Elegant Abode

trunk love

noreply@blogger.com (Ali) — Thu, 16 May 2013 14:25:00 +0000

We love it when furniture can serve more than one purpose. Especially when the second purpose is storage - who doesn't need a little more storage in their home? That's why we love a good old fashioned trunk! They add an old world feel to any space while providing a hiding place for a ridiculously large magazine collection - or whatever else needs hiding.

Here's one of the living rooms we've done in the past:

via

And a few more inspiring trunk uses:

via

*Ali

porch sitters

noreply@blogger.com (Ali) — Mon, 13 May 2013 15:20:00 +0000

The weather is warming up... time to go outside and take a few minutes a day to just kick back and relax! I've been looking around for some new seating to create the perfect outdoor living space and thought I would share some of the fun things I have found. (I am not recommending these together for a "look" - not at all). More of a mixture of different pieces I thought were interesting and beautiful during my search!

Sourced from: 1. Serena & Lily 2. Terrain 3. Ballard Designs 4. Horchow 5. Horchow 6. Terrain 7. RH

Now go outside and relax!

*Ali

color inspiration: purple & green

noreply@blogger.com (Ali) — Thu, 09 May 2013 16:05:00 +0000

It's Spring! Let the colors outside of your house speak to the design inside of your home. Purple and green go naturally together. They don't compete, they just complement one another. So, why not use them to bring a little bit of color into your space.

via

All in moderation, though, please. We do not recommend going and painting an entire room purple or green and then filling it with like colored furniture. It's best to take an otherwise neutral palette and play it up with these beautiful colors. Here are a few examples of the combo put together in fun, yet sophisticated ways.

via

*Ali

canopy beds

noreply@blogger.com (Ariana) — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 21:54:00 +0000

We are absolutely loving canopy beds these days. There are so many interesting ones out there and they're a breath of fresh air from the upholstered headboards we see everywhere.

via The Elegant Abode Pinterest

xoxo

Ariana

recipe for a sexy home

noreply@blogger.com (Ali) — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 01:53:00 +0000

This house has basically got it all... a dash of funk, a hint of rustic, a heap of old world, a sprinkle of modern and a whole lot of sex appeal. What an amazing combination of all things beautiful. They did black and white the right way - not even close to boring. I would love to hang out in this living room or curl up in that plush white bed.

via Lonny

*Ali

out with the old in with the traditional

noreply@blogger.com (Ariana) — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 20:05:00 +0000

I'm not sure if it's my new surroundings of Connecticut, but I'm really loving traditional design more and more lately. There is something very cool about appreciating and incorporating traditional design in your home. Below are some examples of traditional style infused with personality.

via The Elegant Abode Pinterest

xoxo

Ariana

lazy sunday

noreply@blogger.com (Ali) — Sun, 15 Jul 2012 19:48:00 +0000

It's been awhile since I've had a nice relaxing Sunday. New home + new baby = no free time! But today the hubby and I have decided that besides a little light cleaning, we get to nap and relax when baby does! So cheers to a long overdue lazy Sunday!

via First Home

*Ali

everything copper

noreply@blogger.com (Ali) — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 20:41:00 +0000

I love the look a good copper accessory can bring into a home. Like gold, it adds a little something special instead of plain old stainless steel. Here are a few copper beauties I've come across in my daily searches that I thought I would share with you all today!

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10

*Ali

welcome to the burbs!

noreply@blogger.com (Ali) — Sat, 02 Jun 2012 16:48:00 +0000

Today is a big day for our city girl, Ariana, as she and her family move out of NYC and into a beautiful house in Connecticut! It's going to be quite a change for my Brooklyn born-and-raised design partner in crime but I know she'll transition just fine... plus it's a much quicker drive to me now! Since she posted such beautiful photos of country homes for me when I moved out of the city, I would like to give her some lovely inspiration in return. Hello to a quieter, slower paced, more relaxed way of life...

photos via Skona Hem

*Ali

hello gorgeous

noreply@blogger.com (Ali) — Wed, 23 May 2012 19:36:00 +0000

A little obsessed with these gold painted beams and doors...

via Everything Fabulous

*Ali

fun with stripes

noreply@blogger.com (Ali) — Mon, 21 May 2012 19:00:00 +0000

Not only do I have an unhealthy obsession with stripes for clothing, I also think stripes can do wonders in a home. On a pillow, on a wall or covering a piece of furniture... I wouldn't start adding them to every room in the house but, a little here and there can add that punch of fun that a space may be otherwise lacking.

via Prepfection

via The House Home

via HGTV

via Coastal Living

via Elements of Style

via La Belle Vie

*Ali

warm sunny days

noreply@blogger.com (Ali) — Wed, 16 May 2012 20:33:00 +0000

The days are getting warmer and warmer and the sun is shining. Oh, how I've been loving finally being able to go out and sit on my new porch swing and stare off at all of the beautiful trees and flowers! Now if only I had a big swimming pool in the back yard, life would be perfect...

sources unknown (been on my computer too long!)

decorative doors

noreply@blogger.com (Ali) — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 17:24:00 +0000

Think a door has to be plain white or wood? Think again... here are some fun ways to dress up your doors and add a little style to your passageways!

Repurpose an old barn door to add a beautiful, rustic feel.

via The Nate Show

Paint it blue! Or gray, or yellow, or any color you dare!

via Pinterest

Dark wood and steel give quite a sophisticated appeal.

via A Life's Design

Lose the boring rectangle and make it an arch!

via Full House

Add a little Moroccan flavor...

Search for some old, worn out church doors or other ornate beauties.

via Lordship Park

Add some fun molding to create a geometric, glam look.

via Pinterest

*Ali

greece "around the world friday"

noreply@blogger.com (Ariana) — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 14:02:00 +0000

Lets go to Greece on this Friday. Majestic, understated and functional decor dictate this country's interiors. Love the use of blues and whites as a color palette.

via The ElegantAbode Pinterest

via Apartment Therapy

via style files

xoxo
Ariana

easter

noreply@blogger.com (Ariana) — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 12:15:00 +0000

Happy Easter! Fun fresh palette.

via The Elegant Abode Pinterest

xoxo

Ariana

around the world friday London calling

noreply@blogger.com (Ariana) — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 14:27:00 +0000

Lets go to London on this "Around the World Friday." Edgy and sophisticated, London interiors have us thinking of fresh new ways to keep things cool.

via The Elegant Abode Pinterest

xoxo

Ariana

dark dining room

noreply@blogger.com (Ariana) — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 19:17:00 +0000

Loving the trend of dark cozy dining rooms lately. They are warm, inviting and demand for guests to stay and enjoy a good meal.

via the elegant abode pinterest

x0x0

Ariana

table settings

noreply@blogger.com (Ariana) — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 11:52:00 +0000

Some awesome spring inspired table settings.

via pinterest

xoxo
Ariana

paris

noreply@blogger.com (Ariana) — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 21:52:00 +0000

Lets go to Paris on this "Around the World Friday." The city of effortless class and style.

via The Elegant Abode Pinterest

xoxo

Ariana

spring fever

noreply@blogger.com (Ariana) — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 16:23:00 +0000

Getting some serious spring fever this week. There is nothing better than extending your living area to the outside when spring comes around.

via The Elegant Abode Pinterest

xoxo

Ariana

chevron floors

noreply@blogger.com (Ariana) — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 13:14:00 +0000

Loving chevron wood and tile floors. Its a classic but elegant way to lay floors.

via pinterest

x0x0

Ariana

brooklyn style

noreply@blogger.com (Ariana) — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 16:32:00 +0000

Lets go to Brooklyn on this "Around the world Friday." Its my original home town, and I am proud to say boasts some of the most terrific architecture and homes in the city. There is something very special about the character of Brooklyn homes.

Below are some wonderful examples of people taking something very old and making it look young and exciting. The smaller scale rooms and characteristically narrow layouts of old brownstones havent inhibited any of the beautiful designs below, yet rather make the spaces feel cozy and unique.

via elle decor

via house and home

via domino

via whitefloors

via plum pretty sugar

via pretty places please

xoxo
Ariana

hamptons style

noreply@blogger.com (Ariana) — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 14:01:00 +0000

Starting a new weekly posting "Around the World Fridays". Lets kick it off with inspiration from the Hamptons. Even if you don't have a home out there, get inspired by Hampton unfussy sophisticated style. Love the color palette inspired by the beach with classic updated decor and natural materials and fabrics.

via pinterest

via marie christine design

xoxo

Ariana

1st birthday

noreply@blogger.com (Ariana) — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 15:17:00 +0000

It's my daughter Ella's first birthday this week! Below are some fun playful decorations I'm inspired by for her party. I'm trying to stay away from the traditional cartoon-inspired decor and add a bit of class with some simple but festive decorations.

via pinterest

xoxo

Ariana

nail heads

noreply@blogger.com (Ariana) — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 14:29:00 +0000

Loving nail heads on everything from headboards to dining chairs. Particularly loving it with contrast tape behind it.

via pinterest

xoxo

Ariana