A Mod Nod to Peter Rabbit

Description

My artist mother - lyndahwrightfineart.com -  and I sketched out silhouettes of Peter Rabbit and his garden, then I painted them.  I wanted something clean and modern but sweet, fun, and 'gender neutral' for our surprise baby (girl!).

Design Inspiration

The world of Beatrix Potter and modern design for children.  The framed set of prints I purchased from Global Child and hung in the adjoining bathroom were the first items I found for the Peter Rabbit theme.  I pulled the colors - light blue like Peter's jacket, green like the grass, white because it's light and neutral, and touches of orangey red - from the prints and textiles for the walls, furniture, and decorative accessories.

Decorating Style

I love finding old pieces of furniture, fixing them, and making them my own.  I would say my style falls into the mod/trad category. And I love finding a deal!

Project Details

The window seat and book shelf (former life was a cd rack I think) were purchased from our Habitat for Humanity Re-store, cleaned up, modified, and painted white and green respectively. I then made a simple cushion in outdoor fabric for the seat which fit perfect under the window and makes for great toy storage.  The secretary was my grandmother's - for whom Callaway Rose is named, which I also painted white and changed out the hardware.  The changing table was a $10 garage sale find, which I cleaned up and then added some Pottery Barn baskets that I already owned.  The Graco crib from Target was a gift from my kiwi mother in law, as was the Peter Rabbit bedding from PB kids. The rocker is an antique from an old company in Georgia, also customized with comfy seat and back - a gift from my parents.  The shelves I had and painted to coordinate.  Most of the books and the nursing stool were from our local kids consignment shop - Global Child - which I painted in the coordinating green. Some books also came from garage sales and our local library book sales - great deals there!  I made the alphabet art framed by the crib, and the name sign which I constructed out of cards from my baby shower - only took a short while after months of intending to complete it - amazing how little time you have once baby arrives!

Favorite Items

I love the window seat - the look, the feel, and the storage! But I also love the secretary which houses those special things such as the Peter Rabbit china and Bunnykins pieces my mother gave Calla Rose - note: it's affixed to the wall with L brackets to prevent any curious babies from pulling on it. I also love the Beatrix Potter Complete Collection book from our friends and the olive wood carving of the family that my father gave us from the middle east.

Advice

Flick through PN for inspiration. And search out deals, easier to do before baby comes (especially if it's your first!): garage sales, used furniture stores, consignment shops, Habitat re-store, and ebay are excellent sources for ALL things baby at a fraction of the retail price.  It's amazing to think back on those months before her arrival of me and my big belly tottering around preparing this special place.  I just love it in there.  And now as she approaches her first birthday I still do!