Childhood photos of Tulp Kids owner, Wendy Coombes.

Dutch-born owner of Tulp Kids, Wendy Coombes, is one of the few promoters of great kids products who didn’t find her calling because she became a parent, but quite simply because she loved the amazing creativity. She talks great design and what’s fun about a traditional Dutch Christmas.

Amsterdam canal houses in Holland.

What made you decide to start Tulp Kids? And why name it after the Dutch word for “tulip”?
I started my first business, Mozzee Design, in 2002 while living in London, which involved commercialising an Australian award winning design (Nest High Chair). After spending some time back in Australia, I needed a new challenge. Even though I am an Aussie now I am still a Dutch Girl at heart. So I set out to source great Dutch design and found Kast van een Huis. It doesn’t get more Dutch than the Amsterdam Canal House reincarnated as a cabinet. I didn’t specifically set out to source children’s items, but interestingly enough that’s where the innovation is at the moment. It’s often parents who sprout the most creative ideas and it is now increasingly viable, courtesy in large part to the internet, for them to take their ideas to market. Take Ubabub as an example. Clearly the founders have not only got the design skills but they also possess solid business skills. Unfortunately not everyone has the business skills to take their product national or export ready. That is where I see myself as having a contribution to make.

Tulp Kids was set up with that idea in mind. I work only with emerging brands and small-scale design houses.

The Tulip is not just a reference to my country of birth. It’s also a beautiful, non-frilly flower – some would even say architectural. To me it represents what design should be – not fussy, just beautiful clean lines.

Kast van een Huis cabinets.

You’re renowned for sourcing imaginative furnishings … what is it you look for in kids design?
From a visual perspective, it’s a bit like the tulip with those beautiful clean lines. But of course there are so many criteria to consider. Perhaps it sounds obvious, but design for kids needs to be safe and crafted from sustainable materials. My instant criterion is, “does it make me smile?” I think all good design has this in common. It must invoke a positive emotive response. This is usually the best feedback at trade shows. If people stop and smile on seeing the product, you’re probably on to a winner. We’re all kids at heart, or at least one hopes so.

A. Mouse Table by Ninetonine; B. Desk House; C. Drum Stools; D. Mouse Table.

Parents clearly adore your stuff – What do the kids gravitate towards?
Probably the same thing as the parents. I find that colours and simplicity the biggest draw card. Take for example the Ninetonine Desk House or the Mouse Table. They are simple and leave enough to the imagination for a child to explore their creativity.

Sinterklaas.

The name Santa Claus is actually Dutch – what are your favourite holiday traditions?
I grew up in the seventies and back then, the Dutch Christmas was not for gift giving. That may have changed in the time I have been away – needless to say it has been “a while”. So my Christmas memories include, the nativity play (I starred as an angel once), my Sunday school teacher reading the Christmas story in church (she had every child hanging off her every word), the lights in the Christmas tree and fondue – I told you I grew up in the seventies!

Sinterklaas (the Sint), on the other hand, was when we received gifts. The Sint and his jolly helpers arrive by boat from Spain every year without fail. He rides a white horse over the rooftops. Kids have to place their shoe by the fire and sing songs and leave carrots or sugar for his horse. If we’ve been good we may find a small gift in our shoe the next morning. The real party is on the evening of 5 December. Kids wait excitedly for a knock on the door and when they open the door someone (the Sint) has left a bag of goodies on the doorstep.

I like the Dutch Sinterklaas tradition because it so actively involves the children. It’s good, old-fashioned fun.

Ashiato sandals by Kiko Kids.

Name your favourite Tulp Kids products for this season. Any suggestions for Christmas gifts?
There are so many but I think my favourite for this season are the Ashiato sandals from Japan. Kids can play on the beach with them and leave a trail of animal prints. So much fun.

We have also just received a whole range of GG Kids items, including the Gakki Percussion Set and the Pancake Shop, which allows little cooks to bake their own pancakes and add a variety of toppings. The Dongri make adorable stocking fillers.

See the entire Tulp Kids collection at tulpkids.com