West Elm and Joseph Altuzarra’s Celestial Kids Collection is a “Love Letter” to His Daughters
BY LEAH MUNCY, CLEVER
Original Article Published by Clever
When womenswear designer Joseph Altuzarra opened up his Hamptons home to us last year, we couldn’t help but notice just how tasteful his then two-year-old daughter’s room was. “We said she could pick the wallpaper,” Joseph’s husband, Seth Weissman, explained, “but then Joseph gave her three preapproved choices to pick from.” The three of them (along with designer Josh Greene) landed on a muted, seemingly airbrushed floral design, fit for a girl’s room at just about any age. It was a fresh though unsurprising choice coming from Joseph, who’s known for his timeless, refined approach to women’s fashion. “For either design process, you need to have a clear vision of what you want and be able to express that vision,” he told AD last year. “Both practices are about expressing a mood or feeling through design, whether it’s designing a dress that makes you feel confident and powerful, or designing a room that makes you feel serene and calm.”
“Calm” may not be what typically comes to mind when describing a kids room, but it is when looking at Joseph’s astrology-themed collaboration with West Elm Kids, which launches today at westelm.com/josephaltuzarra. Described in a press release as a “love letter to his two daughters,” the 42-piece collection of furniture, textiles, and decorative accessories were all made with color, material, and texture in mind—three design elements often overlooked in kids decor—and can be mixed and matched for a cohesive, celestially inspired bedroom or playroom. Pieces range from $34 to $1,799, including everything from hot-air-balloon mobiles and whimsical cloud-shaped wall shelves to embroidered quilts—all made from luxe materials like rattan, bouclé, cotton, and velvet. The color palette, a subdued mix of gender-neutral navy blue, gold, dusty pink, and cream, is anything but boring: The night-sky and hot-air-balloon patterns were hand-painted by Joseph himself, adding a heartfelt (and surprisingly sophisticated) touch that “encapsulates the sense of wonder that’s so important in childhood,” the press release notes. Find his handmade designs on the peel-and-stick wallpaper, wall art, pajamas, and sheet sets.
Some key items to shop—whether for a child or an adult—include the Seven-Drawer Dresser ($1,599) that’s fit for all ages, a Soft Clouds Sheet Set ($34–$199) for the bed or crib, and the Shooting Stars Quilt ($139–$199) that’s sure to be on every stylish kid’s wishlist this fall. We’re also fond of the mixed-metal Oval Mirror ($299) and Ribbon Pendant Light ($299), neither of which look as though they were designed strictly for children—and would look right at home in a primary bedroom. And, of course, you can’t miss the peel-and-stick wallpaper, a charming and renter-friendly addition to the kids’ room or bathroom. (We have a handy guide for installation here.) Note that the collaboration is limited-edition, so if anything catches your eye, you’ll want to act fast; West Elm will be saying goodnight to the collection once sold through.
