Inspirations « Elements of Style Blog

Archive for the ‘Inspirations’ Category

Monday, August 16th, 2010

If you drove by this house in Bedford, NY renovated by Alisberg Parker Architects you’d probably expect the interior to be chock full of traditional classics, right?

WRONG.

I really do enjoy a home that has a traditional architectural exterior (and interior- notice all thought molding and trim painted over glossy white) paired with really modern furniture. It’s so unexpected. And that pool house? I die.

But I alos love that this design team is capable of doing funky traditional decor as well. I’m loving this modern rustic look they crafted (the mismatched chairs and that wicker bar? Hello.)

Posted in Inspirations, architecture, kitchens, modern furniture | 31 Comments »

Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010

Actress Robbin Tuney’s home in the most recent InStyle is such a great example of how a home can create a feeling. To me, the second I looked at this space I thought “happy”, “fun”, “easy going”. Homes can certainly reflect a lot about the owner’s personality and demeanor (mine says “lazy”, “ADD” and “possibly bi-polar”). I really am loving the abundance of light, carefully chosen modern pieces and small pops of bright color. Oh, and Robin’s fabulous vintage look with her dresses and hair- yes please! scan-4

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Get this look for less with the following accessories:

Turn a simple wicker ottoman into something bolder with a can of indoor/outdoor spray paint!

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Posted in Inspirations | 23 Comments »

Thursday, July 22nd, 2010

When you hear “fishing shack” you tend to think of mounted bass, claustrophobic wood paneling, dusty corners of ramshackle cabins and musty old quilts. Until you’ve seen this “fishing shack”, as featured in the New York Times. Owned by PR guru Melanie Brandman, this space went from exactly what I described previously to a mid century-meets-world traveler gem. I simply love it.

See the charming exterior left, and the before interior at right:

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Made into this!

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One hell of a view in the morning.

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What I love most about this space is it’s layered, multidimensional appeal- different textures, time periods, styles, influences and colors. It feels like everything here is loved and appreciated and not there for decor’s sake. Take the elephant closet door handles below for instance. They were purchased at an outdoor market in Katmandu. The artwork behind the dining table is an Aboriginal piece from her native Australia.

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This Balinese daybed is dressed in fabrics she bought in India, but the pillows are from Restoration! Mixing the new and current with well-traveled and antique makes for an interesting space!

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Oh, to have a dinner party here! Twinkle lights everywhere STAT!

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All photos by Randy Harris for the NYT.

Posted in Inspirations | 29 Comments »

Wednesday, July 21st, 2010

It’s been a hot, hazy summer here in Boston. The kind of heat that makes you really cranky and not want to do anything but slump on your sofa in the A/C and watch The Hangover for the 50th time because you don’t have the energy to argue with your husband to change the channel. In short, it’s been miserable and it’s been making me dream of where I can go on a jet plane to escape. Granted, a lot of the places I want to go are hot right now too, but it somehow seems more bearable in a foreign country than in my hometown. So when I saw the posts from my girls Erika and Paloma about their respective trips to Italy and Barcelona I began plotting and dreaming of where I want to go. Since I’ve already been to Italy (a magnificent 2 week trip in high school with a group of my fave girls and one awesome chaperone- Mrs. Delana, for those MPSers reading) I think Barcelona might be on the schedule for spring 2011. But what a tough choice…

Erika posted pictures from her visit to the J.K. Place in Florence and I about died. Florence was my favorite Italian city and this hotel looks like absolute perfection! You can take such inspiration for your own home from these rooms!

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Oh hello amazing ceiling. Can I stare at you all day while sipping fine Italian espresso?

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One for me, one for you. And a view to compliment the bubbly.

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And just when you are thinking “Yup, that place is perfection” I’m gonna go ahead and blow your mind with the J.K. Capri. I mean, REALLY. REALLY. I can’t even deal with this level of awesomeness.

Navy walls make me HAPPPPPPPYYYY!

This next picture made me yelp out loud.

I need to wake up here once in my life.

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And drink/sun/smile like an idiot here.

I can’t explain why my text is now it italics. I can’t fix it so you’re gonna have to deal. :) Anywhoo, Paloma was next in posting pics from her trip to Barcelona and I am now 100% certain I will be staying where she stayed which was the Hotel Pulitzer designed by Lázaro Rosa Violán.

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Paloma was incredibly lucky to get to meet Lázaro and tour his own studio! AMAZEBALLS!

IMG_4307_thumb1 Those panels! That chevron floor!

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BAM!

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Those are some luxurious drapes. LOVE.

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When can I leave???

Posted in I die., Inspirations, crazy awesome, lustworthy, obsessing, trips | 23 Comments »

Wednesday, July 14th, 2010

This is so overdue. I don’t know why I haven’t posted the GENIUS of Sarah Richardson before, but I haven’t and it’s about damn time. The woman can put together a transitional room like no one’s business. They are rooms you get the sense everyone would like without being expected or boring at all- which is a hard balance to find. However, I wish we could buy her furniture line in the US (she has the most perfect sofa for a project I’m working on! DRAT!) Take a gander at her work if you aren’t familiar:

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In other news- rain has ruined my Brimfield plans today (big sad face) so I’ll be going Friday which means I’ll have boatloads of pics for next week!

Posted in Inspirations, design crush | 44 Comments »

Monday, July 12th, 2010

I have to be honest. Lately, I’ve been feeling really uninspired. It happens to the best of us, and with the stifling heat and humidity that Boston has been forced to bear, I think it’s fogged my brain and crippled my design desires a bit. Not to mention that I came home to flooded apartment this weekend. Killer. But this week WILL fix that. Wednesday I head to Brimfield with photographer/friend Sarah Winchester (and some sunscreen). Check. I got photos of amazing progress on two projects (check, check) and in addition, I Twittered yesterday that I have not been so inspired by an issue of a shelter magazine since the demise of Domino as I was by the July/August issue of House Beautiful (giant, neon pink CHECK). From the saturated color and absence of it, to the amazing variety of small spaces covered, I dogeared nearly every page for one reason or another. Perhaps it’s because small spaces are not only romantic and interesting, but also tend to be more accessible. While I love seeing what someone has masterfully done with a sprawling six story townhouse or 8,000 square foot country residence, I’m personally more inspired by what someone has done with a one bedroom apartment.

Lets’ start with the color saturated cover story- a 390 square foot Manhattan residence designed by owner David Kaihoi for him, his wife and their daughter. There are so many fabulous things about this space- the daring choice of color, the multi-purpose furniture, the jaw-dropping wallpaper in the bedroom and cherry red closet interior! The only thing I wonder about is the kid sleeping in the same room as her parents every night on a trundle. That would get old fast for me, and I have to imagine it’s abit of a drag on their “relationship”. But let’s gloss over that and focus on the space:

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Next up, what might be my favorite of the spaces covered- a one bedroom in NYC’s Gramercy Park (I lived there in college and LOVE that area). I absolutely love the light in this place- and the decor just amplifies that with the white floor, the neutral but interesting color palette and the slight dollhouse feel to it. I would live here in a heartbeat.

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And finally, a California bungalow that undoubtedly will cause you to smile and fire up your desire to blend up a fierce margarita! I adore the whimsy, sense of fun and LIFE in this space.

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Posted in Inspirations, magazines | 27 Comments »

Wednesday, July 7th, 2010

When I saw the pictures from this NY Times story on my pal Sami’s blog, my heart was awash in joy. This blonde sprite of a woman, Sandra Foster, took what was a decrepit hunting shack and turned it into a dream escape just for herself on a budget of $3,000- FOR EVERYTHING. While it has no kitchen or bath (those necessities reside in the trailer she and her husband live in on the property), this Victorian dollhouse is simply a place for her to retreat to alone. Wouldn’t it be so lovely (not matter how much you like spending time with your S.O.) to have a little place to call your own? Where you could go with a cup of tea and paint or re-read all your Twilight books (is that just me?)

While this little house was created from Sandra’s own sweat and determination (she did the construction herself), there is a deeper, sadder story to this take that makes the final result all the more sweet. Her family lost their home when she was a teenager and while homeless Sandra dreamed of a home like this one, full of antiques and frills. Her husband and she have had their share of monetary troubles as well. He’s recovering from an injury and she’s been working two jobs to support them. I must admit, they make a visually unexpected pairing, but they both love to garden, and have found a quiet life that suits them just fine– and that makes me smile and believe in the enormous power that love has. Read the entire story here- it’s a truly magical, interesting piece.

I can think of no one more deserving for this darling space than Sandra (who is also a blogger!)

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Posted in Inspirations, amazing find, antiques, cheap decor | 26 Comments »

Thursday, July 1st, 2010

Photographer Michael Partenio’s portfolio is one that has ignited some creative thinking for me! Sometimes it feels like I’ve seen everything out there when it comes to great interior photography and then I come across a fresh new crop of pictures like this that get me giddy again! I love the crisp New England breeze that seems to flow through all his shots. A magnificent eye, I think.

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This picture is for my Dad. He would love this boat, I am certain.

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Posted in Inspirations, photography | 27 Comments »

Monday, June 14th, 2010

The ladies over at MoggitGirls asked us bloggers to treat today as Nate Day and post our favorite space designed by perennial favorite, Nate Berkus in honor of his new show debuting September 13th! I j’adore Nate, not only for his impeccable taste but also for his adorable personality and sense of humor about decorating. Oh, and his line for HSN is ridic.

Anyways, it was hard to pick one Nate project and seeing as his own home in Chicago will probably be covered over and over since it’s so perfect, I chose another project. The second I saw Katie Lee (Joel)’s kitchen in Domino I nearly went blind from the beauty. While I’m not jealous of her marriage to a man old enough to be her dad (let”s face it, pictures of them together looked hella creepy) I AM jealous of her flippin’ ridiculous West Village townhouse designed by Nate. It’s such a elegant mix of new and old and while mostly traditional, it has such a classic, bright and lived in feel to it.You can see a video tour of it HERE.

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Her gold leafed dressing room was featured in Town & Country. A bit over the top, but I bet it is amazing amounts fo fun to get dressed in and the reflection must make your skin look gorgeous!

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Posted in Inspirations, blogging | 18 Comments »

Wednesday, June 9th, 2010

I fell head over heels for Timothy Whealon’s summer home shown in Elle Decor this month! The exterior is classic New England beach house style (as I mentioned yesterday) but the interior and the details of the porch and pool are fresh and modern. I absolutely love every detail- from the blue grass cloth in the entryway, the suzani pillows, the INSANE lucite dining table with vintage chairs and the lounge chairs by the pool with the ceramic elephant tables.

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Some other fine examples of his incredible talent:

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Posted in I die., Inspirations, design crush | 20 Comments »