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!

This week's favorites

Hello, all! Today I wanted to give you a glimpse inside my cluttered, design-craving brain and show you the interiors that I've been pining over this week!

The photos above and below are from the home of the fabulous Candace Bushnell, which was designed with the help of Susan Forristal. I seriously cannot get enough of this room! The pairing of the polite furnishings (like that settee) with modern accessories (check out the multi-colored poufs!) creates such an artful, yet lively air to the space. I love all the colors too: that pretty coral velvet on the chaise and the blue-grays of the upholstery and walls.

Another photo that has caught (and kept) my eye is the one below of a room designed by Erinn Valencich of Omniarte.

I love the cool blue of the walls paired with the bright green of the chairs. What do you think makes this room so special?

Gary Spain created the bright, eclectic room above. What a wonderful combination of textures (like, sisal, lucite, hides, and wood)! Love that cozy Egg chair, too!

Isn't this room by Anne Coyle so comfy-looking? What do you think about a velvet couch with pets? I don't know, but it is gorgeous! That pale lavender color is so soothing, too, and looks great paired with the gray-brown of the couch and coral of the pillows.

This last photo was taken in the home of the extremely talented Windsor Smith. Plush, a bit exotic, and definitely glamorous, this room is a great example of her amazing work. (And you can't go wrong with those pink walls!)

I think my favorite thing about these rooms is that they look real, like you could actually live in them: sit down, have a glass of wine, watch TV, work on the computer. Isn't that what a home is for, after all?

Happy Friday! I hope you have a great weekend!

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!