Picture Perfect - Room of the Week - Dining

I love the simple elegance of this dining room..the mix of brown and gold is so earthy! and that sconce? AMAZING! Maybe I am ready for Fall and all the nesting that comes with it!

Happy Thursday!

image: New York Times Magazine

Picture Perfect!

Okay, so here is my "room of the week". I've been running around lately without much sleep, so I'm feeling pretty spent right now....Isn't this bed heaven? There is something to be said for crisp white bedding, you just can't go wrong with it! I think I may have to crawl into bed with a book right now! Good Night - Sleep Tight!

image: aubrey road blog

Picture Perfect - Room of the Week

Would LOVE to create an "outdoor" room like this one by designer Mary McGee at my home. It feels so welcoming, and flexible. I've been really inspired by porches since my client presentation last week. Everything was a go, so I'll of course share the "after" photos!

{it's been a crazy week - i promise a longer post tomorrow}

Picture Perfect - Room of the Week

I'm totally appreciating fresh, clean, uncluttered white rooms right now.

I've always thought it'd be kind of cool to have a cream, Eames lounge chair in a reading room, sort of like the one below....{green drape + all) ;)

image: asheandleandro via coco and kelley, Domino

Picture Perfect - Room {corner} of the Week

So I'm still not getting much sleep nor down time lately, but I'm not one to complain {right}. No really, I'm a lucky girl... but I think everyone could use a cozy spot like this to chill out in from time to time.

Image: HighStreetMarket

Picture Perfect..Room of the Week

I love everything about this room! It's the perfect example of the classically modern style I love and work with everyday! That screen is killer. My parent's actually have an old screen I need to get my hands on..with a little paint and fabric it could be the perfect backdrop for my bed! {i'll keep you posted}

Picture Perfect - Room of the Week Post is starting again!

I took a little break from posting a featured room of the week but one gorgeous photo can speak volumes..so my favorite room of the week post is back! Word is it's going to reach 80 degrees today in Boston! We'll see as it's still on 55' - I sent my little man off in shorts and a fleece anyways!

Now about this room! It's by the queen of avant garde - Kelly Wearstler. I love everything about this space, the floor design, the sculptural array of furniture, the mirrored ceiling grid, the choice of lighting...I could go on. Kelly never misses a detail, I find her work inspirational, see her newly updated website for more gorgeous shots.

(side note) I recently painted my living room a similar shade of gray as seen in the photo! It took a few days to get used to but I'm loving its luminous quality. It's a beautiful shade with undertones of blue/green. Color : C2 - Dorian Gray.

Where I'd like to...

Relax with a book and a "tall" cocktail!

My life has been a little {okay A LOT} hectic lately. What I wouldn't do for a good night sleep right about now..I'm not complaining, I'm over the moon about my new baby but a minute of down time would be wonderful! This room is so serene. I'm loving the limed floors {a refreshing trend} and the classically modern white architectural details of this room. It's clean, clutter less and peaceful!

images: Veere Grenney

Where I'd like to..

Gather with friends

I don't know if it's because I'm pregnant and am craving a sense calm before the big day, but I've been drawn to light filled, neutral rooms. In fact my husband just left to purchase the paint for our dining room and I was tempted to paint it creamy white! {I opted for an aqua color instead, he's still not sold on it}. I love the femininity the crystal chandelier and pink plates bring to this dining area!
Image: House Beautiful

Where I'd like to..

Spend my HOLIDAY WEEKENDS...

{I threw the horse image in for authenticity.}

I love the rusticity and casualness of this country dining room. I can envision friends and family enjoying home cooked meals and bottles of wine around this great table..{am i getting corny or what?}

HAPPY DECEMBER!

Images: FernValeFarmblog, not sure where I found the dining image.

Where I'd like to...

Powder my nose!

I thought I'd share a bit of elegance with you today. I especially love the wall of antiqued mirror behind the sink and that gorgeous chandelier. Very Parisian!

Image via: Dress, Design, Decor.

Where I'd like to...

Clear my head..

My style and tastes really run the gamut. I'm drawn to over the top drama {think Miles Redd + Kelly Wearstler} but I also love simplified, clean spaces with a bit of restraint. The light streaming into this room is gorgeous, as are the refined pieces of furniture, lighting and colors.

I've been running around like crazy lately..I would love to curl up in the sun on one of those sofas with a design magazine. I'm calmer just thinking of it. Now I've got to get back to work....

Image Photography: Moris Moreno

Where I'd like to...

COZY DOWN AT NIGHT...

I'm working on a couple of bedrooms right now, in one I'm using more color but the second may be a cream and white story with a deep aqua ceiling. I love the softness and feminine details in this room. It's a perfect example of how things don't need to be "overdone" to be beautiful!

Image: via a life more fabulous

Where I'd like to...

Pot my plants..

I'll try to resist sounding too much like a 30-something suburbanite..but i love this potting room, from the color on the walls to the amazing soap stone sink.. It's beautiful and functional.

Deborah Needleman and Rita Konig..{this is Deborah's weekend retreat}

Images: Lonny Magazine

Where I'd like to...

DINE

This is a snapshot of David Jimenez's 2008 table at Diffa. . I love David's fearless style.

I always crave warmth, candlelight and color at this time of year. I'm thinking, turkey day table inspiration? The orange is classic fall but the blue would be unexpected. I've also been dying to paint a wall deep turquoise, this shade is perfection. I just returned from the paint store with similar swatches in hand....

Image: Habitually Chic

Where I'd like to....

COOK, EAT, ENTERTAIN, LIVE..YOU NAME IT!

Okay, so I'll break down why I think this space is so fabulous.

- Great use of space planning, the cabinets are built up to the ceiling, this is very important in a kitchen design. The often seen empty space above cabinets is no more then a dust and "stuff" collector. Most people just display "stuff" they never use.

- Built in banquettes are are another efficient space saver. They're fun too. I'm currently having a sofa upholstered in Celerie Kemble's betwixt pattern. {it's the fabric on the two throw pillows}

- This kitchen is livable, unexpected and glamorous. The black cabinets are clean but classic, and the panel detailing is beautiful.

- I love to cook, so that stove and marble back splash would be a dream

- Turquoise is one of my absolute favorite colors, this house needed that bright punch of color.

- The only thing I might change are the Biedermeier chair seat cushions. I would have used something softer with more color.

Images: John Granen

Where I'd like to...

READ A BOOK

I like this clean, black and white story...

I just ordered two white chairs for my living room..it's almost done - can't wait to share!

Image: DecorPad

Where I'd like to..

RELAX

I think I'm drawn to the use of classic and modern elements in this room. The large windows and light quality are amazing. Oversized mirrors can look tacky, but layering the frame over the one pictured above this mantel works beautifully.

Image: Boston Globe Magazine

Where I'd like to..

SHOP

I love this Mary McDonald designed store. In fact it would be the perfect inspiration for a living/dining area. The mix of color, pattern and texture is gorgeous.  Mary's website has been updated, if you'd like to check it out click here.

"What" I'd like to decorate..

A BUNGALOW - inside + out!

I've always loved the potential that bungalow style homes have!

Their exteriors and interiors clean up beautifully because of their charming proportions and interesting architectural details. I know someone in the process of purchasing a bungalow. If they approve, I'll post the "before" + "after" transformation.

In the meantime here's some info. on the bungalow (Craftsman) homes and a bit of exterior inspiration!

Most Bungalows found in the U.S. were built between 1905-1930

Features

"Low-pitched gabled rood (sometimes hipped)"

"wide unenclosed eave overhangs"

"roof rafters often exposed"

"decorative false beams or braces under gables"

"porches - either full or partial-width, with roof supported by tapered square columns"

"columns or pedestals frequently extend to ground level {without a break at level of porch floor}"

{info. taken directly from A Field Guide to American Houses; Virginia + Lee McAlester}

Initially craftsman style homes were found in Southern California but they soon became a popular smaller style home across america. "Few were built after 1930."

BEFORE


AFTER

I love the fence and carriage house details

Images: Country Living, Martha Stewart, Country Living (before and after images), Cottage Living, Old Houses.com, L.A. Times, Old Houses.com {bottom two}