Pattern at play

Design by the fabulous Hal Williamson

I may experiment with color, but, for some reason, piling on the pattern has always intimidated me, whether in fashion or interior design. It is a shame because, as these designers show, that layered look creates warm, engaging, and, often, dramatic rooms.

Design by Omniarte

Whether using a bold pattern like the wallpaper above, or a combination of prints, the effect is really dynamic and interesting.

The pic above is from decorator Milly de Cabrol's New York apartment as covered in New York Social Diary. I love how she piles on the printed fabrics (and books and art!) in this room, draping the table and settee in hand-blocked prints, giving the room a really cozy feel.


Bedroom by Katie Ridder


I love the subtle patterns Ridder uses above. Isn't that headboard just lovely? The room feels so airy, but textural too.


Den by Raymond Boozer from Apartment 48

I am a huge fan of a chevron pattern. Doing the couch in tone-on-tone greens keeps it from being too bold, while still mimicking the pattern in the rug.

Dining room by Schuyler Samperton

Schuyler Samperton combines traditional and trendy patterns here perfectly, using an ikat on the dining chairs over a gorgeous oriental rug. (Check out the beautiful wall panel in the background!)

I really can't get enough of Phoebe Howard's designs! She is so talented! The vignette above is so well-composed: the splash of color, the textural tortoise shells, the mirror, the avian prints. Look closely and you will see that the wallpaper has the most subtle pattern on it, giving even the walls a woven effect.

Our last two photos of the day come from designer Stephen Sills.

Now this is the way to bring energy to a room by using pattern! Love the rug, love the throw on the back of the couch, love the stripes on the ottoman. (And I totally love that leather chair!) This room is warm and comfortable, but artful and stimulating as well.

Another space by Sills is featured in this month's Architectural Digest (which is newly helmed by ex-Elle Decor editor Margaret Russell) and the interiors are so amazing, you must go get a copy immediately! It looks like Russell is really going to up the ante and makeover AD in the best possible way. I can't wait to see what's next!

Here is a taste of Sills fabulous AD-featured design.....

Heaven!

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

I love.... Lucite!

Entry by Jesse Carrier (in Jason Wu's office)

I am totally loving lucite right now! I don't think I'd want a whole mod room with multiple lucite pieces, but the way these designers add a modern touch using this material is just fabulous.


Bedroom by Eric Lysdahl

What a great contrast to use lucite with such plush and traditional furnishings!


Den by Raymond Boozer



Foyer by Melissa Rufty

This material has the amazing ability to keep the interiors light and airy by not taking up much visual space. (Plus, it adds a bit of sparkle, which is always good!)


I know I've shown this pic of a dining area by Timothy Whealon before, but I think this bears repeating! The pale pink walls and the cane-back chairs combine perfectly with the lucite to create a bright and elegant room.


Design by Tom Scheerer

I love how Scheerer subtly tucks this small lucite side table between the armchairs and the gorgeous marble-top console. Functional and stylish!

Our last photo of the day is a gorgeous room by the talented Katie Ridder. I love the putty-gray walls, the politely cozy armchairs, the sconces, the photo, and, of couse, that coffee table!

Have a terrific Tuesday!

Well read

Hatfield House library

Since I was a small child, I have loved libraries. Maybe not the 1960s, public version that exists in my home town, but those in English manor houses and, now, those commonly found in private residences. Perhaps my admiration is genetic: my father modeled the two-story library in his law office after the libraries from the Hatfield House in England, and the Château de Groussay outside Paris (which was reinvented as Henry Higgins' library in My Fair Lady).

Château de Groussay library

I love that now, using built-ins or simple bookcases, many designers are recreating the wonderfully cozy, cerebral feel of these larger, more formal predecessors.

Room by Raymond Boozer

In the room by Jay Jeffers above, a lovely peach color defines the space, complete with a traditional library table. I love to see these more feminine incarnations of, what used to be, traditionally masculine rooms. Muted pastel tones, floral fabrics, and gleaming accessories recreate and reinvent truly useful, homey spaces.

Lavender library by Angie Hranowsky

Library by Aman & Carson

Although I love how the rooms above come off fresh and modern with their mixture of colors, textures, and more modern furnishings, I admire the elegant, timeless versions as well.

Home of Charlotte Moss

Room by Brockschmidt & Coleman

Some designers give tradition a twist by adding graphic, modern elements to the room. Above, Tracey Garnet uses modern art, cubic bookshelves, and bright colors to keep the room contemporary while, below, Jeffrey Bilhuber subtly uses yellow book bindings (or are those, perhaps, National Geographic magazines?) to create a color-blocking effect in this otherwise neutral room.

I think, if you are truly an avid reader, cozy and comfortable are your two primary goals for a library. This beachy room by John Barman (above) is as inviting as it is bright, whereas the snug room by Todd Alexander Romano, below, is perfectly packed with artwork, pattern, and personal mementos that create a warm, eclectic air.

Whether traditional, modern, or even exotic, libraries can become a sanctuary within a home. With these fabulous images filling my brain, I can't help but fantasize about having my own literary retreat someday...

Happy Hump Day!

To Grandmother's house I go

My Grandmother, who is a beautiful and stylish lady all around, has a wonderfully cozy bedroom, tucked away at the back of her large, 60s-era home. She has stacks of books surrounding the bed and the most perfect shade of blue-green on the walls.

With that as my inspiration, I set out to find gorgeous rooms that use the same or similar shades to bring interest and elegance to the spaces.

Room by Thomas Britt as seen in Architectural Digest

How totally glamorous is this room? I love the hints of animal print, the overscale art, the modern stone fireplace, those lanterns, and - of course - the walls! Britt even decides to carry the color into the kitchen as well, where it creates a fun and fresh look when contrasted with the white molding and furniture.

Albert Hadley settles on just a hint of blue by hanging a framed, painted panel of the bright hue. I love the contrast of the blue to the black console, stacks of books, and layers of artwork.

Living area by Miles Redd

Dining room by Delphine Krakoff

I love how this color can impart liveliness and fun to a range of styles, from classic to modern and glamorous to minimalist.

This is such a classy, funky room featured in the late Domino magazine. After doing a little digging, I discovered that, although Domino is officially gone, Brides.com was granted access to their digital archives. Now, viewers can browse through the steadily expanding Domino albums!

It is so sad to me that more and more shelter magazines are closing their doors. It's nice to know that all is not lost (especially not the wonderful photos)!

In this fabulous room by Bunny Williams (created for the 2009 Kips Bay Decorator Show House), there are so many colors, styles, and textures, but, to me, the room doesn't feel overwhelming or busy. I love how there are so many cozy places to sit, as well. A fabulous, inspiring space - just what you'd expect from the inimitable Miss Williams!

Space by Raymond Boozer

I can't get over this arrangement of art! So perfect! The wall color keeps the space fresh and modern, while the collection of pictures and furnishings grounds the space and makes it warm and engaging.

One last photo for the week, this one of an actual bedroom done in this fabulous blue!

I love this bedroom in the home of Julian and Olatz Schnabel. Julian is an artist in every sense of the word and Olatz is a former model who now runs a linen and home accessories shop. You can totally feel an exotic, international influence in this room!

I love how Olatz mixed that regal purple with a brilliant red, all contrasted against that perfect blue. I think this space illustrates so well how to achieve a captivating, yet soothing, space.

Happy Friday!