In bloom

Design by Chris Barrett

Spring is underway here, and everything is blooming! From my front door, I can see azaleas, violets, wisteria, and dogwoods displaying their beautiful blooms. So why not bring some of that color indoors, with lush arrangements like these!

Dining room by Jennifer McGee Design

Tulips are so lovely, but tend to drape and bend. McGee deftly tackles this issue by using a large grouping, tightly packed in a ginger jar.

Seating area by Philip Gorrivan

Gorrivan adds even more lively color to an exuberant seating arrangement with these tall yellow blooms.

Table setting by Eddie Ross

What a fragrant arrangement this must be: daffodils and grape hyacinths!

Design by Robert Couturier

I love the contrast here of softness (from the flowers and the warm velvet on the armchairs) and graphic rigidity (from the black wall and metal furnishings).

Study by Milly de Cabrol

What a fabulously towering arrangement! It works so well with the scale of the table and the room as a whole.

Vignette by Kelly Wearstler

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

How's it hanging: Part I

Did I mention that I love art? Well, do I ever! As you will see in this two-part series, I cannot get enough of layer upon layer of portraits, paintings, prints, and other picturesque paraphernalia! (Apparently, I can't get enough alliteration either!)

Jay Jeffers knows the way to layer color, art, and furniture styles, as you can see in the photos of this dining room above. I love how this room is a twist on traditional with a combination of oil portraits, mid-century mod dining table and side chairs, sculptural hands centerpiece and glass chandelier, and the fresh, graphic look of the armchairs and console.

Study by Robert Passal

Stairway by Steven Gambrel

Some keep the groupings on a strict theme, perhaps using the same style of art. Passal features nude sketches in the study above, whereas Gambrel displays a collection of painted portraits that lead you up the staircase.

Some prefer to unify their collection with similar frame colors or styles. Tori Mellott, the former decorating editor at the late Domino magazine, created this fabulous display above her sofa using dramatic black frames to unite the pictures and contrast them against the neutral Farrow & Ball wallpaper.

Philip Gorrivan uses the same technique, framing a variety of paintings and prints in shimmering gold. The effect is more subtle, reflecting continuity, and also adds a bit of polish to the black-and-white banquette and the neutral finishes on the tables and chairs.

Personally, I love to mix up the styles and colors of artwork, mats, and frames. As Joe Nye put it best, I love a room that is "heavily layered with lots of pretty clutter!"

I love the mix of colors and textures in this living room by Ashley Whittaker. Those cozy green walls, woven side tables, flashy red concert poster, and flame stitch and zebra-print chair cushions combine perfectly to create a comfortable and thoughtfully personal space.

Unknown from Domino

I will leave you today with a photo of a stairwell by John Loecke Inc. I think this design well illustrates the medley of artwork that I find so attractive, and figuratively leads us into the next post where we will delve even more into the art of hanging.... art!

Here's to a - in the words of my sister - glorious week! :)

Over the moon for overscale art

Room by Philippe Starck

Artwork says a lot about a person. (Like that they're a huge Dirty Harry fan perhaps?) I love collections of artwork (as you will see in an upcoming post), but, sometimes, one overscale piece makes a much bigger impact than even a hundred separate pictures could.

I absolutely love this room in the home of Victoria Pearson. It is cozy and earthy, and that wonderful picture of a hawk is the perfect addition. Although it is the only piece of art on the walls, the room doesn't feel like it's lacking in artistic expression. Between the wooden floor lamp and the oversized hawk, the room feels engaging and interesting, while keeping a calm, minimalist air.

Room by Todd Alexander Romano

Sometimes overscale art can be used to bring a new color into the space. The flowers in the picture above tie into the pale blue/lavender of the pillows, while the green in the background adds a new element of freshness and depth.

The black fabric panel and lampshades in the room by Martyn Lawrence-Bullard below add drama to what would be a rather neutral, airy space otherwise.

Room by Darryl Carter

Room by Eric Cohler

Overscale art can also bring a graphic element into a room. I love how the pattern in the artwork above contrasts with the ladylike bench and cozy pillows. The same effect is found in the living room at the home of Philip Gorrivan, below. The linear shapes in the photo by Michael Wolf complement the chevron striped curtains, but contrast with the plush sofa and classic console. I love the creative tension these pieces can create!

Rooms above and below by Martyn Lawrence-Bullard

In this gameroom at the home of Windsor Smith, a polar bear overlooks the space, bringing some depth to the endless black walls, but creating a bit of playfulness as well.

Space by Miles Redd

Miles Redd and Peter Dunham both have a handle on playful. I love all of their richly textured and brightly colored work. Their creativity is endlessly inspiring!

Room by Peter Dunham

Room by John Saladino for Veranda

Even a traditional landscape painting can have the same impact as a more graphic piece when it's done in a super-large size.

Home of Charlotte Moss

Our last picture for the day features an artist I just love (and dicussed at length in a previous post), Massimo Vitali. His prints are always amazing in larger sizes because you can make out so much of the detail that makes his photos so fascinating. 

You don't have to buy artwork from a gallery to achieve this style. I took a photo from a trip to Italy and had it blown up to almost four feet wide! I had it done at FedEx Kinkos and it was not expensive at all! Perfectly artistic, but perfectly personal as well!

Here's to living large!