I like the natural look of these Perf Boxes (Set of 4) from Offi. These storage cubes remind me a little of fruit crates.They’re made from smooth birch ply with brey steel legs and are designed by Erick Pfeiffer in Corning, New York for Offi. What’s appealing to me about this set is that you can stack them in the corner and use them for shelving, line them up along the wall as a low bookcase, or as room dividers, toy boxes, shoe cubbies, night stands, the list goes on and on.

The dimensions of each box is 12.5d x 12w x 14h, and 13d x 13w x 65h if you stack them. Visit the Web site at oompa.com to view this set, which costs $498.99 but is temporarily out of stock until early 2009. The built in quality of these Perf Boxes will pay for itself over the years of use and versatility.

This is an interesting looking bench that is designed for a child’s height at 31″ long, 12″ wide, and 12.5″ high. The Friend Bench from Offi, designed by Jennifer Carpenter of TRUCK Product Architecture in New York, is actually created to seat two children. You can buy the bench by itself to add seating space indoors or outdoors, or you can add the Offi Snap Table to create a work, craft, or eating area. It looks sturdy and durable enough for children and simple to put together (let your children help).

Visit the Web site at oompa.com and purchase this bench for $139.

Chalkboards and easels are fine, but the chalk won’t stay on those narrow ledges. Inevitably you’ll have broken pieces of chalk littering the floor and then you’ll have to open another box of chalk. Here’s an idea that’s worth trying that will, for the most part, eliminate all that wasted chalk. The Woody Chalkboard Table designed by Eric Pfeiffer for Offi features a durable chalkboard surface with a center bowl for chalk/eraser storage.

For fun and variety and to surprise your child every so often, fill the storage bowl with colored chalk, or chalk of different sizes and shapes. The table features a washable vinyl chalkboard surface with birch ply construction. It measures 18”H x 30”W and costs $299 at allchildrensfurniture.com.

Your children will have fun creating and building their own fort, playhouse or grand sculpture with the Spaceframe Sculpture Kit by Scott Klinker for Offi. There are endless possibilities. Fortune Magazine names the Spaceframe one of the 25 “Best Products of the Year”.

It’s made of a unique polyester material that is completely safe for children, and 100% recyclable. The 20 piece set includes: four 40″ x 15″ large panels; four 24″ x 8″ small panels; four 13-1/2″ x 15″ large trapezoids; and eight 6″ x 3-1/2″ small trapezoids. Purchase one for $199.99 at SpunkySprout.com.