I thought long and hard about what makes a good parent while expecting my first daughter Mia. Identifying with Diane Keaton’s character in the romantic comedy Baby Boom was the first step in my evolutionary strategy. I was inspired to leave the corporate world and the idea for Kids’ Studio came a couple of years later… In the meantime, to move forward, regardless of self-doubt, I set out to build a stimulating nursery. As a trained architect and a DIYer at heart, I could at least make the bedding for the crib. Serendipitously, my architecture license arrived in the mail the day Mia was born.
Then, pregnant with the second child, Nastasya, I launched Kids’ Studio — an architectural practice committed to creating enriching environments for children.
Kids’ Studio, a “playground” and a “schoolhouse” at once, afforded me self-respect and maturity. In fact, I was decidedly ahead of my time when introducing the KidPlay line of furniture — a modern answer to a sea of too-cute stuff everywhere. It received a great deal of press, which led to a few life-altering commissions that brought amazing opportunities for my daughters.
Contemplating what children want, I went to the source and invited kids to share expertise through drawings of their ideal world. To master a skill of intelligent communication without talking down, I established Children’s Architecture Workshop. Later on, to keep up with evolving teenage daughters, I became a creativity coach.
Playing in the process, I have developed toys, products, and a child’s-eye — a great way to DIY motherhood — courageously giving it all I’ve got! And yes, raising children turned out to be extremely gratifying.
Related Stories:
How to Nurture Your Kids’ Creativity: #1 Is to Respect Their Feelings
Involving Kids in the Things You Love Levels the Playing Field
The Artist’s Prayer
Introducing a Framework
How to Help Creative Teens with Setting Goals
Creating the Appropriate Environment Requires Whole-Hearted Involvement
Our Dream Home Was Designed to Cultivate Family Relationships
Validating Creative Teen’s Journey
From Curious Toddler to Creative Teen: Children Thrive on Autonomy
2 Ways to Empower Your Creative Teen
FEATURED IN:
BOOKS
Kids Spaces; The Images Publishing Group Pty Ltd; Australia; “Furniture”; Easel + Art Cart, Pacific Palisades Home, Adam’s Room; 2004
Graphis Product Design 3; “Entertainment/Toys: Easel + Art Cart”; 2003
Decorating Kids’ Rooms; Publications International, “Light Up Their Lives”; Adam’s Room; 2002
Children’s Playhouses; Schiffer Publishers; “All the World’s a Stage”; Kids’ Studio Playhouse; 2001
Designing For Children; Rockport Publishing; “Destinations”; Kids Studio; 2001
Color for Your Home; Sunset Publishing; Architect: Alla Kazovsky / Kids Studio; project featured + project on the cover, 1999
Graphis Product Design 2; “Product Design: Kids’ Studio In-House”; Furniture including beds, table, and shelf; 1999
MAGAZINES
House Beautiful; “Style Beat: Kid Stuff”; Easel + Art Cart; Jun 2003
InStyle; “216 Gifts They’ll Love To Get: Gift Guide For Kids—Easel Does It”; Easel + Art Cart; Dec 2002
Child; “Best Toys Of The Year: Exploring Roles”; Easel + Art Cart; Nov 2002
Giftware News; “Baby Business”; Easel + Art Cart; Sept 2002
Parents; “The World’s Coolest Playhouse” Jul, 2002
Interior Design; Buyers Guide 2002; “A-Z Index”; Store Listing; Apr
Child; “Build Our Playhouse”; Apr 2000
Home; “Second Generation”; Goldstein / Blumenthal Residence; Sept 2000
L.A. Architect; “School Notes”; Kids’ play structure; Summer 1999
Los Angeles; “Kid Stuff”; Children’s Architecture Workshop; Oct 1999
Los Angeles; “The Guide: Kid Stuff”; Children’s Architecture Workshop; Nov 1999
Home; “Making Dreams Come True”; Kid’s bedroom; Sept 1998
House & Garden; “Hunting & Gathering”; KidPlay Show & Store; Oct 1997
Metropolis; “Child’s Play: Courting the Littlest Consumers”; Sept 1997
Sunset; “Details: Room for Growth”; description of a boy’s bedroom with furniture such as bookshelf and desk ; Apr 1997
Metropolitan Home; “Take Note: Met Kids”; The Play Table & Seats; Feb 1996
NEWSPAPERS
Los Angeles Times; “Home: From The Drawing Board To Gehry’s Final Designs”; Alla Kazovsky conducts “First Sundays for Families” workshop; Sept 4, 2003
The Journal; “Picking The Right Holiday Toy”; Easel + Art Cart; Nov 28, 2002
The New York Times; “House & Home: Currents—Any Painting Is Improved By A Colorful Background”; Easel + Art Cart; Aug 1, 2002
Los Angeles Times; “Design Notes: Don’t Box Them In” (front page squib); “Built On A Fun Idea”; Buildin’ Box; Dec 20, 2001
New York Daily News; “Holiday Gift Guide: It’s Toy Time—One To Grow On”; Buildin’Box; Nov 18, 2001
Financial Times of London; “Family Planning”; Show & Store bookcase; Nov 1999
Los Angeles Times; “Giving Kids a Sense of Space”; Children Design Their Own Surroundings; Jan 14, 1999
Los Angeles Times; “Sophisti-kids”; Children’s workshop and Kids’ Studio; Sept 23, 1999
Los Angeles Times Magazine; “Budding Le Corbusiers”; Children’s Workshop at SCI-Arc; May 16, 1999
Los Angeles Times Westside Weekly; “Child-size Future”; Children’s Architecture workshop; Jun 18, 1999
Los Angeles Times Westside Weekly; “Young Architects Build Playground Structure”; Play Structure; Aug 1, 1999
New Times; “Children’s Architecture Workshop at the Southern California Institute of Architecture SCI-Arc”; Workshop for Children Building Their Own Surroundings; Jan 14, 1999
