Beatrix Potter’s Timeless Inspiration and My Somerset Touch

There are few artists whose work endures in such a peaceful and nostalgic manner. Beatrix Potter is one of them. Her illustrations, with their delicate colours and gently humorous detail, have enchanted children and adults for generations. Peter Rabbit darting beneath a cabbage leaf, Jemima Puddle-Duck fussing about her nest, Squirrel Nutkin chattering away by the lake — these characters have become part of Britain’s identity.

They were drawn directly from life, adding romantic realism to their stories . Beatrix had an extraordinary eye for observation. The countryside, farms and animals she lived among in the Lake District all became her inspiration. In many ways her work is a reminder that art and storytelling don’t need to come from grand or distant places. They can grow from what we see every day.

That idea resonates strongly with me in my own painting here in Somerset. While my work is very different, I feel a kinship with her approach: a love of the countryside, a fondness for botanical details, and a desire to bring warmth and personality into the things we create for our homes.

Hill Top: The Heart of Potter’s World

Beatrix Potter bought Hill Top Farm in 1905, using the proceeds from The Tale of Peter Rabbit and money inherited from her aunt. It was a simple seventeenth-century farmhouse in the village of Near Sawrey, with slate roofs, thick stone walls and a large, productive garden. Yet it became the beating heart of her creative life.

From the moment she settled in, her stories took on a new richness. The Tale of Tom Kitten is filled with scenes from the farmhouse itself — staircases, stone floors and the garden gate all appear in her illustrations. The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck was inspired by the ducks on the farmyard pond. Even the wallpaper in one of the rooms was carefully copied into her drawings. If you visit Hill Top today, it feels as if she has only just stepped out for a walk. Every object, from furniture to crockery, is preserved exactly as she left it (National Trust).

Her connection with the place went deeper than art. Beatrix quickly immersed herself in the rhythms of farming life. She was particularly devoted to Herdwick sheep, a hardy local breed. She became one of the most knowledgeable breeders in the district and was even elected as the first female president of the Herdwick Sheep Breeders’ Association, although she died before she could take up the post (Beatrix Potter Society).

A Conservationist Ahead of Her Time

Beatrix Potter was far more than a children’s author. Long before environmentalism became a familiar word, she was determined to preserve the landscapes she loved. Over the course of her life she acquired more than 4,000 acres of farmland and eventually left it all to the National Trust. This extraordinary gift included 15 farms and large stretches of the Lake District. Without her foresight, much of that land might have been sold, developed or lost. Instead it has been preserved for future generations to walk, farm and paint (Beatrix Potter Society).

Her conservation work wasn’t just about land. She also took an active role in preserving traditional farming practices, rural communities and the Herdwick breed itself. To this day, her influence is felt in the character of the Lake District.

Hidden Treasures: Beatrix Potter in the Present Day

Even now, Hill Top continues to reveal new layers of her world. Recently, the BBC series Hidden Treasures of the National Trust featured the painstaking restoration of her doll’s house. This tiny object, which inspired The Tale of Two Bad Mice, had fallen into disrepair. Conservators spent over 300 hours cleaning and repairing it. Today, with the help of interactive lighting, visitors can peer into its miniature rooms and appreciate the same tiny details that once inspired Beatrix’s imagination (BBC via Beatrix Potter Society).

It is a reminder that her creativity wasn’t confined to her books. She surrounded herself with things that carried beauty, charm and story, from the smallest doll’s house chair to the largest sweep of farmland.

From the Lakes to Somerset

Here in Somerset I often think of that balance between art, storytelling and place. Our landscapes are different but they hold a similar quiet magic. The patchwork of fields, the orchards heavy with apples in autumn, the meadows full of buttercups in spring — these surroundings shape the colours and motifs in my work.

Like Beatrix, I find endless inspiration in plants and flowers. Botanical painting has always been part of my practice. Whether it is the delicate pattern of a cow parsley stem or the lush folds of a rose, these natural forms often make their way into my hand painted furniture. They add softness and connect each piece to the wider rhythms of nature.

Bespoke Hand Painted Furniture

At Little Brushes I create bespoke, handcrafted furniture that celebrates family stories. Each piece begins with a carefully chosen, high-quality chair, which becomes the canvas for something truly personal.

Families often ask me to paint a child’s name or date of birth, surrounded by favourite animals, flowers or characters that have special meaning. Some designs are playful, others are more botanical or storybook-inspired. Every commission is unique.

These chairs are not just furniture. They are keepsakes designed to mark a special moment — a birth, a christening, a milestone birthday. Over time they become part of family life, carrying memories as well as decoration. You can see more examples in the gallery or learn more about my story on the About page.

Why Beatrix Potter Still Matters

What inspires me most about Beatrix Potter is not just her skill with a brush, but her way of seeing the world. She could look at an ordinary garden rabbit and find a character with wit and mischief. She could take the everyday life of a farm and turn it into tales that still delight us today.

That spirit of transforming the ordinary into something meaningful is what I try to bring into my own work. A chair may be a simple, practical object, but when it is painted with care, decorated with flowers or illustrations, and personalised with a child’s name, it becomes something much more. It becomes part of a family story.

Bringing Storybook Charm Into Your Home

Beatrix Potter once wrote that “with opportunity the world is very interesting.” I think that applies just as much to the work we surround ourselves with as to the landscapes we walk in. Her art and her farms were about finding joy and interest in everyday life.

That is what I aim to create with Little Brushes: bespoke furniture that feels personal, meaningful and timeless. Whether it carries botanical flourishes, playful animals or the simple inscription of a name and a date, each piece is designed to be lived with and loved.

If you’d like to see more of my work, explore the gallery. And if you’re thinking about a commission, you can get in touch to discuss a design that carries a touch of storybook charm into your own home.