Thursday, February 28, 2008
Kid's Bedrooms - Sweet but not Twee
all images via Living etc.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Martini anyone? Liquor as a home accessory...
Image via House Beautiful. Design by Craig Schumacher and Phillip Kirk, portrait by Arn Hansen.
Our bar cabinet is positioned between two french doors in our family room. This photo is from the summertime. As you'll note, there are two, not one, bottles of Bombay Sapphire. I love this gorgeous caribean blue color! ( and a well-made gin & tonic with a twist of lime.)
Living etc, Jan 2008, Inside-Out chest, Fresh West Design
Williams Sonoma Home Montmarte Cabinet
Inside Avenue bar cabinet
And for those wine aficianodos - a vintage bottle holder.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Wall & Trim - Same Color?
Thank you to Beach Bungalow 8 for a post about the above demi lune table, noting that she was happy to see the wall and trim the same color. Her insightful response to a question I posted started me thinking about times when the better design choice would be to abandon the classic white/ivory trim and woodwork and opt for a more seamless, uniform look.
Before - my living room with trim in White Dove, Benjamin Moore
The white chairs seemed to emphasize the trim - which is very basic and very non-descript.
After - trim and wall Beacon Hill Damask, Benjamin Moore
I'm really pleased with the results. Our house is a 1950's ranch and except for a family room and office addition, the ceilings are 8 feet in height. As soon as the trim and wall were painted to match, the ceilings felt taller. So much so that I'm pondering painting the crown molding to match as a way of de-emphasizing it and also increasing the feeling of height. The crown molding is starting to feel out of place in this mid-century home. What do you think - should I paint the crown molding? Other thoughts on when it makes the best sense to have the wall and trim match?
*part way through my "photo shoot" I took the sconces off the fireplace wall. It took a photo to make me realize I didn't like them anymore! Wall (and the hurricane lamps) are looking a bit bare...
For contemplation, here are some more rooms with matching wall and trim color.
House Beautiful, Robert Goodwin designer. Per interview by Christoper Petkanas: "Goodwin painted the trim in the entry the same color as the walls. He prefers this modern-looking treatment to the tradition of painting it in a contrasting color."
Barbary Barry image via Alkemie
D Home Feb. 2008, design by Kelly Hardage, photography Timothy Kolk
The uniform color choice treats this elegant, clean lined entry table as sculpture.
Martha Stewart's Maine guesthouse Here it's all pink - even the crown molding with dentil trim and the formal fireplace surround and wall paneling.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Pretty Pink
Living etc, May 06
Living etc, Jan 08
Living etc, March 07,
wallpaper in room and below from Timorous Beasties
We were "iced-in" today - no school but also no snow to have fun in. On this grey day I found these rooms with touches of pink to be a great antidote. The first two rooms remind me of how one accent color can create such a huge impact. I also love the third room because it bravely revels in all its pinkness. For more pink, check out Pigtown Design's post on Ashes of Roses and All Things Bright and Beautiful for the pink peonies in her new masthead and a wonderful post on Joe Nye that includes more pink-inspiration.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
And the Oscar goes to...House Beautiful
Design by David DeMattei and Patrick Wade, photography Jose Picayo
Design by David DeMattei and Patrick Wade, Photography Jose Picayo
Designer Kathryn Ireland, photography Victoria Pearson
Designer Kathryn Ireland, photography Victoria Pearson
Monday, February 18, 2008
Wood Sinks...
Aura walnut sink
Aura wood sink
Aura walnut integrated basin
Aura butternut sink
Aura sink
William Garvey teak sink
William Garvey integrated sink
William Garvey sink
Aura, a Canadian firm, was the first company I came across that crafts custom wood sinks. As noted on Aura's site, "AURA custom wood sinks are made from solid wood and can be crafted in virtually any size, shape or design, from a wide range of wood species. All the sinks are sealed in a clear protective finish to preserve the wood's natural beauty. This hard protective finish creates an impenetrable barrier which prevents water and moisture from penetrating the sink."
The English bespoke furniture maker, William Garvey, also makes wood sinks. As noted on their web site, "The Garvey company made their first sink in 1978, for a local client who wanted to transform the chore of washing up into a pleasure. In the early days the sinks and baths were made from natural teak with no additional finishing. Teak is chosen because of its natural waterproofing properties – it has been used for hundreds of years in the marine industry for this reason – teak also has natural antiseptic properties, which is a bonus for its use in baths and sinks. Now their sinks are virtually maintenance-free as their TeakSeal™ finish is incorporated into the teak itself providing a tough, easy-to-clean product that will stand the test of time. Their first sink is still in use to this day, and the owners love it so much that they took it with them when they moved."
hmm...a wood sink could be a definite possibility. I'm looking for something different but I also don't want to be too impractical. Any thoughts?
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Love this room
image via Living etc, Nov. 2006
Patricia Gray's recent post about Beautiful Brown was on my mind when I came across this room. Love the white fireplace, window moldings and artwork contrasted with the sharp, saturated fabric colors by Designers Guild.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Designer Angie Hranowsky
images from AngieHranoswky.com and House Beautiful, March 2007
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Happy Valentine's Day! - VIrtual chocolate for you
Artisan Confections - where art is chocolate and chocolate is art. Having indulged in these more times than I would like to reveal, I can tell you they are as delicious as they are beautiful.