We will be buying soon, but from the little browsing I have done so far I have to agree with you. They showed me in one shop a particular cot - on special $600, and then said "we also have this one on special for $550..." They looked the same to me. And they looked the same as all the others I`d already seen. I thought, well maybe I will buy the one I saw at another shop that looked the same again but was half that price.
Ikea has some slighlty different ones to choose from but I have not checked them out properly to know if they are any good. I heard that the sides on Ikea ones dont drop down?
If you're in the northern suburbs you should try Twinkle Tots in Northcote. They have new and second hand furniture. Their website isn't that flash so you'd be best to go in to the store. I couldn't find any cots that I liked until I found one in their store and everyone who sees it comments on how lovely it is. I can't remember the brand off the top of my head but I can check in the morning if you're interested. It was about $600 (brand new) and they included a new mattress as well.
Check out King Parrot - it is the cheaper version of Boori and they have some beautiful designs...
They have to meet Australian standards though - so the bars have to be within a set width and each bar has to be a minimum width and all that so I think that is how they all end up looking much the same.
When I was pregnant I found the most gorgeous cot on display in a Bed Bath and Table...I was so disappointed when she said she wasn't allowed to sell them anymore because they didn't meet standards!
The only other thing I can suggest is to check out a Kiwi company called Cariboo
They make the MOST divine furniture and cradles and things... Google them, you want the .co.nz address, usually the second on the list
Nature Baby (ETA: sorry, not Aussie - NZ site) have some to die for furniture too!
Good luck!!
ETA: Just found these...thought they were goreous!! No idea where or how to get them or what they cost lol but thought I'd post the piccies anyway cos they are gorgeous! Hanging Cradle Oberon Baby Cradle
HTH
Last edited by LimeSlice; June 7th, 2009 at 11:22 PM.
I found the same thing when we were looking, if you wanted something that looked good you were going to have to fork out for it. In the end we decided to stretch the budget and go for the stokke mini bassinet and change table. So glad we did, it looks beautiful and when you consider how long you'll use it for, especially if you're planning on having more than one child, the extra expense isn't so bad.
If you decide that you are willing to pay a little bit more have a look at Bebe in Toorak Road South Yarra. They have some really nice imported cots that are unlike what you see in the major stores. The also have a website which you could look at.
We got second hand Boori furniture from ebay, while it looked the same as everywhere else it didn't come with the price tag.
soulful, just wondering what it is exactly that you are hoping to find? I guess you need to bear in mind the trends in furniture ATM so if your looking for something "different" you'll probably need to look into second hand stuff.
Otherwise, if you aren't happy with the styles here in Aus, then you can probably order stuff online from OS - it will be more pricey though.
Kaloo and Stokke have quite a funky range but a funky price tag to match.
We went for a full Boori nursery but I loved the classic look so was more than happy with what they had to offer. Our house is brand new and modern so we wanted something to compliment the rest of the house. The range we selected (in a walnut/chocolate finish) fits in beautifully. The chocolate mixed with lime green manchester and accessories has given the nursery a very modern spin. I reckon the colours you choose make all the difference.
We ended up choosing the King Parrot Alice for DD, it looked as good as the Boori without the price tag. One word of advice, regardless of whatever cot you get make sure it has a teething rail (can be bought separately) as dd has destroyed out cot by chewing the paint off.
I also went for the Boori range. Purely b/c I liked the styles they had to offer. We got the sleigh style in Walnut and the Matilda Change table and draws to match.
Although the range is a bit on the pricey side, it is definitely worth it if you plan to use it for more than one child. Also Boori cots are 3 in 1, they convert to a bed and a couch.
Good Luck with your decision. I hope you find what you are after.
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