It's no surprise that the Gap is getting into the nursery decor biz. Baby Gap Home carries original designs in bedding and accessories, plus brand-name items like Maclaren strollers, Quinny car seats, and diaper bags by Bella Tunno and Skip Hop.
Despite the somewhat traditional product staging we saw on Baby Gap Home website, we found ourselves drawn to several of the pieces in their inaugural collection. We've rounded them up below the jump.
There's an Umbra-esque quality to this mobile photo hanger ($12). Made of stainless steel, it comes with ten clips to hold family photos or postcards (or black-and-white infant stimulation graphics, if you want to squeeze in some early-early childhood education).
No matter how hot it gets, most infants still need a nice firm swaddle to get to sleep. These open-weave muslin swaddle sheets by Aden & Anais ($30 for a pack of two) fit the bill. They're a generous 47" by 47" and are available in pink, blue, or green with brown polka dots.
When the weather gets cooler, this embroidered fleece blanket ($29) would make a great stroller blanket. We have a hankering for the monkey, but other critters are also available.
Of the several bedding sets ($249; each set iincludes a quilt, bumper, crib skirt, and fitted sheet) available, the Flower Shop motif caught our eye. (The lovely print on the quilt might actually make tummy time fun.) As pretty as they are, we wish these items were sold as separates, for those of us who'd prefer to bypass the bumper.
We do like the fact that Baby Gap sells organic cotton fitted sheets at a very reasonable $19 a pop. There's a nice selection of solids and prints to choose from, all with a 250 thread count.
We like to keep diapers all over the house for quick changes. This brown canvas diaper storage bin ($19) would blend easily into a grown-up room. (Also available in pink and blue.)
We have to admit that we didn't know Boon made bath toys ($14 for a set of fifteen bath appliqués, three balls, and two mini-scrubbies). At first glance, we worried that this set of fun wall appliqués, designed to stick to the wall when wet, would be a mildew magnet. It turns out they're non-absorbent kid-safe EVA foam, so mold shouldn't be an issue, provided you let them dry between baths.
See more: Baby Gap Home
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Someone was kind enough to give me this monkey blanket for our upcoming little bundle. It's cute. We will see how long it lasts once in use! :)
view annaland's profile
As much as I like their collection, I just couldn't bring myself to purchase my children's bedroom items from Gap. I couldn't live with the knowledge that they exploit other people's children (even though they consistenly deny that they do, and are then shown to be lying) in order to make consumer goods for children in countries that have the money to pay their overpriced rates.
view Vonnie's profile
love those aden & anais blankets. we have some for the boys and they're perfect, esp in our hot climate.
i reeeally want that photo mobile thingy. must get.
view pyjammy's profile
We have the photo mobile hanger and love it! We've changed it a few times to hold things like alphabet flash cards, little felt toys and black and white photos.
view MonaH's profile
I'm with Vonnie. I've also found that in trying to find unique & safer products, I tend to avoid the big box chains no matter how cute the stuff is anymore. That's just not enough anymore. I don't trust the giant stores after all the recalls, safety controversies & labor issues. The quality and "specialness" is always better buying from smaller companies that sell through mom & pop stores. Whenever I've found something great and it then goes to the chains where middle America shops I'm immediately turned off.
view cerise518's profile
The photo mobile hanger can also be used to make origami crane mobiles. I've made a bunch for friends and they absolutely love them. Just fold a bunch of cranes with pretty paper, clip them on, and you have something that's beyond perfect for a nursery (or anyone who likes whimsy).
view honeyhaze's profile