Searching For Style

Friday Flowers… Pretty In Pink

noreply@blogger.com (alice) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 22:47:00 +0000

French Essence

Pinterest

Inspired Design

Friday Flowers

noreply@blogger.com (alice) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:47:00 +0000

Sometimes one blossom is all you need.

Image source here.

Taupe

noreply@blogger.com (alice) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 06:34:00 +0000

From fashion to fabrics to interiors to exteriors, I’m a lover of all shades of taupe. Sounds pretty boring until you take a look at how pretty this color can be…

All Photos via Pinterest.

Friday Flowers… roses and relaxation!

noreply@blogger.com (alice) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:46:00 +0000

Desire to Inspire

Looks like the perfect weekend setting in this picture!

Love the blues…

noreply@blogger.com (alice) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 05:31:00 +0000

Always drawn to blue accents, blue bedrooms, and luxurious finishes with a touch of worn blue… all shades from pale powder to deep indigo bordering purple. Most of these pictures are from Pinterest- a wonderful and terribly addictive website!

Pinterest

Perhaps it’s because I’m painting several pieces of furniture right now, but I absolutely love the surprise of color on the inside of this antique desk. It’s it a fantastic surprise and a great way to use a bold color for those who are color-shy?!?

Cavallini

Beautiful Florentine Style frame

Jane Moore Interiors

Worn chippy blue against a neutral background.

Cote de Texas

Love the blue duvet at the foot of the bed.

Pinterest

Another purpley blue antique piece in a neutral room.

Pamela Pierce featured in Veranda Magazine

I love how Pamela Pierce has used a variety of blues in this room without making it too overwhelming or too matchy-matchy. She is so good.

Shannon Bowers via Cote de Texas

Shannon Bowers pretty settee that I just can’t get enough of and have posted repeatedly, not to mention all the other blogs whom have posted it too! Love the color, ruffles, and the pop of hydrangea blue in the background.

Better Homes & Gardens

Fun and fresh way to display linens. Ahhh, to have a linen cabinet this organized!

Pinterest

Another pretty room with light blue, natural wood, and an accent of periwinkle. Love it.

Farrow & Ball

Farrow and Ball’s Powder Blue… a favorite among designers and blue lovers. Heard many enticing things about this on a ceiling…

The Inside Story

Cozy and fresh. Love blue with baskets and natural textures.

Hue-ol-ogy

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Paris Gray. Paris Gray is the top runner for a few of my paint projects… I can’t wait to see this pretty shade in person every day!

Pinterest

More blue and natural linen color together. Such a great combination, isn’t it? A blue chair is so fun. I suggested my sister do this in her living room with this chair:

Pinterest

It isn’t always masculine.

Pinterest

So soothing.

Pinterest

The French truly have the best blues.

Pinterest

Love the fluffy white cushions and the backdrop of French blue. Inviting and elegant normally aren’t words that you hear together but this room does it.

Pinterest

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in a mix of Louis Blue and Paris Gray.

Eyetalia

Gorgeous Italian tablecloth. Saturated color like this is so beautiful.

Pinterest

Blue cabinets have never looked so good have they?!? Love the slight patina on these.

Pinterest

And a last word that a pop of blue is really all one needs- this image is one of my favorites because of that one little square of blue.

Colored Mats

noreply@blogger.com (alice) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 06:37:00 +0000

I really love the look of a framed collection and think it’s a great way to fill a wall with artwork in a budget friendly way. I’ve been eyeing framed collections where the mat or the background is an unusual color…. it keeps things classy and coordinated while adding a lot of interest!

Kathryn M. Ireland via House Beautiful

Jan Roden

Holly Mathis Interiors

How bold and beautiful are these blue mats!?! Can you imagine how lifeless these pretty birds would seem on a plain white mat?!?

Eleanor Cummings

A thin border of a bold color works so well too…

Delight By Design

Young House Love

Simple, inexpensive Ikea frames look so sophisticated with these linen background mats… not to mention how much the artwork really pops against them! Another benefit to something like this is that Ikea mat openings are not standard to American photograph or artwork sizes… this solves that problem!

Amy Meier Design

I love the subtle accent of color these pink rimmed mats bring to these black and white illustrations. Perfect for a soothing nursery!

Yellow Monkey Antiques

Gilded edges with black and white is very handsome!

Jane Wood Interiors

Love the combination of the burlap colored mats and the mostly black prints… so historic but so fresh because of the airy design of the rest of the room!

Pinterest

While this mat isn’t colored, I love how the background is! It’s bold but simple at the same time. Again, you could easily take a plain-Jane Ikea frame and make it into something like this.

Hope you found some inspiration in these!

Friday Flowers

noreply@blogger.com (alice) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 21:07:00 +0000

I love the combination of white flowers and evergreens for some Christmas themed arrangements…

Habitually Chic

Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles

Verdigris Vie

Habitually Chic

White Bedding Love

noreply@blogger.com (alice) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 06:24:00 +0000

Always love white bedding (and a touch of blues and grays)…

Eleanor Cummings

Pinterest

Shabby Chic

Ashley Goforth Design

Vicente Wolf

Lee Mindel

Neutral and Glittery Christmas Decor

noreply@blogger.com (alice) — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 22:31:00 +0000

Glitter and Christmas Décor go hand in hand for me…

Slipcover Chic

noreply@blogger.com (alice) — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 03:12:00 +0000

While I love a beautifully tailored piece of upholstery, a slipcover is just so very practical for my own lifestyle. It gives me comfort knowing that the dirt and mud that my dog and son (and me!) can track onto it are easily cleanable. Plus it gives a casual air to a room, and that is definitely something I am all about in my own house!

I love white fabrics but I could never let myself upholster a piece in a white material… I know it would be damaged goods in no time! But with a slip I’m able to use my favorite non-color without any worries (besides an extra load of laundry every once in a while)!

I love how a room can be tied together so well with matching slipcovers. Who knows what fabrics are underneath these slips- they could look horrible with each other, but matching slips you’d never know.

These natural linen slipcovers are really more practical than white ones… they still give the overall effect of a light slipcover but they are much more forgiving with markings.

Always have loved the steely blue gray of this slipcover. The double ruffle is a fun detail that you don’t have to permanently live with in case you ever veer towards a more minimal look. And as a design schizophrenic, that flexibility to change styles with slipcovers totally appeals to me!

Look how good the dark accessories look next to these more slouchy slips! Definitely goes to show that white slips aren’t just for the summer, but for all seasons.

Casual, comfy and chic all at the same time.

Cote de Texas has one of the most comprehensive blog posts on slipcovers you could ever read. Enjoy!

Friday Flowers

noreply@blogger.com (alice) — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 19:45:00 +0000

Hanging onto summer with these blue hydrangeas!

Pool Perfection

noreply@blogger.com (alice) — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 23:23:00 +0000

Isn’t this setting just the absolute picture of an idyllic weekend!?!

{Image via Martha Stewart}

If you love Paris…

noreply@blogger.com (alice) — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 23:21:00 +0000

Then you must see Midnight in Paris!

A little surprising, enchanting, and entertaining all at once. The low moments were made up for by all the beautiful scenes of Paris, which they gave gave us plenty of. The movie also travels to Versailles, Giverny, and Paris of the 1920’s and stars some wonderful actors.

The interior scenes are just charming too- a toile covered hotel suite, cafes, the Versailles gardens…

If for nothing else, see this for a virtual vacation!

Friday Flowers

noreply@blogger.com (alice) — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 20:45:00 +0000

Its almost the weekend.

Time to tidy up the desk and head home… just don’t forget the flowers!

{Picture of Vicki Archer’s chic desk via her blog French Essence.}

It’s All in the Details: Slipcovered Chairs

noreply@blogger.com (alice) — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 06:21:00 +0000

I bought some French style chairs at an estate sale last year. While they are not perfectly historically correct in their design and are most likely repros from the 70s, I just couldn’t pass them up. They were practically free and I knew with some new fabric and a plumped up seat cushion they could look fresh and cute. Plus, I’d rather have “sort-of French style chairs” than NO French chairs! Skip ahead a year and a half and I’m finally just getting to them now. I decided to slipcover them instead of re-upholstering them and suddenly every detail became a laborious decision in my spinning head. Tabs versus ties, plain linen versus a pattern, yada yada yada. Ridiculous, I know. I certainly have other more important things to think about and spend time on, but I oddly enjoy obsessing over details like these. I suppose it’s obsessions like this that make designers valuable- I mean really, who would want to wrack their brain over this if they can have their designer do it for them?!? And wouldn’t one WANT his or her interior designer to be attentive to every little detail? Ok, I’ve made myself feel much better about my OCD now. And all kidding aside, I do feel grateful for this type of “dilemma”.

Back to the slips, I have always liked the striped slipcovers on Suzanne Rheinstein’s Living Room furniture. I love that she outfits her whole room in the same classic pattern for the summer. Her attention to the details of these slips is what keeps it from being boring. She put ties in the right places to accentuate the curves of each piece. She used a more contemporary flat flange of coordinating blue fabric to make edges more distinct. Her choice to use an abundance of one single fabric in a bold stripe and in the perfect color brings her formal pieces down to an everyday level, and she hasn’t sacrificed an ounce of style or elegance in doing so.

Joni Webb of Cote de Texas slipped her Breakfast Room chairs in white linen. The thick graphic quality of the tabs highlights the shape of the chair and balances the sweet scallop detail at the hem. Her choice of a solid white linen is very fresh and will work well in a variety of settings. It allows you to let the rest of your space evolve without having to worry if those darn slipcovers will work with those new changes.

After years of being plain-linen-happy, I was actually itching for a patterned fabric for my slipcovers. But in the end I decided that even though white linen may seem like the “easy” fabric for me to fall back on (and it will likely be in the wash every other day after sharing a space with a 14 month old), it just felt safer and more enduring of my taste than anything with a pattern or color. Plus a pattern or color meant two other factors to obsess over. Obviously.

{All photographs from Cote de Texas.}

I’ve got a thing for books, and I’m not alone…

noreply@blogger.com (alice) — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 19:14:00 +0000

“One of the great things about books is sometimes there are some fantastic pictures.”

-George W. Bush

Now who could disagree with that?

If there is one relaxing and indulgent activity I like to do on the weekends, it is leafing through my design and art books. Wouldn’t you love to be left to explore some of these libraries with their stacks and stacks of books? I know I would.

Iris Apfel’s Manhattan apartment.

Gwyneth Paltrow.

I admit, this one IS a bit over the top with the stacking of books.

Miles Redd mixes books, art, and decorative objects.

Nigella Lawson among her bevy of cookbooks. If this was my library, I’m sure I’d never make it into the kitchen to cook anything!

John Stefanidis mixes dining with reading… so cozy and perfect for those times when you just can’t put a book down.

Another thing I’ve been incessantly reading through in every free second this weekend is the blog A Lovely Being and her tumblr page Fallon Elizabeth. It’s total eye candy. Every picture I’ve posted came from one of those with the exception of the last one.

Art in the Kitchen

noreply@blogger.com (alice) — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 22:48:00 +0000

Giant Sink. Gas range. Refrigeration. Artwork.

There are a FEW more things on my essential Kitchen item list, but that’s for another time.

See more art in the kitchen here.

{Photos 1. & 2. via Inspiring interiors and 3. Southern Living}

More blues…

noreply@blogger.com (alice) — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 05:36:00 +0000

If there is a season for blue, summer is it. Spanning art and fashion to interiors here are more blues of all shades and all styles. There’s no rhyme or reason to the order of these pictures and hopefully there’s a little something for everyone…

Cobalt and gilding complement each other just as well as Baroque and Contemporary do.

Pale and calming background.

Blues that are almost purple in this beautiful painting by Paul Signac.

Love the persimmon color against this off-blue. Michael S. Smith always gets it right.

Regal.

More is more for this blue house.

Gorgeous Portugese tiles. Michael S. Smith again.

Mary Cassatt’s Young Thomas and His Mother. The blue makes a striking backgound.

Jackie Kennedy’s feminine blue dressing room in the White House. Designed by Sister Parish I believe.

Blue Ikat is so summery and fun. Photo via Habitually Chic.

Mmmg notebook.

A beautiful sky blue background. Photo via The Peak of Chic.

Love the contrast. Photo via Luphia Loves.

Charlotte Moss’ Kips Bay Showhouse bedroom with an array of blues and patterns. Photo via Cote de Texas.

Crusty blue featured in House Beautiful.

More portugese tiles. They just look so fresh.

Gondolas in Venice via Pinterest.

De Gournay handpainted blue wallpaper. From the color to the whimsical chairs this is such a dream-like space.

Bold.

Blueprints are such a beautiful form of art. I love this Thomas Jefferson toile fabric by Kravet. Certainly not your typical toile.

Another beautiful room with blues by Charlotte Moss.

Jason Martin painting featured in Elle Décor.

Pretty

noreply@blogger.com (alice) — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 04:37:00 +0000

Some beautiful Monday blues…

noreply@blogger.com (alice) — Mon, 23 May 2011 18:51:00 +0000

Monet’s Water Lilies.

More Water Lilies by Monet. Can’t get enough of these!

Helen Frankenthaler.

Susan Sales.

{Images via 1. Trouvais, 2. Surroundings, 3., 7. and 10. Google Images, 4. Martha Stewart, 5. Princess Anne Country, 6. Inspiring Interiors, 8. Pottery Barn, 9. Brabourne Farm, 11. Heidi Claire, 12. Cote de Texas, 13. Susan Sales}

Photo Wall Displays

noreply@blogger.com (alice) — Mon, 23 May 2011 00:53:00 +0000

With the world of digital photography and the literally thousands of photos that can be taken in just a day now, I seem to have way more pictures than I know what to do with. I certainly don’t have much tablespace available, nor do I have time (or talent) to scrapbook everything. I love displaying pictures though, and these collage galleries manage to jam in lots of pictures in little spaces… and look very chic too!

I absolutely LOVE the idea of ledges or shallow pictures shelves. You can pile on what you need without having to make a hole (or 5 in my case) in the wall!

More photos than frames- the story of all our lives I’m sure! I lvoe how they just add and post pictures in the empty wall spaces.

Once something is framed, I find myself less likely to change it out. This is a great way to keep fun current snapshots on display.

A giant wallboard can do the same thing. The streamlined cross pattern of the ribbon keeps things looking stylish.

Bright and Clean by Atelier AM

noreply@blogger.com (alice) — Mon, 09 May 2011 23:12:00 +0000

Mondays call for some visual refreshment. This house by Michael and Alexandra Misczynski is just that- fresh, clean and uncluttered.

I never noticed the painting on the back wall before today- I love the punch of color it brings to the room. While restricted in color palette, this room is brimming with textural interest.

The open shelves and greenery soften this modern kitchen.

Isn’t this the most soothing bedroom you’ve ever seen? Spa blue bedding and yards and yards of gauzy white linen can do that!

Pure and clean.

Texture is one of the main elements the designers used in every single area of this home, including all of the many outdoor seating areas.

The purpley-blue flowers infused throughout the design are so pretty.

Everything is simple but nothing is boring.

{Images via Veranda and Atelier AM}

Friday Flowers

noreply@blogger.com (alice) — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 13:56:00 +0000

Inside our out, orchids always look absolutely beautiful!

{Photos via A Life’s Design}

Friday Flowers: Bright and Beautiful Geraniums

noreply@blogger.com (alice) — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 02:57:00 +0000

Virtual House tour: Austin, Texas

noreply@blogger.com (alice) — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 15:36:00 +0000

We’re taking a little trip to Austin next month and if I’m going to know what neighborhoods are the best to ooh and ahh through I had to check out the local real estate listings. Since this is just for fun, there’s no budget. I repeat, fun!

This house is very Santa Barbara meets Bobby McAlpine. See the listing here.

Hip and traditional. Love the contrast between the white walls and the dark floor and accessories.

The Living Room is impressive, yet so inviting.

The more I look at this house, the more I recognize it from someplace… anyone else having the same déjà vu?

The Dining Room is cozy and simple with beautiful views.

This picture is where I really am having déjà vu. I remember reading about how of course this study has a plethora of deer heads because it’s in Texas… Anyway, a handsome study it is (even with the heads).

Another view of the study showing it’s supersized window.

If Diane Keaton’s character Erica from Something’s Gotta Give were to have a Texan bedroom, this might be it!

A view of the back of the house and pool at dusk.

……………………………….

.The next house is very quaint and unpretentious. See the listing here.

Trendy accents make this house pop.

I love the grey kitchen with the colorful artwork and rug.

Hate the mirrored wall, love the blue velvet on the bench. Really, who mirrors a full wall anymore?!?

This bathroom totally makes up for the mirrored wall. Love the built ins with glass doors and the sconces. I would have brought the built-ins to the ceiling level, but that’s just me being picky.

Another great bathroom. The built ins, pedestal sinks and and pink wall are totally unexpected from a normal bathroom. Interesting detail how the ceiling is arched over the sink area.

Cozy workspace in a trendy dark greige color.

The light limestone and gravel ground in the courtyard cover are a very pretty backdrop to the landscaping.

Pretty and natural landscaping approach.

This listing included the floorplan. Love when you can see pictures and the layout.

……………………………….

Are we still in Austin?!? Certainly not your everyday architecture, but this house is pretty darn interesting and unexpected. You probably got that from this first picture! See the listing here.

Dark woods and white plaster walls are definitely a popular look in central Texas, and they really do look fabulous!

A close up of the fireplace. It’s nice to see a cleaner plaster fireplace instead of the expected carved limestone.

The Dining Room shows signs of eclecticness in it’s furnishings and Venetian chandelier.

This kitchen floor totally caught me off guard! The cork floor in istelf is out of the ordinary, but this bold graphic pattern it absolutely a shocker! Again, maybe not my first choice, but on the plus side I’m sure it’s very comfortable to stand on when cooking.

Close up of the hood.

The breakfast room definitely has the vintage vibe going on with it’s retro chairs and light fixture.

If this were my library, I’d never leave! Between the fabulously tall shelves stocked with books and the beautiful wall color, I’d be in here all the time! I think this must be in the turret.

In contrast to the dark library, the bonus room is light, bright and airy.

You know you’re in Austin when there are guitars in the bedroom. Another furniture piece in watery blue velvet… it’s really pretty isn’t it!

Another bedroom with a funky flokati rug and green velvet chairs.

The pool feels like its in the treetops…. enveloped by greenery!

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The last home to catch my eye was this one. A little modern. A little artsy. See the listing here.

So many things to love about this kitchen… framed artwork, open industrial shelving, a brassy and beuatufiul trombone (love musical instrument accessories theme we’re seeing here!, and the rustic pottery juxtaposed against crips contemporary finishes….

The most intriguing part of this house is the backyard entertaining pavilion…. And as a sidenote, its definitely clear that mounted deer heads are not a novelty in this town!

What a cool place to hang out! I love the branch-y chandelier and the crisp white upholstery. Definitely outdoor chic!

If anyone has any suggestions for Austin, I’d love to hear about them!