Carolyn and Diane are two designers/inventors in the world of great baby finds. They created Engage Environments when they saw a need for bedding that was not designed to fit a trend, but instead met the developmental needs of babies. Their story is a great example of how design inspiration can come from a need for function over fashion…as we usually think of it.

My little ones are too old now to take advantage of such beautiful and thoughtful products. But after two infants and one with severe colic, take it from me, that a serene sleep environment is a fundamental need for everyone!

I was especially impressed by the Crib Cozies! I encourage you to click on the link below to the video that shows a demonstration of the uniqueness of this product up close. It was when I saw the video that I knew these two women were definitely onto something! The BEST part…changing the crib sheet no longer has to involve ripping sounds, a pulled muscle and many four-letter words! Yeah! All mommies have to check this out.

I recently spoke with Diane more about their new business. This is what she had to say:

LDB: Where did the inspiration for your baby products come from?

Diane: I met Carolyn when I enrolled in her parent-participation preschool class and she hired me to re-design her house with a comfortable, family focus. We were surprised to find that our work collided - we both faced challenges in directing parents about the benefits of functional, appropriate family spaces. We knew there was a way to create beautiful surroundings and meet the developmental needs of babies and young children. Our first solution is Backdrop Bedding.

LDB: What do you enjoy most about the process of designing pieces for babies?

Diane: Designing for babies is a unique pleasure because our products have the ability to influence, not just an aesthetic, but quality of life for the little people and perspective for their parents. We are the first company to see the child’s room as a useful tool for healthy development, not just a cute place to live.

LDB: How did you decide that this was the right career for you?

Diane: We both maintain our “day jobs” as an interior designer/space planner and a parent coach. This wasn’t really a career choice, it was a calling; we felt an urgency about changing the focus of the nursery from merely aesthetic to added quality of life and that is what we feel we have accomplished with our Backdrop Bedding.

LDB: Which of your products are you the most proud of?

Diane: It’s hard to decide. I suppose it’s our Crib Cozies because we re-invented the traditional crib bumper and addressed all the safety concerns states by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Juvenile Products manufacturing Association. We paid particular attention to the Cozy cover that covers the waterproofed foam inserts. The covers are made of soft textural fabrics - void of patterns and bold colors - to encourage serene sleep and self-soothing. The covers zip off easily for washing to help parents maintain a clean, healthy crib environment. Following crib use, the Cozies have extended life as large motor enhance, play props, and bed/floor bolsters.

Click here to see the video of these Crib Cozies

But, I do have to say that our expandable, four-sided crib skirt (crib-to-twin-to-full or daybed) is incredibly engineered. We designed it to ease the transition from crib to bed since it comes at a time when children crave sameness.

The striped fabric is custom colored and milled just for Engage in what we call “the colors of childhood” (in a child’s world our 32 colors are really neutrals). The skirt coordinates easily with interests that become the passions of the preschool years and allows for personalization without compromise to a nice aesthetic.

A happy aside, was the grow-up feature as an economical benefit for parents.

LDB: What methods do you use to market and sell your items?

Diane: We are marketing on the web and in industry magazines, and hope to get coverage in the national parenting magazines, too. We really see ourselves as a word-of-mom product. We know that those who use Backdrop Bedding will sing the praises of its benefits.

LDB: What do you think your business will look like five years from now?

Diane: Five years from now I think Crib Cozies will have replaced the traditional bumper and Engage Environments will have expanded into furniture and accessories that contribute to the quality of life for kids, in fact we are already in the development stages for additional products.

In such a short time, Engage Environments has seen tremendous press and accolades to encourage their fresh look at infant bedding. There is certainly more to come from this designing duo. Click here to see where you can buy Crib Cozies and other Engage Environments’ products.

Best of luck Diane and Carolyn! Thanks for taking the time with LDB!