PEG'S GIFT WRAPPING TIPS

What I love about gift wrapping is that it gives me the license to mix pattern and colour that usually I'd shy away from. It unleashes my aesthetic alter ego! Why? Because it's disposable (although I DO encourage recycling your paper people) and a bit of fun - so just go for it!

Spotted: Genius gift wrap inspiration

Here are my top tips...

1. Clash traditional prints / paper with ultra modern flashes of colour (note my attempt below and the neon + feather wrapping by Decor8 above). This is a gift not an outfit so why not be outlandish? 

(easily achieved with Rifle's bold midnight floral wrap)

2. Inject some added 'surprise' to your parcel by attaching a sweet or mini bar of chocolate. 

3. Use bold / neon washi tape instead of standard cellotape. The Glue Gun Girl on Etsy has a thrifty range of fun washi tapes.

4. Add some 'theatre' to your presents like Handmade Charlotte's Mouse Gift Wrap (genius) or by glueing feathers, sprigs of herbs, paper pom poms, lego, dried lemons etc. The options are endless...

5. Opt for some interactive gift wrap such as the recipe gift wrap by Minted.com, encouraging the paper to continue it's life post pressie opening. I'm calling it 'Multi functional gift wrap'.

URBAN JUNGLE BLOG POST: HOMEMADE ROSEMARY HEARTS

Once a month a crew of 'Urban Jungle Bloggers' (which is gleefully growing) get together to pioneer a sprinkle of 'green' across their blog content. Pioneered by the lovely Igor (Happy Interior blog), Judith (Joelix.com) and Jocelyn (The Little Room Of Style). This month we are sharing our 'Green Festive Decoration Vignette' which finally kick started my intention to craft some homemade green inspired decorations for my little flat. Introducing my rather humble (and admittedly simple) homemade rosemary hearts, using John Lewis' handy willow wreaths...

Having already got some sprigs of rosemary in the fridge (one of my favourite autumnal scents) I decided to customise my little hearts using herbs rather than foliage. Of course if you have a garden you could snip some fresh rosemary from your outdoor wonderland, or even use sprigs from your Christmas tree (if it's real of course).

I used: John Lewis Heart Willow Wreath for the larger heart and John Lewis Natural Mini Heart Wreaths Pack of 3 (from crafts department), sprigs of fresh rosemary, clear plastic thread and scissors.

These really were as easy to make as they look (I'm not one for overcomplicating things). Simply weave the rosemary stems into the nooks of the wood where possible and then secure it to the wooden hearts by tying it with plastic thread. For the larger heart I snipped the ribbon handles from an anthropologie carrier bag (being resourceful) and for the little hearts I suspended on a white wall with long loops of plastic thread (this stuff is v.versatile!) and short  strips of checked washi tape.

How are you bringing a nod of green into your home this Christmas? 

WEST ELM HAS LANDED IN LONDON!

I've been crushing over West Elm products from afar for the last 12 months and getting serious stateside envy. The Brooklyn born brand is owned by interiors giant Williams Sanoma (that also own Pottery Barn) and often branded as their cool hip younger sister brand.

On Thursday West Elm UK opened it's doors on London's Tottenham Court Road. Yesterday I made a bee line for the new store, like an interiors junkie possessed (OK maybe not a junkie but I was fairly excited). Despite giving myself a 45 minute window to sweep the store, an hour simply wasn't enough. West Elm have nailed the retail lifestyle experience; complete with a coffee bar, free nibbles, super friendly staff and a design service area. They even have a 'living wall' of free plants and greenery.

Highlights for me? Thick quality textiles, iron hexagonal mirrors, caged light pendants, Will from Bright Bazaar's Etsy wall gallery (curation of fun bright art) and copper cookware by British Designer Aaron Probyn. The beauty of West Elm is the breadth of choice - from hallway organisers and filament light bulbs to snow globes and wreath wood spheres. Also look out for their vibrant designer collaborations - having partnered up with the likes of Sarah Campbell on print and pattern and Lubna Chowdhary on tile based furniture and accessories.

Visit West Elm UK here

A SPRINKLE OF SEASONAL SCANDI STYLE

I have to admit I'm a tiny bit humbug when it comes to Christmas décor. Lashings of glitter, green and post box red scare me so I've compiled a little mood board below of seasonal scandi inspiration. I know I should just embrace the seasonal tack (that's part of the fun right?) but for now I'm opting for paired back, mellow and simple décor, whilst still a nod to festive... who's with me?

1. Wooden Wall Tree (space saving alternative to a real tree for those with a small pad like me) - Now £17.80 from West Elm. Decorate with homemade paper / knitted decorations.

2. Handmade Felt Advent Calendar Now £14.50 from Daylesford Organic 

(I never had a chocolate calendar as a nipper as I was allergic 

so the idea of filling this with sweet treats for loved ones is so nostalgic).

3. Real Buxus Christmas Wreath from £18 Rowen & Wren

4. Snug Trio 16.90 euros from Snug Online 

5. Handmade Donkey Christmas Decoration £12 from Daylesford Organic (adorable)

6. Gold Glitter Mini Clothes Pegs from LuluBelleDesign1182 on Etsy 

(I might just consider a sprinkle of glitter if they are on pegs!)

MADE IN CLERKENWELL

On Thursday night I met a friend in Farringdon and by chance stumbled across 'Made in Clerkenwell' at The Goldsmith Centre. I had actually been given a heads up about the event by ceramic artist Janet Stahelin Edmondson (a friend of my mums) but having been in a channel vision post work coma I totally forgot about it until there it was staring right at me.

Janet Stahelin Edmondson's lace printed ceramics

Made in Clerkenwell is a bi annual open studios event, showcasing independent crafts and design talent. It includes everything from jewellery and accessories to my weakness - ceramics and exquisite pieces for the home. What I love most about this event is the chance to chat to the makers and designers that make these items, which are often crafted by hand and buy something totally unique for your abode. If you get the chance to swing by Made in Clerkenwell it is still on today and tomorrow (Saturday 30 November & Sunday 1 December)

I sadly only had time to explore The Goldsmith Centre (gutting as I wanted to see Janet Stahelin Edmondson's work as well) but there are 150 selected designer-makers spread across 3 buildings, including 21 Clerkenwell Green and 33-35 St Johns square.

It is great for picking up gifts for Christmas, whilst supporting independent talent, rather than just buying pressies from the retail giants on the highstreet. Here are some of my favourite pieces - My Peg 'ones to watch'...

Pottery by Ryan Connolly

Hand woven basket bowl by Maggie Smith Basketry

It took some serious willpower not to buy one of these beautiful cushions by textile designer Penny Seume, who I got chatting to at the end. Her prints wouldn't look out of place in Liberty and she already stocks in interiors mecca- ABC in New York. Her cushions cost between £60 - £70. The unique prints are taken from Penny's very own paintings, inspired by urban landscapes. The cushions shown above are part of her London series- note the adorable attention to detail on the back of old fashioned London lamp posts. Penny is also a lovely lady to talk to and so modest about her inspiring work. If ABC have already scouted her textiles, expect big things to come.

To take a look at Penny's website click here

BLOOMINGVILLE LANDS IN THE UK

This week I have been soaking up a mini staycation here in London. A whole nine days of hanging out in the flat, doing those random chores you never get round to doing and making the most of the city (you sometimes forget how sublime your own patch is).

Whilst on my travels I swung by the new Bloomingville concession in Debenhams Oxford Street (after clocking their grand opening on instagram) Exciting because? Until now Bloomingville (from Denmark) has just supplied into various interior shops / online retailers and never before have we had an entire go-to Bloomingville one stop shop here in mother England. True to their light Scandinavian aesthetic, expect their signature geo shaped pieces (the hexagonal / house shaped wall boxes were winking at me) in pastel hues with a kick of flouro. The lighting, textured wood furniture and hand painted ceramics were also a delight - having admired so many of their lifestyle images on Pinterest, it was great to finally inspect them for real. For those outside London, I have also clocked online they have a new UK webstore - only selling a small selection of their full range but I'm poised for more...

You can view some of the Bloomingville at Debenhams products online here

SPACE SAVING DINING TABLES

My friends Dan and Claire have recently moved into a light airy first floor Victorian flat in Tufnell Park (North London) and were just telling me of their struggles to hunt out a smallish dining table for their living area. I also grappled to find something suitably compact when we were looking for our flat but ended up going for this extendable Monty Table from Made.com. It’s rare to have a proper dining space in first floor London flats so something neat is desirable. However, it is worth pointing out that slightly larger tables in a small space actually create the illusion that the space is bigger (I’ve done my interior design research) so diddy tables aren’t necessarily the only answer, unless you simply don’t have the space to house them.

With this in mind, here are my ‘top’ space saving dining tables around, a few of them being extendable so you can cater for up to six people for a spot of supper…

 

1. Bayonne Flip Top Table from Loaf.com £625

2. Street Table from Bodie & Fou £615

3. White and Nature Dining Table from Bodie & Fou £300

4. Hester Charcoal Dining Table from Habitat £450

5. Monty Extending Dining Table from Made.com £299

Anyone else been experiencing small dining table drama?

WISHFUL WEDNESDAY: OFF THE HOOK

These past few weeks I've been on the hunt for some hooks to hang up in our miniscule hallway (measuring approx 1.5m x 1m). These seemingly insignificant hooks / pegs are key to the moment people step into our little abode so I'm trying to take my time ('considered purchase'). I'm admittedly a smidgen messy and prone to dumping my coat / bag on the floor when I walk through the door (*past roomies / boyfriend nods knowingly*) so these might be my answer...

1. White old fashioned coat hooks £6.00 from Loop the Loop

2. Hooks landscape and beach design £15.00 from Chocolate Creative

3. Driftwood coat hook rack £29.95 from Not On The High Street

4. Rope and metal hook £10.28 from West Elm

My hook tips...

1. Consider what you are hanging and whether the hook is suitable i.e. wide knobs are not practical for hanging coats / jackets as the loop on the nape may not fit over it (causing your coat to fall off - that's annoying) but might work great for bags, especially those with long straps.

2. Consider ease of putting them up. If like me you are a DIY novice those involving 

a simple nail to wall (note option 4) might be your winner.

Any websites of great peg / hook / knobs gratefully received folks!

WEEKEND WONDERS: Keeping it local

Kept it local this weekend with coffee catch ups in Islington, spot of interiors shopping on Upper street and then some faffing about at home. Here are my weekend wonders...

1. Folklore - yes I'm obssessed with this shop (Islington's answer to eco-friendly interiors). The super nice shop assistant informs me a christmas delivery is en route for November. Lethal news for bank balance. Still thinking about their new ivory ceramics. Selling like hot cakes apparently so need to act fast. Thinking the soup plate for my earrings.

2. Arranged my new Egon Schiele self portrait print with my ceramics. He tragically died at just 28 years old, three days after his wife. Bit of morbid trivia for you! Some of his incredible work is on show at the National Gallery at the moment (Facing The Modern exhibition). His work blew me away so I had to have this.

3. Purchased this Task Lamp from John Lewis (£45) for the ever evolving office come 'inspiration studio' - the brass is smart and injects some welcome masculinity into the space. Also small in size so great for our pint sized desk.

4. Green chai latté in new tapas restaurant La Farola on Upper Street in Islington with my old time friend Romilly. Already planning a trip back to gorge on manchego and serrano ham.

5. Admiring filament light bulbs in La Farola.

6. Inspired: filament light bulb from Rockett St George (£7.95) to recreate the look at home. Thinking ambient lighting for living room? Any advice on filament bulbs welcome!

WISHFUL WEDNESDAY: Box Up!

In terms of being tidy, my mum is up there with the greats. My home when I was growing up was hailed the 'Show Home' for it's extreme tidyness. Sadly her tidy genes didn't quite come out in me but I have inherited her immense dislike for clutter. With a rapidly growing collection of handmade ceramics emerging in my home (with very few surfaces to cater for them) I'm feeling dangerously close to clutter territory *dismay*. Browsing Rigby & Mac's website New In section today, I may have spotted just the  solution - this set of 6 nesting boxes, which you have the flexibility of displaying as you wish (you may want to try separating them across rooms but I love them as a statement stack). It's a sure winner for displaying your china 'best', candles, maybe even a few beautifully patterned books...

1. Set of 6 square box shelves £175 Rigby & Mac

2. 34 Boulevard Saint Germain Diptyque Candle £50 Diptyque

3. Anna Milk Jug £18 Toast

4. Nordic Espresso Cup £3.95 Rigby & Mac

WEEKEND WONDERS: 27.10.13

Impeding gail force winds and a storm brewing ("worst in years" according to BBC- erk) in London was a fine excuse to hole up in the flat and do some DIY/ baking this weekend. Only after a Friday night slap up feast and a wee tipple on Friday night of course. Here are my weekend wonders...

1. My ercol for John Lewis Chiltern wardrobe arrived on Saturday - one of my most expensive splurges  on the flat so far so I was a teeny weeny bit excited / nervous about it's arrival. I can safely say I love it. I decided it was an investment piece that will stand the test of time, spacious and refined. Man points have to go to my fella for doing much of the DIY leg work 

(guys and drills eh).

2. Pretty posey from our friends Claire + Dan, setting off my 

new Cezanne print from the National Gallery (their gallery shop is amazing for prints from the greats).

3. On Friday night I abolished some rotisserie chicken from new restaurant Le Coq in Islington (all they serve is chicken but that is free-range, organic chicken from Sutton Hoo in Suffolk- uh yum). The pear, blue cheese and watercress starter was pretty sensational too.

4. Feeling suitably domesticated after an early night on Saturday, today I got my bake on, making Will from Bright Bazaar's apricot frangipane recipe. Dead easy and so moist! Best eaten with a dollop of créme fraiche. Loving Will's Bright Bakes series (check out his Spiderweb cupcake recipe for Halloween).

Fellow Londoners, go safe tonight (I can hear the storm coming as I type) x

WISHFUL WEDNESDAY: Naturally Speaking

As our living room décor starts to take shape, my thoughts are now wandering to the bedroom. I am a horrendously light sleeper and often take a while to switch off just before I go to sleep (when I seem to have all my ideas- although they never seem quite as genius when I wake up). I'm therefore hankering after a calming space, with natural soothing hues and texture (I've figured colour will just stimulate my thoughts more). On that note here is my wishful wednesday, naturally speaking...

1. Pallet Light Shade £30 from Decorator's Notebook

2. Cotton Crochet Throw £75 from Toast

3. Maiko Ivory Bowl (for my earrings / cotton wool buds) £10 Folklore 

4. Recycled Glass Vase £11 Garden Trading

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NEW YORK TOP INTERIORS SHOPS

I must have googled the title of this blog post more than 5 times before I headed stateside a few weeks ago. Using my NYC map from Liberty (recommended by my friend Liz as 'the only map you'll need to navigate Manhattan'- she was right) I started plotting the main hot spots and trust me it's a 

metropolis of design goodness.

 Using Broadway as the corridor of my quest, here are my favourite New York 

interior shops and why they rock...

1. ABC Carpet & Home

Having already visited ABC Carpet & Home when I last visited New York I was dying to get back to my interiors mecca. Only this time I took the lift up to all six floors of ethereal beauty. Ornate rugs suspended from the ceiling bask in glory, porcelain dinning ware looks almost too delicate to handle and the dining tables were fiercely boho luxe. I especially adored the Japanese ceramics and cutlery, which looked like they'd been hand dipped in gold.

ABC Home
2. Fishs Eddy
I have to admit Fishs Eddy isn't my typical style but it's a fine example of All American homeware. Think of it is as the 'cape cod' look, specialising in dinnerware, glassware and kitchenware. Fairly nautical (not too surprisingly) and brilliantly merchandised. I thought the random box of chintzy china in the cove at the back was also quite fun...

Fishs Eddy
3. Love Adorned. This isn't strictly an interiors shop as much as it is lifestyle. It's achingly cool. If Caleb Followill and Lily Aldridge were shopping in NYC this is where I'd imagine you'd bump into them. Think animal skin rugs, ceramics hanging from trees, crystals and trinkets. I was recommended to go there by a girl working on the jewellery counter in ABC on my last visit to NYC and it might just be my favourite shop on the globe. Big statement yes.

My favourite pieces? Ceramic tusks hand painted with quotes. Oh and my dream ring - I casually asked to try a black stoned blingy (musing how much it matched my bracelet) - yeah turns out I picked out one of the most expensive pieces in the shop, a black diamond (18ct gold). Turns out I have expensive taste. *quickly hands ring back to shop assistant who looks strangely like Julie Stone*

Love Adorned
4. Crate & Barrel
Crate & Barrel isn't big news in the States, being a bit like Habitat is to us here in the UK. However, I think its high time we had a Crate & Barrel in London because it's full of classic good quality staple items for the home, which are cleverly thought through. They've thought of practically everything including stacks of driftwood (I've been looking for driftwood) and whole walls just dedicated to placemats.

I bought these woodland inspired coasters from Crate & Barrel- just $5

Crate & Barrel
5. Haus Interior
Stepping into Haus Interior has the warm cosy feeling you might get visiting a friend's homely log cabin (not that I have a friend who owns a logo cabin) laiden with interior gems. There was even an adorable husky pup to greet me on arrival. The manager was hugely welcoming, talking through the boutique's gorgeous new scented candles, textured + natural wood home accessories and irresistible aztec textiles...

Haus Interior

6. West Elm
I'm a huge fan of West Elm (which I browse endlessly online) so I was super excited to see all their beautiful homeware up close in their store in DUMBO, Brooklyn. I have heard whispers they are opening in the UK (Tottenham Court Road) before the end of the year... eep. Contemplated purchasing these plates below but feared for their safety on flight home (now on Christmas wish list)

West Elm, DUMBO

I'm sure I've missed a whole host of other amazing interior stores. Excuse for another trip perhaps?! If you have any tips I'd love to hear them below...

URBAN JUNGLE: BUTCHER'S DAUGHTER NYC

Just over a month ago Igor of the brilliant Happy Interior Blog kindly invited me to join the 'Urban Jungle Bloggers' crew, following a chat on twitter about our mutual fondness for succulents! The 'Urban Jungle Bloggers' series is a joint initiative by the lovely Igor, Judith (Joelix.com) and Jocelyn (The Little Room Of Style), encouraging us all in some small way to go green. Last month, we got a privy look at Igor, Judith and Jocelyn's very own urban jungles and this month we're shining the light on some other cool green spaces. Mine emerged from the urban landscape of New York city....

I did ponder to myself- can a café / grocery store really be classed as an urban jungle? My conclusion: yes of course it can, what epitomises urban more than a bustling city café and what says jungle more than a eatery full of incredible vegetation? As you may well know from instagram, I've just returned from the most amazing time in NYC, visiting my bro. Whilst exploring Lower Manhattan last Thursday (with camera poised at every street corner) I stumbled across The Butcher's Daughter, brimming with greenery and fauna. Succulents, potted plants and hanging industrial baskets of herbs were at the heart of this trendy eatery come mini indoor 'farmers mart' laid back green aesthetic.

The Butcher's Daughter 'market' with scented candles, potted plants and organic veg to take-away

Did I mention I love terracotta potted plants. If I had been in London I'd have left with one of these...

True to their ethos 'we treat fruits and vegetables as a butcher would meat', their 'go green' surroundings are a reflection of their 100% vegetation and gluten free menu, all sourced from local farms in Upstate New York and Connecticut. This is truly the good life meets the concrete jungle of Lower Manhattan.

Behind the design of The Butcher's Daughter is founder Heather Tierney who 'loved the dichtomy of using industrial elements (concrete floors, steel meat hooks, heavy iron butcher rails) against softer earthy materials like beached raw wood, white tile and brick and greenery growing out of old chicken coop'. There is heaps of green display inspiration; succulents and cactus displayed on old vintage weighing scales, dried flowers placed in ceramic milk bottles, vegetables growing from old wooden wheelie carts, hanging rope tiered flower pots and grapes / herbs 

suspended across the stretch of the bar. 

Did I mention the juices and smoothies? Designed by Head Juiceologist Brandi Kowalski, together with founder Heather, expect some stomping smoothies, boasting the ultimate in exotic health ingredients from evening primrose oil, fennel and echinacea to goji berries, kale and avocado. Not in that order of course!

The Butcher's Daughter Juice Bar & Café, 19 Kenmare Street (corner of Elizabeth Street), New York.

Thank you again to the Urban Jungle bloggers for involving me in their initiative. For more urban jungle inspiration head over to Joelix to discover The Garden of Migration in South of France, Happy Interior Blog for a community garden in Vancouver and The Little Room of Style for Planten un Blomen in Hamburg. I hope you have enjoyed hearing about my latest urban jungle find. 

Do you have an urban jungle discovery of your own?

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NYC YO!

Just a quick drop-in to let you know that peg will be taking a little hiatus this week whilst I stomp around New York city, soaking up heaps of interior shops, hipster hangouts, killer sized burgers, shakes, urban greenery and some modern art. Having been in the apple last year for a friends' wedding in Battery Park (third time in NYC) I've got the touristy thing covered (hence token Empire State snap below) so looking forward to exploring LES (Lower East Side) and Brooklyn (only discovered Williamsburg on my last day last time and its frickin cool).  Feel free to follow my stateside whereabouts over on my instagram Thursday - Friday... Ta ra x

Follow me on instagram here

HOW TO MAKE FLAG CAKE TOPPERS

Yesterday was my dear friend Kelly's (from wedding blog Festival Brides) brilliantly dubbed 'Pre Push Party' aka baby shower, held at her gorgeous rural home in Kent. As part of the day, we were asked to bake something Mary Berry style, in what can only be described as a 'big bump bake off'. Sadly my raspberry + white chocolate cupcakes didn't win (not that I'm competitive -whatever ha!), that went to some epic rocky road whipped together by friend Amy- totally scrummy and 'dead easy to make' she says. As well as relishing the sugar rush (I ate some 8 cakes- fat yes) I also enjoyed some washi tape fun, making my flag cake toppers before hand. Introducing my first make + do post (easing myself in gently people) here is my 'flag cake toppers' how-to...

How to make flag cake toppers

You will need: A pair of scissors, washi tape (in choice of colour), 

sharpie black pen and cocktail sticks.

1. Cut a 5-6cm strip of washi tape.

2. Place the cocktail stick in the centre of the washi tape. Have the point of the cocktail stick sitting above the washi tape.

3. Fold the washi tape over so it sticks together as evenly as possible (don't worry if not perfect).

4. Cut the washi tape into a V to create a flag shape to the ends.

 Using your sharpie pen, write a word or decorate appropriate to your occasion. (in my case a 'pre push party' so I went for the word BABY but you could decorate with stars / snowflakes for Christmas or the word LOVE for Valentines for instance).

Hope you enjoyed my baby cakes x

WISHFUL WEDNESDAY: NEW YORK NEW YORK

Next Wednesday I am flying out to NYC to join my bro who is big Apple bound for 6 weeks setting up part of his business. I'm beyond excited! My 'NYC Here I Come' Pinterest board is coming along swimmingly in the run up and whilst pinning an abundance of hipster hangouts (not every day I'm in NYC so might as well try to channel some inner cool), I have also come across some slick monochrome bits for the home. Typically I find city inspired prints / photos a bit vanilla (most people have one right?) but I think these might fall in the safe / tasteful camp. For anyone who shares my NY enthusiasm, here is this week's New York inspired 'Wishful Wednesday'...

1. 2013 Monumental guide of New York $109.48 from Herr Judit

2. New York Pillow Black & White £35.11 by BrightJuly on Etsy

3. New York Print $50 by Sugar Paper

If you have any recommendations of places to eat (that I haven't included on my pinterest board), galleries, bars or most importantly interior shops I'd LOVE to hear them below!