"From functional furniture to playful design, Babyletto Kids helps families create spaces that grow with their children.
Back-to-school season often means revamping routines, wardrobes and kids’ spaces. Nothing like the new school year to make us realize how quickly our kids are growing, including outgrowing their rooms. San Marino native and founder of baby furniture brand Babyletto, Teddy Fong, was inspired by his own children, ages 2, 5 and 8, to create a new line of furniture to keep up with our children’s changing needs. We got the chance to talk to Teddy about Babyletto Kids, which launches Aug. 20, organization tips for busy families, his favorite spots in L.A. and more.
Please tell us a little about Babyletto Kids and what inspired you to launch this new collection?
Babyletto Kids has been a dream in the making for years. When we started Babyletto a decade ago, modern baby furniture was both expensive and hard to find, and we wanted to bring the modern aesthetic to a more accessible price point. We’ve always envisioned Babyletto as more than just a crib brand—it’s a design-forward brand created for modern families. As our customers’ babies grew into toddlers and big kids, we realized there was an opportunity to grow with them. As a parent that was looking for kids furniture, it was either the furniture from mass merchants or overly expensive pieces from adult furniture companies.
Babyletto Kids is our way of reimagining what kids’ furniture can look like—playful, smart and beautiful, but still functional and affordable! It’s furniture that makes sense for real families, bringing joy into a space that deserves it! As a family business, we want to bring what parents loved about Babyletto into the next chapter of childhood.
What are the most important factors to consider when creating a special space for your child?
To me, it’s all about balance. You want the space to feel magical and imaginative for your child—but also calming and functional for everyday life. And the furniture matters. You need pieces that are well-made and built to last. That’s something really missing in the market today—too often it’s either something from a mass retailer that’s affordable but flimsy, or overly expensive pieces that don’t quite fit your style. As a parent of a 2, 6 and 8 year old, I wanted designs with personality, made with quality that could be passed down between kids, while still being functional and practical for everyday use. We want to bring the joy back into kids’ rooms—to create spaces that are inspired, design-forward and truly made for the way families live today.
What are some tips you have for busy families trying to keep these spaces organized?
Kids don’t need a million toys—I know, easier said than done! But at the very least, have easy places to put them away. For us, bins and closed storage are our best friends, and furniture that pulls double-duty makes a big difference. We’ve tried to build organization into our designs at Babyletto Kids—because we know that real life gets messy, and the design should help make it easier.
As a native Angelino, tell us a little about your growing up experiences in and around L.A.? Fondest memories?
Growing up in L.A. was such a unique experience. Summers were always spent in the pool—an unheated pool, no less. I have vivid memories of dim sum carts in Monterey Park, and long afternoons running around Lacy Park.
But what really stands out to me is the diversity—it wasn’t something we talked about, it was simply how we lived. We’d go to dim sum where everyone was speaking Chinese, then grab tacos from a spot where everyone was speaking Spanish. That mix of cultures, languages and food was just part of daily life, and it shaped the way I see the world.
You are also raising your own kids in Los Angeles. What is it like watching your kids grow up in the same city as you did?
It’s really special. We have a lot of family nearby, so our extended family gets together often for birthdays, holidays and all kinds of celebrations. We still go to the same restaurants I grew up going to—there’s something comforting about that kind of familiarity. My wife is also from L.A., so we get this great combination of family, familiar spots to eat and hang out, and close friends that I’ve known since I was a kid. Honestly, so many of my closest friends today are people I met back in elementary school in San Marino. And now, watching my own kids start to build friendships here—it’s kind of surreal to think that they could be meeting their lifelong friends right now, just like I did.
Did you have a mentor growing up? And what role did that person play in your life and your career?
I’ve been fortunate to have several mentors over the years, but my biggest one has always been my dad. He started our company, Million Dollar Baby Co., with a big dream and a lot of grit. Along with my mom, I grew up watching them build something from nothing—packing cribs, handling customer calls, doing it all. I remember spending summers packing hardware in the warehouse with my sister! He taught me what it means to represent our family always, to do everything excellently and to always do the right thing. That foundation shapes everything I do today.
What is the best advice on parenting you’ve received?
“Protect the routines.” They make life smoother and happier for everyone. Kids feel safer when they know what to expect, and it cuts down on decision fatigue for parents. Especially in the early years, establishing a routine for naps and sleeping was transformational for us as parents. You don’t need a rigid schedule—just simple rhythms that create calm in the chaos. Bedtime, dinner going to Church on Sundays—those little anchors go a long way.
When not working, where will we find you?
I love cooking and eating—so chances are I’m either hosting a dinner party with friends or out exploring the food scene in L.A. Cooking is my way of unwinding, and I really enjoy bringing people together around a meal. Our cooking tends to be more Chinese so we try to experiment with different techniques all the time. My wife makes the best Taiwanese beef noodle soup – her family recipe is better than anything you can get.
What are some of your favorite spots and activities in and around L.A.?
- The Huntington Library – My wife and I got married there so it’s a very special place for us.
- Buying dry aged fish from Joint Seafood – A game changer!!
- Eating in the alley at Anajak Thai – Best restaurant in L.A.
- Walking on the sand at El Matador Beach in Malibu.
- Longo Seafood – Lobster, King Crab, Roast Pig, what else do you need?
- Eating sushi at the Hollywood Bowl during the summer. "
Written by Nina Harada, LA Parent