Elegance Redefined » Inspiration

Excited

Rachel Hagen — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 21:53:43 +0000

One of my new favorite pictures. Thanks so much Trevor for capturing one of my favorite expressions of Sam. I love his excitement when he sees something new.

Sneak Peak

Rachel Hagen — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 14:24:56 +0000

I have a serious case of everything-must-be-perfect in order for me to post pictures of past projects. I’m slowly getting over that. Often times clients have to wait a month or two to get a certain piece…and then I hardly get the chance to send a photographer over. Anyway, here’s a past project and everything turned out perfectly. :) Hopefully more to come soon.

Master Bedroom

Rachel Hagen — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 21:10:40 +0000

Working on a master bedroom right now. Love the yellows, grays, and browns they requested.

Backyard Inspiration

Rachel Hagen — Tue, 18 May 2010 16:09:06 +0000

The walls in our backyard are painted a bright orange, so I’m trying to find some fun bright, fun backyard inspiration pics. I’m thinking we’ll try and incorporate some blue, greens, and yellows like this…

But somehow I always am drawn to soothe, calming spaces like this…

Aaaand since it’s almost summer, here are some beautiful pools…

Glamorous Nursery

Rachel Hagen — Tue, 11 May 2010 16:40:55 +0000

While browsing Project Nursery I came across this nursery. Appropriately titled Glamorous Nursery. Everything seems perfectly in it’s place…a little too perfectly if you ask me. While the overall design might not be my particular style, there are some elements that I liked.

The ceiling is quite beautiful. And I always think it’s great to have something on the ceiling in nurseries to give the babies stimulation.

I thought this idea for a changing table was quite clever. Ahhh to have that much storage…

And my favorite: this trash pull for the diapers. It’s such a nice way to hide that mandatory diaper pale.

Foyers

Rachel Hagen — Thu, 06 May 2010 17:26:19 +0000

Lately our foyer has been more a storage area for whatever project I’ve been working on. {as of late, its been that darn headboard} While we had guests I had them move the massive piece upstairs…making our foyer a once-again open area. We’re in a great need of more storage. Particularly something for all our books. However, I’d like to try and hide them in a credenza or buffet of some sort. Here’s a collection of some beautiful foyers for your Thursday reading:

Love the bright pink settee as a welcome piece right when you walk in.

Tall ceilings seem even taller with vertical stripes, white ceilings, and dark floors…

A big, inexpensive (craigslist?), piece like this credenza is what I’m looking for. In this older homes, storage is really needed…

There’s that horse art again. Notice how seating is an important furniture piece in all these. Not only does seating giving the welcoming feel, but it’s also nice to have a place to sit for people to take on and off their shoes or coats.

A Horse is a Horse

Rachel Hagen — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 16:57:03 +0000

In honor of one of my best friends who happens to be the hottest cowgirl I know; I thought I’d post about horses. Never mind the fact that I’ve also been noticing a trend in artwork lately: large horse graphics/art pieces. What do you think? I kind of like it.

Christine Lane

Maria Gabriela Brito

Rachel Hagen — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 17:10:33 +0000

I’m a huge Elle fan. While online trying to find something from this month’s issue, I came across this great article on refurbishing an old 1912 barn. Check out these photos!

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Red, blue, and stripes

Rachel Hagen — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 20:22:01 +0000

Anybody else spend way too much time browsing through the Sartoriolist’s site? I love how he finds everyday fashions from all over the world. Like this lady from Moscow. That red coat with the bright blue building is stunning.

And, of course, how adorable is little boy? Just you wait. Our little one will be rocking the stripes, blazer, skinnies with sneakers, and straw hat…

Happy St. Paddy’s!

Rachel Hagen — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:58:37 +0000

I’m a huge fan of green and yellow. It’s such a happy combination. Add Jonathan Adler in the mix and you can’t go wrong. Every time I’m in the neighborhood I stop in the Jonathan Adler store and browse at all the fun designs. I’m pretty sure he is the one that started the whole white-ceramic craze. I’m not complainin’…

Kate Michaels Design

Rachel Hagen — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 21:14:47 +0000

If you haven’t been able to tell our yard is consuming a lot of my time and thoughts. In a good way. Yesterday as I was trying to figure out which plants should go where I thought how nice it would be to have a landscape designer come in and just take over. Now I know why people hire me. :) I know what I want, I just don’t know how to execute it. Something well manicured, but still have that over-grown garden feel. Here is a local landscape designer whose work I have fallen in love with. Does this get you excited for spring?!

Outdoor Spaces

Rachel Hagen — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 16:12:21 +0000

While it’s still raining, and raining here, I’m getting excited for spring. One of the main features that attracted me to our rental home here in the city is the charming yard. The owners did a wonderful job with the gardening, and I hope I can keep it up! If it ever dries up this week, I’ll be planting some bulbs that will hopefully be in full bloom once our little boy comes in May! As for the outdoor spaces, I’m just starting to get some inspiration. Thanks Martha. I’m a newcomer to gardening, I want to plant both perennials as well as vegetables. Anyone know any good blogs or resources they can recommend?

Nesting Newbies

Rachel Hagen — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 18:51:34 +0000

There’s an awesome new online magazine out there. Nesting Newbies features “new twists on cooking, entertaining, and decorating.” Look at this table scape, isn’t it gorgeous?! I love the hanging display for the chocolate mouse. I’d check out the magazine here, there’s some great eye candy.

Full House–twenty years later

Rachel Hagen — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 20:42:26 +0000

It’s a classic. At least for my age group. The painted ladies, Joey Gladstone, Uncle Jesse, the family dog Comet. What’s not to love about Full House? Especially the charming Pacific Heights Victorian the family lives in. While Browsing through this month’s Elle Decor, I ran across this article. I think I might become an individual in the “clusters of tourists…snapping photos paparazzi style.” In Mick’s words, “One day when you become a rich, famous, interior designer” perhaps we can afford to live in a Pacific Heights, three bedroom home with 40-year-old boxwood hedges. Maybe then I can convince Mick that classic antique furniture, soothing colors, and TVs on top of fireplaces are design appropriate these days. Until then, I’ll just gawk at these beautiful pictures of the renovated Full House home.

Timber Headboard

Rachel Hagen — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 19:26:37 +0000

I love the rustic look of the headboard with the clean, contemporary lines of of bedding. This actually seems like something that can easily be recreated: make a niche out of the reclaimed timber, and upholster the wall. Easy!!

Yellow

Rachel Hagen — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 19:25:40 +0000

While shopping at West Elm, the thought crossed my mind to get these fabulous yellow scoop back dining chairs. The thought quickly left. At our second trip to the store this week, we both seriously considered getting the iconic parsons desk in the bright yellow. It would look fabulous in our space. However, with yellow being the big trend, and getting a white parson’s desk for 50% off, we decided to be a little more conservative for what we were paying.

We’ll incorporate our beloved yellow with throw pillows and accessories…something a lot lighter on the wallet. I am, however, planning on doing something very similar to this for our bedroom. Headboard and all.

Kitchens

Rachel Hagen — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 00:37:37 +0000

We are alive and well in San Francisco…and have started the hunt for a place. Heaven help us. We both want complete opposite living spaces, we’ll see if we can ever find something that can make the both of us happy. On our search I’ve run across a lot of different kitchens. Some are designed well; with function and design in mind…others not so much. Looking at one place I could imagine myself being a good little wife and cooking well thought out dinners, and fresh lemon meringue pie from the lemon tree in the back yard. Another kitchen was not so well thought out. The finishes were nice and up to date, however the layout wasn’t so good. I could imagine ordering pizza and sitting in front of the TV. Speaking of kitchens, once one of my kitchen remodels is done I will post pics…I just need to get on those contractors. Well, here are some beautiful kitchens for your enjoyment.

photos courtesy of Elle Decor.

One

Rachel Hagen — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:17:32 +0000

We will be expecting our first child this May.

We’re both thrilled for all the changes going on in our lives. I’ve never been so scared in my life, but having Mick’s love and support has been my source of strength. Here’s to families!!

Breather

Rachel Hagen — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 22:47:40 +0000

This picture from Elle makes me calm…I’ve been going all day today.

Picked out pendant lights and sconces for client.
Got a steal-of-a-deal at Design Company Fabrics…their “step down” sale is finishing up. $2 for 13 yards of fabric…my client will be so happy.
Rushed home and had a great meeting.
Now time to take a breather and check my email.

You all are wonderful. Thanks for reading. That’s all I wanted to say.

I was only Joking

Rachel Hagen — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 19:28:26 +0000

Lately we’ve been having some odd late-night chats. And sometimes we get really deep with our conversations. For instance, last night we were talking about how Robert Pattinson and Kristen Steward are dating in real life. Although I believe it’s just a publicity act. I later explain that the Twilight saga story is a love triangle with Jacob. He then concludes our deep Twilight conversation buy saying how we should call up Jacob so he can get involved with Robert and Kristen’s true love.