Persimmon

Foyer vignette by White Webb

Hello, everyone! I am so sorry it has been forever since my last post! But I am back and ready to dive right into some beautiful interiors!....

Packing the same intensity of orange, the warmth of red, and the subtle sweetness of pink, persimmon manages to add both energy and interest to any space.

Dining area by Carole Weaks

I love the unexpected pairing of this coral/persimmon upholstery with the exposed wood beams and walls of this cabin. Warmth and sophistication in perfect harmony!

Landing by Lichten Craig

Persimmon and green? Quite the bold choice for such traditional interiors!

Living room by Elaine Griffin

Aren't these chairs so inviting? Their wide cushions give off that "have a seat" feel, while their frames politely declare "I'm a classic". Even more perfect is that they're situated directly below Elaine's homemade collection of pop-art prints.

Library in home of Matthew White - Photo courtesy of NYSD

White goes all the way with color in this small library...

Dining room by John Phifer Marrs

While Marrs takes the drama up a notch with chocolate and black accents.

Living room by Jesse Carrier and Mara Miller

Here you can see how just a touch of this color can enliven the most neutral of spaces. Goodness, how much I love Carrier and Company: love the patterned pillows, love the giant portrait, love it all!

Today's last space comes from a designer whose personality is as lively as the color she uses here....

Foyer by Bunny Williams

I hope you all have had a great weekend and have a great week ahead!

Serengeti Style

Living room by Dan Carithers

I've noticed the attention my Creature Comforts post has been getting recently, so I thought I'd give you guys a little more of what you want! (And, as I said in that post, a little animal print goes a long way!)

Study by Elaine Griffin

Bedroom by Bradley Thiergarten - Photo courtesy of Habitually Chic

Library by Schuyler Samperton

Bedroom by Stephen Shubel

Half way through the week!

Mountain High

Kitchen by Dan Carithers

As the temperatures rise here in the South (as, I imagine, everywhere else), it makes me think of a tradition held in some parts of the country of retiring to higher ground for the summer, where the air is crisper and even a few degrees cooler makes all the difference in the world.

Foyer/hallway by Kim Winkler of Westbrook Interiors

I think a mountain house can be warm and inviting - and atmospheric in a rustic sort of way - without being cliche or overbearing in its presentation of theme. (Although a few antlers here and there are to be expected!)

Great room by Kathleen H. Rivers

The room above is from a house located in Cashiers, North Carolina. Cashiers and its close neighbor Highlands (covered by Southern Accents some years ago) are two hot spots for escapees from cities across the South (such as Charlotte, Atlanta, Charleston, and even Birmingham).

I think this room is a great example of tastefully rustic design, which Rivers says was inspired by the mellowed, layered look of English country houses. Southern antiques and handsome fabrics mix beautifully with exposed wood beams, weathered stone, and exotic tribal rugs.

Paneled bathroom by Westbrook Interiors

As you are probably beginning to see from my selection of photos, there are certain fabric patterns I favor for a rustic, mountain or lake house setting; gingham, ticking stripe, and crewel being the front-runners.

Dining area by Jane J. Marsden Antiques & Interiors

I love all the fabulous rugs used by these designers. Whether tribal or traditional oriental, rugs can really complete a room, don't you think?


Bedroom by Jill Morris



Vignette by Phoebe Howard



Guest house living area by Marshall Watson and Jeffrey Kilmer

What a beautifully eclectic room! I love how it has crewel and gingham, a fabulous mix of antiques (Swedish, Italian, English), flashes of gold accents, and those perfect lanterns. A lot of thought was given to the wall treatments, as well, where a combination of beadboard (around the fireplace) and multiple layers of pigment and glaze, applied by decorative painter Judy Mulligan, was used.

Porch by Myra Hoefer

You've got to have a place to take in the cool mountain breezes, too!

Bedroom by White Webb

When paired with a simple iron bedframe and unfussy furnishings, the crewelwork becomes the star of this elegant room.

Living room tableau by Elaine Griffin

We are finishing off the post today with a picture that, I think, perfectly exemplifies sophisticated mountain style. With a deer-head chandelier, neutral fabrics on classic furnishings, oversized hurricanes, and a grand oak-leaf arrangement, this room perfectly illustrates a theme done right!

I hope you all had a great holiday weekend (for my Stateside readers) and I hope for a great week ahead for everyone!

Brown Recluse

Study by Barry Dixon

As rumbling thunderstorms blow across the deep South (we've already seen kidney-bean-sized hail so far today), it is the perfect day for hunkering down inside, retreating somewhere cozy and warm.

Home of Thomas Britt - Courtesy of NYSD

I love the drama and warmth of dark walls, especially when they're done in deep chocolate.

Living room by Kim Winkler of Westbrook Interiors

You certainly need plenty of comfy seating to snuggle into...

Design by Bunny Williams

... And lots of soft reading lights close by....

Study by Elaine Griffin

... And a place to jot down all your thoughts and ideas.

Great room by Myra Hoefer

But, mainly, you need an elegant sanctuary where you feel secure, happy, and at home.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

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!