NAVAJO RUG HUNT

I've recently been on the hunt for a Navajo rug in softer pastel shades to either hang with string as a wall art feature or to sit snugly alongside our bed in the bedroom. Sadly the high street has been a bit limiting on the rug front so today I hit up Etsy and was overjoyed to come across Disco Leaf Vintage's assortment of handwoven navajo rugs featuring a myriad of scrolls, stripes and southwestern inspired patterns in whole host of summery pastel hues. I especially adore the shabby fringing and braided fringed ends. They also appear to deliver to the UK- hurrah! I have my eye on the bottom one - it is fact a doormat but the smaller dimensions would look great hung from a wall in our bedroom- perhaps above the bed...

Disco Leaf Vintage (Etsy) rugs
1. Bohemian pastel southwestern navajo ethnic geometric hand-woven interior hallway rug
16"x 60" $86.
2. Muted handwoven striped earthy southwestern bohemian interior rug, 57" x 28" $188
3. Summery southwestern striped pastel fringed ethnic doormat rug, 22" x 40" $54

Made in mexico and 100% wool. 

A 100 LOVE LETTERS

Yesterday I found myself on a random instagram trail - you know when you browse someone you admire and then end up having a nosey at who they follow and then continue curiously looking at who they follow and so on and so forth?! Yep that was me on my journey home last night. I ended up feeling like the white rabbit from Alice in Wonderland popping out of my instagram black hole in to all weird and wonderful worlds. This time I emerged on to dear_corinne's instagram, faced with a panel of beautiful hand written, collaged and illustrated love letters. Corinne has pledged to write a love letter to a 100 different strangers and blog / instagram about it. I'm a hopeless romantic when it comes to things like this so I'm now hooked. I see no harm in spreading a little hand written love to the world; loved ones and strangers alike there is something so magical about receiving a pen to paper letter or note (especially when they look as crafted as these) and not knowing who it is from just adds to the mystery. It may have even inspired me to do some little love letter quilling of my own...

Dear_corrine love letters

And where does Corinne leave her love letters (that's what I wanted to know)? Lots of different places where she feels people may benefit from them; a brothel around the corner from where she lives, the diaper isle of a supermarket (for a mummy) or for a girl living in shelter as part of the a21campaign. 

Delving a little further on to her blog I was interested to read that Corinne sources her paper supplies from her local japanese $2 store Daiso, Etsy and Danni at ohhellofriend.com. 

Corinne is now on Day 50 of her love letters, join her on the rest of her journey here

THRIFTY THURSDAY: NEW YORK PRINT

So I know that I need to stop raving about Rifle Paper Co but when there is a paper snip to be had then it's only right that I should tell you about it right? I just clocked that Papermash are selling the Rifle Paper New York print for £25 (down from £30) in their all too tempting sale and the added beauty of it is that being a UK website the postage will be slightly less coinage. The New York print reminds me of my trip last year for a wedding - it was the first time I had experienced NYC in the summer and I was totally hooked by its energy. Totally different place in the summer to the winter I swear. Still salivating over my first ever visit to ABC  - that store is out of this world. Anyway I digress! Here is my Thrifty Thursday print and few little images of my time in NYC bolstered on. Remind me to do another post on my favourite spots in NYC another time...

New York Print by Rifle Paper from Papermash

Images ©peglondon
Two of my favourite places in New York: Brooklyn flea market & New York High Line 

CHEESE BOARD WITH A CAUSE

I have just this minute come across ARTHOUSE Meath which is a social enterprise creating beautiful illustration based products, that are created by adults living with severe epilepsy and learning difficulties. At ARTHOUSE Meath professional artists run sessions to people with varying needs and abilities to offer life changing purpose, especially to those who have been told they can't or have been made to feel redundant in the past. What an amazing initiative and truly unique and stunningly designed collection of products they have come up with as a result (which you can browse here). I have my eye on this china blue Garden Wooden Coated Cheese Board, decorated with a delicate nature inspired illustration by Helen Hankins and put into a repeat design by ARTHOUSE Meath designer Hannah Mills...

Garden Wooden Coated Cheese Board from ARTHOUSE Meath

JUST A FLASH

Neon is striking through an abundance of interior trends this season and high impact hues needn't be overwhelming. I particularly like flashes of colour when they are quite simply used as that - just a flash. One smallish bolt of acid yellow or bright teal can be just the touch to catapult your interior into something impactful; on the side of a door frame, on the legs of an old desk or in one block coloured piece of furniture (a neon smeg fridge springs to mind - I wish!). Use your neon / bright accent sparingly and the look of your space can easily be updated later depending on your mood. From drawer knobs to the side of a mirror, here are some of my favourite examples... 

1. Jasna Jane Kovic's kitchen / studio space

2. A flash of neon yellow on a mirror - source all eyes are on

2. Elle Decoration South Africa via sflgirlbybay

4. Leela Cyd Ross for Apartment Therapy

TO THE TABLE

Just a little note to say that my dining table from made.com has just arrived! I have to admit the wait time is fairly lengthy (8 weeks) but I have to say I'm smitten. Our trusty old desk that we have been cramming guests around for the last 6 months is now off to where it belongs (the study). We opted for this simple scandi oak design (the Monty Extendable) from the folk at made for it's space saving prowess (a mere 90cm length when non extended). We needed something that neatly nestled into our living come dining area without dominating the room but also large enough for 6 people (length 130cm when extended) when needed. The extendable four legged wonder also ticked other important boxes - a steal at £299 and the perfect accomplice to our our Ikea painted pastel chairs. Now which two new chairs to introduce into the mix? I am big fan of mis-matched chairs so there are heaps to choose from...

My new made.com table when it is extended 

The Monty Extending Dining Table from made.com £299 

(when not extended)

Have you been on the hunt for a dining table for a small space? Has it been a struggle?

INTERNAL WALL WINDOWS

What are your thoughts on internal windows? When we were looking for our London flat one of the specifications topping our 'essentials list' was a separate kitchen to our lounge. I totally agree that an open plan kitchen and lounge / dining area is far more sociable and practical in smallish flats but having seen so many homes where property developers have shoe horned a 'kitchen' into the living area but it is in fact a strip of kitchen units built in along one wall, we were a bit disconcerted that we were essentially losing a room. Our separate kitchen is cosy and in need of some tile updates but its brilliantly practical with a mix of units and open shelving. However when we have guests over we find our friends naturally gravitate in to the cosy kitchen to chat to us whilst we cook but also because if they sit in the adjoining lounge I'm like 'huh?' 'what?' (my hearing isn't the sharpest). Knocking down the wall of the kitchen isn't an option as it is against our lease but I'm getting increasingly drawn to the idea of a large internal window built within it?

I first saw this idea in book Simply Scandinavian (contributing editor Sara Norrman) used in antiques dealer Anja Alfieri's Copenhagen house above, which also doubles up as a lifestyle shop (almost everything in her home is for sale- how cool is that?) and I have since seen this idea used in a lot of Scandinavian flats. I love the idea of breathing new light into the kitchen with the added value of being able to see my guests at our dining area whilst avoiding odouring our fabric sofa and carpet with the smell of cooking (then I can at very least try to lip read / or at least second guess when my guests are chatting to me!). Mainly though I think it's an interesting design feature. Here are my two favourite examples of apartments where internal windows have been introduced effectively...

1. Louise Ljungberg's apartment from Alice Gao's blog Lingered Upon

2. Karen and Paolo's laid back look - from Creative People and projects

Has anyone else out in the blogosphere tried this? Love to hear your thoughts...

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PEG'S GUIDE TO NICE...

Before we caught the train along the stunning Côte d'Azur coast line with spectacular views of Antibes and Cannes just casually sailing past our window, we took advantage of flying into Nice by spending two nights there. Nice isn't fashionable in the way that big cities like Paris are but it has an understated charm with a little bit of everything you need. I first visited Nice on a post exams jaunt with some of my girlfriends. As expected the old part of Nice still reigns with its cobbled streets lined with tourist eateries, souvenirs and delicacies but a few boutique interior shops have unexpectedly emerged since my first visit. If you are in the city be sure to drop into lifestyle shop Cabane for it's simple enamel dinnerware, corregated cardboard tiered pots and these wooden angle poise lamps in a variety of different cord colours that I had my eye on...

Cabane 15 rue de la perfecture, 06300 Nice

Just round the corner is interiors shop Baobab - despite being open for now ten years the owner's edit of raffia Morrocan inspired baskets, chalky textiles (throws / blankets) and recycled grey cardboard lights are the height of  Côte d'Azur reclaimed chic...

Baobab: 10 Rue du Marché  06300 Nice, France

Peg's Nice Tips...

1. Climb to the top of Parc du Chateau at twilight for stunning panoramic views of the bay.

This view from the climb down reminded me of a scene from The Talented Mr Ripley

Giant cactus framing the view up on Parc du Chateau

Oh and the view! No instagram filter needed.

2. As my friend Tamara advised me, don't pay more than 5 euros for a bottle of wine in France. There are mini supermarkets called Monoprix scattered throughout the city that sell good bottles of Alsace wine (my favourite) for 4 euros. 

3. Regrettably we missed looking around the Matisse Museum but with Matisse having lived in Nice I'm sure it is pretty special.

4. Eat at Côte Marais. We stumbled across this romantic cosy little restaurant in the old town by chance and the set menu is french perfection (expect fresh organic ingredients).

I can't finish this post without mentioning this was our first Airbnb experince and I'm sold. Hotels in Nice aren't cheap so this is a sure way of experiencing the city by staying in an authentic local appartment. We stayed at French lecturer Pascal's pied a terre housed within a French school (random but brilliantly convenient) with a simple french bachelor-esque feel. The walls were adorned with french maps new and old (a clue to his well traveled past perhaps?) and his epic collection of jazz records were mounted above his old fashioned vinyl player. White walls, books, some 60's crockery, a few old sports photos, a graphic festival print and some potted aloe vera and cactus made for a simple french man's fuss free abode. A few Pelforth beers chilling in the fridge and what else could a guy want? Or us for that matter!

Pascal's appartment in Nice from Air Bnb

Cactus and aloe vera in Pascal's apartment

Situated just North of the old town and a stones throw away from the Modern Art Museum (you could see from his balcony) Pascal's airy flat was just the ticket to enjoy Nice. I'm sure Airbnb vary hugely depending on the host but there are definitely some gems out there. Pascal for example left us some handy tips of his favourite places in the city (along with an annotated map) and was even there to greet us upon our arrival post 11pm at night (our flight was delayed be couldn't have been any more patient). A string of good reviews clearly speaks volumes (Pascal had pages of great feedback) so my advice is to play safe and go with the positive comments. Have you stayed in any great Airbnb's? I'm all ears! 

Peg

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LET'S GO OUTSIDE: SOUTH OF FRANCE TRIP

I have just returned from a ten day trip to the South of France (hence the lack of communication). I toyed with the idea of tapping into the wifi whilst I was away or even pre-scheduling some blog posts before but sadly I wasn't that organised in the run up and sometimes (even if it is just for a week or two a year) I need to switch off from the 'noise'. We have so much communication bombarded at us I think it is healthy to close the laptop, refrain my Pinterest feed and live entirely in the moment aka mindfulness. Strangely Psychologies Magazine (which I grabbed pre flight) was on exactly the same page this month, talking about reconnecting with the great outdoors and escaping the niggling concerns of living in a big city like London and reaping what they brand as 'wilderness therapy'.

Our trip to St Raphael (Cote d'Azur) wasn't exactly intrepid (Psychologies recommended wild swimming) but camping mobile home style with the evening smell of of fir trees and sound of cicadas was my own little nod to escapism. Perhaps a little strange that this blog is about interiors but every so often I think we all need to unplug, recharge, sleep (a lot), gorge on fine wine and cheese, embrace our natural surroundings and gain some perspective.

Here are some of my regrams from my trip- sadly putting down my phone lens was a step too far! I'm thinking about printing and collaging them for my flat as a gentle reminder to get outside. What do you think?

p.s. If you are seeking out a natural refuge of your own check out 'glamping' inspired website Canopy & Stars - a carefully edited selection of 'wild' destinations with a spot of bohemian design thrown into the mix) from converted horsetrucks and luxury tree houses to eco retreats.