Americana

Dining room by Wendy Meredith

The weekend before last I went to Scott's Antique Market in Atlanta (which is fabulous, by the way), and, although there were beautiful antiques of myriad backgrounds and styles, it was the early American and English antiques that grabbed my attention.

Maybe it's because my interest has been piqued by this style recently (think Darryl Carter and Bill Ingram) because I was working on my traditional, masculine study (pictures to come), but, either way, I have a new and growing appreciation for the classically blended, English-inspired "American" look.

So, today, I thought I would pay homage to that style with some photos of homes that are modern incarnations of classic American design (where Windsor chairs and Wedgewood abound). Enjoy!

Bedroom by Eddie Ross



Breakfast area by Phoebe Howard

So much character in such a small space (with the beadboarding perfectly punctuating the style). 

Grand foyer by Diamond Baratta Design

The formality of this grand foyer is played down by breaking the space up into smaller seating areas and by using durable, unpretentious materials like the embroidered pillows and the braided rug (which was an early American staple since carpets from Europe and Asia were not available - or affordable - to colonialists).

Den by Tom Scheerer

What a cozy but fun seating area: the bold coral of the upholstery against the white walls and wood accents. It is modern without seeming overtly so (especially when Scheerer throws a sculptural high back Windsor and pair of bobbin corner chairs into the mix).

Bedroom by Stephen Sills

Again, another cozy room, this one complete with fireplace, quilts, and those lovely black-and-white lithographs. So warm and serene.

Photo courtesy of Country Living

Classic, a little cluttered, but comfortable!

Bedroom by Chad Eisner

Love the stripes, love the quilt, love the trunk.

Dining area by Windsor Smith

What a lovely room. I am not usually a fan of the Windsor chair, but, here, it is the perfect, graphic counterpoint to the clean white walls. The rustic wood table and interesting artwork so casually propped on the mantle, all handsomely complement this delightful space.

Here's to a great week ahead, everyone!

Bamboozled

Vignette by Hillary Thomas - courtesy of Lonny


As I continue to work on the conclusion of my latest "Inspiration Interpretation" post, I thought I would feature a favored material of mine in the meantime: bamboo. Usually faux (but never a faux pas!), bamboo can be used in myriad interiors.


Bedroom by Chad Eisner


I just adore the bedroom by Eisner above. How serene: the combination of the pale bamboo bed and the gray-green of the walls. Restrained, but not bland; comfortable, yet polished.

Breakfast room by Kemble Interiors

Don't these chairs add such great texture to this wonderfully fresh and bright room? I am loving the combination of the bamboo with the beadboard walls.


Living room by Kemble Interiors

In another, slightly more formal room by Kemble Interiors, bamboo still finds an appropriate home: here, as a useful secretary.


Design unknown - photo courtesy of Laurey W. Glenn

I like how the criss-crosses in the mirror mimic those on the lively ottoman. Check out the contrast cording and buttons on the sofa, too; it seems to make the piece much less formal and even a bit playful.


Bedroom by Paolo Moschino

What a great bedroom! It seems so cozy and cottagey... but there are slightly more exotic undertones in it, too.


Living room by Jennifer McGee Design

The glass-fronted cabinet above is in the style of the original Victorian and Edwardian bamboo pieces. This type of furniture was first introduced to the western world through trade with China in the 18th century, and reached the height of its popularity during the late 19th century, somewhat due to the American and English cabinetmakers who created more affordable faux bamboo pieces.

Bedroom by Martyn Lawrence-Bullard

 
What do you think about all this toile? I am inclined to like it. It makes the room cozy, and Lawrence-Bullard maintains a peaceful congruity in the room by keeping the other furnishings (a suite - corona included - of bamboo bedroom furniture) homogeneous.

Dining area of unknown design

I like how this last pic of the day shows a more modern side of bamboo: metal, trellis-style bamboo chairs congregate around a clean-lined wood table in a small dining room shrouded in colorful panoramic wallpaper (possibly by Zuber). This really is a material that can go anywhere!

Have a great day and check back soon to see the completion of the latest project in my "Inspiration Interpretation" series!

Soothing Neutrals

Living room by Garrow Kedigian

After the busy weekend (and yesterday's extensive post of it), I wanted to focus on some easygoing rooms that make you just want to say, "Ahhhhhh".

Design by Erinn Valencich of Omniarte

Using a palette of creamy ivories, washed-out blues, greys, and greens, as well as a bevy of natural textures from linen to seagrass, these rooms please the eye with their serene composition.


Bedroom by Elizabeth Martin


I love that this bedroom uses five different patterned fabrics, but doesn't feel in the least bit busy or garish.

Seating area in Kips Bay Showhouse by Charlotte Moss

Bedroom by Joe Minton for the Southern Accents Riverhills Showhouse

Bedroom by Ginger Barber

Is it just me, or is gingham popping up everywhere? This pretty pattern is one that is definitely growing on me.

Living area by Chad Eisner



Living room design by Phoebe Howard


What a lovely room for our last post. I love the florals, the bobbin chair, and the peachy beige on the walls of this room.

Here's to a happy (and, hopefully, stress-free) day!

Walk the Line

Bedroom design by Peter Dunham

One pattern that keeps catching my eye recently is striped. I love how many variations it comes in, and how, even when saturated with color, it can still provide such a solid base for a room.


Bedroom by Peter Dunham

Ticking stripes are a popular option right now and I love the casual charm they possess.


Living room by India Hicks

Note how the lines of the wall panels are mimicked by the ticking on the cozy sofa, creating a tidy, but comfortable, look.

Carolina Herrera takes stripes in a much different direction, creating calm and order in her very elegant living room. Note how the vertical stripes on the wall really accentuate those soaring ceilings!

Bedroom by Tobi Fairley

I love how playful stripes can be, as well. Despite the boldness of the colors on the bed above, it still remains orderly and refined.

Design by Tobi Fairley

Alternately, in this sophisticated color palette of red, white, and blue, this foyer still feels fun and energetic.


Living room by Jay Jeffers

Don't those chair pillows look just like candy?


Pic courtesy of Pink Wallpaper blog


I love this very simple, yet quite lovely, dining area. The color and width of these stripes is, to me, just perfect!

Design by Chad Eisner


Chad Eisner uses a similar wide-stripe style above, but in a much more traditional setting. I love that etagere, painting, and the plaid window shades paired with the reserved stripes.


Bedroom by Katie Ridder

I love how Miss Ridder carried the smaller stripes all the way up the vaulted ceiling and then used bolder, more variegated stripes on the rug. Love those ikat drapes too!

Our last photo of the day is from the fabulous Mr. Gary Spain. His designs are so original and innovative, bold and engaging. (You must look at his website.) I get so much inspiration from looking at his designs! Anyone that can use Bertoia and Biedermeier, French country and modern, all in one space (and so beautifully) has my heart!


Living room by Gary Spain

I want to call this chair stripe "Venetian" although I'm not sure why. I guess it just seems to have that playful European style so embodied by Venetians!

Have a great day!

Classic Colors: Gray-Blue

Foyer by Daniel Sachs

My sister was recently pining away for a beautiful gray-blue paint color for her "grown up" living room, and, as any good design-obsessed sibling would do, I began to do some research into rooms shrouded in this sophisticated, yet moody, color. The shade above is Knoxville Gray by Benjamin Moore, and I think it complements the dark wood of the entry table and mirror and the striped dhurrie just perfectly.

Bedroom by Phoebe Howard

The fabulous Mrs. Howard creates a casual, yet textural, feel to the bedroom above with a striped coverlet, woven window shade, and, again, dark wood furnishings. (Check out the bobbin, or spool, canopy bed. I think it well matches the historical feel of the wall color.)

Study by Ben Soleimani

This was actually my first photo find in my search for this beautiful color. It is in a study in the home of Ben Soleimani, one of the talented designers at Mansour Modern (the newer, more modern branch of the venerable rug company, Mansour). I love the masculine look of this room, which is filled with beautifully structured antiques.

Design by Jeffrey Bilhuber

I love the door surround shown above. It, combined with the golden shade in the curtains, creates a interesting and welcome contrast to the cool blue walls. (And aren't those painted floors wonderful?)

Another great Ben Moore shade in this color family is Jamestown Blue, which I have seen used in photos and real life, and is a perfect option for those looking for something that is neither too dark, too gray, or too blue.


Bedroom by Chad Eisner

This bedroom, like that by Mrs. Howard, uses wood furniture and interesting textures to create warmth in this room. Eisner's designs, in general, are masculine and textural, and his website certainly deserves a look!

I especially love the pattern on the curtains; similar styles can be found at John Robshaw on beautiful, blockprinted linen.

This last photo is a gorgeous, whimsical dining room by the ever-inventive Charles de Lisle. I love the scale of the objects in the room: the huge evergreen trees, the shimmering chandelier, the black armoire, the gleaming white table. A study in contrasts for sure!

Here's to the beginning of the end: the first day of the last week of 2010!