Snowman image from a new to me blog called Kris’s Color Stripes – it’s worth a peek… she does absolutely breathtaking things with color! All the rest of the pics are mine. (They’re taken by my crappy and nearly dead Fiji digital snap-shot.) Next on my list: figuring out my Nikon DSLR. Gawd, I am so intimidated. Oh, by the way… I posted my banana bread recipe over at EAD Living this week. It’s so totally tasty and a complete breeze to whip together. Click here to be redirected.

9 Comments » Posted by ABCD / City Apartment and Interior Design as Inspiration and Nesting and Personal and Uncategorized

Since I don’t have a lot of time to write today, I thought I’d simply share tidbit of design history that has inspired me since a young age. When I was a girl, we rented a little cabin a half a mile up the road from what we called “The White House.” Little did we know that it was The Douglas House, designed by Richard Meier & Partners Architects, LLP.
The Douglas House was built in 1973, and to me, it looks just as relevant and modern as the day it was built. I am incredibly drawn to architecture and interiors that you can’t pin-point in history. I have always had a soft spot in my heart for this building …it reminds me of my childhood – we’d walk up the beach just to stand out front and look up at it… it’s my idea of heaven on earth.

{Images via Richard Meier & Partners Architects, LLP and Tevami}

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Back in September, (in yet another Notes for the design file post) I wrote about the pairing of ultra-light, white rooms with very dark rooms that have white upholstery. I toyed with the thought of private rooms being dark and public rooms being light and while the photo above is the exact opposite, I think it is a great example of how to play dark and light decor off of one another.

There are so many reasons I love this dark dining room. Let’s count the ways:

1) In most cases, I prefer horizontal surfaces in a room to read as the same tone. They have achieved the look here with the floor and tabletop. Speaking of which, this rustic dining table instantly makes this dining room feel comfortable. It’s not so precious that it couldn’t be used for each and every meal. Remember my mantra: “Life is short, eat off the good china.” I will never understand the theory behind dedicating entire rooms to only special occasions.

2) Adding to the easy-going vibe of this dining room are the belgian linen slip-covered dining chairs with matching back pillows. I like the fact that the shape of the dining chairs is quite modern, masculine and clean-lined. The slipcovers soften up the hard lines and speak to the rustic dining table. The fabric color brings in the light feel of the white kitchen on the opposite side of the open doorway.

3) This room gets instant credibility in my book because the sideboard and wood table do not match. (In wood-tone, era, or style.) I think it is visually more interesting to cobble together pieces that speak to one another or allow the other piece to stand out. Take note: The sideboard has captivating lines, but it’s dark, rich color makes it recede into the background. This allows for the creamy dining chairs to frame the dining table who takes the center stage.

4) In the last three years, Mr. D and I have spent a lot of time in Litchfield County, Connecticut – aka iron ore country. This may be why I am completely drawn to the simplistic nature of these black iron light fixtures. They don’t compete with the space, they’re just totally simple and utilitarian.

5) Did you notice that the glass front kitchen cabinet panes mimic the glass window panes? I love, love L-O-V-E that repetition of a simple detail. We did a similar treatment in our last apartment on the black mirrored wall – I used the same proportion as the windows in the loft.

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Miles Redd designed the study/dining area featured below. Take note of the chevron pattern in the wood floor. The ebonized wood and sterling bookshelf is gorgeous. I adore the high gloss finish, don’t you? What do we think about art hung directly on the bookshelf itself? I posted another photo this look on Friday …I must say… I kinda like it. While rows and rows of book spines are wonderful to look at, breaking it up with a bit of art adds a layer of interest.

The carved flip-top game table was found in the D&D building at Agostino Antiques. You’ll find both French antiques and reproductions at Agostino. They are a great source for adding a smidge of history to your home décor. Below, notice the tone on tone graphic patterned floor. The color of the millwork enhances the pattern on the floor. The oushak rug adds yet another layer, bringing colors into the room from the foyer featured though the doorway. Well done!

A special thanks goes out to Will at Bright . Bazaar who focused my attention on Miles Redd last week. Miles’ portfolio is absolutely worth taking a peek at. He has certainly warmed me up to the idea of using unexpected color in my home décor. Perhaps it will inspire the same in you?

P.S. If you’re in New York, follow @House_Beautiful’s tweets on Twitter today. They’re placing blue chairs all over NYC as part of a treasure hunt. They’ll tweet the drop off spots. Get all the details here.

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For ages, I have been sifting through and collecting images of kitchens I love. I do this for kitchens far more than any other interior space of a house. Perhaps it’s because I like to cook – maybe I can imagine myself preparing meals and bakery items in these spaces? I rarely tear out a photo of a bathroom and feel the need to document it. The kitchen, the heart of a home… Every one I find has a combination of wood beams, stone, and a fireplace or a gigantic glass front pantry chalk full of china. Yes, it’s true. I have a kitchen “type.”
I know. By now we’ve all seen Julianne Moore’s (ex) West Village Townhouse on Apartment Therapy, in New York Magazine, and posted all over the internet. The kitchen is by a Brooklyn based design firm called Made. They’ve combined a design studio, a fabrication workshop, and a contracting team under one roof in Red Hook to create super-smart interior design solutions. I love how the modern kitchen is placed into this rustic space. The light fixtures and mid-century home furnishings seemingly bridge the gap.
These images are from the portfolio of lifestyle writer and stylist Natalie Thiart . I was drawn to the beams in the ceiling, and the glass front cabinet. Notice: on the shelves to the left, like items are grouped = huge visual impact. Natalie has styled everything from architecture and advertisements to tabletops – you’re sure to find something to delight your senses. The whole website is a feast for the eyes!

I’d like to invite you to a new to me blog called Willow Decor. I spent way too much time oohing-ahhhing and oogling the lovely home decor inspiration over at Willow Decor this morning! If you haven’t been, I suggest you pour yourself a second cup, pop by and get ready to be inspired!

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