The newest Devyn, Esmé, and Neva storage beds launched earlier this month and are available in queen and king sizes in seven delicious fabric choices: Washed Cotton Velvet, Thread-Dyed Cotton Linen, Recycled Faux Fur, Recycled Poly Linen, Recycled Poly Weave, Medium Weight Linen, and Light Weight Linen. They also come in up to 30 different color options—from classic neutrals to bright sunflower yellow, deep emerald green, and everything in between.

The highly customizable beds feature the same gorgeous, all-natural and recycled materials that Sixpenny is known for, combined with four spacious, soft-closing drawers that offer the best of both practicality and elegance—making them ideal for design-minded families.

Check out our slideshow below for a peek at some of the Sixpenny storage beds in all of their cozy glory.

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This article was originally published in 2015.

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Check out our 15 favorites from Misha and Puff and West Elm Kids in our slideshow below!

For more on Misha and Puff, read our profile on founder and mother of two Anna Wallack.

The post It’s Here! Misha and Puff x West Elm Kids appeared first on MOTHER.

Click through our slideshow for the best homebody gifts below!

Need more gifting ideas? Be sure to check out our guides for new & expecting mamas, babies & toddlers, big kids, and tweens & teens!

The post 40+ Extra-Cozy Homebody Gifts appeared first on MOTHER.

Planning The Menu: “At my house, the dinner is less about what I’m serving and more about the presentation and thought. I know I am a good cook, but I am not the best cook. In the end, I find that people just like to be invited over, so don’t let the idea of cooking for others overwhelm you. I have made elaborate multi-course meals in the past, and now realize that everyone felt awkward with me getting up and down prepping for the next course. I like to serve something simple, seasonal, and forgiving. I’ve found that perfecting a one-dish meal, such as sakshuka, and then spending more time on a thoughtful appetizer spread is always a hit. It’s visually pleasing yet the timing is flexible, so you can enjoy the party without being completely consumed in the recipe. I also always ask if guests have dietary preferences or aversions. And, if you don’t like to cook at all? Order take-out from a local restaurant and re-plate it on your own serving dishes.”

Crowd-Sourcing The Food: “If a friend asks you what they can bring, instead of asking for the standard bottle of wine, you can ask for something more pointed, like, ‘That amazing salad you always make!’ Note, however, that it’s important to think through the menu when asking people to bring something. That way you don’t end up with three jello salads and no pie, as I did when I hosted Thanksgiving a few years ago. People want to bring something, so give them a task when they ask. Also, don’t ask your friend who is always late to bring the appetizer, give that dish to your most punctual friend.”

Creating An Instagram-Worthy Tablescape: “For a table that every guest will be snapping the second they arrive, make sure it is set and ready to go before your guests get there. Setting the table is my favorite part, and I often do it the day before the dinner, so that I have time to enjoy the process before everyone comes over and I am rushed and distracted. Flowers are always the centerpiece on my table, as it is expected at my house. But, colorful candles can do the trick if you don’t have time to get flowers. I always play with colorful cloth napkins set on the plate, to add color and turn my table into a thoughtful design. Keep paint chips around so you can make quick place cards. I find that having assigned seating, even for a dinner of 4, can be a special touch both in thought and visual presentation.”

The Florals: “Flowers don’t have to be elaborate to make a statement. Get two bunches of tulips and simply chop and drop for a simple centerpiece. My dining table is small, so we often move the arrangement after everyone sits down. I have a second location designated so that transition is smooth and doesn’t feel like the arrangement was in the way. Finally, my two biggest tips are keep the arrangement low enough that guests can see over them easily and avoid allergies by steering clear of flowers with scent. A sneezing guest could kill the vibe at any dinner party.”

Accommodating Kids: “When we have kids over we always set a pretty place at the table for them, too. I don’t want them to feel like they are not part of the dining experience. I have a straw drawer where I keep cute straws so the kids get special drinks when the adults get their first cocktail. If I set a separate kids table, I’ll cover it with butcher paper so they can color directly on the table.”

The Soundtrack: “I like softer music when I entertain. I hate it when music is too loud or abrupt when I’m eating. We usually play a Nina Simone or Bebel Gilberto Spotify station that is the perfect background for dinner. After dinner we’ll transition into something a bit less ambient.”

Appetizers: “My number one tip is have appetizers waiting before your guests walk in the door. I think most guests expect you to be cooking when they arrive, but you need to get a drink in their hand and an appetizer in their belly as quickly as possible. My go-to appetizer is a simple but nice cheese plate. It can be served at room temperature and it will please almost everyone in the room. Add nuts, so even the vegans and GF’ers are happy. My go-to appetizer recipe is this one, which is also gluten free.”

The Drinks: “If you have a large group and want to cut down on everyone using a fresh glass, mark the glasses, but don’t use the cheesy options. I like to tie different colors of string or ribbon or place bindi dots on the glasses so everyone has a different color marking their glass. It’s so simple and totally works. As for the drink itself, cocktails that take a long time to make are not a good idea. I served pisco sours at one party and they just took too long to make. If you want to make cocktails, pre-batch them so it is easy to refill glasses. Margaritas with fresh herbs from my studio garden and jalepenjo is a favorite in our house right now.”

Seating Assignments: “I’ve poured over the rules on seating assignments, but in the end, it’s all about conversation. Think ahead to who will get along with whom. It’s good to put the chatty person next to the shy person, but you also don’t want to have the overbearing one dominate. I also like to change things up at dessert to get the conversation mixed up. If you do place cards, write a different name on the back and then have everyone flip the cards and find their new seat for the final course. By dessert everyone is relaxed, so it will be fun.”

Stashing Their Stuff: “If you don’t have a coat closet, think ahead to where the coats and purses will go. A bed in the bedroom is the perfect spot. When guests who have not been to your home first enter, they need to understand their bearings, so a little sign that says ‘Coats on the bed’ with an arrow can be helpful.”

After Dinner Fun: “We have a fireplace and after dinner we often invite our guests into the living room to eat dessert casually around the coffee table by the fire. We throw pillows on the floor and keep it informal and cozy. We have a cupboard of games for all ages and personality types, from Cards Against Humanity to Uno. But my favorite game is charades because all you need is some paper, a pencil, and a couple thinkers. If your guests are not the game type but you want to mix up conversation, Google the Proust questionnaire and go around the table and take turns answering.”

Taking It All In Stride: “Remember that if something goes wrong at a party, it can make for fun memories in the future. Our cat was skunked and ran through the house in the middle of dinner once, and those guests still laugh about it to this day. It actually made for a funny experience that is now a memory.”

For more tips on setting the perfect table, check out Natalie’s inspiring styling ideas here.

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From a good bottle of wine to a game the whole family can play—check out 40 hostess gifts below!

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Get to know the mama behind Follies and hear about her latest creations, below!

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I’m writing this as a bit of an apology, but also to offer help. When I set out to write a whole book about bunk beds, I joked to my publisher that we should publish The Bunk Bed Book with a warning label on the cover. Caution: Bunk beds are much messier in real life than they appear in photos. For all the joy and delight that bunk beds bring, this issue of bed making can be a huge source of frustration for parents. I know because I’ve now made up a few bunks up myself, and I can tell you it is sometimes an act of pure acrobatics. 

As I got deeper into researching The Bunk Bed Book and I became aware of this issue, I grilled designers and everyday parents about their advice for how to make making bunk beds easier. Here are the best tips and tricks I learned.

Consider stairs. A bunk bed with stairs takes up more space in the room (and costs more than one with a ladder), but they will make it much easier to get into the top bunk to make it up or change the sheets.

Embrace minimalism. When it comes to sheets and blankets, the less there is to make, the easier the task will be. If you’re craving decorative flair, a throw pillow or bolster can add another layer of styling without making the actual bed-making any harder.

Duvets are your friend. A fitted sheet and a duvet cover are going to be easier to smooth out than a fitted, flat, and blanket will be. If you typically change to a quilt and flat sheet in the summer, consider a summer- or “tropical” weight duvet instead.

Try this king-quilt trick. Typical twin coverlets often have an excess of fabric to tuck in. Instead, consider buying king-size quilts and splitting them in half: A seamstress can cut the quilt in half and finish the cut edges to match the others. 

Call in the tailor. Another option is to tailor a twin-size coverlet to fit the mattress to cut down on the frustration of tucking in all sides. A local seamstress or even your dry cleaner can sew in seams to create a box shape.

Upsize the pillow. Upgrading to a king-size pillow is smart because it stretches the full length of the bed, and the larger pillow looks tidier than one or two smaller ones. It also gives the sleeper more space to prop herself up for reading.

Invest in specialized bedding. Consider bedding designed specifically for bunks. There are several brands, including Beddys, that make bedding that zips up somewhat like a sleeping bag, making it easy to get the linens into place. 

Embrace a relaxed look. If you’re willing to accept that the bed will never look photo-ready, you might decide to fully embrace a decidedly more bohemian look: Get playful with mismatched patterns for the top and bottom bunk and consider linen or hemp sheets which look absolutely lovely rumpled and mussed.

Photo by Genevieve Garruppo

For more tips from Laura Alice Fenton, pick up her latest, The Bunk Bed Book. You can also read Lauren’s 12 Decluttering Tips For Small Spaces and her inspiring list of Mother Essentials! 

The post What No One Tells You About Bunk Beds appeared first on MOTHER.

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Go-To Jacket. “I wear this jacket every day. It looks good on work calls and I can throw it over a t-shirt for pick-up and drop-off. It makes me feel pulled together.” Madewell x Backdrop Studio Hours Oversized Chore Jacket, $135, Madewell.

Tiny Cottons. “I love Tiny Cottons kids clothes because they are ethically made, gender-neutral, and super stylish. I splurge once a season and buy my girls something, more for me than them, but I can’t resist.” TinyCottons.com.

Triangle Book. “My favorite gift to give and our favorite book to read. Triangle is one of the only books we can read night after night and it is still joyful for both parents and kids. As one of the reviewers said: ‘Perfect dead-pan humor and artistic precision.'” Triangle, written by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Jon Klassen, $14.71, Bookshop and Amazon.

Soft Services Smoothing Set. “Since moving to L.A. from NY and having my second daughter, my skin has been dry and crepey and all the bad things. Soft Services, launched by two early Glossier employees, has been the only bodycare line that has worked. The buffing bar is the best exfoliator I have used, bar none, and the Smoothing Solution fixed my sandpaper ankles.” Smoothing Set, $102, Soft Services.

HAY Crates. “These HAY Crates are in every room and I love their versatility. They store everything from art supplies and toys in our daughters’ room. I love the color combinations and they work equally in a kids room as they do in other spaces of our house.” Colour Crate, $6.75, HAY.

The Nue Co Cleanser. “The Nue Co cleanser is the only face wash I use because it’s gentle and doesn’t strip my skin. It’s a pre + probiotic for your face.” Barrier Culture Cleanser, $42, The Nue Co.

Magna-Tiles. “If we could only have one toy, Magna-Tiles would be it. We got them as a hand-me-down from our neighbors in NY who had them for 8 years. These really hold up and are worth the investment. Like the box says, for ages 1-99!” Magna-Tiles 32-Piece Set, $49.99, Maisonette.

Sardines. “My kids (and I) love tinned fish, specifically these sardines. A super healthy and easy dinner.” José Gourmet Canned Portuguese Seafood, $26.97, Food52.

Gaetano Pesce Mini Vessel. “These vessels are so fun because they look like Murano glass but they are made of resin! I use them to hold random items, like car keys, remotes, pacifiers. Plus they are totally kid-proof and won’t shatter.” Gaetano Pesce Mini Vessel, $95, Coming Soon.

DISCO NAP Paint. “The reason and inspiration for starting Backdrop was because painting my daughter’s nursery in 2017—even with a hardware store on our street in NYC—was more difficult than buying a vintage rug from Morocco. My current favorite color and what my daughter has been asking for her room is DISCO NAP, a light acid-yellow. It also comes with a kid-friendly playlist.” DISCO NAP, starting at $45, Backdrop.

Peacock Toy. “This Peacock color toy by MoMA Design Store is the toy of the moment for my 4-year-old. I love it because it teaches her about color and color mixing. We take it on walks with us.” Peacock Colors Toy, $28, MoMA Design Store. 

Morning Coffee. “My husband and I take turns every other morning getting up with the kids. The one rule we have is when one of us is on morning kid duty, coffee must be made before the other one gets up. Our favorite coffee right now is La Golondrina by Counter Culture.” La Golondrina Beans, $22, Counter Culture.

Ghia. “I’m obsessed with Ghia and have a glass a day. While I was pregnant, this non-alcoholic aperitif became my go-to and now postpartum, my body can’t really handle alcohol, plus I prefer this over the booze.” Non-Alcoholic Apéritif, $33, Ghia. 

Backdrop Painters Tape. “This tape is perfect for hanging our kids’ art, labeling snacks, the possibilities are endless.” Painters Tape, $8, Backdrop.

Childcare. “Our nanny Paola is the true hero. She holds us all together and truly loves our kids. Just a shoutout to her because it really takes a village!”

Brittany Sheehan. “The GOAT of baby/kid sleep. Truly the baby whisperer and she does it all virtually. Before we had our second daughter, Daisy, my then-3-year-old Colette went on a sleep-strike and refused to sleep in her room. A friend suggested Brittany and I’ll admit I was skeptical, but after a consultation and a very thorough meeting, we had our daughter sleeping through then night with the door shut after two nights. It was the best money we’ve ever spent.” BrittanySheehan.com.

Sing 2. “This movie has the best soundtrack and it’s a very entertaining movie. My daughter Colette now requests, ‘Alexa, play BONO!'” SingMovie.com.

For more Mother Essentials, peep our recent past columns with Oui The People founder & CEO Karen Young, author-illustrator Grace Lin, the co-founders of ODDOBODY, Happy Family Organics’ CEO Anne Laraway, YA author J.Elle, kid-lit authors Karen Chan and Suzanne Greenlaw, the founders of EADEM, Minimalista author Shira Gill, Domino’s Chief Content Officer Kate Berry, the two-mom duo behind Morrow Soft Goods, mega-influencer Nabela Noor, Angela O’Brien of Cleobella, Nikki Osei-Barrett of District Motherhued, Blair Paysinger of Post 21, Idia Lanlokun of Ola & Mide, Karam Kim of Bluecut aprons, children’s authors Evan Sargent and Joanna Ho, Eli Yonas of Toki Mats, Shaina Kerrigan of Molly J., Jenna Levine of LINNÉ botanicals, Eunice Byun of Material, and Sandra Lin of Kiwi Co.

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