Crate & Barrel's New Outdoor and Kids Collections Are Here—Shop Them Before They're Gone

Kid's furniture hasn't always been the most sophisticated; outdoor furniture hasn't historically been all too stylish. Fortunately, recent furniture trends and collections are changing these categories, in particular, a new launch from interior designer Jake Arnold and Crate & Barrel. This latest venture consists of a Crate & Kids line as well as a new outdoor line—both feel fresh, sophisticated, and endlessly versatile.

Arnold's take on children's furniture is designed to stand the test of time, and was inspired by his own experience working on family homes. "One thing I always get asked is 'I want my kids to have a really fun, playful space, but I don't want it to feel like an explosion of overly colorful, juvenile pieces,'" he tells us. His take still feels whimsical, but instead of saccharine colors and over-the-top shapes, Arnold's furniture has soft silhouettes and beautiful, timeless materials.

The interior designer often pulls from vintage references in his work, and his kids collection is no exception, albeit with a seaside, by-the-beach theme. Subtle nods to this prevailing thread can be seen in the woven Clamshell lamp—which looks exactly like it sounds—and the bedding and beds, which are cast in soft, elegant colors.

Additionally, since these pieces are so versatile, they can go almost anywhere in your home, and children won't "age out" of them as quickly. "You're always evolving when you're younger, and you change your tastes," says Arnold. "With this furniture, all you have to do is repaint the walls."

For the new line of outdoor furniture, Arnold created a series of teak and iron chairs and tables, as well as lighting and melamine plates. He similarly looked to the past for inspiration, with pieces like the iron Harpen table and chairs inspired by Gio Ponti and Jean Royére.

"You can really mix or match the metal or wood and create your own take," Sebastian Brauer, Crate & Barrel's senior vice president of product design, tells us. "It has a lot of soul, charm, and character that bridges the classic and the modern."

It's the perfect combination of Italian and French vintage and California modern, creating a fresh, effortless series of furniture that can go in any space—indoors or out. "I always love when those two worlds combine," Arnold adds. "The idea of escapism was really important."