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Next-Generation Design
Beats us. But we know you're out there—and all across New England, small manufacturers are turning out the homegrown kids' clothing, sophisticated furniture, and eco-friendly toys you're looking for. By Lisa Zimmermann
Clothes/Accessories
Chulamama, Salem
The name means "cool mom" in Spanish; the inventory includes all the maternity wear, baby clothes, and nursing essentials she needs. 320 Derby St., Salem, 888-424-8526, chulamama.com.
Inside Out, Newport, VT
A collection of colorful, funky outfits that feature reversible pants and coordinating T-shirts and sweatshirts, which are offered in boys', girls', and unisex designs. 802-334-8535, insideoutkidsclothes.com.
Kico Kids, Somerville
Luxurious fabrics and casual designs for boys and girls ages two to 12. Available at Lester Harry's, 115 Newbury St., Boston, 617-927-5400, lesterharrys.com, and other retailers; 617-764-0352, kicokids.com.
Little Packrats, Ayer
Backpacks, totes, and messenger bags tailored for little shoulders and emblazoned with eye-catching graphics. Available at Tadpole, 37 Clarendon St., Boston, 617-778-1788, shoptadpole.com, and other retailers; 978-449-0222, cbhstudio.com.
Pogibabies Handmade, Brockton
Handmade clothing and shoes, created by a one-mom venture and sold in local crafters' markets and boutiques. 508-583-9690, pogibabies.com.
Tuff Cookie Clothing, North Falmouth
A line of high-quality fleece and other outerwear for infants that's stocked by boutiques across New England. Available at the Red Wagon, 69 Charles St., Boston, 617-523-9402, theredwagon.com, and other retailers; 508-548-9933, tuffcookie.net.
Zutano, Cabot, VT
Whimsical, brightly hued T-shirts, leggings, and other togs for au courant babies. Available at Brussels Sprouts Kids, 855 Washington St., Newton, 617-244-9832, brusselssproutskids.com, and other retailers; 800-287-5139, zutano.com.
Décor
ABC Quilts and Crafts, Hollis, ME
Handmade quilts—in classic patterns like Irish Chain, Log Cabin, and Dresden Plate—that will make any wee one feel comfy in bed. 207-286-4210, abcquiltsandcrafts.com.
Angela Adams, Portland, ME
Hand-tufted wool and cotton rugs with designs inspired by the coast of Maine. Available at Urban Living Studio, 58 Clarendon St., Boston, 617-247-8150, urbanlivingstudio.com, and other retailers; 800-255-9454, angelaadams.com.
Bob's Your Uncle, Boston
Melamine plate sets, fun calendars, and more. Available at ihcdstore.org and other Web retailers; 617-670-3782, bobsyouruncle.com.
Crispina/Fuchsia, Pittsfield
Wool and cotton blankets, rugs, and accessories made from recycled material. Available at Didriks, 190 Concord Ave., Cambridge, didriks.com, 617-354-5700, and other retailers; 413-637-0075, crispina.com.
Tatutina, Attleboro
Decorative products such as vibrantly handpainted bookends, coat and clothing pegs, wooden letters, and baby dishes. 508-226-5656, tatutina.net.
Vessel, Boston
"Candeloos," LED lights that look like critters and function great as night lights. 125 Kingston St., Boston, 617-292-0982, vessel.com.
Furniture
Allagash Wood Products, Allagash, ME
Pint-sized picnic tables, rocking chairs, tables, and other outdoor furniture. 866-727-3033, allagashwoodproducts.com.
Cedarworks, Rockport, ME
Elaborate (and, if desired, custom-designed) swing sets that use locally grown wood. 207-596-1010, cedarworks.com.
Ducduc, Torrington, CT
Modern, stylish furniture for chic babies. Available at Magic Beans, 312 Harvard St., Brookline, 617-264-2326, mbeans.com, and other retailers; 212-226-1868, ducducnyc.com.
Furnature, Watertown
Custom designs made from organic, nontoxic ingredients. 86 Coolidge Ave., Watertown, 800-326-4895, furnature.com.
Olde English Woods, Goffstown, NH
Handpainted furniture—custom-made or chosen from the company's collections—to fit any style. 603-647-2511, oldeenglishwoods.com.
Vermont Tubbs, Brandon, VT
Homey wood pieces for youngsters' bedrooms. Available at Boston Interiors, 31 Boylston St., Brookline, 617-731-6038, bostoninteriors.com, and other retailers; 802-247-3414, vermonttubbs.com.
Toys
Different Drummer Workshop, Solon, ME
Lead-free, handmade wooden toys from a family-owned business. 207-643-2572,
differentdrummertoys.com.
Bunnytail Blankets, Newport, RI
Rugged wraps for outdoorsy nippers, who'll stay warm and dry underneath Polartec fleece backed by wind- and rain-resistant nylon. 207-725-8865, bunnytailblankets.com.
Fish River Crafts, Fort Kent, ME
Handmade marionettes that go way beyond Pinocchio (dinosaurs, moose). Or, for crafty types, the kits to make them yourself. Available online at toymotion.com; 207-834-3417, fishriver.com.
The Happy Kid Company, Princeton
The Fortamajig, a portable play space that can become a fort, a tunnel, a canopy, or anything else an imaginative tyke dreams up. 800-617-0474, thehappykidcompany.com.
Maple Landmark Woodcraft, Middlebury, VT
Educational children's toys, games, gifts, and other wooden creations. Available at Boing, 729 Centre St., Jamaica Plain, 617-522-7800, boingtoys.com, and other retailers; 802-388-0627, maplelandmark.com.
Michael's Toys, Rutland, VT
Simple and timeless wooden playthings, including rocking horses and a whole fleet of trucks, planes, and trains, all crafted by the shop owner himself. 64 Merchants Row, Rutland, 802-773-3765, michaelstoys.com.
Pear Tree Studio, Harrisville, NH
A whimsical menagerie—elephants, horses, chickens, kangaroos—crafted from recycled sweaters. Available through the New England Artisans Studio, neartisansstudio.com; 603-827-3014, peartreestudio.com.
Go on to the next page to learn about the children's bedrooms of local celebrities...
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