THRIFTY THURSDAY: TOAST ORISSA KANTHA CUSHION COVER

I really hope this hasn't sold out by the time you read this! Textiles sell like hot cakes on the Toast website so I am always a little disheartened to see their stunning items have a 'sold out' sign brandished across them by the time I get round to clicking on over to the sale (serves me right for being too slow on the uptake!). Just been browsing the sale section and alas the Orissa Kantha cushion (in large) was winking at me amongst the slim pickings. I had my eye on this pretty at the beginning of the season so delighted to see it is now down to £25 from £49. Made in India, the delicate hand stitched lines and off white hue will bring an air of calm to our rather small master bedroom...

Toast Orissa Kantha Cushion Cover - Was £49 Now £25

The simple design will also be the perfect accompaniment to bolder Indian patterns and printed cushions as seen in the lifestyle image on the right.

HERBS & SPICES CALENDAR 2014: RIFLE PAPER CO.

Following on from my Cities Calendar post on Monday I just HAD to share this with you! Just saw a sneak preview on instagram of Rifle Paper Co's 2014 calendar called 'Herbs & Spices' which founder Anna Bond is putting the finishing touches to as we speak - hence the snap of the photoshop files open on her computer screen (see below). "Another long night" editing she said. Isn't it so beautiful and botanical? Now I'll have a pretty replacement for my Cities Calendar come new year. A little premature to be thinking about calendars I know but how apt Anna uploaded this- it's as if she answered my blogging prayers. I wonder if she'll release these as individual prints too? The month of May would look so sweet on the wall next to my window ledge complete with potted lavender. Note to self: pre order early doors to arrive at chez peg in time for 01.01.2014.

ACCENT WITH AN ANTIQUE RUG

Clever interior styling I am coveting right now is an ultra clean palette accented with one seriously old antique or ornate rug. It elevates an otherwise dangerously vanilla room into a space with a kick of flavour. Not to mention breathing new life and keeping treasured heirloom rugs in the family. Here are some of my favourite examples (including a neat idea of hanging a rug on the wall- as seen in the guest bedroom of Kirsty Davey and partner Simon Taylor in Jan Juc (Australia)...

Left image: Helsinki home of interior architect Joanna Laajisto and 

her husband Mikko Ryhanen. Photographed by Mikko.

Right image: Styling Jessica Clayton, photography Mikael Axelsson. 

Seen on blog my scandinavian home 

Photo Brooke Holm, Production - Lucy Feagins / The Design Files

Don't own an antique rug and can't afford to splash out on one? I was surprised to discover that Urban Outfitters have a brilliant range of imitation antique rugs that can create this look on a shoe string. I have my eye on these. The Urban Outfitters one in a younger brighter palette (teals & turquoise) and this one from Next Home for it's authentic muted hues. Which do you prefer?

Next Home Majestic Red Rug £60-£250

Urban Outfitters Antique Blue Rug £55

CITY PRINTS: RIFLE PAPER

Cities calendar hanging in my kitchen

One of the first things that friends kindly comment on when they enter our humble little kitchen is my Cities Calendar from Rifle Paper Co. It was the first thing I bought for our new abode pre moving in, having had to have it when I spotted it on Pinterest. Yes there were (and still are) a whole heap of more practical additions we needed bUt it was fast approaching the end of December and failing to get the perfect wall calendar seemed like a crying shame. Patience was paramount (longer delivery time with Rifle Paper Co being transatlantic) but it was 100% worth the wait. It injects personality in to the kitchen with it's monthly illustrations of different cities (from Paris to Rio). I'd even go as far as saying I enjoy turning over the page at the beginning of each month to reveal the new city. Sad I know!

Anyway what I am getting round to saying (in a round about way) is that the clever guys at Rifle Paper Co. have now released the individual city prints. Which is a total relief as my blessed calendar was going to be redundant at the turn of 2014. I have my eye on on the Amsterdam print. The city I dream of one day retiring (when I am old and knackered) and living off Stroopwafel (Dutch waffles)...

Amsterdam Print - Rifle Paper - $40 / $60

Manhattan Print - Rifle Paper - $40 / $60

Bangkok Print - Rifle Paper - $40 / $60

London Print - Rifle Paper - $40 / $60

These illustrated art prints have been created from an original gouache print 

by Anna Bond of Rifle Paper. 

THRIFTY THURSDAY

Every Thursday I will be bringing you my snip of the week in the form of Thrifty Thursday. A stunning item I have my eye on for my home that doesn't have the infeasible price tag to match (first time buyer friendly). Today I bring you this rustic nordic bowl by online UK boutique Rigby & Mac. My early morning porridge and honey will now be a thing of breakfast beauty. I adore the shallow depth of these, ideal for small delicate side salads or my homemade frozen berry yoghurt dessert.

Nordic Stoneware Bowl by Rigby & Mac. A snip at £6.95 each.

I'm thinking 6 for dinner party desserts.

GHOST SHADES

I've noticed bare black shades emerging as an interesting aesthetic in paired back interiors this spring. Most notably when I walked into Anthropologie on the King's Road (London) last month and spotted their Pulled Smoke Lamp (bottom left below) looking magnificent on a central display table. Sadly my heart sank when I turned over the giant swing tag - a cool £1248. Punchy. Humoring myself with a mental calculation of how I could afford it was quickly dispelled with this welcome catharsis... why not just make my own? How hard can it really be? Admittedly my glass blowing skills won't stretch to the base but the naked frame of the lampshade was surely possible?

Top left: Bloomingville AW13 bare light pendants

Top right: Bare lights photographed by Kristin Sjaarda Photography

Bottom left: Pulled Smoke Lamp from Anthropologie. £1248.

Bottom right: Design House Stockholm Cord Mini Table Lamp from Heals Now £117.95 (perfect base for my bare lamp shade?)

It seems I'm not alone as there are heaps of great DIY tutorials for creating what has been dubbed as the 'ghost shade'. Interestingly the shape and shade of your bare frame lends itself to a whole host of interiors tastes; with girly anglophiles opting for the curved 'granny chic' lampshade frame (painted in all manner of chalky pastels) whilst the industrial-philes appear to be seeking out structural clean-lines lampshade frames (upcycled in a lick of charcoal or moody noir)

In prep for finding an old charity shop lampshade to strip back (I'm on the scavenge if you have any tips?) here I've rounded up some inspirational homemade naked shades and some tutorials to log...

1. Black Wire Pendant Light by Ashley Ann 

(can you believe she made this out of a basket which was storing her daughter's toys?)

2. Black curved DIY light I spotted on At Home In Love

3. Designer Ana Kras (from NYC) hand weaves yarn around bare lampshade frames.

4. 'Industrial Cool' lampshade by Apprentice Extrovert.

BIRDS OF A FEATHER: FEATHERS IN INTERIORS

It's perhaps somewhat ironic that I am allergic to feathers yet I find them so alluring. Perhaps because they evoke a free spirited bohemian feel that I easily succumb to. As the real thing will bring me out in a rash, feathery art and prints have become my new interiors muse. Particularly inky, painterly illustrations and drawings. Here are the feathery finds that are singing to me right now (sprinkled with a few real life pretties for the allergy free folk out there)...

1. Dream Catcher from Electric Love NYC 2. Feather Art Print by Amy Hamilton on Society 6 (they deliver to the UK) 3. Feathers Cushion Cover by Amanda Keaton on Society 6 4. Craft project (Feather Ornament) by Jessica at blog Crafts After College 5. Watercolour Feathers by Amber Alexander  6. Turkey Feathers Print by Amber Alexander on Etsy 7. Pretty display idea: Feathers displayed in a rustic pot.

FOR MORE FEATHERY FINDS FOLLOW MY 'BIRDS OF A FEATHER' PINTEREST BOARD HERE. 

Have you been using feathers in your interiors lately? I'd love to hear how!

Peg 

x

WISH, WANT, FOR NOW

Bamboo M1 Pendant £250 The Conran Shop / Bamboo Pendant Light £165 Bodie & Fou / Wilbur Hand Woven Pendant Shade £60 Habitat

Dreaming about all the new items and objets I'd love for our new hub is a dangerous past time. As much for my overactive psyche (I'm a big thinker before bed) as it is for my fledgling bank balance. Subsequently my first post on Peg is quite possibly an on-going one. So here it is; the items I wish for (but can't afford), the items I want (license to splurge?) and lastly what I can most realistically afford (for now).

Kicking off with wicker pendant lighting (just one hanging bulb currently in our living area looks somewhat sad) here is my first Wish, Want, For Now... And the inspiration? This scandinavian pendant light from lifestyle Enkla Ting in Sweden...

I have a weakness for bamboo and wicker right now. I adore the natural, textured feel it exudes. So shall I treat myself to the Bodie & Fou rustic beauty or opt for Habitat's well priced hand woven Wilbur?