If you’ve ever been within 30 feet of a child, chances are you’ve heard or read the iconic children’s book, Goodnight Moon. If you’re a parent, you most likely memorized all the words years ago. New York-based design studio Fort Makers brings the colorful book to life through an immersive exhibition called Goodnight House. Goodnight House reimagines the bunny’s bedroom with a series of commissioned artwork and furnishings by contemporary designers and artists whose work exudes a child-like wonder. Commissioned pieces include: the upholstered bed and handwoven textiles by Liz Collins; ceramic table lamps by Samuel Harvey; a rocking chair, stools and cloud-shaped bedside table and storage unit by CHIAOZZA (Adam Frezza + Terri Chiao); paintings by Marcel Alcalá; pictures frames and hand-carved wooden spoons by Nick DeMarco; Goodnight Moon character-inspired candles by Janie Korn; candles made in Goodnight Moon’s color palette by Crying Clover (Sara Gernsbacher + JPW3); ceramic clock on the mantle by Keith Simpson; ceramic bowls by Lauren Elder; ceramic mugs and bowls by Shino Takeda; bedside rug and ottoman by Tamika Rivera; painted silk curtains and pillows by Fort Makers Co-Founder Naomi S. Clark; and a dollhouse light, black balloon sconce and etched wooden cubes by For Makers Co-Founders Nana Spears & Noah Spencer; and more.
Cloud-shaped bookcase and paper pulp stools by CHIAOZZA \\\ Hand-carved rabbit by Noah Spencer \\\ Primary ring rug by Liz Collins \\\ Candles by Crying Clover \\\ Ceramic bowls and mugs by Shino Takeda
Goodnight Moon, written by Margaret Wise Brown and illustrated by Clement Hurd, was first published in 1947 but Fort Makers curated a collection of goods that give it a modern spin. It’s such a classic that its place in American culture is forever cemented through an “understanding of comfort, sleep, compassion and imagination.”
Hand-painted curtains by Naomi S. Clark \\\ Framed painting by Marcel Alcalá with frame \\\ Hand-carved wooden rabbit by Noah Spencer \\\ Ceramic clock and urns by Keith Simpson \\\ Hearth tapestry sculpture by Liz Collins
Rocking chair and stool by CHIAOZZA \\\ Hand-carved wooden rabbit by Noah Spencer \\\ Hand-painted pillow by Naomi S Clark \\\ Painting by Marcel Alcalá with a frame by Nick DeMarco \\\ Hand-carved wooden cubes by Fort Makers \\\ Bedside rug by Taika Rivera
“While subtly subversive, Goodnight Moon allows us to see through the eyes of a child, and instills in us essential tools for innovation. That’s something worth celebrating,” says Fort Makers Co-Founder and Creative Director Nana Spears. “We asked each artist to further rekindle their childlike understanding of the world around them, and create objects uninhibited by the horrors of adulthood. What better remedy than comfort and play?”
Paintings by Marcel Alcalá with frames by Nick DeMarco \\\ Dollhouse light, wooden cubes and eclipse sconce by Fort Makers \\\ Primary ring rug, upholstered bed and bedding by Liz Collins \\\ Bedside rug by Tamika Rivera \\\ Ceramic lamp by Samuel Harvey \\\ Cloud table by CHIAOZZA \\\ Hand-carved wooden rabbit by Noah Spencer
Painting by Marcel Alcalá with frame by Nick DeMarco \\\ Dollhouse light by Fort Makers \\\ Upholstered bed and bedding by Liz Collins \\\ Bedside rug by Tamika Rivera \\\ Cloud table by CHIAOZZA
Hand-carved wooden boxes by Fort Makers \\\ Hand-carved wooden rabbit by Noah Spencer \\\ Painting by Marcel Alcalá with frame by Nick DeMarco \\\ Ceramic spoons by Shino Takeda
Cloud table by CHIAOZZA \\\ Ceramic lamp by Samuel Harvey
Ceramic mugs and bowls by Shino Takedo \\\ Hand-carved wooden cubes by Fort Makers
Dollhouse light by Nana Spears & Noah Spencer \\\ Handwoven rug by Tamiko Rivera
Ceramic clock and urns by Keith Simpson \\\ Character candles by Janie Korn \\\ Hand-carved wooden cubes by Fort Makers
Ceramic clock by Keith Simpson \\\ Character candles by Janie Korn
Painting by Marcel Alcalá with frame by Nick DeMarco
Painting by Marcel Alcalá with frame by Nick DeMarco
Painting by Marcel Alcalá with frame by Nick DeMarco
Ceramic mugs by Shino Takedo \\\ Character candle by Janie Korn
Candles by Crying Clover
Candles by Crying Clover
Ceramic mugs by Shino Takedo \\\ Hand-carved wooden spoons by Nick DeMarco
Goodnight House runs through May 27th, 2021 at Fort Makers, 38 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002. Gallery hours are Saturday, 12-6pm and appointments are available Thursday-Sunday, 12-6pm.
Photos by Joe Kramm, courtesy of Fort Makers.
Caroline Williamson is Editorial Director of Design Milk. She has a BFA in photography from SCAD and can usually be found searching for vintage wares, doing New York Times crossword puzzles in pen, or reworking playlists on Spotify.
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