Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Gilded

Vignette by Madeline Stuart

I love to see flashes of gold throughout a home: in frames, mirrors, table legs, or lamps. It is so classic and, yet, it can be so glamorous. So, with that in mind, here is a little bit of sparkle for your Tuesday!

Dining room by Amanda Nisbet

Gold plus crystal and ebony equals some serious glitz!

Design by Thomas Britt

Design by Thomas Britt

Bleached wood acts as the perfect, neutral counterpoint to this enormous, gilded chandelier.

Entryway by Hillary Thomas

Veranda' Greystone Estate Showhouse bedroom by Windsor Smith

Fabrics, such as upholstery or curtains (like on the canopy bed above), are another clever way to add a few more karats to a room.

Bedroom by Westbrook Interiors

I hope you all have a great day today!

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Why so blue?

Living room by Peter Dunham

I really like the color blue (even more so now that my two-year-old nephew goes around declaring that "bwoo" is his favorite color). It really is suitable in a range of interiors, but its soothing effects are universal.

When paired with a neutral color scheme, it creates an atmosphere of cool and quiet....

Bedroom in home of Katie Couric by Eric Hughes

Dining room by Dan Carithers

But, when paired with gold accents, it is the epitome of sophistication.

Living room by Lisa Sternfeld

Living room by Robert Couturier

Whether streamlined traditional....

Design by Angele Parlange

..... Or fresh and funky (love that Frances Elkins chair!)....

Bedroom by Sara Tuttle

... Glammed up with Hollywood-regency style....

Vignette by Robert Couturier

.... Or punctuated with drama-inducing colors like black and red....

Seating area by Robert Passal

This leopard actually can change its spots!

Have a happy Thursday, everyone!

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Extreme

Living room by Cathy Echols - Photo courtesy of High Gloss

Hmm... Let's see... exotic orchid, tiny skulls, antiqued mirror, loads of velvet, antlers, leaf green medallion-print wallpaper, and four-foot rock crystal chandelier. What, your living room doesn't look like this? Ha!

I personally think it is fabulous and, for this client of Cathy Echols, it is home! I am a big fan of the unexpected in interiors and, apparently, Miss Echols feels the same way.

"My style is many things: eclectic, collected, created by my travels and experiences," says Echols. Exactly how I think a home should be!

Hope y'all are having a good day out there!

Monday, August 22, 2011

A Woman's Touch


Dining room in home of Raina Penchansky - Photo courtesy of Lonny

I don't want to be too prejudiced here, and maybe it's just all the time I've been spending with my sister and her precious new baby, but I think women have a different outlook on a home and, therefore, cultivate it in a different way... a softer way.

Living room by Madeline Stuart

Whether it's using a hint of pink, a cozy furniture arrangement, or accents that soften sharp angles (like pillows, lots of upholstered items, or billowing curtains), women can create warmth in myriad ways (and recognize the importance of that creation).

Home of Erin Fetherston - Photo courtesy of Vogue

So, with that in mind, here are a few examples of interiors that have that woman's touch. Enjoy!

Foyer by Susan Ferrier

An antiqued mirror reflecting the warm glow of light from underneath pink silk lampshades? Who wouldn't love to come home to an entryway like this one!

Living room by Chris Barrett (who is a "she")

Looking at Miss Barrett's portfolio, you could confuse her work with some of her male designer counterparts like Martyn Lawrence Bullard or Jesse Carrier, but, if you look closely, you can find softness in even the most modern of her projects, such as in the floral fabric on a banquette or the curved leg of a metal stool. She is amazingly versatile and you must give her website a look!

Living room by Barbara Westbrook of Westbrook Interiors

Another fabulously talented designer (and fellow Southerner) is Miss Westbrook. The room above is one of my absolute favorites. It is structured without being overbearing, and engaging even when done in a neutral palette.

Foyer by fellow Alabamian Melanie Pounds - Photo via House Beautiful

I cannot say enough good things about this foyer. I am a big fan of juxtapositions and this space is full of them: the stone floor paired with the pale rosiness of the rug, the solid structure of the chair upholstered in soft velvet, and the dark plaster of the walls contrasted against the cool damask tablecloth. So lovely!

Living room by Suzanne Tucker of Tucker and Marks

This last photo of the day is another one of my faves. It is so well-blended with its plush upholstered pieces and graphic modern art, layered mirrors, and tidy layout. To me, it's just one of those rooms that grabs (and holds) my attention.

I apologize for my extended lag in posting, but I am back on track now, so check back often for more fabulous design!

I hope you all have a great week!