Inspiration that Leads to Design

I have a lot of people ask how you get started decorating a room. A lot of people assume you begin with paint. Well, I think the best plan of attack is inspiration. Sometimes you just need to do what you really love and what you know will put you in a creative state of mind, like wandering through a gallery and falling in love with a piece of artwork. Sometimes you just need to start window shopping to get the juices flowing. For me, flipping through shelter magazines and following a random trail of design blogs usually turns up something beautiful to look at. For instance the photo above I found on Flickr instantly made me want to design a swingy sexy living room. Yeah baby (please say with Austin powers accent). It evokes so much of an attitude that it makes it impossible for me not to want to pull a room out of it. For many designers a lead fabric, a rug or artwork are really great jumping off points. They can instantly determine the color palette and the feeling of a space. Obviously a designer is equipped to pull together existing pieces as well as design projects from the ground up but if you are starting from scratch those are the perfect items to start with! I hope this helps those of you if you who need to make a go of decorating on your own and if you need a little more help than please call a professional. You will have a well designed space that will make you happy for years.

Here is my interpretation of the photograph above. I had fun pulling items for my make believe room. If you would like specifics on any of the items please email me.
images via unknown, Decorpad, Casa Suger, 1st Dibbs, unknown, The Rug Company

Magnolia

Magnolia , originally uploaded by aussiegall.

A perfect magnolia bloom. My favorite tree. A beautiful childhood scent, A lover's memory. What's this to do with design? Well, everything.

I'm Hungry for a Little Fashion

I want to look at some pink ruffles and aubergine lipstick today. Sometimes a little dose of fantasy is just what we need. Mmmm....look at that color scheme! Delicious.

image via flickr, photographer unknown

Gotta Love Flickr Explore

bench monday... feeling crafty, originally uploaded by dottieangel.

I could not have said it better myself. Isn't his the cutest image? I had to share it with you.

Quiz Results Pretty Please!

If you take the style quiz below let me know what the results are and where you are from in the comment section (tiny little not at the bottom of the post).  I'd love to know what my readers lean towards.  Here are my results!

*For a family home, your style is surprisingly masculine. Perhaps it's to do with all the gadgets you own, though more likely about the choices you make when it comes to colour and functionality of design. Chances are, perhaps, that your busy lifestyle might add an element of unavoidable disorder to an otherwise orderly and disciplined aesthetic.

I simply can't handle how beautiful and happy my friends look in their engagement photos.  Really- I had to share the love, the creativity behind the lens and the ooshy gooshy joy I feel at seeing this beautiful moment.  Hillary and Jon's photographer is Maribeth Romslo at Red Ribbon Studio and what a wonderful job she did. Happy engagement!

LOVE

LOVE, originally uploaded by Little Nora.

Staircases with Drama

Okay, random Monday post but I wanted to share a couple of great stairways with you from Metropolitan Home.  And sadly, against my best efforts of rummaging through my husband's meticulous collection of Dwell, I cannot manage to find a beautiful shot of a staircase in someone's home where the couple hand wrote excerpts from a love letter written by the owner's grandfather to her grandmother.  It is written out on the treads over three flights in what looks like black marker.  It is beyond the idea of thoughtful design and brings an intimate glimpse of a family's heritage into plain sight.  The deeper metaphor of daily walking in love with your family is beautiful. In a much more shallow sense I adore the graphic element going on with the runner and the risers in the images below.  Stairways really are a forgotten space in a lot of homes.  I think it's great area to get bold with color, pattern and artwork since you are just passing through.  It doesn't need to be a restful space, I would actually argue the opposite.  I would opt for an energizing design...especially when you need all the help you can get making it up the stairs!  Go for some drama.  Please.  Someone.

Kitchen

I raided a few design websites for some lovely kitchen inspiration today.  I've noticed that I am being drawn to white, airy spaces lately so these are not a big departure from my recent posts.  Next week I will be doing my first interview with the coolest (and funniest) designer I know.  I've also got some cool ideas up my sleeve for some posts on set designers from your favorite movies!  I hope everyone has a weekend filled with sun, water, laughter, maybe a cocktail if it interests you and plenty o' sleep!

Photo from Decor Pad, Top Designer

Kitchen design by Katie Denham Interiors

Photo from Living Etc., original source unknown

Photo from Living Etc., original source unknown

Photo from Living Etc, original source unknown

Photo from Living Etc., original source unknown

Ad from Kraftmaid Cabinets

Photo from Decor Pad, original source unknown

Photo from House Beautiful, original source unknown

Photo from Decor Pad, original source unknown

Photo from Decor Pad, original source unknown. Also, my favorite chandelier ever- the "Cellula" by designers Nunzia Carbone and Tiziano Vudafieri

Photo from Decor Pad, original source unknown

Photo from Decor Pad, original source unknown

Photo from Decor Pad, original source unknown

Photo from Decor Pad, original source unknown.  Color on walls is Benjamin Moore, "Woodlawn Blue"

Photo from Decor Pad, original source unknown

Happy Saturday

God I love a pretty chaise lounge!  Happy weekend people!

Photo by Corrie Bond

This, That or the Other Poll

In the spirit of summer vacations, I want to share three of Conde Nast's top ten boutique hotels with you.  All three are beautiful and luxurious but I want to know from you which you would choose based on design.  You've got a week to vote!  See the poll in the sidebar.

Champs Elysees Plaza in Paris

Maison 140 in Beverly Hills, CA, designed by Kelly Wearstler

Kemang Icon by Alila in Jakarta

Window Coverings for Emily

My friends Emily & Nate just got the keys to their very first home and now they have the very daunting task of filling it with things they love, things that they can afford and things that will last until they pay off those nasty student loans!  Emily asked me what I would suggest for covering their sliding glass doors that look into a backyard currently filled with dirt.  I decided to give her my pick for drapery and also include some of my favorite resources for window coverings.  I think the right window dressing will make magic happen.  I think they make a home look pulled together like nothing else can.  People often only go as far as blinds or shutters but a beautiful window dressing is eternally classic and chic.  Here are some of my favorite resources and a few inspiring photos. Enjoy!

This is my choice for Emily & Nate's sliding glass doors.  It is the Linen Thread Stripe Panel from West Elm.  It will provide some coverage, keeping the focus off an unfinished backyard but still allow sunlight to flood the space.  They are pretty, durable and best of all affordable.

This is another good choice for my friends.  A nice sheer like this will do the trick for them and it is from Smith and Noble, which is a great resource for easy, custom drapery.

 

This pretty opaque sheer from Restoration Hardware will give a soft glow and medium privacy.  

Lastly for my friends a one-way draw, traverse stack drapery could be the trick for their sliding glass doors.  They are ceiling mounted and are either motorized or have a pull rod.  Think that hotel room in Vegas.

Photo from HGTV.com's Top Ten Window Coverings

I love these pretty, floral roman shades also featured on HGTV.com.  They are vibrant and fun without being fussy.

Another roman shade that is more masculine and modern.  Drapery isn't always girlie!

How yummy are these dramatic red silk drapes from The Silk Trading Company?!  I love this company because they have such lovely fabrics ( I worked for their local rep. in L.A. in college).  Please check the website out for custom drapery, bedding and pillows as well as, their "Drapery in a Box" program which is all about faking a truly custom-looking window dressing.  silktrading.com

The perfect answer to windows over your bathtub.  Fabric or natural woven roman shades.

Okay, kids.  This is for the major leaugers out there.  THE place to get your natural woven shades and drapery is Conrad Shades.  The quality and beauty of their products cannot be overstated.  They are spendy but you will not regret this purchase if you spring for it.  See the detail below.  conradshades.com

A classic Conrad Shade.

An example of drapery by Conrad Shades.  Creamy and delicious, yes?

I'm not one for super sweet decor but this was too cute to pass on.  The color and pattern are refreshing and the scalloped cornice has a nice architectural feel.  The designer is Laura McNeill and the photo is featured on pointclickhome.com

I love this white, triple pinch pleat drape layered over a mauve sheer.  It makes me want to sit down and have a cup of tea (and I don't even drink tea).  The designer is Evelyn Chin of EC Designs and is featured on pointclickhome.com