An Introduction to Beatrix Potter Inspired Design

Though I love every season, spring has a special place in my heart. Spring is all about new beginnings, fresh starts, and hopeful opportunity. I wanted to celebrate the Grand Opening of HQ with an especially timeless aesthetic—that of Beatrix Potter! I think Beatrix Potter’s art exemplifies the innocence and creativity of childhood. In this day and age, I wanted to spotlight that purity and optimism as we started our own big business adventure!

I was gifted a Beatrix Potter set at my birth and passed those down to my children on Adoption Day! We talked about family and tradition and what these stories could mean for their babies one day! These books really helped me start conversations with my children about choices, mistakes, consequences, …the list goes on! The characters are just so normal—at times mischievous, or delighted, or regretful. When we were reading, we laughed and laughed over Peter’s shenanigans and the consequences of missing out on a special treat because of misbehavior. 

Of course we love Peter’s blue coat with brass buttons, but to incorporate the freshness of Beatrix Potter’s art into your own spring home we’ll want to broaden our horizons a bit. 

3 ways to Incorporate Beatrix Potter influences into your spring home

1. Add a watercolor landscape (or three!) in simple frames to your bookshelves. Beatrix was passionate about her art not trying too hard—not too refined or precise. In her mind, it was for children! Relax! The looser the art, the better. 

2. In that same vein—mix some casual spring prints. Think of mixing childhood clothing patterns—a seersucker stripe, a small gingham, a petite floral with a ruffle. Seasonal throw pillows or table linens would be a great place to start with this idea.

3. All of the animals in Beatrix Potter’s world are…real animal sizes. So Peter could dive into a watering can easily. Play with scale! The cabbages would be HUGE, so would the Farmer! Let’s loosen up with scale this spring—what could use a GIANT bow? An over-large basket or terracotta pot? Even our cabbage placemats here at the store are larger-than-life and would be an easy, playful update to a spring tablescape!

Finally, Beatrix said it best when she guessed that Peter Rabbit had taken off because he started as “just a letter to real children.” If we’re authentic and genuine in how we’re living—it’ll pay off! We’ve only just begun to explore the world of Beatrix Potter but if you’re interested in inspiring yourself with more, similar art—I’d check out the Brambly Hedge books. They’re also about an animal community and the illustrations are so beautifully detailed that they inevitably lead to an “I spy with my tiny eye” competition before bedtime. A newer book, to me, is the Our Little Adventures collection by Tabitha Paige. It’s my go-to for baby shower gifts because the watercolor art, alone, is so beautiful.