If I hadn't already found the sconces for my bathroom renovation, I would definitely consider these. Love the styling. (Double Box Chrome Light, recently carried by Lamps Plus but now I can't find them)
This outdoor flush mount Vaxcel Robie light is on it's way to my house now where it may end up as a hall light after adding a bit of gold rub n-buff. Have you ever used outdoor lights inside ?
Designer Janelle Steinberg of the blog Maison Classique transformed a plain, builder-grade powder room by designing an innovative use of beadboard paneling. Placed on an angle to create a chevron pattern, it changes the entire look of the space. Makes you think about beadboard paneling in a whole new way. Love it!!!
In progress - vertical stiles provide a finished look to the seams of the chevron pattern.
Janelle also posted a very detailed schematic plan for the transformation. You can check it out here.
Some designers say they don't have a signature look but often they do. In this case, designer Michelle Nussbaumer proved the opposite and created a design, not with her signature look, but one that reflects the homeowners beautifully. When this story was published in Jan/Feb 2006, homeowner and then DHome Editor Christine Allison penned the story herself and captured it best with these remarks, "Thus, on the face of it, it might have seemed incongruous, even daft, that we would have turned for guidance to Michelle Nussbaumer...Nussbaumer is as theatrical as we are not...But the truth was, we were due for a little glamour. And Nussbaumer figured us out in our first meeting." 
Entry Hall
Photography by Stephen Karlisch. First two images from Michelle Nussbaumer's site as they were so much better than my scanned versions. 
This is one of the most beautiful dining libraries I've ever seen. I love the contrast of light and dark, formality and informality and the scale of the space. Pretty much perfection. This image comes from an incredible blog called Beautiful Libraries with a very accurate tagline, The Most Beautiful Libraries in the World. The blog mentions this library is in Mel Gibson's Connecticut mansion which was for sale back in 2009. If you love libraries, this blog will be a joy to visit.
I purchased this mirror at a yard sale a while back. Although I liked the shape, it looked like a mass-produced piece from the 60's and the gold was definitely skewing cheap amd gaudy. It stayed temporarily in my dining room until I found a new location for it in a corner of my living room, where it opened up and brightened a corner.
I painted out part of the mirror with a sample can of Farrow & Ball Pavilion Gray, sanding off some of the finish on the appliques. It's so nice to AF (and finish!) my small DIY project. Next project - get the right sized harp for that lamp... 
Color blocking on the headboard and chairs in the Buenos Aires home of Maria Noel. Just a little bit adds a lot energy. Very chic. Originally featured in Domino June 2006, photography by Max Kim-Bee, via the fabulous blog English Muse.
When I first saw this room of the late Mimi Weddell I couldn't take my eyes off of it. You could make the argument this it is both living with, and decorating with, books. And, her eye for color is amazing. (image from Casa Vogue 2005, photography by Tim Walker via Identical Eye here.) 
It reminded me that I received a wonderful book for Christmas, Decorating with Books. While the rooms featured aren't as riotous as Mimi's, they're inspiring and interesting and, more importantly, most were images I hadn't seen.
Have you ever seen a mantel like this before?
Thank you to Matchbook Magazine for including me in their January 2012 issue with my thoughts on the one beauty product I can't live without, pg. 41. (I almost chose an anti-wrinkle cream but refrained.) The January issue is their 12th as they head towards their one year anniversary in February. Congratulations on a wonderful years' worth of issues!!
One of my favorite Matchbook decor stories was of Kate and Andy Spades's home in the November issue. If you haven't checked it out yet, be sure to.
Nov 2003 Traditional Home - The first two images are from the home of British designer Emily Todhunter and the conservatory is from the home of Jeremy Hackett. They stood out to me as designs that create a quiet, calming atmosphere.
Photography above by Colleen Duffley, image below by Francis Hammond.
Hope you have a great weekend - calming or otherwise, depending on your preference!
The host site for the 2012 DC Design House was announced yesterday and it's a stately Colonial located at 4951 Rockwood Parkway NW in Spring Valley. You can view the current listing here. This looks like it's going to be a great one! (Thank you Mathew for giving me the heads up!)
Jura Koncius of The Washington Post tweeted that the Bare Bones tour is scheduled for Feb 25th. I'm sorry to miss it although my consolation is that I'm going to be in St. John Virgin Islands. It's been really cold here today...
For a little eye candy: Something about the finish on these end tables and their slightly askew placement makes this room for me. Design by Jillian Pritchard Cook from Veranda here.
2007 (8th grade)
Dec 24, 2011 - (Senior Year) The letter he's been waiting for arrived. YES, he'd been accepted to his #1 choice, Massachusetts College of Art and Design in Boston, to study for a BFA in Film. And, he was given a merit scholarship based solely on his own accomplishments. We are so happy for him!!
Last week I finished reading Asa Larsson's most recent novel translated into English, which then got me searching around the internet for some of the Swedish cultural references in the book. This led to finding designer Marie Olsson Nylander's home, originally featured in the Swedish magazine Residence. It turns out this creative, colorful home was covered by numerous blogs last January but I'm only just finding it now. Wish I knew the name of the photographer - isn't this first image with the edge of the green pot in the foreground genius?
I think interior design in 2012 is going to feature alot more color. What do you think?
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.png)
