Readers Jennifer and Jeffrey Dr. write in with a good question about Natart:
My husband and I have so far found your book EXTREMELY helpful in narrowing down what we should buy/register for. We went today to several places, and everywhere we went, other soon-to-be parents had the book! We can’t thank you enough.
We liked some of Natart’s furniture, which is highly rated in your book. However, the ratings in the book seem to be based on their furniture made in Canada. However, we found much of their furniture, including the Penelope collection we were interested in, is now made in Asia. Do you know if the quality is comparable to what it was while made in Canada? Any info you can provide would be helpful.
Thanks!
Jennifer & Jeffrey D.
Our response:
Thanks for reading our book, BABY BARGAINS!
Good question—you are correct, Natart (like all Canadian furniture makers) has had to shift some production to Asia to be competitive (with the rising Canadian dollar, other China imports, etc).
We think Natart has some of the best quality on the market—but as with any brand that switches production, there will be early glitches and problems. We’ve spoken with one Natart retailer said they are not happy with the first Chinese production shipments.
So, we’d take a wait and see approach. We’d ask your retailer WHERE the Natart furniture is made—some collections are made in Canada; others have moved to China. Stick with Canada until Natart can iron out any early problems with the Chinese imports
Alan & Denise Fields
authors, BABY BARGAINS
We obsess over gear for families . . . so you don't have to. Baby Bargains has one mission: help you find the best gear for your family and home with unbiased reviews by experts with 20 years of experience. At prices that don't break the bank. When you purchase a product from links on this site, we make a small affiliate commission. Learn more 
Has there been any further information on the Natart “Penelope” crib? We are concerned about the type of paint used.
thanks!
Has there been any further information on the Natart “Penelope” crib? We are concerned about the type of paint used.
thanks!
I wife and I have read the books great job. We notice yoy speak of the Natart Penelope collect and them having some issues with the Asia production do you know if the Avery and Madison collects are still being made in Canada?
I wife and I have read the books great job. We notice yoy speak of the Natart Penelope collect and them having some issues with the Asia production do you know if the Avery and Madison collects are still being made in Canada?
My wife and I purchased Natart furniture from Sweet Child of Mine (SWOM) located in Richmond Hill ON about a year and half ago. The store messed up the entire delivery and we ended up bring home the wrong furniture. Once we finally received it, every piece, I mean ALL had damage, the crib had scuffs and scratches, the knight stand was gouged and had to be returned, we have yet to see the replacement!
The dresser is a hazzard, I am not exagerating when I say the drawers close with enough force to injure a child trying to open them. SWOM sent someone to replace the gliders of the drawers ( 3 visits so far and still not fixed)however the mechaism may not pull as hard on closing but is very rough.
Furthermore, oh ya it gets better, the edge of the drawer rubs on the side of the dresser itslef in several locations wearing the paint down to the wood! We feel ripped off paying top dollar for what we thought was and sold to us as high quality furniture.
SWOM have not provided adequate customer service at all, we keep hearing that there will be resolution and after all this time we are clearly not satisfied. We were told by SWOM that a representative from Natart would call us ( we were passed off) and we have not heard a thing. Natart has never responded to any of our emails to sort out this issue, and to stand behind the products they advertise as “SUPERIOR QUALITY”.
SWOM sold us the set on the premise that the furniture was italian design and made in Canada.
WE DO NOT RECOMNEND NATART’S PRODUCTS NOR THE VENDOR SWEET CHILD OF MINE IN RICHMOND HILL ONT.
My wife and I purchased Natart furniture from Sweet Child of Mine (SWOM) located in Richmond Hill ON about a year and half ago. The store messed up the entire delivery and we ended up bring home the wrong furniture. Once we finally received it, every piece, I mean ALL had damage, the crib had scuffs and scratches, the knight stand was gouged and had to be returned, we have yet to see the replacement!
The dresser is a hazzard, I am not exagerating when I say the drawers close with enough force to injure a child trying to open them. SWOM sent someone to replace the gliders of the drawers ( 3 visits so far and still not fixed)however the mechaism may not pull as hard on closing but is very rough.
Furthermore, oh ya it gets better, the edge of the drawer rubs on the side of the dresser itslef in several locations wearing the paint down to the wood! We feel ripped off paying top dollar for what we thought was and sold to us as high quality furniture.
SWOM have not provided adequate customer service at all, we keep hearing that there will be resolution and after all this time we are clearly not satisfied. We were told by SWOM that a representative from Natart would call us ( we were passed off) and we have not heard a thing. Natart has never responded to any of our emails to sort out this issue, and to stand behind the products they advertise as “SUPERIOR QUALITY”.
SWOM sold us the set on the premise that the furniture was italian design and made in Canada.
WE DO NOT RECOMNEND NATART’S PRODUCTS NOR THE VENDOR SWEET CHILD OF MINE IN RICHMOND HILL ONT.
I purchased a Natart crib in January 07 and it arrived March or April 07. My son has slept in it nearly every night since he was born in May. He is now almost 16 months old. Tonight, after hearing his strained breathing through the monitor, I went up to find his left arm tucked all the way between the mattress and the drop side. I had not noticed a gap prior, but there is a significant gap now. I have moved him into our pack and play and plan on following up with the store from which we bought the crib tomorrow. I can not tell from this post when manufacture of Natart cribs switched to China (was it in early 2007? early enough for our crib to be made there?). The problem with our drop side sounds similar to the one described of the drop side Simplicity cribs manufactured in China. I would definitely beware of anything made in China at this point.
I purchased a Natart crib in January 07 and it arrived March or April 07. My son has slept in it nearly every night since he was born in May. He is now almost 16 months old. Tonight, after hearing his strained breathing through the monitor, I went up to find his left arm tucked all the way between the mattress and the drop side. I had not noticed a gap prior, but there is a significant gap now. I have moved him into our pack and play and plan on following up with the store from which we bought the crib tomorrow. I can not tell from this post when manufacture of Natart cribs switched to China (was it in early 2007? early enough for our crib to be made there?). The problem with our drop side sounds similar to the one described of the drop side Simplicity cribs manufactured in China. I would definitely beware of anything made in China at this point.
Note to everyone: DO NOT PURCHASE NATART FURNITURE for your baby! We just went through a 6-month long ordeal with Natart, and finally we got all our money back. Unfortunately, our baby is due in a few days and we do not have baby furniture (despite trying to be organized and ordering it when I was 4 months pregnant). Basically, we ordered the Madison collection, and every single piece had a problem with it. The wood inside the drawers was rotten, bumpy and could give you slivers just from rubbing your fingers over it. The drawers were misaligned and opened/closed terribly. The dove-tailing on the drawers was so poorly done. We would not recommend this brand of furniture AT ALL. Please contact me if you would like further information.
Note to everyone: DO NOT PURCHASE NATART FURNITURE for your baby! We just went through a 6-month long ordeal with Natart, and finally we got all our money back. Unfortunately, our baby is due in a few days and we do not have baby furniture (despite trying to be organized and ordering it when I was 4 months pregnant). Basically, we ordered the Madison collection, and every single piece had a problem with it. The wood inside the drawers was rotten, bumpy and could give you slivers just from rubbing your fingers over it. The drawers were misaligned and opened/closed terribly. The dove-tailing on the drawers was so poorly done. We would not recommend this brand of furniture AT ALL. Please contact me if you would like further information.
DO NOT BUY THIS FUNITURE.
The quality is terrible , the wood was twisted.
They say they are certified for non toxic paint, but I had the dealer pick it up, my whole house smelled of a strong odor of paint, my wife and I where coughing and my eyes where burring, I don’t want that around my child.
When I called the dealer, they put me in touch with the rep, he said its wood and it not straight and hung up on me.
I have recently order a nattart crib and accessory’s from west coast kids calgary south value of 5000 $ . I put down a deposit of 25 % with my credit card . When the shipment came in I was informed that they would not allow me to pay the remainder with my credit card unless I showed up in person . This was not feasible since I live 900 km away . My card will cover full replacement costs on damaged or lost shipments . Thier idea of insurance is 3$ per pound thru shipper . I have been forced to purchase a gift card from them in order to get my order released and pay extra costs . This is the old bait and switch game . DO NOT BUY from west coast kids !!!!
Received my order today of natart furniture . 1 crib , 1 dresser , 2 sets bed rails and 2 toddler gates . I don’t know what natart means by ” solid ” wood but I do not put plywood in that category the bed rails are 3/4 inch spray painted plywood . The toddler gate is wood but very flimsy and will not last with toddler use . The crib is wood but again very flimsy slats and rails . The dresser is ply wood sides . plywood top and above all plywood drawers if you can believe that . I will be also putting in another complaint with the bbb . I would
have had a better result if I got the local high school shop class to build this . Not any kind of pass down furniture .