Since 2000, Isle of Dogs offer beautiful furniture for babies and children with hand painted motifs, made in their studio in Wuppertal, Germany. The classic style easily suits various interior styles, whether it be a contemporary apartment or a country house. Parents and children can choose from their large range of illustrations for the motifs (unicorns, fairies, cars, lion, giraffe, spaceship, frog, crocodile..just to name a few) or request a customized design. We had the chance to speak to Birgit Geisel, the Founder, and learn more about this delightful brand.
Tell us a little bit about yourself! What is your background and what made you create your own business?
I studied French and Beaux Arts. I had always wanted to create furniture for children and paint them with personalised designs, always reminding them of their childhood when they think of those illustrations.
What was your very first design?
The stool, hand painted with a motif and name on it.
From all of your designs, which is the one that you enjoyed the most creating and why?
I loved designing the high-sleeper system. It has a little gate on a wheel (easy to push), a canopy with pompoms, shelves, hanging boxes and an awning that can be fixed anywhere – every child’s dream! I was really proud when it received the 1st prize for children bedroom design” at “KIND &Jugend” and at the publisher “Gruner und Jahr” in Cologne.
How many custom paint designs do you offer to your clients and which ones are the most popular?
We offer around 50 custom painted designs – the most popular are the sailing boat, and the guardian angel or the fairy.
Is there a particular client project that was really special to you? If yes, why?
Once we had to paint the family crest on all the ordered furniture!
Do you offer interior design services or consultancy to your clients?
So far, clients send us wallpaper or fabrics and we can recommend the colours and motifs of the furniture.
If you were given “carte blanche” to design a kid’s space, what would it look like?
I don’t have a precise idea of a space, but it would definetly be understated, durable, sustainable and well thought-out.
Are there any nursery or kid’s room trends that you really like right now?
I like kids’ rooms that mix modern with a few carefully chosen vintage pieces or toys – for example a wooden kid’s chair, old tin box or wooden toys like ninepins.
What are your future plans for Isle of Dogs?
To find out what children need else to make them happy.
Thank you Birgit! Discover more at Isle of Dogs website
