measures just over 6 ft. in diameter. Construction and delivery time on this piece is over 6 months. The bar is set with this magnificent piece; it simply has no equal outside of fairy tales.


Sullivan Clock: Time never stands still when you’re with Sully! With his hands on his hips and sass in his step, you’ll really want to rock around this clever clock. Crafted mostly from stained maple, Sullivan isn’t just a fabulous find but a true friend. (Can I admit this one is whimsical fun but still gives me the willies on some level? Perhaps ties into my hallucinatory nightmares when I was sick with high fevers as a child.)


Whimsical Shoe Armoire: Truly exquisite and unique! Your little one will be sure to use their imagination with this larger than life shoe armoire! Main shoe constructed from solid foam cast with hard shell. Windows and doors constructed from wood inserts. Features a cedar roof, large lower level door storage, two sliding window drawers and one window nightlight.


Fantasy Carriage Crib: Wave your magic wand and this carriage crib may appear to make your little princess' dreams come true. Truly exquisite! The carriage crib is constructed with a solid cedar frame and birch details. Features a front faux leather seat (not for sitting-max weight of front seat is 25 lbs), rear box designed as a changing table with an overall look of a luggage rack on the carriage. Round mattress included.

And no, I am not affiliated with Posh Tots. Wow, I would love that commission if I were! One sale would be more than a year's funding...

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