Tracery Interiors

Proving that a well thought out design will last years, this Southern Living 2009 Idea House designed by the creatives at Tracery Interiors not only created a space that fits the beach like atmosphere but also created a home that feels modern and relaxing. I just love the color scheme that was used and how fabulous is that bedroom with the sliding yellow barn door.

photos via tracery interiors

Pal + Smith

Over the weekend I was asked what my personal design style was and it seems to be the hardest question for me to answer. Over the years it has sort of morphed from a very modern style to a bolder vintage look with a touch of modern. See, even that sounds weird. So while I try to figure out the exact style I want to call my own I thought I would take a peek at a few of my favorite spaces.
Let me introduce you to the fun and colorful world of Pal+Smith. This southern California based company has one spectacular portfolio and furniture line filled with traditional pieces with a modern flair. I just love this living room's bold pattern and color combinations, definitely a place I could live in.

photos via pal + smith

Stylist, Camille Soulayrol

I came across French stylist Camille Soulayrol and fell in love with her home styling right away.  She uses fantastic textures, colors and materials to create homey looks with a touch of glamor.

As a vegetarian, these are a set of antlers I could get behind!  The use of natural woods and fibers, this room would make for a perfect reading spot.  And how lovely is the wooden wainscoting!  I love the natural look, the wood grain is amazing.

I have had a thing with over sized letters lately, and this e would be a fun addition.  How do you feel about using the alphabet and symbols as decor?  I think as long as it doesn't go overboard, why not. 

Wooden ring wall!  Every year I always grab a few rings from the Christmas tree lot that they are throwing away anyway.  This would be a wonderful way of using the holiday scrap wood, as long as it was treated of course!

And for the holiday's this would be so fun in lieu of a live tree.  Who knew a little sparkly paper could make a Christmas tree look so glamorous.

photos via camille soulayrol

Have you heard?

If you follow me on Twitter, then you have probably heard me raving about using Pinterest, an online cataloging of sorts.  I simply love it!  Its such a fun way of viewing fabulous images all while still being able to click for more details from where the photo originated from.  Being a highly visual person, I am like a kid in a candy store with this site.  I just started my very own pin board on Friday, and I am already addicted.  Do you use Pinterest?  I love that you can categorize everything, it makes the uber organized side of me calm down a little!  So stop on by for a little dose of daily prettyness, and let me know if you have a Pinterest board, I would love to see your inspiration friends!

Dreaming through inspiration

With a sign of another move headed our way, furniture has been on the brain these last few days.  And with furniture, of course comes the decor.  I've been scouring the web for tidbits of pieces that I could only dream of owning, and today, I've focused on living rooms.  Do you ever just dream of living in photos?  I recently had friends stop by and after walking around, she exclaimed "people do live like this, I thought it was only in catalogs- everything's gorgeous!"  Score one for me.  Now the pressure is on to create it, all over again!

Anyway, these have all caught my eye in some way and thought I would share.  This first one, well, its easy.  I wouldn't change a thing about it, and if anyone knows where I could find that sofa, let me know!

via velvet stains

How fun are these lanterns and flowers above this sofa/possible day bed.  Brings the eye up, a great way to use the space over such a low sofa.

via girly me

I always dreamed of having a room that was a padded floor for lounging around.  I mean, come on, how awesome would it be to be laying right next to that pot of tea, gazing out the giant windows as you blog.  Simply fabulous. 

via my ideal home

Again, me and my yellow kick. But I love the usage of older and modern items used together to create a seamless space.  

via the beautiful soup

I want that chair.  Anyone know where its from... I need it.  I can't be 100% but is that hounds tooth painted on the floor.  If so awesome.   

via the beautiful soup

Lovely living rooms

Perhaps its because my living room currently looks like this (see below!) I have had a sudden obsession with all things clean and organized.  I'm still wading through piles and piles of stuff I didn't even know I had, and lets just say I cannot wait to be finally moved.  Its been a whirlwind these last few days, and I am both physically and mentally tired.  Aside from packing and cleaning, we also have this weekend of jam packed events, starting with a good bye party, a moving sale, lunch at Native Foods new restaurant in Culver City (I am so beyond bummed we are moving as they just opened a new spot within 5 minutes from here!!) and now a trip out to Long Beach for a roller derby match.  Whew, just typing it makes me tired, and that only leads up to Saturday!  Oh well, guess its time for my mantra:  It will get there.... somehow.

Ok, and with that horrific site burned into your brain, how about a few lovely interiors?  I know I am in desperate need of pretty.  And that little blue stool really should belong to me.

I just love photos that are up close and personal, especially when it comes to furniture.  This sofa is just so good looking it almost hurts.

How fun is that table!  I wonder if the wheels actually move.  I am a big fan of displaying collections, and the odder the better in my book.  As soon as I find space, I am so getting myself an old typewriter.  There is just something so simplistic and beautiful about these old machines.

Ceilings to die for!!  I'm totally loving the use of color and the way they incorporated the long draperies along the brick wall.  Perhaps the only thing I would change is the scale of the furniture, with the high ceiling, it makes these guys look even smaller in proportion.

Sometimes simple really is best.  Keeping all the main pieces and walls white makes for wonderful ways to bring in color with accessories.  Although I would add a little something on that wall above the corner fire place.

Ok, so this one might be my favorite.  From the gorgeous chandelier to the fun yellow painting (or fabric panel) to the rocking ottoman/table and file cabinet side table, this living room is just fantastic!  Oh how I can't wait to get things looking good in our new place!!

photos link to source

Learning from photography

Ah, another amazing interiors photographer's portfolio to drool over.  I just stumbled upon London based photographer Rachel Whiting's lovely shots and wow, does she have an eye for beautiful composition.  There is so much to gain from photographers, from color combinations to how to incorporate collections and knick nacks.  I'm sort of loving the use of suitcases in decor, not only are they pleasing to the eye, but you can use them to store all your miscellaneous do dads, and lets face it, we all have at least on junk drawer!!

I just love the lighting in these two images.  Having the pendants at two different levels makes for an eye catching scene over the dinner table.  And those low hanging pendants over the bed are a perfect substitute for table lamps on nightstands.

This one may not be a lovely interior, but what a great way to showcase a few fallen pieces from your yard.  Stacking a few colorful leaves and berries on a cake stand is such a simple yet festive way to spruce up a dessert table... just watch out for any creepy crawlies!

photos via rachel whiting 

One crafty stylist

While working on cleaning out my bookmarks and folders (a seemingly never ending job!) I came across two images I had set aside for later inspiration.  It wasn't until I really looked at them and realized, no wonder I liked them both so much, they were styled by the same person!  After a little googling, I found Shana Faust's styling portfolio, and boy, does she have a great eye for photos!  And with a title of Deputy style editor for Ms. Martha (yes, the Martha) herself, Shana really really knows her stuff.  Ah, beautiful spaces just make me so relaxed, if only those spaces stayed that way after the photographers and crew leave.  I always take away so many ideas from photos, whether it be a great vessel idea for tabletop flowers, or how to crop a photo, there is always something to learn.

photos via shana faust

Beautiful bathrooms

I might have the worlds blandest bathroom ever.  Seriously.  And there is nothing I can do about it.  The lovely landlord wont allow us to paint, there is hideous linoleum, a light fixture that's got to be decades old (and we cannot change it!), a bathtub with stains and bubbles in the wall from the apartment flooding, twice.  Ugh.   So there is nothing more refreshing then beautiful, open and airy bathrooms to fill a gloomy afternoon.  Don't you agree?

From fun wallpaper to lovely light fixtures, here are a few bathrooms that have me wishing I was anywhere but here.

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Design inspiration

I love to browse through interior design portfolios, and Shetter Palevsky Interiors have a fresh and modern touch to their spaces, I just had to share.  Mixing traditional and modern elements, designers Sarah Shetter and Alison Palevsky have a wonderful collection of inspiring images with surprising touches.

What fun architecture, so natural and organic.  I love that they kept the walls a simple white, it really brings out the architecture and gives it a bit of a modern look.  

It took me a minute to figure out what was going on in this picture, but once I did, wow.  This glass floor sure does trick the eye, I wonder what its like to walk over it.  Reminds me of the displays at Prada in Beverly Hills. 

photos via shetter palevsky interiors

Beautiful inspiration

What makes a room a room?  However you choose to design your space, make sure it fits your style and personality.  I like to take bits and pieces from everywhere to gain inspiration, and slowly but surely my place is becoming a home that fits both my husband and I's quirky and colorful side. How do you get inspired?

Absolutely loving the art on the wall in this living room.  I simply adore yellow, green and orange together.

I dream of an organized office space with shelving.  Every time I tell the husband how handy they are, he always laughs and says there is already enough shelving, even though all our walls are bare!  Maybe I should hang them myself and see if he notices.

Simple, clean and a pop of color.  Homes don't have to be over the top to get attention.  A few vintage pieces and a dog help make a room too!

A great way to add a workspace in a small space?  Hang draperies and shelving in a closet, while keeping your clothing in an armoire or dresser.

Hello gorgeous.  I am so into purple right now, and those pillows and chair, fabulous.  I just want to crawl into bed with a cup of tea and a good book.  

There is something about collections of frames in different sizes that makes me giddy.  Mixing prints, illustrations and patterns create a great focal point.  I love that this room has a squared off look, it draws the eye down toward the furniture.

How charming is this little office nook?  Sometimes all you need is a little space to call your own, and this petite desk is adorable with its corresponding containers.  And how fantastic are those windows!

all photos link to sources

Beautiful inspiration

And for my home inspiration for the week, its clear, I've got summer on the brain.  I have always loved dutch doors, and the yellow and blue, what a wonderful surprise.

Yellow, white, red and green.  All colors you wouldn't think to put together but it sure does work in this space. 

I love these little vanity chairs!  The husband found one at a thrift store in olive green and gold.  It looks awesome against our red fence.  

What a wonderful way to add lighting to a patio.  Summer's almost here and I could just imagine hanging out at the table playing cards.

Nothing prettier then a collection of colored glass and set of baby blue Eames chairs.

I just love the look of this tabletop, so sunny and fresh.  The hanging detail not only looks great, it also draws the eye downward toward the centerpiece.

Oh how I love this living space!  I have always been a fan of exposed brick, and the crumbling paint gives it an industrial feel but paired with the white wall and floral touch, it makes it a home.  And how lovely is the furniture!  Keeping it low to the ground makes the ceiling feel even higher.

The girly girl in me just loves every element in this bedroom.  Lavender and white make for a very warm and cheerful feel.

photos link to source