A Room for This Day

concord

2009-03-12T22:56:00.003-04:00

I would definitely appreciate being in such a sharp, sophisticated place right now. Everything symmetrical and clean, bright white with subtle floral wallpaper and slickly finished wooden floors. I think I'd rather be in a place like this than in the midst of all of the frills of luxury. Ordered and beautiful.

Image Source: Bel Air Residence by Madeline Stuart

Update no. II

2009-03-12T21:02:00.000-04:00

Allrighty then, here’s the new digs. I apologize for the messy plan, it’s what came out with my limited skill, lack of measurements, and photoshop. It should give a general idea of how the house is laid out, though.
It was originally built in the early 1930s for my great-great-grandparents. It’s a pretty cute little house, I think in a bungalow-type style. The outside is finished with painted tan stucco, which has held up surprisingly well. Until my great-great-grandmother died (in 1991), it was well kept. Then, it passed to her son Jimmy (who had lived there all of his life), and he didn’t care for it at all. Notoriously dirty, Jimmy didn’t bother to put any work into the place at all, letting it all rot and disintegrate. He died in early 2007, and the house was willed to my mother and her brother.

I went through this morning with my laptop and took some pictures. It feels decidedly odd to be holding a piece of decent technology in these dilapidated surroundings.

From the front door, looking in at the den.

Like I said, we stripped up all of the carpet. The place feels about a hundred times cleaner now.

From the dining room, looking back at the den.

The dining room. It’s hard to get a good picture of it, especially since my webcam camera can’t exactly zoom in and out.

Dining Room wall, and Jimmy’s bedroom door.

Here’s the Kitchen. It’s not a bad layout, and it looks about a hundred times cleaner than it did when I first got here.

Because you don’t get the full experience until you see the floor.

Here’s one end of the back porch. That is the old freezer (it’s rusting horribly), my dorm fridge which my parents are using, a large green broken refrigerator, and a broken washing machine. The dryer works though, yay.

And here’s the other end of the back porch, aka my future room (yippee! …). Right now, I kip in the den.

To start on the other side of the house, this is the bathroom. This is after a lot of scrubbing.

Cabinet over the bathtub.

Jimmy’s room from the door. I’m a bit scared to venture further.

There! See? a foot or two further inside. That paneling is the cheapiest crud ever, and must be taken care of.

Master bedroom.

It was hard to get a good angle on this. The rooms are too small to see all of except with about ten pictures, and I have no desire to get that much of an eyeful of this place.

It looks bad now (worse than in the pictures, actually), but I do think this place has some potential. I like some of the details, like the pretty doors and the ceilings.

I’ve been brainstorming some ways to improve this place, and those will follow, hopefully with better pictures. Until then, though, my goal is to get it clean.

Update no. I

2009-03-11T15:18:00.000-04:00

I apologize for the lack of posting around here. The archives should look right, but I actually haven’t posted since February 28th. School and life decided to call and kick me in the face a few times, and I’ve been wrapped up in that. I’m currently on Spring Break (I’m a junior at college), so I have enough time to update here.

It looks like I’ll be doing some decorating work of my own, albeit unintentionally. Through a series of unhappy events, my parents’ house was foreclosed on and they moved out. No place to go, really, except for this broken-down place that once belonged to my mother’s great-uncle. He died a few years back, and the house passed to my mother and her brother. Once, it would never have been considered an option to live in. It’s grungy, decrepit, and out in the middle of nowhere. It’s where we are now, like it or not.

I wish I had gotten some pictures from the start. As soon as I got out of school, I headed to my new house, where my parents had conveniently arrived the night before. I didn’t have a camera, only my MacBook, and it didn’t seem like a good idea to dig it out. My parents had tried to prep me for the sight by telling me to imagine the worst. I have been to this house before, when I was only about 8 or 9 years old, and the whole place is shrouded in bad memories. I walked in expecting the ceilings to be falling in and the floors to cave if I walked too briskly—it wasn’t quite so bad. But…. it was filthy. Junk everywhere. Mice had infested this place not long ago, and the corners were still blackened from them. The seventies yellow-green molded carpet smelled sharply of gas. Mold covered the doors and walls. There was absolutely no clean surface; as soon as you touched anything, you wanted to scrub with alcohol. In the kitchen, the ceiling tiles, heavy with a leak in the ceiling, had disintegrated and fallen over the whole room. Dirty dishes still piled in the old, stained sink. Bottles of grease cluttered the surface of the broken stove. Over every surface smeared a greasy, brown residue. This is where I started.

Armed with black trash bags, I went through the kitchen and flung out everything that wasn’t nailed down. Mice had been here, too, everywhere, even inside the drawers. There were still cans of vegetables and meat in the cabinets, some of which had popped the metal lids out. I threw it all away, trying not to think about it, holding my breath. When this was done, I made the first clean surface in the house by scrubbing out the sink with bleach.

Over the next couple of days, my dad ripped out the carpet from the dining room, the den, and the master bedroom. The surface underneath is pine, I think. It looks like someone polished the outer edges, and left what was under a rug bare. Since the owners grew up in the depression (and this is Arkansas), we think they were being frugal and didn’t polish except what would be seen. The boards were coated in staples, tacks, dirt and mold. We got all of it up, though, and the boards beneath are ugly but bleached clean. I went over all of the walls and molding with Clorox, leaving the paint looking decidedly less green than before. I don’t care at all how much damage it will do to things by bleaching them—better destroyed than hazardous.

The gas doesn’t work anymore. The tank had a leak in it, so we just turned it off and capped off the pipes. I like that better, anyway—the smell is horrible, and I’ll never get used to it. So there’s no heat, and no hot water. Power hasn’t been as big of an issue as I feared; only two-pronged plugs, but enough power that we haven’t shorted out anything yet. The refrigerator, microwave, and oven are all shot. There’s one bathroom in this house, and nothing in it functioned. My dad spent the first two days reassembling the toilet and sink, and now they actually sort of work. I’m looking forward to getting a hot water heater. The bathtub has no showerhead, either.

Right now, my priority is to empty the house of filth. We’ve gotten the kitchen, dining room, den, master bedroom, and most of the kitchen done (in three days). That leaves the small bedroom, the back porch (which has been enclosed), and the bathroom. The small bedroom belonged to my uncle, and it holds the worst of the filth. Piles of his old belongings and dirty clothes litter every surface. It’s revolting, and I think I want to purchase some kind of mask so that I don’t toxify and die, so to speak. After all of these are done (maybe by the end of this week), I can start to make this place less of an eyesore.

onyx

2009-03-11T14:37:00.002-04:00

It would feel incredibly glamorous to come sweeping down this staircase. It’s a stunning piece, leading the eyes up and away from the deeply polished black floor. And here’s another example of the zebra rug; here, it compliments the white stripe running the stairs. If I really wanted to feel like a celebrity, this is where I would want to be.

Image Source: Brentwood Estate. Design by Kelly Wearstler

creamery

2009-03-10T15:10:00.001-04:00

I’d definitely becoming a fan of this type of open shelving instead of cabinets. I doubt it would work for me at the moment, though—my dishes are a conglomeration of all different patterns and colors, and it wouldn’t be a very unified display. Not that this is inherently bad, but a mostly monochrome silhouette would be much more stunning in my opinion. Here, the patterns are subtle enough to keep the effect. It looks splendid together with the pale yellow wall, marble countertops, and creamy cabinets. A kitchen this cheerful is a treasure.

San Francisco Kitchen by DeMattei & Wade

mirage

2009-03-09T14:33:00.001-04:00

This has got to be one of the sweetest nooks I’ve yet found. A bed walled by books, complete with a lamp and a window—besides a cat and a cup of tea, what else could you wish for?

Image Source: Frank Faulkner's Home (by his design). Posted by Nicole at So Haute!

clean cut

2009-03-08T14:29:00.001-04:00

This clean, sharply-lined den has a great palette. Light, steely blue, contrasted with warm cream, yellow, orange, and brown, and grounded with black and white. Zebra skin rugs are finally starting to grow on me, after seeing them used to such wonderful effects as this. I think the transparent coffee table is a cool touch as well—a modern surface against the craftsman room structure, 1920s club leather club chair, and retro sofa. This dense conglomeration of elements is impressive and appealing.

Image Source: City Magazine – Tom Dolby’s Apartment. Photo by Brian Park

profile

2009-03-07T14:25:00.001-05:00

Clearly modeled after the collection of silhouettes clustered on the mantle, this playful little room is full of charm. I especially like the oval window in the left bookcase—many antique silhouettes would be enclosed in frames of the same shape. Harder to see are the white figurines, but they are visible standing against the black bookshelves. I love the way this theme plays out. Every surface is highlighted against it’s background; it’s a feast for the eyes.

Image Source: Design by Jeffrey King Interiors

clubbing

2009-03-06T14:24:00.001-05:00

It’s too bad the whole of this library isn’t visible. What I see, I really like. I wouldn’t have ever picked this apple-red club chair, but its’ character is one of the best aspects of the room, especially against the rounded archway of the huge mirrored door in the background. Of course, the room has the virtue of being a library, and it even has a ladder (mmm) as well as a fireplace.

Le finestre sul mare. at AT Casa

yesteryear

2009-03-05T14:19:00.001-05:00

This softly glamorous bedroom is full of surprises. I can’t quite place the era from which the bed was designed (any ideas?), but it’s lovely and structured and plush. The painted stripes on the wall give subtle detail. The nightstands are both appealing—one mirrored, one white and oval-shaped. The dark painting over the bed and the black skeleton of the chandelier stand out in sharp relief to the rest, setting off both aspects. This has got to be one of the coolest bedrooms I’ve yet come across—it’s like transporting right back into the 1930s.

Image Source: Greenwich House Master Bedroom. Interior by Noel Jeffrey

a room for the view

2009-03-04T14:17:00.001-05:00

I grew up in Georgia. I’ve lived in every situation; uptown Atlanta, suburbs, and out in the cotton country. Elegant plantation houses are a common theme throughout the state, and this is just the sort of room you would want if you lived in such a grand abode. Overlooking a lake surrounded by woods, this spare room has all of the decoration it needs. I imagine taking breakfast here would be as lovely as a candlelit dinner.

Image Source: Westchester Waterfront. Interior by Glenn Gissler Design

cranny

2009-03-03T14:12:00.001-05:00

A winding staircase and a hidden library—it’s two of my childhood ambitions wrapped in one. Not that a circular staircase is practical, but it becomes moreso if book storage is included in the package. As if you needed an excuse!

Image Source: East Side Duplex. Interior by Glenn Gissler Design

up and coming

2009-03-02T14:09:00.001-05:00

This classic bedroom has been handled with a light, sure touch. Patterns aren’t overdone: a small motif on the bedskirt, a framed painting over the mantle, and an (antique?) black artifact looking down on the bed. Otherwise, the room is a steady combination of white and orange with hues of cream. I would love a fireplace in a bedroom, it makes it so elegant and cozy. The wide window makes a grand statement, and a convenient plush bench is sure to be used by both humans and cats.

Image Source: Montreal Residence 1. Interior by Scott Yetman Design. Photo by Brian Park.

Springy

2009-03-01T14:03:00.002-05:00

This bedroom isn’t at all in line with what I like. I looked at it, and dismissed it. Pink, floral drapes and bed, clashing with the bright green—mmph. But the next time I saw it, I was absorbed by it. And the next, I liked it. Funny how that works.
It’s grown on me, hugely. Cheerful, optimistic, and alive. I would never have combined these elements together. The white molding and the details on the drapes glow against the deep green, and I like the effect of the polished black lampshade. A light turquoise is sprinkled in that pink headboard, brought out by the upholstered chair. Again, never would have combined these—and I love the effect. I smile every time I see it.

Image Source: Photo by Brian Park. Featured in Home and Garden Magazine.

amber

2009-02-28T21:24:00.000-05:00

It is made up of simple lines, but layers of color. This bedroom is filled with warm, plain features with just enough detail to be lovely. Of course, the rug ties it all together-- and adds pretty pale blue to the burnt orange majority.

Image Source: from MarthaStewart.com

alcove

2009-02-27T23:26:00.000-05:00

Even though I fall in love with every library I see, there are still those that really stand out. This one is a hallway-- not exactly what I would normally envision as the site of my personal literary collection. It would seem cumbersome, illogical, and scattered to arrange it this way. Except... well, I love it. The alcoves created are a perfect place to read in. There's something about a nook that is attractive that way. Yes, I could definitely embrace this plan.

Image Source: Soho Loft by Coffinier Ku Design, LTD.

smooth

2009-02-26T23:00:00.000-05:00

This clean-cut kitchen is perfectly pitched, but stylish and classic.

Image Source: Central Park West, designed by Nancy Boszhardt Inc.

green apple

2009-02-25T23:02:00.000-05:00

This is one to wake you up. I can just imagine stumbling in here first thing in the morning and having my eyes opened for me. I'm not sure how flattering the green paint would be for your skin tone, but it certainly does have a dramatic impression. I especially like how it's paired with the bold mirror, but I think the sink is a little much-- it muddles the strength of the other elements. Still, it's quite a bathroom.

Image Source: San Francisco interior by Katie Ridder

iridescent

2009-02-24T11:04:00.000-05:00

I've seen lots of different examples of the newly re-popular chinoiserie wallpaper, but never one used like this. The unusually pearlescent design is only applied in the upper 2/5s of the room-- leaving the viewers with a perspective like the creatures the wallpaper displays. It adds much to the fantasy aspect of the room, and the extra moulding even heightens the elegance of the room. It's balanced out perfectly by the sharp angularity of the chairs and floor.

Image Source: Cottage Old America at AT Casa

glass half full

2009-02-23T23:47:00.000-05:00

I think this Monday calls for something spirited, and this room has spirit to spare. This bright area is attractively modern. The elements are simple, but perfect in their way. Vivid, unembellished bursts of color stand out from the organized possessions of everyday life. Here, it looks easy to be optimistic.

Image Source: L'appartement. Uploaded by maxime clair on Flickr.

living walls

2009-02-22T23:31:00.000-05:00

The best rooms aren't always indoors.

Image Source: unknown. If you happen to know, please tell me and I will credit it.

passage

2009-02-21T23:51:00.000-05:00

This isn't so much a room as a pleasing arrangement of elements. I'm not quite sure if it's the light or the hue of the paint, but this lightly-tinted green is fresh and beautiful. With the gold of the painting frames and table, it's luminous. It's too easy to be heavy-handed with these traditional elements (paneled walls, french furnishings, and on), but this whole arrangement has been handled quite tastefully. It's refreshing, even as it recalls another era.

Image Source: photo by Kim Sayer

today, here

2009-02-20T23:54:00.003-05:00

Another glorious library. Brightly polished wood, vaulting ceilings, and a circular stairwell- they combine beautifully.

Image Source: Photo by Andre Baranowski at This Old House

clarity

2009-02-19T23:13:00.000-05:00

This serene bathroom has ghostly traces of Versailles. It's not overwhelming, just barely contrasting, but the impact is gorgeous. The gently gradated tones of lavender-gray are perfect for this room. Lush, light, snowy-white drapes add to an already ethereal atmosphere.

Image Source: bathroom interior by Solas Betancourt

summery

2009-02-18T14:59:00.004-05:00

I couldn't have come up with a more pleasant alcove in which to play music. It would be blissful to be surrounded by sunlight and nature as you played. Softly, traditionally furnished, this beautiful room is completely winsome.

Image Source: photo by Phillip Ennis

ultramarine

2009-02-17T23:07:00.000-05:00

I've always liked bathrooms that were mostly tiled, but I've never seen one done in such a bold color before. This violet-blue is especially attractive, delicately trimmed in ivory and navy blue. Inconspicuous, the dreamy seascape painting is high above the line of eyesight; it's almost like clouds. Even the furnishings are particularly pleasing, old-fashioned and classic.

Image Source: design by Timothy Corrigan

eggshell

2009-02-16T23:07:00.004-05:00

Here's an interesting fusion: country, cottage-like cabinets and modern stainless steel appliances. Surprisingly, it works well, balancing out the rough edges of each, keeping the space from being stiflingly one way or the other. Very prettily designed, this kitchen looks like a happy place to bake. I especially like the soft blue. That color is hard to pull off without being harsh, cold, but this kitchen looks attractively warm.

Image Source: Country Kitchen interior by Noel Jeffrey

bricks and delicacy

2009-02-15T19:55:00.003-05:00

My first reaction to this? Weird... cool!!
Who has a brick walled-bathroom? More importantly, who would think to finish it in delicate, robin's egg blue trim? The combination is so unexpectedly pretty. Finally, the bright pedestal sink is played up by the setting-- it gleams. This styling took some creativity, and I love the results.

Image Source: photo by Sean Myers

pale fancy

2009-02-14T21:45:00.005-05:00

Today, I felt that a bit of tasteful glamour was appropriate. The moldings are chaste, not quite showy, but they still hold the pleasing promise Versailles. The marble fireplace is probably my favorite fature of the room, but the chandelier comes in a close second-- both define the room. I'm not too sure about the plaid pattern on the coffee table (/ottoman?)-- it seems to clash with the rest of the decor, but it's not very loud about it. Overall, definitely a place I'd love to spend an afternoon.

Image Source: photo by Alexandra Rowley

his and hers

2009-02-13T23:07:00.000-05:00

This angular bedroom is unexpectedly feminine and romantic. I'm sure the flowers have something to do with it, but so too do the soft, diffused lighting, chromatically layered bed linens, and the plush carpeting and headboard. The clever combination of masculine and feminine makes this subtle room stand out.

Image Source: photo by Alexandra Rowley

serene and warm

2009-02-12T23:33:00.001-05:00

This calming, simple interior makes wonderful use of a very basic palette. The kicker, clearly, is the lighting-- the warm candlelight and the classic lamp give the lavender-greys a richness that feels like coming home. While such an arrangement is unpractical (especially for the less graceful of us), it would make quite an impression for an occasion you wanted to be striking or intimate.

Image Source: Martha Stewart Living Editorial. Interior by Anthony Cochran Design.

plush and polish

2009-02-11T15:07:00.003-05:00

Like an English country clubhouse, this living room is both comfortable and grand. The details are rich, but not stifling; there's room to breathe, with earthy colors and hardwood paneled walls. Of course, there's an impressive library (pretty much any den I'm drawn to has books; they're like magnets). A perfect setting in which to sit by the fire with hot tea and read or have a long conversation.

Image Source: Diamond Ranch, Lincoln County, New Mexico. Interior Design by Thomas Jayne Studio.

symmetry

2009-02-10T23:17:00.002-05:00

The combination of Colonial American structure with Roman details is intricate, yet the results are refreshingly austere. I like the strong defined shapes and flat surfaces-- broken only by the lightly patterned wallpaper and the hydrangeas. The light fixture's style is so antiquated, it's modern. All together, the effects are impressive.

Image Source: photo by Evan Sklar

obsidian

2009-02-09T23:01:00.002-05:00

I've never even imagined a kitchen like this-- it's stunning. Definitely not for the faint of heart, this would be an amazing setting for entertaining the avant-garde set.

Image Source: Black Kitchen, designed by Miles Redd. Photo by Tim Street-Porter. Featured at HGTV.com

gloss

2009-02-08T23:20:00.000-05:00

There's nothing about this that I don't like. This setup is actually similar to the breakfast area at my grandmother's house, which worked quite pleasantly. This looks upscale and comfortable all at once, like a place you could really live in and enjoy at the same time. I'm particularly drawn to the cabinets--glass! dishes!-- and the marble with the cast iron. Good elements.
And, of course the pug. Perfect.

Image Source: Katie Lee Joel's Home

hideaway

2009-02-07T18:05:00.003-05:00

How cool is this? This would have been my ultimate bedroom as a kid, except I would probably have had a more secluded/difficult-to-get-to bed. It's like being inside a storybook, and the ones that I liked were usually about running away and living in the forest. I would've been right at home.

Image Source: photo by David A. Land

sunny

2009-02-06T16:31:00.002-05:00

The widespread infatuation with the goldenrod hue has finally won me over. I love the range of the color here, it's inspirational. I'm not entirely sure if you could really swing it in real life, but I'd welcome the challenge. A room this cheerful is hard to resist.

Image Source: Posted by decorology.

stop. breathe. sleep.

2009-02-05T22:50:00.002-05:00

Ever since I clumsily hauled myself out of bed (which is always an adventure, since I'm on the top bunk in my dorm room) at 6:00 am this morning to study for two tests, it's been my foremost goal to get right back into that comforting place. Better than a dorm bunk, though, is this. I don't really need to point out how attractive the simple lines are, with calming tan colors and fresh-looking linens-- I should just say that if there was any place I could crash right now, at this moment, it would be here. And it would be silent.

Image Source: High Rise New York Apartment, designed by Michael S. Smith

an ideal

2009-02-04T22:54:00.002-05:00

I've been a fan of this library for some time now. It comes the closest to the ideal I have in my head of any other library I've seen; I wanted sweeping, tall windows to contrast with the rich darkness of the interior. Dark hardwood shelving that overflows with volumes of literature, poetry, history, and art books. Flooring could be hardwood as well, but certainly some sort of exotic carpet. Multiple stories were optional to me, but definitely shelves that reached high enough to need a ladder. This-- this is just gorgeous.

Image Source: Cottage on the New England Coast by Allan Greenberg

it's... toasted

2009-02-03T23:24:00.003-05:00

After all of that spaciousness, something cozy appealed to me. This chocolaty color is incredible-- I wonder how you would get the paint to interact with the light like that. Is it just the photography? It's delicious, the warmth and depth of it. This whole setting is enveloping, somewhere you'd want to just curl up and snuggle or read.

Image Source: Park Avenue Apartment, designed by Tom Scheerer

air to breathe

2009-02-02T16:50:00.003-05:00

It's kind of odd how cozy can be what we need some days, and at other times, soaring open spaces can have the same calming effect. I love the drama of this setting (isn't that a common theme of the interiors I'm drawn to?), with the almost cathedral-like windows and inky black furnishings. Most of all, though, I just like the expanse of cool space.

Image Source: Casa Vignelli

tinsel

2009-02-01T18:13:00.002-05:00

I think this wallpaper is just a passing trend, but I am really enjoying the prevalence of it lately. It's silvery, magical. It's light-handed and classy. I particularly like the way it has been used here-- the pattern is allowed to glow with the rest of the furnishings tastefully subtle. The chandelier choice is inspired-- flowing thematically and attractive in hue.

Image Source: Connecticut House design by Healing Barsanti

a glint from a distance

2009-01-31T23:20:00.003-05:00

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

2009-01-30T07:51:00.000-05:00

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

2009-01-29T14:46:00.003-05:00

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

2009-01-28T22:49:00.000-05:00

..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

2009-01-26T23:24:00.003-05:00

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

2009-01-26T23:15:00.004-05:00

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

2009-01-25T23:29:00.000-05:00

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

2009-01-25T00:28:00.002-05:00

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

2009-01-23T23:12:00.002-05:00

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

2009-01-22T23:08:00.002-05:00

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

2009-01-21T23:36:00.004-05:00

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

2009-01-19T20:47:00.003-05:00

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

2009-01-19T08:05:00.000-05:00

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

2009-01-18T09:36:00.000-05:00

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

2009-01-17T01:35:00.000-05:00

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

2009-01-16T08:36:00.000-05:00

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

2009-01-15T06:52:00.001-05:00

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

2009-01-14T07:53:00.000-05:00

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

2009-01-13T07:10:00.001-05:00

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

2009-01-12T08:35:00.000-05:00

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

2009-01-11T11:25:00.000-05:00

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

2009-01-10T07:35:00.000-05:00

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

2009-01-09T00:06:00.000-05:00

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

2009-01-08T00:10:00.000-05:00

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

2009-01-07T00:06:00.002-05:00

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

2009-01-06T00:35:00.000-05:00

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

2009-01-05T00:20:00.000-05:00

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

2009-01-04T08:50:00.000-05:00

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

2009-01-03T00:16:00.000-05:00

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

2009-01-02T01:52:00.000-05:00

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

2009-01-01T10:18:00.000-05:00

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

if Cranes designed rooms

2008-12-31T12:03:00.001-05:00

This well-tailored bedroom reminds me of a crisp piece of stationary. The orderly atmosphere is really attractive. The hanging streamers (tapestries?) add life and depth to the room, breaking the line of sight without making a barrier. I could definitely sleep tight here; I like neatness, and this achieves that without being dull in the least. I'm especially liking the classical colors used-- it seems like they've gone out of style a bit lately, and it's good to see them employed in an elegant way while still being interesting.

Image Source: Eddie Ross

an orderly music

2008-12-30T00:07:00.000-05:00

I'm drawn to the warmth of this setting. I like the way the books have been lit and silenced at the same time. It appears they've been lined with paper to unify the spines. I like the look that creates: it's calm without being boring in the least. The polished piano holds the promise of a good song, with a classic lamp to light the pages of music and the other books in the library. I don't see anywhere for an audience to be-- the only chair isn't a bench. This room is for the pianist alone.
Classic, intimate, and tailored to the musician. I want to create a space that fits me this well.

Image Source: Nathan Egan Interiors

a room art wrought

2008-12-29T15:35:00.000-05:00

This room is more than a living space, it's a wonderful mixture of elements that have made a work of art. Rich chocolate hues are punctuated most immediately by the oriental blue dogs on the table, but the soft gold of the curtains, echoing the traces of gold paint in the paneling, is what really sets it alight.
I don't know what section of the house this photograph captured, but I would imagine it best situated at the end of a short hallway, with a bedroom's entrance as one turns left. It just seems too richly quiet to be a place for public traffic.

Image Source: photo by Frances Janisch

a living wall

2008-12-28T11:11:00.000-05:00

Doesn't this look peaceful and bright? This seems like the perfect way to eat breakfast and wake up fully.
These colors are normally ones I avoid, but the work beautifully in this room. The turquoise and the vivid dapples of orange make the nature outside all the more lovely. The table and chairs are fine, but obviously not the center of attention in this gorgeous setting.

Image Source: from Cote Sud (?), posted by MLN at Interior Divine

by morning light

2008-12-27T15:02:00.000-05:00

I just want to be there. It looks like a perfect place to work on the various projects that just pop up in life (I'm thinking giftwrapping, but that's just because Christmas is on my brain). The small table makes it a little odd to be a dining room, but it would certainly work for that purpose if you wanted an intimate setting.
There are several things I really like about this room. The high ceiling, the intricate trim, the paneled mirrors, and the lovely chandelier give the room an elegance that feels Parisian. Mellow colors keep it from being too standoffish, and the furniture, while formal, looks comfortable enough to actually use. The modern art doesn't do anything for me, but nor does it detract too much from the atmosphere.

Image souce: Veere Grenney Associates

Introduction

2008-12-27T14:37:00.000-05:00

I'm diving into the fray of interior bloggings. I'm not exactly an expert on this, but I enjoy looking and I enjoy sharing. Let's see what happens.