A tiny leather hippo? Yes, please.

How could anyone not love this?! Look at that adorable face. I love a quirky accessory like this, the kind of thing no one ever expects to see. Pieces like this always add a sense of happiness and humor to a room, and who doesn't want that? (All sorts of other leather creatures from Jonathan Adler - I'm loving the terrier too)

Eye Candy

I don't have time for a full blown post right now, but I just had to share this little piece of gorgeousness (that probably isn't a word...). This image gives me what I now lovingly refer to ask the "Gah" reaction. Very similar to a gut reaction, where you feel a deep yearning in the pit of your stomach, but whenever I see some design image that I truly love, for whatever reason, the word "gah" always accompanies that feeling. (Yes, I'm a little strange)

Gaaah. Simple. Perfect. The lines of this sofa (from Crate and Barrel) will never go out of style, and it has remained at the top of my 'All Time Favorites' list for a long time now. I was never a big fan of glass/metal tables, but they are seriously growing on me, and in this image, everything just fits together perfectly. Someday, you will be mine, beautiful sofa.

Hipster Heaven

Everyone knows that Urban Outfitters is the place to go for the latest in indie/hipster/vintage chic fashions. But I love perusing their website for charming, quirky home decor. They've found a way to take that cool, young vibe from their clothing and translate it into furnishings and accessories. I love the idea of pairing these kinds of accessories with classic pieces of vintage furniture for a unique, eclectic look.

The Look for Less

If you're anything like me (a complete design dork), you have folders full of your favorite interior images. I save any image I find that has a cool design trick, unique color palette, genius organization, or just has a great look to it to pull out when I need a little extra inspiration. One of my new favorite things to do, is to take these images and create 'The Look for Less'.

I got this idea from another amazing and inspiring blog. Erin over at Elements of Style had the great idea to have a contest to win a free copy of Domino: The Book of Decorating (if you don't already have it, you need it). Using an image straight out of Domino itself, I created an inspiration board on a budget, and won the book! I had so much fun making this one, that I haven't stopped since.

This room is exactly my taste. A mix of modern and traditional elements with bright color popping off of the neutral backdrop of the room. Just the right mix of sophistication and comfort. So I set out into the glorious mess that is the interwebs and searched out inexpensive furnishings that would capture the feel of the room. I wasn't looking for exact matches, just as long as the pieces had a similar aesthetic. And here's what I came up with:



I found almost everything at everyones favorite stores, like Ikea and Target, and a couple things from some not so obvious places (Pottery Barn Teen = an amazing resource for some surprisingly sophisticated pieces). Here's the full source list:

Drum Table from West Elm - $119
Tillary Ottoman from West Elm - $199
Stripe Pillows from West Elm - $19
Glass Cloches from West Elm - $19
Alden Bookcase from Target - $160
4 Cube Storage from Target - $119
Chrome Arc Lamp from Lamps Plus - $339
White Vases from Ikea - $1.99 each
Turquoise Vases from Jayson Home - $28-$89 each
Naha Tray from CB2 - $39
Ribbon Drape from PB Teen - $59
Madison Armchair from Pottery Barn - $899
Meurice Sofa from Circle Furniture - $1689

This is a great way to approach a daunting design dilemma when you're not really sure where to begin, or if you have a hard time determining your personal style. Grab some shelter mags, scope out design sites (and blogs!), and pull out anything that speaks to you. Choose one as your inspiration and find pieces that echo the elements you love most around the room. Having a starting point like this makes the whole process much less intimidating, and searching for inexpensive alternatives becomes like a scavenger hunt (not unlike scouring the sale racks at your favorite store). The result is a pulled together, designer-approved look that's already guaranteed to work. Gotta love it.

Welcome to Peck Avenue!

So, this blog is the first step in a series of moves intended to finally get things going. I eat, sleep, breathe, and dream (literally) design. I needed a place to share all the things I love with all of the creative people I am desperate to meet, work with, and be inspired by. I hope to share some beautiful images, creative ideas, and maybe even a few design tips. So, thank you for stopping by, I hope you enjoy my ramblings and such. If you like what you see, please pass it along, and don't forget to follow on Twitter as well!

And away we go!!