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.