No Small Task

Arrangement by Brad Ford

I have been working on my small home office/study recently and am currently researching lighting options. Although I sometimes do lean toward the traditional (a classic bouillotte lamp is one of my absolute faves), I can totally see the stylistic benefit of modern pieces. 



Bedroom by Barbara Wiseley


More specifically, I am focusing on task lamps and the way that such a decidedly modern lighting fixture can be juxtaposed with more traditional, or even rustic, interiors to create the feeling of a perfectly curated space.

Bedroom by Michael S. Smith



Bedroom in beach house of West Elm creative director, Alex Bates


Although, one must admit, they're quite at home in more contemporary digs as well...

JK Place Hotel in Florence designed by Michele Bonan

Home of Monelle Totah of Williams Sonoma Home

I love the wall-mounted lamps below. What a grand statement they make! Plus, they perfectly frame the artwork and save table space!

Home of Eccola owners Kathleen and Maurizio Almanza

Anthropologie is offering a similar look with their "Robson" sconce. I love its cool, streamlined, industrial look.

Anthro "Robson" Sconce



Photo courtesy of El Sabor de lo Antiguo blog


When chrome and polished nickel versions are used, they act almost as jewelry for the room, adding just the right amount of sparkle.

Living room by Vicente Wolf

How would you use this style of lighting in your own home?

Vignette by Ryan Korban

I love the combination of elements above: the classic Louis XVI-style sidechair, the mid-century mod dresser, the classic sculpture... those fabulous lamps! (Not to mention the presentation of artwork!)

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Welcome

Entry by Michelle Nussbaumer

Welcome to a new week!

Artful Arrangements

Home of Jacques Dehornois - Photo courtesy of House & Garden

I feel like one's home should be comfortable, lived-in, and, yet, I can't help but gather inspiration from homes such as this one, where it almost looks like a stage set or museum.

There is something so beautiful in the composition of these furniture and accessories arrangements, like all the pieces blend together to form something grander: a life-size still life!

Anyway, just thought I would share some photos I have been staring at and scratching my head over. This type of interior reminds me that design is a form of art!

Have a great day!

Grande Entrée

Design by John Saladino

Here's to making a grand entrance into every new week!

Klismos

Dining room by Thomas Hamel

Today I wanted to feature a piece that is so graceful and striking: a chair called a klismos that comes from a centuries-old Greek design. Ancient form translated into modern use? Classic!

Klismos chairs are typically seen in black, as above, but I'll feature a few twists on that tradition in this post, as well as some classic examples. (Don't you just love all the contrasting materials Hamel uses above: the pale wood fretwork against chunky stone floors, the almost dainty glass and chrome chandeliers above the slab-top table and deep black of the klismos?)


Living room by Jeffrey Bilhuber

Bilhuber goes in a completely different direction with his klismos: painting them white, upholstering them in a plush fabric, and placing them in a traditionally designed country house! (I love how he always keeps me guessing!)

Seating area in New York loft by White Webb

Isn't it amazing that this chair's design is so old, yet it looks perfectly at home in such modern digs?

Design by Courtney Giles

I love how fellow Southerner (and fellow Auburn grad) Courtney Giles uses these gilded-back examples in this hearth-side arrangement. They seem to mimic the gold of the Louis Philippe mirror above and the black fireplace surround below. Great design!

Dining area by McAlpine Booth Ferrier

Here are two photos that show the design range of klismos chairs... and of McAlpine's interiors as well!


Outdoor dining patio by McAlpine Booth Ferrier

Goodness, this picture gets me every time. It is from an Atlanta home that was featured in Veranda some years ago, and it is still just as gorgeous to me now as it was when I first saw it gracing the cover!

Patio seating area by Paula + Martha

Dining room by Martensen Jones Interiors

What an elegant space. I love how the klismos chairs help anchor all the pale and pastel tones in this room.

Living/dining area by Jackye Lanham

This last photo absolutely takes my breath away: so warm and, yet, so intriguing. Interiors like this make me wish I could just wander all over this home to take in all the fabulous details!

I hope you all have a great weekend!

Green with envy

Dining room by Grant Gibson

Green is not a color I really turn to in design, but, after several of my friends requested that as the foundation of their rooms' color schemes, I had to give it a second look.

I do love vibrant color, and this leafy, emerald green (like in the pic above) is one I can definitely see using. However, the other shades in this post certainly give me pause to rethink my opinion of this quite diverse hue.

Living room by Jeff Andrews - Photo courtesy of Trad Home

Love those flared, wing-back chairs by the fireplace! (So much so that I am actually sitting in one of my own right now!)

Enoteca restaurant design by Angie Hranowsky

I love the very classic-yet-cool vibe of this restaurant. What an interesting twist the green curtains and banquette give to the space.

Green leather chair at Scout Designs office

Study by Kim Winkler of Westbrook Interiors

Dining room by Melanie Elston

Living room by Markham Roberts

Roberts shows here what a perfect match green is with grays and deep aubergine.

Library by Timothy Whealon

This last room is so beautiful: glowing wood bookcase, wool oriental rug, and rich green velvet chairs. Classic!

I hope you are all having a good week!

Case of the lazies

Bedroom by Lars Bolander

I hope you all are having a wonderful weekend and are getting some time to just laze around in bed!

Captivating

Photo from Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles - Courtesy of Greige blog

Hello, all! I hope everyone is having a nice day so far! Today I just wanted to do a quick post featuring a few pictures/designs that have captured my attention recently. It is so funny to me the way my obsession with these design photos changes from week to week. I guess that is the problem (or the benefit) of looking at so many gorgeous interiors: there are always new spaces to fall in love with!

Bedroom by Dan Marty

I feel like, when it comes to my own sense of design, I have the figurative angel and devil on my shoulders. The angel says, "Keep it calm and well edited, not too many colors".... and then there is the little devil who is always shouting, "More!" Ha! (I have to admit, I listen to that side far more frequently!) It is hard to deny that side of me when designers like Marty (above) are constantly showing how wonderfully luxurious and cozy "more" can be!

Vignette by Todd Alexander Romano

Here Romano illustrates one of my favorite strategies: gathering unexpected items (of myriad ages and styles) together into a single, seamless design! Vintage rattan chairs are paired with a Spanish Rococo chest while classic blue-and-white china lives happily with Mexican folk art. Even the way the pictures are hung has an element of the unexpected. So fabulous!

Seating area by Jackye Lanham

This last picture showcases my love of all things nautical. I love, love, love antique ship paintings, porthole mirrors, old anchors, and heavy rope accents. This style has that transcendent quality, taking me back to another time of pirates and armadas. How rich historical accents make a home!

Well, I hope you all have a happy day and I will be back with more gorgeous pics for you soon!

Every heart beats true 'neath the red, white, and blue

Bedroom by Sara Gilbane

Hello, all! I am so sorry for my long break in posting, but I have a very good (and very happy) excuse! My sister welcomed her second child, Lydia, a couple of weeks ago and I have been busy with babies ever since!

I wanted to do a quick post today, though, to commemorate my absolute favorite holiday that we celebrate here in the States: Independence Day! (Sorry to all my Brit readers out there!) Summer is my favorite season and the Fourth falls smack in the middle of it. Plus, it is a very laid-back holiday (aka, no presents to be bought or fancy meals to be cooked or extensive travel to be undertaken). It's about appreciating where you are and family, fireworks, and fun!

Bedroom by Sara Gilbane

So, what better color scheme to feature than good old red, white, and blue! How festive!

Living room by Lulu Powers

Rich, saturated color in a room by Miss Powers.

Seating arrangement by Meg Braff

Love all the chinoiserie accents in this space!

Home of Kate Spade - Photo courtesy of The Selby

Red heats up this corner of the Spade's home library...

Living area by Tobi Fairley

While Miss Fairley keeps this space cool with a paler, more turquoise shade of blue.

Design by Martyn Lawrence Bullard

Million Dollar Decorator's Martyn Lawrence Bullard goes traditional with toile, a grand piano, and a collection of blue and white china.

Home of Joaquín Sabina - Photo courtesy of Nuevo Estilo

A full and fanciful room in the home of Spanish singer Joaquin Sabina.

Sitting room in the J.K. Place Capri hotel by Michele Bonan

Isn't this room so crisp and classy, yet so bright and comfortable? Ideal interiors for a Capri getaway, I'd say!

Bedroom by Tom Scheerer

Classic Scheerer: cozy and offbeat. As usual, I love it!

Living room in Manhattan apartment of Sig Bergamin

Our final pics of the day are from the Manhattan pied-à-terre of Sig Bergamin. I love the irreverent artwork and wild combination of pattern here. Certainly the spirited and colorful interiors I would expect from a lively Brazilian!


Living room in Manhattan apartment of Sig Bergamin


I hope you all have a wonderful day (or holiday), wherever you may be!