Office Space

Design by Kelly Wearstler

Many people work from home these days or, if not, they at least end up taking work home with them. As such, it seems that the need for a home office has risen, leading designers to create individualized spaces for their clients that marry style and function.

Design by Melissa Rufty

Some don't need a whole room designated as an office, merely a small space to sit with a laptop.


Space by Phoebe Howard


The talented Mrs. Howard shows her versatility with these two workspace incarnations.

Office by Phoebe Howard

Design by Molly Luetkemeyer of M. Design Interiors

I love this accent wall covered with this brilliant Rousseau-esque mural. (One of my favorite painters!) Sometimes an office needs to bring inspiration to the owner and what better way than with colorful artwork!

Office in home of Yves Saint Laurent - design by Victor Grandpierre

Maybe it is all that fuchsia, but I am loving this very French interpretation of a home office above. Tres beau!


Design by Jay Jeffers

Jeffers shows us how to go totally mod with this neutral office.

Design by Windsor Smith


Absolutely gorgeous... Typical Windsor Smith.

Space by Kemble Interiors



Design by Martensen Jones

Home of Melissa Warner of Massucco Warner Miller


How cheerful is this home office? A Louis Ghost Chair and tailored tablecloth keep it light and airy, while the wallpapered closet doors add some fun.

Design by Gary Spain

I love Gary Spain... I mean LOVE him.

Office by Keith Johnson of Anthropologie

Great combination of elements here: rough wood, muted tones, mod lamp, Mac computer.

Design by Sara Gilbane

One of the looks I love is a big, cozy wingback chair pulled up to a desk. So here is where I currently sit... My vintage flared wingback, with Greek key throw and custom silk pillow, sits next to my antique, leather-inlaid desk (which has been my desk since I was a child). The mint julep cup holding my colored pencils is from One Kings Lane and the other pencil holder is from House Parts in Atlanta.


My very own workspace

Do you have a home office or workspace? Or do you hang out on the couch with a laptop? I'd love to know or see pictures!

Here's to a great week ahead!

Gilded

Bedroom by Melissa Rufty

I love just about anything that sparkles (i.e., crystal, silver, chrome), so gold (or, at least, gold-finished surfaces), naturally, is high on my list! In the bedroom above, Miss Rufty uses gold-trimmed bedding (in a fabulous scrollwork - reflecting her classic New Orleans style) and a gorgeous gilded, upholstered headboard to punctuate the serene elegance of the space. (Aren't those blushing pink walls and leafy lamps to die for?!)


Dining area by Jeffrey Bilhuber

I love the finish on these walls. It really gives a depth and formality to the space (and a little bit of 70s glam too).

Room by William Hodgins


This study has such a light, but layered, look to it. I love that golden armillary in the foreground and the touches of gold on the desk, chair, and picture frames. Even just a hint of gold can have a big impact!


Foyer by Jan Showers


Miss Showers uses a finish similar to the one in the dining room above, creating a dramatic entryway. Paired with the sunburst mirror and the shimmering light fixtures, the space becomes quite glamorous (a hallmark of Miss Showers style). I love how the black in the chandelier reflects the painted floor below it, as well.

These last two photos are of a bedroom by designer Gary Spain. I love absolutely everything about this room! The wallpaper is quirky, fun, and modern. The headboard is so classic with that nailhead trim. The lamps are just.... perfection! The faux bois bolster pillow on the bed adds a bit of whimsy, while the three oversized mirrors open up the space and add even more sparkle. Love the portrait, love the armchairs, love it all!

What a perfect room to end on!

Happy Thursday y'all! The weekend is almost here!

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!

Sur la table: Part I

Table decor by Meg Braff

Ever since I read Joe Nye's "Flair", I have been obsessed with everything sur la table! (More about Nye in a moment...) I just love looking at these beautiful table settings and all the wonderful little details included. Take a look at those fabulous salt and pepper shakers that Braff uses above: so ornate and polished, the perfect combination of function and interest.

Here is the same room at a distance. I love that, when you are actually at the table, it acts as its own little world. And, when formally setting a table, you can create whatever world you like!


Tablescape by Melissa Rufty

I love the tulipiere (aka, the jar holding the flowers) used by Rufty above. I recently purchased a tulipiere of my own and, since I am moving soon (yay!), I cannot wait to use it! (I will definitely be posting a host of pictures once I get settled in!)  

I love how the table setting here matches the design of the room (by Tom Scheerer). It is so soothing and natural, with the woven placemats and simple china and glassware.

Miles Redd certainly knows how to keep things fun and bright. (Oh, what I would give to go to one of his dinner parties!) Here, he contrasts a bold blue (on the tablecloth, glasses, and those super fun foo dogs) with red plates and carnations. Festive and exotic, yet with a modern elegance.

Since Joe Nye literally wrote the book on tablescapes, we can't forget to include some of his gorgeous settings! This particular tablescape was featured on the cover of "Flair", and I can absolutely see why! Not only does it feature a good helping of my favorite color (pink!), but it also uses my dream fabric! (I believe it is Le Lac by Bruschwig & Fils, but Nye states it is actually by Travers?)

Gold, leafy candlesticks, pink china, black goblets, and black bamboo flatware? Perfection!

I will leave you this week with a picture from a room by the elegant and eclectic Ms. Nussbaumer.

More beautiful tablescapes to come! Have a wonderful weekend!

Lustrous Lacquer

Hallway by Steven Gambrel

As I may have mentioned before, I love lacquer! The effect of this wonderful finish is sleek and watery, and light can't help but bounce around in the space.

Living room by Melissa Rufty

The polish of the lacquer sheds the walls' flat, rigid appearance, and they suddenly become three dimensional, acting almost like a mirror would by creating depth.

Miles Redd discussed this entryway during his Antiques in the Gardens speech, saying that he wanted to offset the owners' dark, inherited furnishings with playful color and shimmering surfaces.

Faye Cone took out a hefty staircase here, replacing it with this floating model, and then lacquered the adjacent wall to create even more airiness and fluidity.

Room by Melissa Rufty

Nate Berkus opts to lacquer only the ceiling in this bright Florida poolhouse, contrasting the warmth of the chocolate color with the watery coolness of the lacquer's polish. Below, he goes all out with a deep blue in a New York library.

Hallway by Todd Klein

Goodness, how I would love to come home to this entry hallway every day! The color and finish are ethereal and, to me, sheer perfection!

If you're going to go with lacquer, why not go all out, as Thomas Britt does in this rich, sultry living room. The contrast of purple and green is opulent, and the lacquer acts as the sparkling jewelry on this regal ensemble.

Although achieving the lacquered finish in these photos is no easy feat (generally requiring the work of a seasoned professional), the effect is priceless: creating space and light and.... well, luster.

Mirror, mirror, on the wall....

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As I mentioned in my previous post, I cannot get enough of mirrors. I love how they enhance a space, making it feel larger and more polished. Although they cannot take the place of engaging artwork, mirrors are a design necessity in my eyes, creating focal points and vignettes in just about any space.

I absolutely love the antique mirror above, used here as a headboard. The piece takes the existing glamour in the room to a new level, and adds dimension and openness that one in a dark wood finish could not.

Photo by Chris Court

Again, the mirror is creating the illusion of space in this already large office. It adds sparkle and depth, and is quite the appropriate accessory for its fashionable surroundings.

In this lovely, albeit tidy, foyer by William Hodgins, the mirror is functional in that it is nice to take a quick glance at yourself before heading into the world. However, it also acts as a tool to punctuate the scale of the space, ascending all the way to the moldings. (Note the monumental scale of the lantern and mirror, the residential scale of the sconces and door-framing windows, and the human scale of the chairs and table.)

Design by Christopher Coffin

I love trumeau mirrors, and this one is no exception. The finish is neutral but the carvings are intricately elegant; a perfect match with the other proper, yet almost-rustic, furnishings.

I love this dining room in the home of Sonia Kashuk, successful makeup artist and entrepreneur. It is so bright and airy, yet cozy and comfortable. The way the gilded, overscale mirror is casually leaned against the wall further accentuates the easy elegance of the space.

Angie Hranowsky creates a mod vignette in a dining room, contrasting the clean lines of a dresser and crisp white accessories with a swirling gold mirror. I love how the mirror is small and off center, perfectly unexpected!

Mirrors can also be used as wallcoverings, of a sort. Here, Todd Alexander Romano accents a seating area with a panel of antique mirrors. The blend of textures here is wonderful: the parquet floor, velvet bench, leopard print pillows, glimmering mirrors, and the rich darkness of the oil painting.

Melissa Rufty also opts for antique mirrors in her New Orleans home, filling the interior of an antique, carved overdoor with squares of antique mirrors. This seems to give the room more history, and a feeling of permanence. The silk curtains, oriental rug, and crystal chandelier add classy touches of Southern charm as well.

In this fabulous room by Todd Klein (featured in House Beautiful), the mirror is juxtaposed against clean, black-and-white furnishings and a cool blue backdrop. The shimmer of the gold frame, the elaborate bird and leaf design, as well as the scale of the piece make it a showstopper in this space.

How gorgeous!

One last pic from another fabulous Southern designer, Hal Williamson. His interiors are just magical. (You must check out the entire house, when it was featured here in House Beautiful!)

I am already partial to pink, silk, and glittering Venetian mirrors so, to me, this composition is sheer perfection! So beautiful!

Have a great weekend!