Moving back to the US has been a whirlwind to say the least, and thankfully (thankfully thankfully), we were able to sell the house we had lived in before the Panamanian adventure. I do miss my house, but looking back through ‘green’ eyes, it had a lot of unnecessary space. Since we’re renting a smaller townhouse now, my girls sharing a room, all of us sharing a bathroom, I’m finding it’s not how much space you think you need, but how you manage the space you have (although, I would LOVE some built-in bookcases, but you can’t have everything…)

That being said - I need storage! Rather, my kids need storage - their cloth baskets are overflowing with dolls, and the book piles look more like the leaning tower of Dora. This is one issue I don’t mess around with - since we’re still in a state of housing-flux, I want something that will move with us and stay put. I covet the Via Toy Box storage system on so many levels. In a world of MDF and particle board furniture, it’s a breath of fresh air to see a product that uses real wood…Via uses birch wood from Russia, using a process called ’selective cutting,’ a sustainable practice that only uses trees mature enough for production. Paints are water-based, non-toxic, and kid and time friendly, meant to last for years of use and abuse. The boxes come fully assembled, except for the box fronts, and use minimal hardware.

Basically, the Via system rocks. A true modular storage system, you can buy Via boxes individually, in sets of six, or in pre-designed complete sets that incorporates everything from bookshelves to cabinets. Your kids can put their junk inside without worry about lids closing on little fingers, and the awesome shape fronts helps little ones learn shapes and colors. Put feet on the bottom and make it a table…hang them from the wall for that floating box look. Or, set them up in endless configurations, with endless choices of interchangeable doors and cubby cut-outs. Did I mention endless? Choose from twelve colors - natural, white, blue, red, chocolate, lime, pink, hot pink, yellow, orange, green, and lavender - that matches any decor or color obsession of the moment. You can even change the fronts of the boxes as tastes as that fairy or pirate theme finally phases out…

Your kids may not eat their veggies, but they’ll be all over Celery Furniture. And no wonder. Their Lullaboo Rocking Pony requires minimal assembly and has NO metal hardware. Made from bamboo (celery/bamboo = large stalks that grow fast, get it?) and/or formaldehyde-free medium density fiberboard, and with low or no-VOC paint, this is a fun and funky addition to your playroom. It also comes in six colors, so you can find the exact match for your little celery stalk. Taking turns will be tough, believe me. And for moms and dads, check out their super-gigantic sized rocker!

Available at 2modern.

Get your mind out of the gutter and meet Trashy, a multi-purpose, garbage can/recycling sorter/butcher block on wheels. If you have a small kitchen, or can’t commit to an island, this is a perfect solution. Made of 100% post-industrial recycled formaldehyde-free MDF board from Sierra Pine, each Trashy contains three compartments for a garbage bin; recycling bin; and storage for garbage bags or other trash needs, which can all be removed and washed. Customize Trashy for your eco and kiddie needs….put a blackboard on one side, compost bin, or locking casters to bring Trashy with you to other parts of the house. Better than going to your garage every ten minutes to throw away recyclables…

The family behind Argington modern children’s furniture want to take you on a world tour, without leaving your well-designed home. The beds, cribs, seating, and storage of their “Wonders Collection” are named for different Wonders of the Ancient and Modern World - from Giza to the Sahara, Paris to Ayres Rock, each piece is made almost entirely of wood from managed renewable forests, with non-toxic finishes. The Fundy Play Table, shown here, evokes the playfulness of the whales and tides of the Bay of Fundy in Nova Scotia. My kids are all over this table - literally. The chalkboard (or dry erase, can be customized) top and steel casters makes the table itself something to play with, even when its drawers and hidden pockets are stuffed with supplies. Because, who doesn’t want to write all over a table and not get in trouble?

Available at Vivavi.

In the sleepy town of Hailey, Idaho, the folks at Lilipad Studio  want your kids to step all over their beautiful furniture - step stools, that is!  Lilipad has come out with an incredible line of step stools made for the green set. All pieces are handcrafted using FSC certified hardwood (meaning it was ‘responsibly forested’) and non-toxic, no VOC (volatile organic compound) paints.  In other words, feel good that the piece of furniture your kids will carry around the house with them (and getting into places they shouldn’t) is safe!  Design names such as “Bohemian Garden” and “Butterfly Rhapsody,” make these little helpers sound like works of art!  Choose a single step for really teensy ones, or the two-stepper for bigger kids who can reach the sink or want to lick the brownie bowl!  Check out their line of tables and chairs, too.  The two-step stool is available at The Silly Wagon…