a glint from a distance

These jewel-bright panels lining the wall are like windows into Versailles. They even remind me of some of the elaborate borders of the rich illuminated manuscripts of the Renaissance era. What a grand room to hold gatherings in; it's almost like a glamorous film set, where conversations flow in verse and expressions hold a trove of meaning.
So... this one might have jogged my imagination a bit. It's just that cool.

Image Source: Clandeboye photo by Simon Watson, via Habitually Chic

once upon a time

This looks like a bedchamber from a fairytale of my childhood. I would have loved it then, and I do even now. It not only transports me backward, but also to the places I went inwardly as a child, and those haven't gotten the tinge of nostalgia the same way that memories do. It seems like the places you create in your mind don't age.
Whoa, off-track. Anyway, I love it. It's mysterious, a grandly draped bed in the middle of a mysterious wood. Wouldn't those patterns on the walls look intriguing in dim light? That'd be interesting to go to sleep to. In a good way.

Image Source: photo by Pieter Estersohn.

a light touch

I know this isn't what would be typically called a room in a French style, but that's what it seems like to me-- a minimalist Parisian room. It's delicious in the same way as a perfectly frosted petit four is. Everything about this is in perfect taste, glamour with restraint, that ends up glowing the more for the simplicity of it. I love the light touch of the gilded details, the pale pink of the chair, even the subtle modern painting. It all comes together in a delicacy that I wasn't expecting to like nearly as much as I do.

Image Source: Asheworth Court interior by Suzanne Kasler.

overboard

..Wow. This would be akin to being held within a Fabergé egg. Swirls of delicate detail all over every available surface, its' a feast for the senses. If this were all done in bright red, I can imagine the eyes rebelling, but as it is, it works beautifully. All of the other furnishings of the room are plain-- making way for the floral pattern, the star of the show. It's a good one.

Image Source: Photo by Francois Halard.

lushly sophisticated

This clinches it-- if I ever get the opportunity to design a house of my own, I'm having a room like this one. It's like a nook of the outside world tucked into a house, framed as a breathing work of art that one can curl up within. Also, can you imagine what candlelight would look like with these gorgeous windows? It'd be heavenly and romantic.

Image Source: Birmingham, AL Interior by McAlpine, Booth, & Ferrier Interiors

childhood

This cozy, cottage-y kitchen just makes me happy. (The kitty doesn't hurt, either.) This one feels nostalgic for me; this looks like childhood, even though the house that I grew up in had a kitchen totally different from this. It looks small, but homey and comfortable. I like the soft green, the subtle details of the cabinetry, the flowers brightening the room. This is somewhere I'd like to come home to.

Image Source: Photo by J. Savage Gibson

groomed

This is the kind of room that my mother (who is the only person I know in real life who shares an interest in interior design) would cringe at and label "barren." I guess, technically, it could be called that. But the lines are so sleek, the colors so richly dark that the sparseness is a virtue. It's cleanly elegant, rather like a pair of Gucci shoes that have been transformed into a room.
Can you tell that I really like it?

Image Source: Photo by Guido Barbagelata.

cream and lime

I love the fresh, springy colors of this kitchen. A kitchen should be warm and happy, especially in ahome with children (I'm not sure why, but it's totally true). This one looks totally doable by anyone without a celebrity budget, and it actually looks like a home that you could live in. I know I'd want to.

Image Source: I'm not actually sure, because I'm an idiot and only started tracking where my saved images came from a few months ago. If you find out, I'd be really grateful if you could let me know!

snowy arches

I think I'm in love with this. I'd have never been able to imagine such a place on my own-- it's like a Grecian temple that's also a library. It just doesn't get any better than that.

Image Source: Carnegie Hill Brownstone, NY by Peter Pennoyer Architects.

attractive touches

While this is a perfectly cozy, bright bathroom, it's the little details that set this one apart and above most. The overall colors are solidly good, a clean white and a cool blue, along with the black-paned windows (I guess that's a recurring pro in my book). The tiny red borders on the tiles are perfectly proportioned, and in a surprising color, considering the setting. The antique green chair is truly charming-- a gentle accent that still glows.

Image Source: Photo by Burcu Avsar

a stage for the wardrobe

Here's a polished jewel-box of a closet. It is masculine, but I've always been drawn to aesthetics that are more sleek than frilly, and this wooden (cherry?) shelving is rich enough to keep the atmosphere from being cold. This is one of those rooms that I'd genuinely want in my house one day. I like the idea of having all of my clothes in immaculate order and display, although that might push me to update my wardrobe as well to be displayed here.

Image Source: Park Avenue Apartment 3. Interior by Cullman & Kravis.

neoteric

Striking, isn't it? This hallway is actually located in a hotel, but can you imagine how dramatic such a room would be in a house?

Image Source: Photo of the Murano Oriental Resort. Posted by Brocade Design etc.

twining pale

This elegantly styled bedroom has the perfect amount of spunk-- the jewel-toned blue pops. The effect is softened a little with the cool off-whites of the linens. Most compelling is the silhouettes made by the oriental white bedframe and the chandelier-- what an effect!

Image Source: by Ami Mckay Design

setting off the literature

This luxurious red finish gives the feeling of being inside a pristinely lacquered jewelry box. The neutrals, which almost have to be less vibrant to avoid overwhelming your eyes, are set off just in contrast with the gleaming red of the gilded walls. Light, interacting with the polish, is also a key player in this setting. I imagine it would be even more magical in the evening, where the warm lamplight (or candlelight?) would echo smoothly off the walls like reverberating songs.

Image Source: Fifth Avenue, designed by Nancy Boszhardt Inc.

all floaty

If you're not especially self-conscious, this would be a spectacular bathing room. The place practically glistens with the pretty white trim detailing the walls, the subtly guilded counters, and the marble of the bathtub and tile floor. I like the Greek pattern on the tiles; it grounds the airy room. This is a wonderfully glamorous environment; I like how it isn't a huge open space, since those can feel pretty odd as a bathroom. Well-proportioned and still luxurious, this has got to be one of my favorite bathrooms I've yet seen.

Image Source: design by Robin Bell.

sitting room

Excepting the minimalist windowshades, this could come straight out of a historical era. It even evokes, for me, some of the interiors in the Jane Austen films. The small pattern of the wallpaper and the smaller structures of the furniture aren't usual in our day and time. I think the patterns here are very well combined; the larger floral of the screen isn't at all overwhelmed by the diamond-patterned walls. Deep gold hues are drawn out and focused by the simple floor lamp next to the sofa.
A refined and relaxed sitting room, indeed. ("Capital, capital!")

Image Source: A Gentleman's Apartment. Interior design by Sara Bengur.

spun cream and sugar

This might make a lovely bedroom for some sophisticated young girls, but it could be better suited for a guest bedroom. It's well set up for more temporary visits-- there's little accommodations for the collection of accoutrements that eventually forms in the place you really live. It's perfect for a short stay, though: spare and cozy, it provides comfort in a pleasing way. The comforter looks plush enough to catch a parachute-less skydiver with (that's not a very restful visual, my bad), and the dreamy blue drapes around the heads of the beds give just the right soft touch. I like the hardwood floor with the rest of the decor; it balances out the light colors. The muted decorations are well done; the small hanging plates, the slipcovered chairs, the small, contrasting bedside table. Finally, the deeper blue of the cylindrical pillows set off the other colors beautifully.

Image Source: South Hampton, New York. Designed by Jeff Andrews

cheerfully churning out goodness

Here is one of the most unique kitchens I have ever come across- I love it! It's bright and quirky and uncluttered, simplified by black and white. The (pine?) wooden floors and countertops give the room a bit of light warmth, and I love the swirls on the iron gates. (Why are there gates on the entrance to the kitchen? Pets? Children? Eager husbands? Hey, it's all good.) This would be such a fun environment to cook in.

Image Source:Los Feliz, California. Designed by Jeff Andrews.

for my own particular use

Here, I admire the distinction the cream marble holds from the subtly shifting greens of the walls behind. I like the contrast of the refined and the unfinished; it sets both off to their best advantage. The wall sconce with the candle between the mantle and the window seems like an unnecessary focal point to me, but otherwise the room is skillfully laid out. I'm particularly interested in the mirror; what are the flecks of color breaking the surface? They almost steal the show, and that would be quite an accomplishment.
This is perfect place to have a quiet conversation on a chilly morning or evening, perhaps with a cup of coffee or a newspaper if you were by yourself. Quiet and elegant, this room is one I'm going to keep in mind for my own house one day.

Image Source: from Marie Claire Maison, styled by Philipe Mode.

luminescence

I never thought I would appreciate a room that was painted pink, but this proves me wrong. The coral pink is in perfect contrast with the sleek black trimmings-- the shelves, the fireplace, the floor (love the geometric pattern), and the mirror. Black defines the spaces, coral brings warmth, and the white gives illumination. Many elements are highly unusual: the geometric patterns on the floor, the eccentric details on the venetian mirror, even the subtle blue of the french chair beside the fireplace. The horns on the mantelpiece, already the focal point, give a unique touch to the room: gradation, while the rest of the living room is made up of stark contrasts. It's all wonderfully compelling, and I still haven't gotten over that it's pink.

Image Source: Paul Costello

refinement of age

Warmly classic, this living room is well situated for entertaining guests, gathering your household together, or curling up alone with a good book. The columned wooden trim is interesting- I guess it's playing on the Grecian era of knowledge by putting such detail in a library. The mossy green of the walls plays up the texture and polish of the wood, and the bronze curtains give a gentle glow. I especially like the bright pink and teal accents; they add much to the somber room.

Image Source: "Instant London", designed by Michael S. Smith, photo by Alexandre Bailhache. In Town & Country, Oct. 2008.

gilded pearl

Sometimes, when you're stuck in the clutter that comes with day-to-day life, you want to be held in a something wonderful; a palace chamber. This bedroom's understated grandeur is ideal. It is relatively spare, giving you room to unwind and breathe. Still, the royal details are beautiful and apparent: the clear chandelier, the deeply patterned curtains, and especially the huge, aged mirror.

Image Source: Winston-Salem Bungalow. Photo by Keith Scott Morton.

sleek and tailored

Who doesn't wish they had a closet this cool? All perfectly compartmentalized, arranged by type and color. Black shelving gives the setting sophistication, with the deep wooden floors setting it off richly. Getting dressed would be a lot more interesting within these polished surroundings.

Image Source: Tribeca Loft, designed by S.R. Gambrel.

hourglass checkers

How's this for a quirky library? Offbeat enough to be interesting, this room hits all of the right notes. Most upfront, the shelves make an eye-catching arrangement for books-- it certainly keeps the room from feeling stuffy. The buttery-yellow furnature and carpet helps the atmosphere feel gently bright and energetic. I like how the traditional winged armchairs are contrasted with the modern, squared couch; they flow together well, linked by the solid yellow fabric. Finally, that eccentric chandelier is terrific for this unusual room.

Image Source: Grey Crawford

high contrast

I've never seen a room quite like this. Everything is absolutely black or white, with a few jewels of color that make the room shine. I love how the black outlines the main elements of the architecture; it's like an imaginative drawing rendered in ebony ink. I find the whole conceptual feel of this bedroom really inspiring-- it's easy to imagine spending time working on creative endeavors in such a setting.

Image Source: "Cabo Cool" in Western Interiors Magazine. Interior by Kara Mann. Photo by Matthew Millman.

rest

This simple enclave looks like an ideal place to curl up next to the fire at the close of the day. It's not exactly plush with old-timey tradition, but it's a different type of comforting environment-- it's a place to rest the senses. I like the deep shelves and the high windows; they add to the den's secluded feel.

Image Source: Gramercy Park Apartment. Designed by Tom Scheerer

squares and orbs

This interior is put together so skillfully. Most of the elements here I would not ever choose on my own, but here, they look fantastic. The sharp angles of the room structure, the couch, the canvas, and the cushioned stools are set off by the round shapes of the light fixture and the inner yellow of the map painting. Also, the complex texture of the wood grain on the coffee table and the black on the map provide focal points amongst the solid colors of the rest of the interior. I'm finally starting to enjoy this color combination that's becoming so popular: steely greys and lavenders with sunny yellow. All of this together makes for a marvelously modern atmosphere that took an impressive designer to envision.

Image Source: Annie Schlechter

skillful combination

This mix of period elements works surprisingly well-- the room as a whole looks like every cog was meant to be there, but when you separate the pieces, there is a lot of diversity. From what I can tell, the table is (probably a reproduction of) an old European design, perhaps as old as the medieval era? The subtle designs on the upper portion of the wall harken to that era as well. I wish I could see more of the fireplace and the door; they look like classic elements too. The architecture is Art Deco, what with the high ceilings and the deep, sharply angled windows. Both the hanging platform for the candles and the seats are more modern, maybe from the 1990s- now. The differences flow together extraordinarily well.
This dining room has a restrained grandeur that is wonderfully atmospheric. I imagine it would be even better at night with all of the candles and the fireplace blazing.

Image Source: photo by John Coolidge

sapphire

The sheer opulence of this is awe-inspiring. Being here would be like being in the inside of a many-colored gemstone. It's hard to imagine having such an exotic room in a home, but owning one would demand that one give sumptuous dinner parties and such just to use it. What dinner parties those would be.
The lavish floral patterns on the walls look like some of the more brilliant Islamic illuminated manuscripts. Those manuscripts were meticulously painted to glorify the words recorded; often, the patterns were gilded with gold.
Even though there's no unpatterned surface to rest your eyes on, it's still not overwhelming (in an unpleasant way, anyhow). It is extravagant without being too much to take, because the colors are so richly dark.

Image Source: Alidad, designer

bright as yellow

Heavenly, isn't it? This setting is an escape in itself, even if it isn't in a vacation home or something. Perfectly relaxed and mellow, this bedroom is positively idylllic. I really like the arrangement of the windows-- it's wonderful for the light, and I bet the kitties would love it (...I'm a cat person, these things stand out to me). The palate is soft, allowing the green outside to glow while still being warm. I'm also really liking the choice of the bedspread-- the brown square panel brings some slight structured contrast to the gentleness of the rest.

Image Source: Aug/Sept 2008 issue of Western Interiors. Photo by Matthew Millman.

a warm kitchen

There is such an interesting mixture of modern and natural in this kitchen. The juxtaposition of the burnished metal wall lining above the counters, the sharply angled appliances, and the polished metal barstools against the wooden countertops and floor sets off the best of both. Still, the dominant earthy palate keeps the whole room in sync, and the effect is really attractive.
The layout of this kitchen looks sharp. It's hard to cook in a kitchen that doubles as a hallway, and this one is enclosed. There's no obstructions in the middle, so the cook can easily move around.
A lot of times, kitchens have an overly bright palate that just ends up being jarring. At the same time, it is important that a good kitchen avoid being dank and depressing-- not the effect you want. I think this kitchen provides a happy medium, warmth.

Image Source: The Emily Todhunter Group