On The Quirky Side

Hello everyone! For those of you who may wonder where I've been, I apologize for the long silence. Life's been kind of crazy lately and my blogging has been paying the price. Well, I did want to post this unique and quirky loft in New York. Designed by Bohl Architects, it uses plenty of fun and off-beat details.

Ha, ha! This detail really cracks me up. I mean, if you want a random blue eye staring at you; why not have one, right?
(I have a feeling this photo may cause some controversy amongst readers)

As a designer, I've always found it frustrating that so many people will only live with things that others approve of! I can't say how many times I've heard the words, "I need to know if my sister likes it" or "My mother", "My neighbors"...etc. Why?! If its your home and your place to live and rest, why can't it just mean something to you? I look as a home as a sanctuary and as a place that feeds your inner self. So shouldn't it be a true representation of yourself? Ahhh, this has been my soapbox for many years. I hope at least a few people will stop and consider my words and take true ownership of their environment.
Don't know why I seem so bossy today.

Using The Natural Beauty Of Wood

Natural wood remains at the top of the interior design world list of 'must haves' in both traditional and modern homes.

As you know wood comes in many different colours and sources and it is these which make each piece of furniture or home uniquely different. Nature is of course a master at providing us with coordinating colour schemes! The use of a combination of light and dark wood within the same room offers an understated touch of refinement.

If you also coordinate your soft furnishings and window dressing with one of the wood colours you can automatically create a beautiful interiors which flows and has a sense of balance and cohesion.

Dark wooden curtain poles which compliment the window casing and flooring provides an elegant look, in contrast coordinate your curtains with the colour of a chest or perhaps a bed frame and you have once again achieved balance within the room.

The same principles apply in any style of home, even those with a contemporary style will look stunning when balance and fluidity is incorporated within the room.

Bombard your eyes with an unstructured and disorganisation jumble and you'll end up with a headache! This is not to say rooms have to be dull and boring – far from it! But they should have a sense of purpose and direction.

Image: AtticMag

Un style typique Parisien: Mariu de Andreis from Elle Decor UK

photos: Birgitta Wolfgang Drejer

I thought this apartment, from Elle Decor UK May 2009, embodied one typically Parisian style. What do you think? I don't know if there is acutally a "typical" Parisian style, but this is a nice mix of modern pieces, a bit of rustic furniture, lots of white and very little clutter visible. I like the light fixture over the dining room table. Love the parquet floors and the original moldings!
(photos scanned from Elle Decor UK by Birgitta Wolfgang Drejer. The second and last photos above are from Alicia B. Designs' blog - I'd lost those pages of the article)


On another note, these are a few blogs that I've just discovered. I thought I'd pass them along in case you hadn't seen them. I enjoy finding new ones to read, especially some that I don't see in the regular rotation of blog lists (though those are great too.) Have any of you found any new blogs you're enjoying lately?

(lovely recent pictures from Italy.)

Friday Favorite: Unhappy Hipster

I know I'm not the first blogger to write about Unhappy Hipster, but it is sooo funny. I've been practically in tears. Thanks to Swamplot for finding this site, and pointing out at least one Houston home that has been included. Can you find it? Hope you get a good laugh on your Friday:) (Also thought this was funny after my last post)

Have a great weekend!

Practical Window Dressing Or Not?

Have you found that sometimes a pair of curtains just get in the way? If you have, maybe you'd like to try this new window dressing concept of having only one curtain hung from a short curtain pole!

We have all seen one large curtain which is wept to one side and held in place with a tieback, however this new look is totally different as only one half of the window can ever have a curtain pulled across it.

This may be innovative but is it really practical? I suppose the answer depends on whether your room is overlooked. If it's not them this style is certainly worth considering and is ideal for a single curtain panel of organza, voile curtains or lightweight natural linen fabric.

You have to admit that the idea would certainly solve many window dressing dilemmas and if you were over-looked by neighbours you could also use cheap blinds in a complimentary colour which can be pulled down at night and not interfere with the curtain panel.

Team with your duvet sets and you can transform a bedroom into a very chic style which looks far nicer than trying to get a curtain to hang properly behind a piece of furniture! I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Image: Desire to Inspire

When Trends Collide

Listen, I love scarves and polaroids as much as the next hipster...but come on! This is taking it too far:(

Use Your Windows To Their Full Potential!

I'm sure you're well aware about the interior designer's language of 'framing' and making focal points within your home. This is a classic example which shows the example perfectly!

Sheer voile curtains swept back from the centre offers a soft and subtle look to windows which maximise the amount of natural light entering the room. However, if like many home in the UK you are over looked by neighbours or your window looks out onto the street you may wish to consider using lined voile curtains.

These will provide you with the same soft look, admittedly not quite as much light will come into the room, but they do provide you with more privacy when they are pulled closed at night. Alternatively you could use lightweight curtains in conjunction with blinds. This will enable you to leave the curtains in-situ as the blind can be pulled down at night to give you the privacy you need.

Window dressing have to be more than purely functional. They are a key factor in producing stunning interiors which have the 'wow' factor. So the next time you look for a window dressing weigh up all the pros and cons of the different varieties which are widely available. It's well worth taking that little bit of extra thought if you want to emulate professional interior design styles!

Image: House of Turquoise

It Doesn't Have To Valentine's Day To Have Hearts On Your Bedding Sets!

I'm sure we are all aware that this Sunday is February 14th, Valentine's Day where all over the world lovers young and old will be sharing their special thoughts with their Valentine!

If you think that you're too old for all this stuff and nonsense find the romantic within you and treat your loved one to breakfast in bed, it is Sunday after all!

I love this luxury bedding by designer Lawrence Llewellyn-Bowen. True to his reputation this bedding is flamboyant and sumptuous! What is even more inviting is the fact that it's hearts but not red or pink! Beautifully detailed with added accessories including matching pillow slips and the heart-shaped cushions give this bedding set a very unique look which would grace any style of home wonderfully. With it's bold design it would instantly add drama to a bedroom and also create a vibrant focal point.

Furthermore this style of bedding would like superb any time of the year, not just Valentine's Day. Team with matching curtains or black or white cheap Venetian blinds and a stunning monochromatic bedroom can be achieved so effectively and effortlessly!

Meet this year's trend of incorporating different fabric textures by choosing accessories made from tactile materials such as suede, silk, wool and embellishments, which all add to achieving stunning looking interiors irrespective of your budget.

What Would You Do?

Hypothetical situation...Lets say one day someone walked up to you and said, "Hello, I'm going to give you your dream home. Just tell me what you want." Would you know what to say? I mean we often think we know what we want, but do we really know? (Yes, I do believe this might happen to me someday; so I think about it a lot). Well, I think I found a very good blueprint for what I would like to have. Check out this gorgeous Dallas home!

They say a kitchen is the most important room in a house, but I find its usually my least favorite. For one, I'm not much of a cook but also because kitchens are usually too fussy or too frumpy. This kitchen on the other hand...nice! Its so chic and clean.

Perhaps, I would not want my house to be this White! I like more color. So, do you know what you want. Another question, can we really get what we want if we're not even clear what that is?! Hmmm, sorry to be so philosophical the day after the Super Bowl:)
P.S. Some of you long time readers may remember my "Dream Home" series, but newer readers may not. Click here for some more inspiration.

Chic And Contemporary Clean Lines

This has to be the the epitome of a contemporary bathroom using natural stone. Providing an opulent space which is simply stunning, although it doesn't actually look usable! Who would want to spoil the look by adding the necessary bathroom commodities of everyday living?

The use of natural stone in bathrooms continues to be extremely popular, the subtle colour tones make each vanity unit or bath completely unique. Having a bespoke bathroom has to be the dream of many people and yet although this bathroom is fabulous it does lack homeliness in my opinion.

It also demonstrates to perfection the versatility of cheap Venetian blinds and the beautiful light effects they produce. Of course Venetian blinds are the perfect window dressing in any style of bathroom, irrespective of its size. The latest designs have special coatings which make them moisture resistant and ideal for the humid atmospheres of bathrooms, along with providing the necessary privacy from the outside world!

Venetian blinds are infamous for providing clean lines for windows in modern and contemporary homes and although they are still used in work places and offices they have found their way into people's homes in spectacular style!

Image: Haven and Home

Give Yourself A Winter Home Improvement Project

Up-cycling and recycling continue to make a huge impression of the world of interior design. It's not only kinder to the planet it's also kinder to the pocket!

I love the idea of selecting random styles of chairs painting them and re-upholstering the seats with the same fabric to give a sense of cohesion and balance. With the wide choice of curtain material online you can find some fabulous patterns and designs at really low prices. Just image how much chairs like this would cost if bought pre-done?

Have some fun in your spare time and actually get round to carrying out a DIY project which doesn't involve painting walls or building cupboards from scratch. The great thing about this type of project is that you can take your time and complete it over a number of months as you find another chair in need of some TLC, just remember to but sufficient fabric if you want the chair seats to match.

Alternatively you could use completely different fabrics just as long as the shades and tone compliment each other, and still produce some simply stunning dining chairs!

If you opt for patterned fabric if you have plain walls and curtains or plain fabric if you have patterned walls and curtains otherwise the chic styling you're trying to achieve may just end up looking like a mis-match which you won't be happy with!

Image: Vintage and Chic

Creating Stunning Interiors - Focal Points And Proportion

White remains interior designer's staple colour this year along with mixing old with new. Which is great news for those who want to create stunning interiors without having to spend a small fortune on decorating, furniture and soft furnishings.

The secret to success is to ensure you have a proportionally balanced room. This does not mean that everything has to be symmetrical, it means that you have to ensure that you have focal points and places for the eyes to wander straight to as people enter the room. Adding interest is a fundamental key to successful interiors, so when you re-vamp your rooms remember to give your eyes a path to follow, otherwise the room will look bland and boring.

Little touches such as using black metal curtain poles rather than white curtain tracks can make windows look chic and stylish. Simply placing the curtain poles higher than the window casing will not only give the illusion of higher windows it will also take the eyes upwards so that the whole room is viewed. Add a piece of stylish old or modern furniture which draws the eye directly to it as it begins the journey around the room.

Having a sense of direction and purpose is equally import if you want to make your rooms into those you see produced by professional interior designers.

Image: A Life's Design