Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Shades of Gray

Silver bed with headboard upholstered in Peter Dunham's "Udaipur"

It is a bit of a gray day here, but not really gloomy. To me, gray can have that soothingly mystical quality that is so well-suited for a home. These pictures capture a serene bedroom by Daniel Sachs (featured in House Beautiful). I think they show that gray can be quite, well, dreamy! Enjoy!


Monday, March 28, 2011

Office Space

Design by Kelly Wearstler

Many people work from home these days or, if not, they at least end up taking work home with them. As such, it seems that the need for a home office has risen, leading designers to create individualized spaces for their clients that marry style and function.

Design by Melissa Rufty

Some don't need a whole room designated as an office, merely a small space to sit with a laptop.

Space by Phoebe Howard

The talented Mrs. Howard shows her versatility with these two workspace incarnations.

Office by Phoebe Howard

Design by Molly Luetkemeyer of M. Design Interiors

I love this accent wall covered with this brilliant Rousseau-esque mural. (One of my favorite painters!) Sometimes an office needs to bring inspiration to the owner and what better way than with colorful artwork!

Office in home of Yves Saint Laurent - design by Victor Grandpierre

Maybe it is all that fuchsia, but I am loving this very French interpretation of a home office above. Tres beau!

Design by Jay Jeffers

Jeffers shows us how to go totally mod with this neutral office.

Design by Windsor Smith

Absolutely gorgeous... Typical Windsor Smith.

Space by Kemble Interiors

Design by Martensen Jones

Home of Melissa Warner of Massucco Warner Miller

How cheerful is this home office? A Louis Ghost Chair and tailored tablecloth keep it light and airy, while the wallpapered closet doors add some fun.

Design by Gary Spain

I love Gary Spain... I mean LOVE him.

Office by Keith Johnson of Anthropologie

Great combination of elements here: rough wood, muted tones, mod lamp, Mac computer.

Design by Sara Gilbane

One of the looks I love is a big, cozy wingback chair pulled up to a desk. So here is where I currently sit... My vintage flared wingback, with Greek key throw and custom silk pillow, sits next to my antique, leather-inlaid desk (which has been my desk since I was a child). The mint julep cup holding my colored pencils is from One Kings Lane and the other pencil holder is from House Parts in Atlanta.

My very own workspace

Do you have a home office or workspace? Or do you hang out on the couch with a laptop? I'd love to know or see pictures!

Here's to a great week ahead!

Friday, March 25, 2011

Wallflower

Foyer by Eddie Ross

A recent comment by the lovely Miss Regina of Fauxology made me realize that walls are just as valuable a palette for creativity as the rooms they surround. I tend to stick to paint alone to create a mood in a room, but these designers (and the wallpaper or artists and artisans they utilize) show that decorative wall finishes significantly enhance the beauty of a space.

Bedroom by Miles Redd

I love how shimmering and ethereal this space is - perfect for a bedroom! Redd makes sure to ground the space, though, with a few traditional wood pieces and the rich green fabric on an accent chair.

Vignette by Todd Gribben of Gris

I love this vignette set against the painted wallpaper: all those lovely warm tones!

Design by Robert Couturier

Look closely and you will see the diamond pattern on the walls. What a great way to add texture and a subtle hint of geometry to a room.

Design by Elaine Griffin

I love this room: the tables, the chair, the lamps... the walls!

Design by José Solís Betancourt

Where would you use these finishes/wallpapers in your home? Or would you?

Have a great weekend everyone!

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Black and White

Design by Robert Couturier

I have to admit, I am a girl who is all about color, but, looking at these warm and elegant interiors, I can begin to see the benefits of such a bold color scheme.

Photo courtesy of Matters of Style blog

I love how cozy this room is, despite the graphic ottomans, rug, and toile-covered couch! (Isn't that Louis Philippe mirror above the mantel just gorgeous?)

Vignette by Windsor Smith

Creating bold yet stunningly glamorous rooms, Windsor Smith does not disappoint with this soft and gleaming vignette.

Photo courtesy of Nuevo Estilo

Melding modern and traditional pieces in this combination living/dining room creates a space that is breezy and fresh.

Photo courtesy of Nuevo Estilo

Living room by Kemble Interiors

I love the texture and scale of the pieces in this room: plush velvet, towering lamps, shimmering mirror, etc. Another example of how black and white can still be cozy.... but in a decidedly luxurious way, though!

Design by Michele Bonan for the J.K. Place Hotel

A final, shimmering example of how glamorous this color scheme can be!

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Al fresco!

Outdoor dining area by Rita Konig - photo courtesy of Lonny

It is a fabulously gorgeous day here in Alabama and it inspires me to work on my own outdoor spaces, specifically a large flagstone patio in the front of my house. It would fit a table like the one above just perfectly! Now, where to get a whole set of outdoor dining furniture for next-to-nothing?....

Have a great day everyone!

Monday, March 21, 2011

Baby Boom

Design by Melissa Ervin

It must be that time of year (or just my age), but it seems like everyone around me is pregnant! I am so happy for all those expectant mothers out there (my own sister included!), but, today, I want to focus on one friend in particular who has enlisted my help in her nursery design.

Like many mothers-to-be, she has a lot of different ideas of what she wants the nursery to look like: spots and stripes, animal themed, gender neutral, little boy blues all the way, etc. One design idea that she had was to do a Charleston beach-themed nursery (since she has a large family of in-laws from that lovely city). This is the idea that I immediately loved and ran with....

Design by Melissa Ervin

The first thing I did (as usual) was to gather inspirational pictures to guide me. One designer I came across early in my research was Charleston-based Melissa Ervin. Her designs were perfectly suited for this project and instantly gave me ideas for the color-scheme of the nursery: blue and green.

Paint by Benjamin Moore

I then set out to find the perfect shade for the wall color. I stumbled upon the color above, Sweet Bluette by Benjamin Moore, while perusing the Pottery Barn website for baby furniture. As the name says, it is such a sweet color: calm and soothing and perfectly suited for a baby's room.

Mahogany Etagere from Mecox Gardens

I am pretty sure she is using white baby furniture, so I felt the accent furniture in the room should provide a bit of contrast (otherwise you can end up with a washed-out look). Mahogany and other dark-stained pieces, like this gorgeous etagere from Mecox Gardens, give the whites and blues of the room a beachy Colonial look that ties in nicely to the Charleston feel. Plus, the shelves on an etagere provide extra space for baskets, blankets, books, and anything else that needs to be easily accessible.

Unknown designer

The pictures above and below are additional examples of rooms from which I gathered inspiration. I love the blend of wicker, wood, sailcloth drapes, ticking stripes, and rope above, while the photo below displays a modern, yet coastal, vignette that I found very pleasing.

Vignette by Jennifer McGee

Capiz Sconce by West Elm

Good lighting in any room is essential, but, in a nursery, it is especially important to have a variety of lighting sources that can provide a range of brightness: from soft (for bedtime) to cheerful (for playtime). Overhead lights can be so harsh, so I prefer to use lots of table and floor lamps, as well as sconces. I like the West Elm sconce above for its diffused light and beachy vibe from the strings of capiz shells, and the driftwood lamp from a local antiques store (below) because of its texture and, again, beach feel.

Driftwood lamp from Urban Suburban

So, without further ado, the following photos show my idea board (aka, my computer screen) with a collection of pieces for the nursery.


I know it is hard to make out everything in such a small picture, but I will try to describe it as best I can...


The picture above shows the curtain panels (Audry Chenille Dot in green from Pottery Barn), the driftwood lamp that would sit atop the etagere (maybe with some straw baskets below and a palm or fern plant on top), the white crib with crib sheet (Jungle Friends Crib Sheet from Pottery Barn), and green gingham bedskirt (Gingham Ruffle Crib Skirt also by Pottery Barn.... what can I say, they have awesome baby stuff!).


Again, I apologize for the poor picture quality, but, until I can figure out a better way, this is how a technologically-challenged person like me puts ideas together! The pic above shows a gorgeous palm painting by Carol Tokarski, the West Elm shell sconce (one of each would hang on either side of the painting, above a changing table that would probably also be in white), a precious little sea-creature mobile (NoJo Sea Babies Musical Mobile from Babies R Us), a comfy chair from Mecox Gardens (a must-have in a nursery), green ticking stripe fabric to cover the chair, a dark wood, barley twist table from Etsy, a nautical star floor lamp (Star Motif Floor Lamp from Mecox Gardens), and a sweet and colorful little book to read to baby at bedtime ("Mister Seahorse" by Eric Carle), all set against the Sweet Bluette wall color in the background.

Cole and Son "Palm Leaves" Wallpaper - another fun pattern that could work in this room

Obviously, there are a million more things that can be done in this nursery, but I think you can get the feel of the room from the items above and begin to imagine the soothing space it could be. I think this room shows that if you want to do a "theme" (like my friend's Charleston beach look), it doesn't have to end up looking theme-y. It can still be classic and serene, while still sweet and perfect for Baby.

I look forward to seeing what my friend actually does in the room, and I can't wait to meet her little bundle of joy, too!

Have a great week everyone! 

Monday, March 14, 2011

Blue Mood

Design by T. Keller Donovan

Blue seems to be generally accepted as a soothing and peaceful color, ideally suited for a bedroom where relaxation is key. But what about blue patterns in a bedroom? I think these rooms show that they can still work brilliantly: the energy and movement that patterns inevitably bring being tempered by the natural calm of this cool hue. Enjoy!

Bedroom by Charlotte Moss

Bright blue walls, a toile-like floral draping the bed, patterned stools, and an amalgam of furnishings.... As Charlotte Moss said in her lecture, "Why not!"

Design by Garrow Kedigian

What a sweet and pleasingly calm room by Mr. Kedigian!

Design by Martyn Lawrence-Bullard

Always creative and with a hint of the exotic, Lawrence-Bullard's interiors are quite refreshing, shown here in varying shades of blue.

Bedroom by Elaine Griffin

I like how Miss Griffin contrasted the bold pattern of the wallpaper with the clean lines of the bed and the crisp white of the linens.

Design by Eddie Ross

I adore this faux canopy bed by Eddie Ross! Note how the deep indigo fabric (outlined with that gorgeous trim) is on the outside of each panel and the chinoiserie-style toile (matching the walls) lines the inside. What an inventive space!

Bedroom by Sara Gilbane Interiors

Here's to a great week ahead!