What do you get when you cross an artist, a fashion executive and a beloved kids store in idyllic Noe Valley? You get Mapamundi Kids: A boutique bursting with coolness and creativity. Husband-and-wife team Lorena Siminovich (Petit Collage founder and CEO) and Esteban Kerner (former vice president at Gap Inc.) took over Peekaboutique late last year, revealing their updated vision for the family favorite just a few weeks ago. The colorful, light-filled shop is stocked with books, toys, clothes and accessories for lucky kids and their design-minded parents.
Global Goods
Lorena and Esteban were both born in Argentina, but have lived in Noe Valley for more than ten years—giving them both global vision and local cred. As a result, the shelves are filled with beautiful things from around the world that can’t be found anywhere else: Toys from Vilac and Moulin Roty (France), Seedling (New Zealand), Grimms (Germany), Tegu (Honduras), Kukkia (Japan); nursery and other home pieces from Ferm Living (Denmark), David Fussenegger (Austria), Bla Bla (Peru); and clothing from Kom (Argentina), and Marimekko kids (Sweden). Kids can explore even further in the sizable book section in the back, where they can browse books from around the world and even cozy up in the reading nook. Even the store’s name is a nod to the well-traveled life: Mapamundi means map of the world in Spanish.
Homegrown Favorites
In addition to goods sourced from around the globe, Mapamundi Kids also carries the complete line of whimsical Petit Collage books, toys, décor and create-it-yourself projects. Lorena, an artist, founded Petit Collage in 2006, and she has since authored (and illustrated and designed) more than 20 books, not mention creating countless other kids’ items, from dolls to nursery mobiles to games and puzzles. The brand combines an artist’s creativity with the keen eye of a modern-design lover. And all the pieces are designed right here in San Francisco.
A Place to Play
So if you are looking for a unique gift, hunting for something fresh and fun for your own nursery of just strolling the streets with your curious kiddos, drop in to Mapamundi Kids to check out what’s new. Although the displays may be pretty as a picture, the owners welcome little ones who want to test out the newest toys, thumb through the books or join them for one of the many craft workshops and author-led story times they have planned for the spot.
1306 Castro St.
San Francisco, Ca
Online:Â mapamundikids.com
Have you been to the new Mapamundi Kids? What do you think? Tell us in the comments below!Â
—Erin Feher
photo: Mapamundi Kids
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