How cool is this nursery? Spotted in Susanna Salk’s Room for Children book (Xmas present, thanks Katie).

It looks functional and comfortable, as well as beautiful. I love the mix of pictures on the wall, as well as the bright gender-neutral colors.

Perhaps now, 6 months after her birth, I should get started on Cleo’s?

So the other day I was talking to my friend Jen about her birthday, and what was on her birthday wish list. Jen ashamedly said that on top of her list was a butter dish, and how it officially made her sound like her mother (i.e. OLD)

Well… All I want for my birthday (it’s September, but I can start wishing now, right?) is a couple of filing cabinets !!!

Our paperwork is currently in manila folders in an old suitcase. And it’s visible to anyone who comes to our apartment. It’s horrible. But I did some online research and most filing cabinets out there look like they’re from a tired old DMV last furnished sometime in the ’80s.  But look! I found these! Bisley make cute, colorful filing cabinets that I would be very happy to have visible in my living room.

Now I just have to choose a color…

Bisley 5 drawer filing cabinets – on sale at The Container Store for $79

We have two bedrooms and roughly 1000sq feet to furnish.

The wish/shopping list taking form….

BEDROOM

Ethan Allen Alison Queen Bed – in natural cream fabric. $1800

** update – we got this. they took a few weeks longer than planned to deliver. but we love it! **

Lamps Plus Blue Martini Glass Table Lamp $135 each

** update – we didn’t buy this. instead I visited the Jonathan Adler warehouse sale and got some amazing lamps there. **

Pier 1 Hayworth Nightstand $229 each

** update – we did not buy this. the quality was HORRIBLE. Won’t ever go near Pier 1 again, it’s junk **

West Elm Pebble Rug (in Winter Sky) 8×10 $549

** update – we got this. it looks beautiful and soft but it has worn badly, the little puff balls have flattened and we get loose strands everywhere. I wouldn’t recommend. **

LIVING ROOM

Herman Miller Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman $4499

** update – we got this. it’s as amazing as you’d imagine. buy it during the annual Herman Miller sale at 15% off **

Gus Modern Spencer Sofa in Urban Tweed Ink $2000

** update – we got this. it’s nice enough but starting to sag in the center of the seat cushion. **

Industry West Marais side table – $199

** update – we ordered this but ended up receiving a refund directly from PayPal. The company never responded to our emails **

* and we have a lovely made.com Chrome Tilt Floor Lamp coming in our shipment from the UK – like this:

Somewhere else in the living room we’ll find the space for our lovely chandelier lamp

Modani Black Medusa Table Lamp $290 (on sale)

** update – we got this. it’s OK but very big. will probably look better in our next apartment (which of course, will be bigger!) **

DINING ROOM

Crate & Barrel District Dining Table $800

** update – we got this. Our expectation would be that the tabletop would get scratched up and stained over time, but it’s happening quite quickly! the surface veneer is very thin. OK if you like a beaten up look immediately! **

* We’re hoping it’ll work with our Eames Eiffel chairs in light blue, white, black and yellow (like below)

GUEST BEDROOM & NURSERY

West Elm Narrow Leg Wood Bed Frame (Full size, white) $199

** update – never ended up getting this. In fact, the nursery/guest room is still largely unfinished! **

Still to be found are:

• Console table for entry hall
• Rug for living area
• Guest bedroom nightstand and lamp
• Living room side tables, coffee table
• Curtains
• Dresser for master bedroom

Can one fall in love with a curtain panel? It’s quite possible I have fallen in love with this one.

Anthropologie Waving stripes Curtains – US$108-168 per panel, price depends on length.

I was checking out Reichel B’s Copy Cat Chic blog for interior design ideas when I came across the post about her nursery… it’s peacock themed and I LOVE IT.

It seems to have been inspired by this lovely lamp -

Anthropologie Plumage Shade – $108-148

The colors look much better in the nusery photos over at copycatchic.com

and the rest of the nursery is just gorgeous…

See all the photos over at copycatchic.com OR check out this site – which is all about peacocks!

Strangely, my second post in a row referring to French design…

Here is a side table we’re thinking of getting for the living room. It’s from Industry>West, who have built upon the classic Tolix industrial aesthetic by making industrial furniture crafted from reclaimed woods, distressed fabrics and metals.

Industry West Marais side table – $199

Our Marais Side Table is a clean, modern design that will add style to any living room, bedroom or common area. It is the perfect compliment to any traditional or modern space. Available with powder coated or gunmetal base and teak top.

You might tell by now that all I can think about is furnishing our new home… only 15 sleeps to go!

Can’t get a dog because the building won’t allow it? Always wanted to the view of Paris outside your window but never learnt French? Live out your dreams and customize your home with these gorgeous stickers for grown-ups at Paristic!

Sur les toits vue C - €55-149

Les Cages aux oiseaux – €49

L’équerre 01 - €19-39

* Note: you might want to find a French-speaking friend to navigate the website with you!

A few lovely things I’m lusting after at Jonathan Adler… bring on the bright spring colors!

Talitha Runner $34 (Sale)

Hexagon Lacquer Tray $175

Nixon End Table $695

Zebra Coasters $48

Re-nest just posted an excellent Best of Etsy 2011 list. Cooped up at home on this foggy NY morning, I managed to find a beautiful Flamingo print from unitedthread - a very talented painter from Salem who I think I’ll be buying more from in the future. I think this is just the thing to brighten up our (soon to be) new guest room/nursery that doesn’t get any natural light. Can’t wait for it to arrive!

Here’s the list:

Vintage Home:

• The Old Red Hen
• Trampoline by ethanollie
• AMRadio
• Lucky Little Dot
• Hindsvik Vintage
• Little Byrd Vintage
• High Street Market
• Blue Bell Bazaar

Handmade Decor, Ceramics and Furniture Designers:

• MudPuppy
• AHeirloom
• Grey Works Design
• My Grey Sky
• Circa Ceramics
• Paulova
• Cynthia Vardhan
• Alyssa Ettinger
• Paloma’s Nest

Textiles and Pillows:

• Claudia Pearson
• Sukan
• Girls Can Tell
• Oh, Little Rabbit
• House of Bouton
• Summersville
• Swanky Swell
• Erin Dollar
• Skinny Laminx
• Tuuni
• PippiJoe
• Inklore

Artwork:

• Blancucha
• United Thread
• Bicycle Paintings
• Oh My Cavalier!
• Artquirk
• Olive Dear
• Sea Spray Blue

Now that we’re living in the U.S. I’ve signed up to all the private member sale sites here – One Kings Lane, Haute Look, the Foundary, Joss & Main, Gilt Groupe and the rest – but the Missoni sale at One Kings Lane today is the most enticing I’ve seen so far. On offer are bath linens & robes, pillows, rugs, tablewares and quilts & comforters at cheap cheap prices. You’ll have to play the ‘On Hold in my cart’ game to wait for items to come up, but it’s worth it to get these beautiful linens. Get in quick before it sells out completely!