When you take the giant leap into the unknown and decided to propagate the human race, you can end up feeling what you’ve actually done is open up a previously tasteful home to all kinds of brightly coloured plastic junk. Providing a welcome respite from the polymer-based madness is Japanese homeware designer Oji Masanori, and baby-centric creations that combine long-lasting function with tasteful aesthetics (primary-coloured-plastic peddlers, take note).

Originally trained in architecture, Masanori’s work is a lesson in simplicity. His Baby Table is hand-fashioned from Japanese beech, and provides a practical place to pop your poppet while being easy on the eye to boot. Designed to hold infants at both meal and play times, the table converts to a desk once your mini-me becomes more mobile. The seat area can then be used to hold books and toys, before the entire piece becomes a traditional Japanese table for the adults. All that and there’s not a primary colour in sight. Baby, we’re sold.