Latest Ikea Purchase

If you read this blog on a regular basis you will know that one of my mild obsessions is mirrors. So when I saw this beauty called Husnes in our recent trip to Ikea, I just had to have it. It will go perfectly on the landing alcove above the eBay bought toy box/chest. I have been struggling to find a full length mirror and this one with its bevelled edge and curvy features fits the bill!

Image from Ikea

My First Guest Blog

Hi all! It's Mari from Design Shuffle a terrific social networking site for interior designers, professionals and design enthusiasts, to upload their work and receive lots of exposure. As a writer for Design Shuffle, I get to visit great interior design and decorating blogs like Mrs. Peabod to share some of my favorite spaces.

In today's guest post we focus on happy chic, the style brought to life by designer Jonathan Adler. Two quotes from the Jonathan Adler Manifesto (you'll find it on his website) seem to sum up happy chic. On color, "We believe colors can't clash." and this confident point of view, "We believe our designs are award winning even though they've never actually won any." Apply those two happy chic principles to your rooms and you can't go wrong. Enjoy!

No worries about color clashes here in one Jonathan Adler designed living room - just two pops of pink, one turquoise pillow, a small dash of yellow artwork and a little zebra on the side.

Here, happy chic is a perfect mix of furniture styles and color atop a black and white chevron rug in this bright dining room.

This living room makes us smile, so happy and so chic. It received supremely honorable mention in the Happy Chic Homes Contest.

What could say happy chic better than orange in a bathroom. This one is perfect, all white tile background and modern vibe.

Meet my absolute favorite happy chic room. Dressed in pure white, all this living space needs a few touches of turquoise and black and white pattern. And, of course, tall ceramic dogs to flank the fireplace.

Another honorable mention from the Happy Chic Home Contest, this room is created around an inherited mid-century modern chair.

Now for the first prize winner of the happy chic contest - filled with vibrant green and the homeowner's personality. You'll notice it also seems to have this feline's wholehearted approval. Your living room ideas can be inspired by nearly anything!

We leave you with a view of the outdoor living space designed by Jonathan Adler for his Barbie Malibu Dream House. Now that's one gorgeous backyard filled with happy chic decorating ideas!


Chic is what you make of it. Design Shuffle is filled with fantastic chic inspiration by the best interior designers and many others!

Nursery Decor

Tom and I are currently decorating what will be the nursery. Now for moment we are going to leave it as a blank canvas (we decided to find out the sex when baby arrives). So I have been searching for fun decor ideas for both boys and girls.

I came across a fantastic website Peanut & Pip while searching for wall stickers. Here's a small selection of the wonderful designs they sell.

Animal Alphabet Wall Stickers

Forest Friends Wall Sticker

Hot Air Balloon Wall Stickers

Miniz Boo Wall Sticker

I particularly like this bunting and owl design if it's a girl, it would go perfectly with the Harlequin 'What a Hoot' Fabric for the curtains.

Owly Wall Stickers

Images courtesy of Peanut & Pip

Images from Harlequin

Dining Room

I am in the process of deciding how to decorate our dining room. It is a really lovely sunny south facing room so I want to keep it clean and minimal but with the odd splash of colour.  It also has to incorporate a desk for the Mac and the already existing built-in bookcase/dresser.

Below are a few elements I have already got plus some extras that i think will work really well in the space, let me know what you think?

1. This is the Ercol Windsor dining table we already have so the whole look has pretty much been built around it.

2. Sigurd Bench from Ikea - one of these either side of the dining table would allow for a nice informal dining look.

3. I already have an Eames DSW chair in white so thought if I got a pair I could put them at the ends of the table. The beech legs match the Ercol table nicely.

4. I bought my husband the Newgate Brixton wall clock for his birthday, which would look great above the boxed in old fireplace. I like the monochrome with a splash of colour and it's utility look.

5. The Fonteyn desk made from oak and walnut has got to be the most beautiful thing in the world. I can just imagine my mac sitting proudly on top of it in the left hand alcove. Maybe with a couple of floating shelves above it.

6. And finally on top of the desk would be the Penelope Task Lamp from John Lewis in Slate or Quince, either are lovely and go with the overall Mid-century look.

and just look how well it co-ordinates with the Penelope ceiling light below which could become the main light above the dining table. love it!

Willow Collection from Bluebellgray

I was recently sent a newsletter about the new Willow collection at bluebellgray. It's a beautiful new collection of cushions and fabrics inspired by the classic blue willow pattern that we all know and recognise but with a modern twist. I remember my grandmother having this original patterned crockery, and even though I didn't appreciate it as a child, it does have a timeless look.

It's a shame we didn't keep any of the original crockery because I am loving the plate collection on the blue wall, maybe I'll have to start re-collecting it.

Just had to post about...

I've decided to start a new feature on Mrs Peabod, well it's not really a feature but more of a quick note on something I find beautiful, absolute genius or instantly inspiring.

Today's post is about this fantastic scalloped edged cupboard in Victoria Smith of sfgirlybay's nook. Not only does the use of pale pink Eames chairs, chalkboard walls and warm wooden floors make me drool but the fitted dresser is to die for.

Image courtesy of sfgirlybay

Just thought I would quickly share something that got me thinking.

Lindsey Lang

I forgot to mention in my post last week that I had spotted a fantastic collection of homewares and textiles by Lindsey Lang. She was exhibiting her debut launch at the Home exhibition at Earls Court and the fab retro inspired prints drew me in. I love the use of a monochrome palette with dashes of bright colours.

Some of the collection was even been hand-picked by the Decoration Editor of House & Garden Magazine for their House & Garden feature at the entrance to the exhibition. Looks like she is destined for big things so watch this space.

All Images from Lindsey Lang

The collection includes cushions, ceramic trivets, tea cosies, tea towels, oven gloves, floor tiles and much much more. The website is currently being updated but should show the entire collection soon so check it out here!

Top Drawer & Home at Earls Court

On Monday I visited the Top Drawer and Home Exhibitions at Earls Court in London. I was on a research day for work but wanted to post on here about the wonderful and inspiring things I found while there.

1. Ary Trays are introducing a new collection of trays using the wonderfully pretty prints of Fiona of Bluebellgray.

Image from Ary Trays

2. Clare Nicholson was founded in 2004 and creates textiles, home accessories and stationery. With influences ranging from vintage textiles to patterned paper, it;s hard not to fall in love with the beautiful patterns.

Images from Clare Nicholson

3. Ferm Living is a Danish design and manufacturing company of interior products with a graphic touch. They produce wallpapers, wall stickers, textiles and accessories for the home. I particularly like their harlequin wallpaper (perfect for a nursery). Their Black board style Calendar Wall Stickers are also pretty cool, especially as I'm terrible at planning.

Images from Ferm Living

4. Jonathan Adler had some wonderfully colourful textiles and accesories on his stand. What really caught my eye were the wonderful blue hues used on this Cube Throw and the Carnaby Scale Vase. They are the kind of colours that make you look forward to the summer.

5. Marimekko were displaying their selection of Spring fabrics. I really loved the Helsinki-Helsingfors fabric which is available in tow colours 590 (Blue) and 690 (Lime Green).

Images from Marimekko

6. Pappelina is a Swedish manufacturer of household textiles. What really interested me was their plastic rugs in fantastically simple graphic designs. Shown below are Hugo, Mose and Mira

All Images from Pappelina

7. Last but certainly not least is Places and Spaces who sell the products of some of the best international interior contemporary brands. The Acapulco outdoor chair is the product I fell in love with though, created by Oficina Kreativa, it is available in this zesty lime yellow as well as Petroleum Blue, Light Blue and Black. Can't wait for summer!

Image from Places and Spaces

Image from Nest

It's started already!

I am now officially obsessed with all things baby. So why not start as I mean to go on with a post about nursery ideas. Below are a few lovely pics from Pinterest that I may use as inspiration.

I love this mobile and it would be dead easy to make if we have a girl, oh what the hell maybe I'll still make it anyway.

Image from Pinterest 

If you read any of my very first posts you'll realise I have a fascination with mirrors of all different shapes and sizes, to the point if I see one I have to buy it. These specimens below are from Pottery Barn in the us but I am going to have to hunt down some here in the UK.

Image from Pinterest

I love the subtle colours used in the nursery below, you could use the same basic principles for a boy too. Very calming, which is what I think I will need.

Image from Pinterest

I picked this image out purely because I love the collection of brightly coloured pom poms. What better view! Check these links out for instructions on how to make similar versions:

Fabric Pom Poms

Tissue Paper Pom Pom

Image from Pinterest

I love this aqua colour for a nursery, it's so tranquil and could easily be used for either sex.

Image from Pinterest

This mini wardrobe is soooo sweet. With the shelving above it looks clean and fresh. It gives me a great idea for the cupboard near the nursery to be.

Image from Pinterest

Last but not least, this picture rail is a great idea for displaying the alphabet or any lovely pictures that your baby can stare at but not reach.

Image from Pinterest