mini moderns wallpaper...a kid's room idea.

I can't shake off this love of mustard at the moment...the colour, not the condiment!
Those talented bods at Mini Moderns are not helping with gorgeous wallpapers like these...

So I started 'doodling out' a nursery room scheme...

'Less is more' they say, so one wallpapered feature wall against a backdrop of white is my starting point.

 With mid-tone wooden floor...and soft rugs.

inspectapedia

I'd keep the same warm tones for the furniture...like this chest of drawers...perfect for a changing table...

laura ashley

And team it with mis-matched pieces for an eclectic feel...

metromum

A comfy chair is a must in any nursery...

anthropologie

...teamed with lots of cushions...

folly home

donna wilson

house doctor

I'd keep with the mid-century feel with open storage like this...

petit vanou



...and masculine lighting like this...

madam stolz

I'd keep to a retro theme for the soft furnishings, bedding and window fabrics.

sew dang cute

...and accessorize with funky toys and retro wall art...

lucky boy sunday

There you have it...my doodles...what do you think?
How would you do it?



'Get ready for Muppet domination'....

They're back...after thirteen years...and so are we, after four days without a computer...I broke it!

The Muppets are back next month ( Feb 10th ) with a new movie...and I can't wait...!

It just goes to show the appeal of puppets for generations of kids...young and old...that this group of strange critters can come back after so long.

Naturally the creators of the Muppets have been going for some time now and have got quite good at the whole 'puppet' thing...but try out some basic puppet-making kits and a D.I.Y. theatre and your little ones will be putting on productions of their own in no time...

Here at Dreams and Wishes we love this eco-friendly cardboard theatre...that the kids can decorate!

crafts4kids

Two little puppeteers can fit in together.....

Or at the other end of the scale....

crafts4kids

...a table-top theatre is an ideal venue for these wooden stick puppets if space is an issue!

Try making your own 'doorframe' theatre... 

country living

Click here for a range of puppet ideas...

Are you taking your little ones to see the Muppet movie?

Just think...these are going to be film characters that you know more about than your kids...maybe!





Terence Conran at the Design Museum.

If you're heading to London between now and the 4th March, try to get to the Design Museum for an exhibition celebrating the 60 year career of Sir Terence Conran.

Most of us know him as the man who started Habitat...

...But this exhibition reveals so much more about the man's impact on contemporary life from the 50's through to the present day.

Did you know, for instance, that he founded the very museum that's now showcasing his life's work...?

Describing himself as '..a plain, simple, practical sort of person..' in a Time and Leisure interview last year, there is no doubting his immense contribution to British design.

A big, big, big Dreams and Wishes favourite.

Vist the Design Museum website for times and ticket prices...

Tips for designing a first nursery.

It can be so easy to get carried away with all the 'stuff' available to furnish and decorate a new baby's room but resist the temptation just for now and make a note of these simple tips to help create your dream nursery.

Set a budget...and stick to it!

clker

Take time to decide on the ideal location...

Plan the layout before investing in furniture...

Make time for structural alterations...

Plan for way more storage than you think you'll need...

bedzine

Decide on the decor...

Create a nursery 'wish list'...for friends and family looking to buy gifts for baby...

Find this article in full at Dreams and Wishes, children's interiors



Colourful kid's rooms...

blogtownmom

the decorologist

apartment therapy

apartment therapy

the boo and the boy

ikea family

Make this 'old school' chalkboard calendar for 2012...

Is one of your New Year resolutions to get organised...?

Follow the instructions here to create a useful wall calendar that everyone can update and check on...



Get the 'industrial' look for your kid's room.

One of the interior trends, predicted by those savvie folks at Trend Bible, to take us into 2012 is the utilitarian look...with links to an industrial style, here's a Dreams and Wishes take on it...

trouvais

Ideal for the 'rough and tumble' of a kid's room or suitably 'edgy' for a teenage den, the look is functional and practical...Yay!!

No fussy details or chintsy curtains here...but still adaptable for boys and girls....

arquitectura

Exposed brickwork and imperfect painted floorboards work well...or paint walls in grey/blues and cover floors with plain modern rubber flooring.

Look for salvaged metal furniture with a rough, unfinished look and combine with worn, wooden pieces for a 'lived-in' look.

loft life mag

decorology

Look for decorative pieces salvaged from an industrial past...shop-front lettering can be found in varying styles and makes a dramatic feature.

rookblog

guidespot

Try factory style metal lamp shades or adjustable desk lamps in metal or wood designs...

guidespot

Don't forget to replace door and drawer knobs, light switches and sockets to tie in with the style...

fontini

Here at Dreams and Wishes, we like the silvery nickel finishes...but you could use burnished gold metal surfaces for a warming feel...

gc charlotte

Look online for salvage yards near you...or visit these websites for inspiration...

re-foundobjects.com

rockettstgeorge.co.uk

theholdingcompany.co.uk

The 'hot' new colour for 2012 is.....

Tangerine Tango.....!

Just what we need to see us through till Spring and help revive sagging spirits....and perfect for a burst of colour in a child's room.

Go sparingly though...a little goes a long way!

This feature wall looks stunning against all the white...

ruth berts



If a whole wall seems a little daunting....try adding colour with a piece of furniture....

the telegraph

This orangy-red is perfect for both boys and girls, here at Dreams and Wishes, we prefer it teamed with a frosty pale blue...

hgtv



Colour therapists say this colour can stimulate the mind...so add a few accessories to a study area....

decoratingamodernhome

...but can also be a colour of warmth and reassurance...look out for cushions, throws, rugs, bedding, etc. to cosy-up a sleeping area.

st judes

notonthehighstreet

Already a big hit for the Spring/Summer fashionistas...the shops are going to be full of 'Tangerine Tango'... from cosmetics to kettles... so keep your eyes peeled for some classic pieces that won't date... table lamps or Anglepoise-style desk lamps, plain bedding sets that can be mixed and matched with pale blue, white and cream, storage boxes...always useful!... wallpapers, paints and fabrics...

Still not sure? Keep an eye out in your favourite magazines for features on how to incorporate 'tangerine' into your home throughout the year....or browse the Dreams and wishes website for more ideas...