nataša njegovanović's avlia furniture system for children references farm yard animals

designer nataša njegovanović has developed the ‘avila’ furniture system for children – a collection that caters as both a functional item and toy. the series includes a desk, stool, push-bike and storage chest. each piece references the silhouette of a farm yard animal which encourages a natural and creative response from infants.

all images © pavel posavec

turning a critical eye to today’s dominant games and toys, this furniture system serves as a subtle, yet constructive counter-offer in a world where children are being spoon-fed entertainment. the desk takes the shape of a cow, the stool as a dog, the push-bike as a cat, the pencil case as a chicken and the toy box as pig. ataša njegovanović has created each item with a subtle reference, allowing youngsters to invent their own games and stories. made from local materials – including slavonia oak – the collection draws upon the croatian village in which all of the pieces were created, promoting the tradition and simple aesthetic of the region it hails from.

a cow-shaped desk

the dog re-imagined as a stool 

the cat re-imagined as a stool with wheels on the back

the shape is defined with just a few lines

the pig turned into a toy chest

the furniture encourages children’s creative response

the chest has wheels which makes it easy to move

the chicken in the role of a pencil-box

‘avlia’ furniture system for children

project info:

design: nataša njegovanović
photography: pavel posavec
prototype: produced by stolarija košec

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: hollie smith | designboom