January 6, 2009 \\
Blackout
Get ready to see a lot of black walls this year.
images found here.
Archive for Elegant Rooms
September 22, 2008 \\
Not your typical jock home
Unlike most professional athletes homes that are adorned with gody interiors and tacky trophy displays, this athlete’s home is built with some serious class. An article in the July issue of Architectural Digest has an article on Lance Armstrong’s Austin home. Built with timeless architecture, modern updates, and contemporary furniture, this home is beautiful.
Things I love: the landscaping is amazing.
I love this shot. Since the weather in Austin is nice most of the year, making use of the outdoor space is great. This doesn’t even feel like a patio, I love the thought of drapery and chandeliers for outdoor spaces.
Although the kitchen is pretty masculine, I like the industrial touch with the light pendants. I also like the way the family photos are displayed above the mil work.
I like the way he displays his Tour de France jerseys. Seven years in a row. Wow.
I’m a big fan of soft contemporary design: design with clean lines and simplicity that still is warm. This room epitomizes soft contemporary.
August 26, 2008 \\
Maison Baccarat
We all could use a little bling in our decor. Baccarat crystal is an understatement of bling.
The Baccarat House in Paris is the headquarters to this crystal empire, and was designed by the great Phillipe Starck. The building consists of a crystal boutique, museum, ballroom, and restaurant and has quickly established itself as one of Paris’ main hubs for the elite socialites.
A history of the building From Baccarat’s Website:
Baccarat has relocated to a legendary place situated at 11, place des Etats-Unisin Paris. The former muse of this unique private mansion, Marie-Laure de Noailles (1902-1971) gave magical parties there and metamorphosed this magnificent place of pomp and tradition into a home dedicated to painters, writers and musicians. Time and again she would reorganize the layout and design of the mansion to suit her mood.
While I’m typically not a huge fan of pink rooms, The Cristal Room Baccara is an exception. This was once where the former dining room of Marie-Laure de Noailles was, and Phillipe Stark did an excellent job in keeping the original design while adding a touch of modern and glam. Lovely.
The size of this chair can be understood when looking at the spiral staircase beside it. Unbelievable.
Soooo shinny, I love it.
All Photos courtesy of Jason Fist’s Flickr Page.
August 15, 2008 \\
Clingstone - Old House & the Sea
Clingstone, an unusual mansion on an island in Rhode Island’s Narragansett Bay, has survived stormy weathers and high seas for 103 years. It looks kinda creepy and seems like the perfect set for a scary movie or horror film. But I find it fascinating that it hasn’t been destroyed and that it’s still being lived in. It’s a beautiful home by day, but i’m not gonna lie…i’d be freaked out to stay there at night. Here’s the New York Times article and also their Slideshow.
July 30, 2008 \\
Mamma Mia, Get the look
My favorite summer blockbuster movie, hands down. I loved, and continue to love this movie not only because of the wonderful singing and dancing, but also because of the gorgeous scenery. I was really inspired by the colors, patterns, and materials found on the set of this movie. Everything you see in this movie is very current for home fashions this summer and fall. Here are some tips for getting the look. Take note of the turquoise/light blue with red. It was everywhere in this film. In this movie, as well as other Greek design, there is hardly any wall art because of the material of the buildings:stucco. They draw a lot of interest for their design through textiles.
Lots of texture and lots of pattern are a key ingredient for this look.
These beautifully embroidered sheets from Pottery Barn have a nice Mediterranean pattern as well as cute, scalloped edges…and they’re on sale. Perfect!
Blue is such an important color for this look because it mimics the color from the ocean. Crate and Barrel’s Marrakech does the job quite well.
Notice the textiles in the back of this picture: again, lots of different patterns with bright colors.
This double-sided bedding from Sundance has two Greek motifs embroidered in the quilt: the Greek sun and then the Anthemion pattern on the reverse. And I hate to mention it AGAIN…but the red and ocean blues.
Mama Mia Picture courtesy of Peter Mountain / Universal Pictures
July 28, 2008 \\
Black and White
I’ve had these pictures filed away in my computer for sometime…so I can’t remember who designed them or to the pictures. But these rooms are so fun, I just had to share.
When doing black and white it is always good to soften up the look with another accent color. In this room the walls are blue and the chairs are mustard, making it a little less over whelming when you walk in. Notice the big plant on one side of the doors that mirrors the accent table with sharp, angular accents. Plants are a great way to soften any look.
This black and white room has a theme of geometric shapes. Again, the designer added another color to add more interest to this room.
This European room adds interest through a variety of different textures. If you are not doing any accent colors, it is important to add interest through a variety of different textures. This will allow the room to feel more inviting.
July 11, 2008 \\
Limes Hotel by Alexander Lotersztain
Check out this elegant-looking hotel by Argentinian designer Alexander Lotersztain. It’s called the Limes Hotel and it opened up just a few weeks ago in Brisbane, Australia.
A cool roof-top hang-out spot and cinema.
“I decided to view the hotel in its absolute entirety – considering the intended look and feel, and paying heavy attention to the interiors, furniture, surfaces and finishes, as well as extending my design influence to Limes’ music and drinks list. I went on to give the Limes a “face” by tangibly branding the hotel through its facade – an extension of the Limes logo on a gross scale. By leaving no facet of the hotel to chance, one feels what I can only describe as the “spirit” of Limes when in its presence. A strong feeling within the doors of Limes and a residual impact realised on returning home.”
June 17, 2008 \\
Queen Mary Cruise Line
I thought I’d highlight one of the most luxurious cruise lines out there. I’ve never been on a Queen Mary, but I’ve heard amazing things. One thing that I like about the interiors is that they’re not obnoxiously designed like some other cruise lines. I don’t want to bash on other cruise lines…I’m actually a huge fan of cruises and love the fact that I can travel to many different places while still staying in the same hotel room. However, I feel like some get a little too cheesy with their bright colors.
Again, I love these bedroom suites because the neutral colors automatically draw your eye to the focal point of the room: the big, beautiful view of the bright blue ocean. Breathtaking. Here are some of the accommodation and what they include:
The Grand Duplexes
Downstairs offers an expansive living room, oversized balcony and a marble bathroom with shower. Upstairs, the bedroom includes a separate marble bathroom with whirlpool bath, bidet and seaview window. Approximately 2,249 square feet (including balcony)
The Holyrood Suite
Holyrood Suites offer an expansive living room with upstairs bedroom, oversized balcony, two marble baths with separate whirlpool baths and showers. Approximately 1,194 square feet.
June 10, 2008 \\
Pink Room
I don’t know if I’d ever have the guts to paint a client’s living room pepto-bismol pink {although I would if it were for a little girl! :)}; but this designer did. And actually pulled it off quite well….very, very girly. Is it livable though?
June 3, 2008 \\
Parade Home
Many of my non-local readers have been asking me to post some pics of the Parade Home. My husband being the photographer and perfectionist, has only gotten to editing these few. Now, this doesn’t mean if you do live locally you can’t come by and see the house/me. These pics are great, but the house looks even better in person. Given my circumstance, I am quite pleased with how it turned out. Again, if you live locally, I’d love to see you. So please stop by. The info is in the early post.
June 2, 2008 \\
Navy Blue
I’ve been feeling navy blue lately. Maybe it’s because of memorial day or maybe because of the nautical summers…I just wanted to show ya’ll some inspiration.
Via House Beautiful
Via House Beautiful
Via House Beautiful
Via House Beautiful
May 28, 2008 \\
Eastern Accents
One Elegant reader asked where to get good drapes. My favorite is Eastern Accents. They are store bought drapes, however, they really do give a good custom look. They’re full, the fabric is beautiful, and classy. Not only do they have great drapes, they have amazing beading. Again, store bought bedding that looks custom and elegant. They have beautiful coordinating fabrics and colors, but don’t give the cheesy “bed n’ bag” look.
May 27, 2008 \\
Cute and Quaint
I love this room designed by Markham Roberts. So cute and charming, don’t you just want to sit on the porch and sip lemonade?
May 27, 2008 \\
Home Office
Weather it’s in a corner of a room, or an entire room; we all need a little spot to pay our bills and check our emails. Here are some great home office concepts.
May 22, 2008 \\
Use of Patriotic Colors
With Memorial Day coming up this weekend I found it only fitting to bring in some red, white, and blue. Even though this designer is from the Netherlands (who has the same colors as we do), her use of colors is so clever. These pictures are from textile designer Sigrid Calon. I love her modern twist she’s incorporated.
May 22, 2008 \\
Laundry Rooms
Lets face it, doing laundry is not the most exciting task we all have to do. Why not add a little enjoyment to the chore by making you room pretty? Here are some fun laundry rooms:
Escape to the Tuscan country side with this trompe l'oeil wine cellar. The illusion of the arches and hallways also help make the room feel larger.
Oooh how fun!! I love the bright, happy lavender.
Classy and nicely Organized
So fun with the built in cabinetry, I think it's so clever to add tassels to them. The trompe l'oeil sewing machine helps add to the whimsical feel.
May 19, 2008 \\
I’m feelin’ cool…
It’s 95 degrees outside. I was feeling that we all could use a little cooler colors. It’s amazing how color can transform the way someone feels. It literally can make you feel cooler. Aaaaahmazing.
May 17, 2008 \\
CB2 Spring Catalog
I’m really diggin’ CB2’s new Spring Line.
Any of you how know me personally, know that I am a HUGE fan of Blue and Brown. I love the fresh, clean feeling of blue added with the warmth of brown. To make it more Spring-like add yellow accents to brighten up your room!
I'm in love with the wall decor/candle holders. Oooh la la, so romantic.
Orange. A color that you'll be seeing A LOT more this season. Yes, the 70's are coming back.
Again, orange and brown. Very 70's. Especially with that sofa print and shag rug. Love it!
Lime Green. Am I sounding repetitive with the 70's? Get ready for the green and orange color combo.
Love how the white freshens up this space. And that setee...to die for!
Sleeping in a Jungle? I'll take it. Minus the mosquitoes.
There are a lot of sharp lines in this room. To soften it up they added a row of palms, which is also a great way to bring the outdoors in--a great idea for this time of year.
