It's never too early to cultivate a sense of style, though whether a baby's introduction to furniture and ambience has any permanent imprinting effect remains to be seen.

Retailers certainly have raised the bar in recent years with the offerings for nursery and toddler furniture. Safety, of course, remains at the top of the list. Just five years ago, for example, important changes were made to crib design with the outlawing of drop sides.

Some will argue that buying a crib or children's furniture these days has more to do with parents' styles and sensibilities. Those who like a continuity or design flow in their homes -- indoors and out -- will also opt for similar quality and styles in children's furnishings. It is a category that has taken off, and retailers like RH Baby & Child (Restoration Hardware) and PB Kids (Pottery Barn) offer pieces that appeal aesthetically to their core customer. Specialty retailers like the Land of Nod and Galt Baby (www.galtbaby.com), which bills itself as "a modern baby lifestyle shop," further the choices.

When it comes to outfitting the rest of a nursery or child's room (often with an eye to growing in the space), there are plenty of options for going the traditional route, retro or thoroughly modern, with dressers, storage and desks. Add to that the expansive choices for fun wallcoverings and bedding (well beyond licensed characters), and a child's room can be fun, colorful, engaging and inspirational.

"In the past few years, I've seen nursery design elevate to a high level of chic," says Los Angeles designer Betsy Burnham. "Clients are asking for better quality furnishings, rugs, lighting -- even artwork -- for their little ones, and we're having a lot of fun with creative design details.

European designs now are more accessible, she says, and manufacturers have recognized a hole in the marketplace -- especially at the high end.

"There's no longer the idea of 'Let's just make do with my sisters' crib,' or 'Let's do the nursery last.' Or 'We don't need to frame that art.' The nursery (and child's room) is just as hip and cool as the rest of the house."

Increased demand for better style and quality has led exactly to those goods. It's not difficult to find either high-end or well-constructed furniture in a choice of woods and finishes that are analogous to those in the prime real estate of a home.

And with that, there has been an uptick in prices, as the upgrades are not designed to be throwaway or destined for resale. At Nursery Works, whose clients include celebrities like Beyonce and Jay Z as well as Gwyneth Paltrow, price tags are not for the faint of heart. Some cribs cost as much as $7,500.

To that point, cribs, for example, are designed to last longer than the first few months of a baby's life. Many can be converted to toddler beds, and some even transition into adult-sized daybeds.

There are cribs fit for princesses and princes, highly carved in provincial styles or even accented with 24-karat-gold plating, or acrylic cribs that are sheer or smoky. There are simple, modern silhouettes in playful colors such as Kelly green, turquoise, lavender or hot pink. In addition, dressers, storage pieces and desks come in an assortment of styles, some with fun shapes and vivid colors.

One New York-based gallery, Kinder Modern, specializes in curated vintage children's designs from the 20th century -- with pieces from modernists like Alvar Aalto and Hans Wegner. In addition, there is a stable of fresh designs from an international roster of pros, each of whom approach with an eye to intriguing form, color and needed function.

Designers Lauren Larson and Christian Lopez Swafford of Material Lust like to think of their pieces as creating "subconscious heirlooms by injecting high design into the minds of growing children."

"I actually don't believe in toddler beds," says Burnham. "I don't design for the moment. I go from crib to bed. And larger pieces of furniture may need to change. But as the child gets older, you can change fabrics at the window or art on the walls. Get a rug. Get more sophisticated accessories. Change out the hardware (on a cabinet). Get (interesting) lighting. And art can be a revolving gallery."

One reason nursery and kids' room design has ramped up has to do with lifestyle shifts. "Our clients have gotten more savvy over the past decade or two," says Burnham, who says that returning clients come back when they're expecting and ask for her expertise in fashioning a room for their baby.

The desire to create a sense of continuity throughout a home -- as evidenced by the explosion in well-designed outdoor furnishings -- has been a strong motivator for manufacturers. Even finishes have been expanded -- from natural maples and whites to a range of colors and even "weathered" looks and grays.

"We are definitely going lighter, if not white," says Burnham. "We like driftwood finishes and gray painted pieces. Ivories with taupes for a luxury baby vibe or white plus color. If a couple's taste is dark or black, we might transition to something taupe. There may be a mid-century eclectic vibe. But no matter what the style, everything will be on a par."

Burnham feels that traditional palettes of pink and blue have moved into brighter, bolder hues -- just not necessarily primary color combinations. "If it's pink, it's a cameo pink cashmere blanket, not the whole room. And patterns can be sophisticated -- I covered the cushion of a daybed in a nursery in watermelon pink ikat, for example. There are obviously a lot of ethnic patterns that work -- world traveled ethnic is in vogue, like vintage kuba cloth."

How much can a nicely decorated room shape a child's tastes and personalities?

"If parents take the time to think about a child's surroundings -- if you elevate the taste level, actually frame their art work and create a gallery wall -- it gives a sense of ownership."

And there is no doubt that it's one that can be a positive influence, fostering sweet dreams as well as creative ones.

Sources

-- Betsy Burnham Design, 323-857-1854, www.burnhamdesign.com

-- Farrow & Ball, 888-511-1121, us.farrow-ball.com

-- Kinder Modern, 917-979-2723, www.kindermodern.com

-- Notte Fatata, 786-332-4104, www.nottefatata.com

-- Nursery Works, 323-728-8988, www.nurseryworks.net

-- The Land of Nod, 800-933-9904, www.landofnod.com

-- PB Kids, 800-993-4923. www.pbkids.com

-- RH Baby & Child (Restoration Hardware), 800-910-9836, www.rhbabyandchild.com

-- Smartstuff Furniture for Kids, www.smartstufffurniture.com

-- Stokke Home, 888-299-9092, www.stokke.com

SIDEBAR A

CREATE WITH COLOR

With paint colors, wallcoverings and accessories, you can add plenty of personality to a child's room. Starting out with a neutral crib or bed frame, of course, allows the most design flexibility -- like switching out bedding for a new look.

"I like a bed like the Shaker-style Haven at RH Baby & Child because it's not masculine or feminine and it works in any room. It's straightforward and classic," says LA designer Betsy Burnham. "My design is not super decorative -- it's a little more edited."

The palette no longer needs to be limited to soft pinks and blues -- or, if they are used, they're being employed in fresh ways, as with grays, weathered woods or milky chocolates. In those pale hues and combinations, they are more palatable to adults as well -- even more gender neutral, as they may be in more vivid shades.

Painted finishes also may extend beyond solid-colored walls. Paint contrasting shelves or dresser drawers to create a striped look, or brush stripes, stencils or giant polka dots on walls. How about an overscale paisley teardrop on a Farrow & Ball wallpaper? All viable options for making a nursery or child's space stand out.

Ducks and kitties and cartoon characters still may appeal, but today's nursery design is more likely to show a more grown-up face -- allowing fluffy toys and accessories to cater to the child.

SIDEBAR B

FURNISH IT!

Today's nursery furniture has a far more sophisticated look, with some cribs on a par with well-designed furniture of high quality.

But the fun isn't being trumped by function. At Kinder Modern, a New York-based gallery that sells vintage children's furniture as well as contemporary designs, you might find shelving or desks in the shape of birds -- in bold colors or crisp black and white. Or a Danish-style beechwood chair and table from Hans Wegner, circa 1944. Or a red desk and chairs designed in 1963 by Karin Mobring for IKEA -- one that very easily could fit into the latest selections.

(For editorial questions, please contact Clint Hooker at chooker@amuniversal.com.)

Just two years ago there, was a color tsunami at the international housewares show in Chicago. From spatulas, knives and cook pots to mixers, blenders, irons and, of course, the ubiquitous water bottle, a rainbow of pigments electrified booths.

Now what? No longer shocked by the novelty of hip, hot hues (or even the revolutionary silicon), we can observe ever-emerging favorites (always shades of blue) and shifts in popularity -- perhaps away from neon lime (although not abandoning orange or magenta). Or take in a mini-moment for purple cookware, thanks to an intriguing speckled lavender from Paula Deen or a plum from Rachel Ray's Cucina line, both from Meyer. But we're not color blind to great form, style and design.

And more and more, manufacturers are aiming to please -- with a look to modern, simple and sometimes elegant designs -- especially targeting the millennial consumer. Crossovers from other areas of home design capture microtrends like the use of wood, wood-metal mixes, hammered and relief finishes, colors, textures and patterns such as animal prints from fashion runways.

With so many products to peruse, the show organizers divvy up the wares into categories including wired & well; dine & design; clean, contain & sustain; global crossroads. With a lens on the kitchen, dining and entertaining, here is what to expect at retail this summer and fall.

Talking tech

The networking of appliances continues to ramp up, as do options allowing Bluetooth connectivity. High-end appliance manufacturers such as Dacor have integrated graphic user interfaces that, for example, alert your smartphone when the roast is ready. A Samsung refrigerator features a Wi-Fi enabled LCD screen to watch TV, pull up recipes and even make or answer phone calls. There's even a "Perfect Drink" scale and app that's loaded with recipes and walks you through steps to blend a single portion or a pitcher full of margaritas and other beverages (www.amazon.com).

Thermometers for grilling and cooking can be synched up with your smartphone and whole-house devices control thermostat, garage openers, lights and locks (check out www.iDevicesinc.com for its new whole-house Switch).

One show demo dazzled, with its application of 3-D technology in the kitchen. A PancakeBot from Storebound can be programmed to produce colorful and fanciful creations -- kid drawings, butterflies, dinosaurs or even the Eiffel Tower. Save original artwork or photos to an SD card or USB, and then print your design. A "smart batter dispensing system" outlines the desired image onto a griddle. The product, which has a suggested retail price of $299, is expected to launch in early fall. Storebound gets kudos for helping inventors get products to the marketplace. This particular one benefited from Kickstarter, where it met a goal of $50,000 within the first 40 hours.

Eye on health and cooking styles

Demand for professional heavy-duty juicers like Omega and Vitamix remains robust -- high price tags notwithstanding. But the offerings (and price points) continue to expand. Salton's newest professional power blender is marketed with celebrity trainer Harley Pasternak. It can whip up smoothies, soups and even mill rice for rice flour. Best of all is a more modest price point of just under $200 (compared to $500 to $700 for others). And the Hamilton's Jamba affiliation draws that brand's aficionados to fresh squeezed juices.

One category that has taken off is slow cookers -- a blast from the past, but capturing a new generation. However healthy you cook, of course, depends on what exactly you toss in to simmer all day. Low temperature settings are said to retain flavor, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, but attractive to many, of course, is the set-and-forget factor; coming home to an aromatic, ready-to-eat meal.

Steam cooking continues to attract those seeking healthier cuisine. So aside from uber-pricy, dedicated or combination, built-in steam/convection ovens, there are more than a smattering of inexpensive gadgets that allow you to adapt the appliances and cookware you already have. There are devices for the microwave and inserts for pots, with some cleverly retractable for storage.

This all speaks to added value and double duty. Dedicated appliances like rice cookers gain even more traction when they add functions, like Philips' new all-in-one multicooker, which steams, braises, slow cooks and even makes yogurt.

Practical add-ons also make sense. For example, a number of cutting boards have morphed to include storage as well. A new eco-friendly bamboo cutting board from Curtis Stone (www.curtisstone.com) includes recessed containers on top for cut up ingredients and storage drawers tucked beneath, all made from plastic BPA-free material.

One company that delivers with wit as well is Dreamfarm. Its well-thought solutions are tagged with clever names, like click-lock tongs ("clongs") or chop and sit up spatulas ("chopulas"), and scrape level measuring spoons called "levoons."

Other lifestyle trends

While single-serve coffee makers continue percolating, other methods of java brewing also are emerging. KitchenAid introduced three other coffee makers to "bring the barista home." One is a siphon brewer with vacuum technology that fully immerses grounds in water to create a more complex flavor. And French press is making a strong showing -- its simple brewing process, which measures coffee and water by weight instead of volume, is touted for its strong flavor.

Oven-to-table and serve ware

Nambe metal ware has upped the ante on stylish, sculptural pieces that can go from freezer and oven to table. And cookware manufacturers of stainless and enamel-clad pots have paid more attention to design. One standout with a modern sensibility is the Italian maker Sambonet. Its square handles and matte-finished terra cotta give it a distinctive look that handsomely transitions to tabletop.

And sturdy cast iron has been gaining new devotees. FINEX takes design to a new level with its handcrafted cast iron skillets. Octagonal lids are not only fashion forward, but they also allow easy pouring from six directions. Stylish, ribbed, polished stainless steel handles also are ergonomic, shaped to fit the natural curve of the hand. And the handsome mottled lids have brass accents.

There's an uptick in the use of wood, especially spotlighting unusual grains and inlays. From cutting boards to serving pieces for crudites or cheeses or appetizers, there's more variety in wood species as well as characteristic markings. Carving also is calling new attention to wood, as with pieces designed by Marcel Wanders as part of the Dressed Collection for Alessi.

Among the leading edge of design are Italian, Scandinavian, French and German imports. Many of these manufacturers debuted product earlier in the year in Paris at Maison & Objet and in Frankfurt at Ambiente, two important international furnishings shows.

With more and more emphasis on form and function, inspired by evolving lifestyle trends, a stepped-up focus on healthy eating as well as fashion and decor, housewares in this country will continue gain points in the style, efficiency and health arenas.

Sources

-- Alessi, available at retailers like Bloomingdales, plus Amazon.com and Lumens.com, 877-445-4486; www.alessi.com

-- Argent Orfevres, Hampton Forge, 877-423-6743, www.hamptonforge.com

-- Casabella, 800-841-4140, ext. 184, www.casabella.com

-- Cristel, 843-540-0013, www.cristelusa.com

-- Dreamfarm, 415-626-3333, www.dreamfarm.com

-- French Bull, 212-317-9646, www.frenchbull.com

-- FINEX, 503-946-1136, www.finexusa.com

-- JIA, U.S. distribution through Counterpoint, 507-280-6419, www.jia-inc.com

-- JK Adams, 800-451-6118, www.jkadams.com

-- Joseph Joseph Inc., 917-338-0900, www.josephjoseph.com

-- KitchenAid, 800-541-6390, www.kitchenaid.com

-- La Cafetiere, Lifetime Brands, 800-999-2811, www.lifetimebrands.com

-- Paula Deen, 800-388-3872, www.pauladeenkitchenware.com; Meyer Corporation, 800-298-1071 (for Paula Deen), www.meyer.com/us

-- Philips, 866-309-8817, www.philips.com

-- REO, Lifetime Brands, 800-999-2811, www.lifetimebrands.com

-- Savora, 516-740-6790, www.savorastyle.com

-- Smeg at West Elm, 888-922-4119, www.westelm.com; www.smeg.com

-- Storebound, 800-898-6970, www.storebound.com

SIDEBAR

STACK 'EM & PACK 'EM

Homeowners appreciate clever and colorful solutions to space-saving and chores. So stacking and nesting are welcome in areas where real estate is tight. And color has an added value: It can make tasks more fun.

We love multifunctional objects -- especially when they economize on footprints with retractables, collapsibles, stackables. Cristel's thoughtful Mutine cookware collection stacks and has removable handles, much easier to tuck into those deep drawers.

(For editorial questions, please contact Clint Hooker at chooker@amuniversal.com.)

When the Apartment Therapy website collaborated with Casual Living, a trade publication, to do an outdoor decorating survey, their main finding was no surprise: Nearly eight out of 10 homeowners have an outdoor room or are creating one.

"Outdoor rooms continue to evolve as one of the most important areas of the homescape," says award-winning West Coast-based designer Richard Frinier.

"Outside has become the dining, living room and kitchen," says Steve Lowsky, president of Pride Family Brands, a company that specializes in luxury handcrafted aluminum casual furnishings. "And there is way more potential -- it's the 'room' with the most square footage."

With the explosion of performance fabrics and fibers for weathersafe rugs, as well as a range of furniture frames -- including wood, metal, wovens and resin -- that allow plenty of decorating, color and pattern options, there's no shortage of style. And performance fabrics now have a softer hand, sometimes mimicking luxury indoor fabrics like silk, chenille, velvet and even leather.

"The constructions, textures, patterns, colors, UV stability, easy care, and even use of recycled yarns, are remarkable," Frinier says of Sunbrella, a leader in the performance industry. "That allows us to do much more outside than we would have ever considered doing just a few years ago.

"Also, people are starting to mix and match their outdoor furniture, (pulling) pieces from different collections the way they do indoors," says Frinier, "to create a more unique, original and sometimes curated look."

Consumer tastes have been trending to simpler, more modern silhouettes in recent years -- both indoors and out. But no matter what the preference, there's one thing that most everyone agrees on: comfort.

While style choices are broad, here are five categories for this season's al fresco offerings that are especially directional.

White

White and natural often are part of the cushion package for outdoor furniture, as they go with everything. In frames, white long has been a classic -- think Adirondack chairs and English painted planters and furniture. But this year, it is especially coming on strong in the contemporary category -- both in slick glossy and matte finishes.

"White is a classic neutral, which is always popular," says Frinier. "When used on upholstered furnishings, it serves as a starting point like a clean canvas to a painter. Whether bright or soft, warm or cool, white tends to lighten a space (indoors or out) and even lifts our moods and spirits. It is seen across all styles. Starting with a neutral, white palette allows you to bring your personal style to any collection simply by choosing a frame finish and also textured and patterned fabrics for toss pillows to stylize as you wish."

Frinier describes his new modular Connexion collection for Brown Jordan as a thoroughly indoor/outdoor sectional designed for comfort and versatility, light in appearance, though durable and functional.

"The framework is tautly upholstered with a double wall of a proprietary Versatex mesh, which means you can actually use the same or different fabric on the outside and inside vertical surfaces for either low or high contrast appeal."

Another modular grouping, from Royal Botania, has a less pronounced, slender frame that's barely there, serving as a platform with short feet for cushions, especially striking in black. White and taupe also are a dynamic combination in a tightly upholstered armless sofa from Room & Board. Other color options are available, including brights, which coordinate with a fun cube table designed by Frank Gehry.

More transitional is a new group for Janus et Cie that pairs handsome chairs with gridded backs by Orlando Diaz-Azcuy with a table designed by the company CEO Janice Feldman. The pieces were influenced by the style of Josef Hoffman and the early 20th-century Viennese collective Wiener Werkstätte, and their graceful lines suit both contemporary and traditional architecture.

Statement pieces

At the other end of the spectrum, there's explosive color and bold form. Like statement jewelry, these are standalone pieces that can shake up a neutral setting.

"When you bring colors into your outdoor spaces," says Frinier, "whether subtle and soft or bright and vibrant, this splash of patterns and textures draw people into the space because of the visual interest and energy generated, exactly the same way we all use color and pattern for our interiors.

"When you are inside of your home looking out to your outdoor room and spaces, or when you are looking down from a balcony, or near a pool, you have to remember you are seeing your outdoor furniture arrangements from a different perspective and it is smart to consider this when choosing frame finishes and fabrics."

That goes for scale as well. The Tiempo chair from Janus et Cie calls attention to itself because of its heft, but also because of distinguishing features: pairing teak and powder-coated aluminum and canting the sides of its square arms, plus its striped coral upholstery.

A double chaise takes up a larger footprint as well, and the eye-catching Oko lounger from Mamagreen also boasts functional pullout trays and small umbrellas as well as a perky stripe to make it a standout.

Form and materials put the spotlight on complementary pieces as well, such as a glass-topped side table from Janus et Cie, which has a pedestal that looks like it's made of knotted cords; it's actually Sunbrella fabric.

Even bolder is a chair from a line called M'Afrique for the Italian brand Moroso. Its vibrant hues rival anything blooming in the garden, but it's the craftsmanship that really stands out. It's handcrafted by artisans in Africa who use a technique of plaiting by hand -- with plastic cord traditionally used to make fishing nets that's perfectly safe for outdoor use.

Woven

All-weather wicker continues to be popular. It lends texture and options, as there are different styles of weaving as well as opportunities for combining more than one hue to create nuanced effects. Some mimic sweater weaves, others herringbone. And sometimes the material lends itself to bending in ways that can't be replicated in other outdoor media. A collection introduced by designer Celerie Kemble for Laneventure, for example, featured "movement" in skirted bases, a kind of draping that resembles fabric folds.

But even traditional forms can be tweaked for great effect. Take the outdoor wicker wing chair from Arhaus, for example. The shape and style are familiar, but the expression in a large-scale herringbone weave takes it in a new direction. That it sits on turned feet is another nice indoor furniture touch.

Another woven by Barbara Barrie for McGuire doesn't disappoint her followers; it delivers clean lines and smartly tailored looks.

Mixed Media

There's more of a desire in outdoor furnishings to not go all-suite, everything matching. It takes a good eye for design, though, to mix it up by pulling from different brands and collections, which is what good designers do for an eclectic look. So some manufacturers are mixing it up themselves, teaming up different materials within one collection or crossing collections.

Teak manufacturers, in particular, like Barlow Tyrie and Gloster have started to do this. Showing wood tables with woven chairs or tables with metal bases and stone tops lends more visual appeal.

Upholstered and slipcovered looks

Fully upholstered sofas and chairs as well as slipcovered looks are here to stay. Fillings also have improved, not only with waterproof features but also in ultra plush comfort.

The newest collection by Timothy Oulton at Restoration Hardware easily could transition indoors. Shown in white, the sectional is clean-lined -- one that can play off of a variety of companion pieces. The design seems to exude comfort, exactly the ambience that's so sought after because it reminds us of how we like to live indoors.

Notice, too, that sofas, sectionals and banquettes all lend themselves well to designing the space with all sorts of accessories, such as lanterns, throws, pillows, side tables -- anything that visually warms the setting. There's also the idea of creating a sanctuary, a getaway.

Some of the comments from those surveyed by Casual Living/Apartment Therapy spoke to the psychology of being outdoors.

A Michigan consumer weighed in: "My outdoor room is a place to feel connected with wildlife and nature. ... Somewhere to enjoy the sound of birds and rustling trees and to watch the flicker of the fire pit. It's somewhere to entertain guests and to show off to neighbors."

And a respondent from Missouri summed it up: "It's an escape in my own backyard."

Sources

-- Arhaus, 866-427-4287, www.arhaus.com

-- Brown Jordan, 800-743-4252, www.brownjordan.com

-- Century Furniture, 800-852-5552, www.centuryfurniture.com

-- Gloster, 434-575-1003, www.gloster.us

-- Henry Hall Designs, 800-767-7738, www.henryhalldesigns.com

-- Janus et Cie, 800-245-2687, www.janusetcie.com

-- Mamagreen, 415-279-7895, www.askmamagreen.com

-- McGuire Furniture, 800-662-4847, www.mcguirefurniture.com

-- Moroso, www.moroso.it

-- No. 9 Thompson, at Holly Hunt Ltd., 800-320-3145, www.jimthompsonfabrics.com; www.hollyhunt.com

-- Restoration Hardware, 800-910-9836, www.rh.com

-- Room & Board, 800-301-9720, www.roomandboard.com

-- Royal Botania, D'apostrophe, 212-812-9852, www.royalbotania.com

(For editorial questions, please contact Universal Uclick at -uueditorial@amuniversal.com)