A Clean Slate

If you are intimated by the prospect of decorating with black, slate gray can be a perfect alternative. Its deep tone and bold hue makes it a perfect statement color for walls, furniture, and accent pieces. Much like black, slate gray can add an element of classicism, elegance, and sophistication to any space. When slate gray stands alone there is always the risk of making a space feel somber, masculine, and industrial. But the addition of white, coupled with different textures and architectural details, can help to give a gray space warmth and dimension. The juxtaposition of bright white and dark slate gray creates a space that can be defined as both “chic industrialism” and “masculine elegance.” Although I have a deep affinity for black, slate gray and white prove be the newest power couple in interior design.

Perhaps it is time to start with a clean slate…

If you are still feeling a little intimidated about decorating with such a dark color, you can reserve the color for just the interior of built-ins. Using it as an interior color makes it a less dominant feature of the space, but yet it still makes for a great contrast with the white.

The plush slate gray fur blanket adds a touch of glamour to the very natural and neutral master bedroom. The texture of the fur and wicker headboard adds dimension to the all white palette.

Slate gray walls create a beautiful backdrop to white furniture. I like the high-gloss finish of the paint making it feel as those the walls are stainless steel.

Old meets new in this space with the juxtaposition of the antique French wardrobe and egg and dart moulding vs. the shag rug and fleece chairs. Notice the different textures and details in this space...the fluffy shag, exposed seams of the chairs, intricate moulding on the ceiling, and white applique detailing on the wardrobe. All very different pieces, but they work together beautifully.

This office is emblematic of an "industrial chic" space. The dark slate gray walls and floor, coupled with the touches of silver and chrome, make the space masculine and industrial. But the traditional round table and columned bookcase keeps the space elegant and chic.

I love this bedroom! The tufted white headboard and accents of gray and silver create a luxurious and serene setting. A perfect example of the beautiful combination of bright white and a bold deep hue.

The slate gray buffet with silver gilding becomes the focal point in this very minimalist dining room. I like the contrast between the slate gray table and the unfinished wooden chair.

This space shows the versatility of slate in both the modern and traditional style. I like how the rest of the furniture plays off of the gray of the fireplace, giving it cohesion and creating a very clean look.

I just couldn't resist this photo. The bright white wooden console table serves as a great contrast to the slate gray walls. Just like in fashion, silver is a great accessory to white and gray.

I absolutely love the gray fur rug and crystal chandelier in this dining room. Keeping the rest of the pieces white prevents the space from being pretentious or overly decorated.

Slate floors in a kitchen look beautiful with white cabinets and stainless steel appliances. I love how the backsplash draws the gray from the floors.

Metropolitan Home. This modern neutral master bedroom has so many unique elements. The slate gray headboard and silk drapes really stand out against the faux bois wallpaper, and I love the black lucite chair. Slate gray, black, and neutral tones create a beautiful palette.

Slate floors also make for a great entryway because of their durability and resistance to water stains. A great example of how slate and white are a perfect couple...serving as both a complement and contrast to the other.

Books As Decor

They say “don’t judge a book by its cover,” but for many people, this is not always easy. For publishers and authors alike, the cover of a book has become just as important as the content. The same holds true for interior designers. In nearly every design magazine you can find a collection of books proudly displayed on a coffee table, built-in, or entryway. Because of their newfound visibility in the home, books are often chosen for their beautiful cover, colorful spine, or alluring title. They have become an aesthetic design element in and of themselves; bringing color, visual interest, and geometry to a space. The spaces pictured below demonstrate the many beautiful and unique ways in which you can incorporate books into your décor; creating small vignettes that are an expression of both your literary taste and your knack for design.

In this space, a collection of National Geographic magazines are used to add a splash of yellow. A great way to add a bold color, and I love how they are stacked both vertically and horizontally.

Miles Reed. Designers often hang pictures on a bookcase, using the books as the backdrop. The eclectic collection of books is a bit busy, but a great reflection of the homeowner's diverse literary taste.

To match the books with the rest of the decor, designer Randy Powers flipped the books around to display their gold pages. Such a brilliant idea!

The built-in bookshelves around the door frame makes for a grand entrance to the kitchen. The meticulously stacked books give the space geometry and serve as a counterpoint to the circular globes above.

I love how the books not only add color and visual interest, but also serve a functional purpose as side tables. The lack of any real table keeps the space minimalist and modern.

"Apartment Therapy: San Francisco Inspiration". I love the floor to ceiling green velvet drapes. They not only add drama and elegance to the space, but they can also conceal the books if you want to keep them out of sight.

I used the same photo for my entryway post, but this space is also a perfect example of how to create a beautiful vignette by showcasing your books. As the first introduction to your home, the entryway is a great place to express your literary taste and your style.

This is one of my favorite spaces. Filling the bookcase with books emphasizes the steep angle of the staircase; immediately drawing your eye to the triangular shape it creates. This is a great example of how the addition of books can give a space color, visual interest, and geometry.

Miles Reed. Placing a decorative piece on top of a stack of books makes the stack a part of the decor, rather than simply a place of storage.

The simple stacks of books on the console table immediately draw your eye to the beautiful diamond paned window and the unique stools stored underneath. Placing books in front of a window also creates a beautiful silhouette.

Domino Magazine. Stacking books and using them as a side table is a great way to maximize space and adds a fun element of surprise. I like the combination of both horizontal and vertical lines. The vertical lines of the roman shades and moulding on the cabinet, coupled with the horizontal lines of the books and Chevron print rug, creates great visual interest and geometry.

I love the collection of pink books! The pink adds a touch of feminism and glamour to an otherwise neutral moroccan-inspired space.

It is hard to resist the bright leather-bound albums and beautiful coffee table books at the Charlotte Moss Townhouse in New York. You can purchase them online at http://www.charlottemoss.com.

 

Gorgeously Green

The rustic chic spaces in my last post inspired me to think about other ways in which you can bring the outdoors into your home, and adding an element of green proves to be the perfect opportunity. Because of its wide range of hues, you can find a green that will suit any style or aesthetic. There is apple green, celadon, emerald, forest green, jade, lime green, olive green, sage, sea-foam green, and viridian. As with any color, green looks best when contrasted with bright whites and neutrals, creating a refreshingly chic space. Whether applied as a bold lime accent or as a soft sage backdrop, green is a wonderful way to ring in spring and celebrate the outdoors.

This is a more literal interpretation of bringing the "outdoors in". Alison Events.

I love the contrast between the white chaise lounge and the green walls and drapery. The white border on the valance and the floorboard trim pulls it all together beautifully.

This bedroom features a variety of different hues of green, and each one is applied in a different texture or pattern. Although there is a lot going on in this small space, keeping the hues within the same palette gives the room unity.

Amanda Nesbit. This is a beautiful color combination. Pairing the lime green with a soft gray palette prevents the walls from overpowering the space.

The green and cream striped wallpaper is subtle enough that it doesn't become the focal point, but rather serves as the backdrop to the collage of prints hanging on the wall.

Reserving green to just one piece automatically gives the space a focal point.

This is one of my favorite wallpapers made by Schumacher. It is also available as an upholstery fabric in a variety of colors. That bike looks just like my apple green Schwinn cruiser...I love it!

This is my favorite use of green. The soft sage green walls and bright white accents create a refreshingly chic bedroom. Notice how different hues of green can created markedly different spaces.

Martha Stewart Living. This is a perfect example of how you can find a shade of green that will fit any style. Kelly green is the perfect dose of color to this modern minimalist space.

Putting apple green on the walls in an entryway makes for a bright and refreshing welcome to your home. I like the contrast of the apple green and the bright white wainscoting.

Martha Stewart Living. This is a perfect example of the many different shades of green. Notice the different greens used in the moulding on the wall, the console table, the seat cushion, and the glass light fixture. They all work beautifully together.

Rustic Chic

When I hear the word “rustic” I immediately think of a deep woods cabin or a farmhouse with weathered wood, exposed beams, plank floors, and heavily textured and unrefined materials. But choosing to introduce rustic pieces into your home doesn’t have to mean committing yourself to patchwork quilts and tree trunk tables. What is so alluring about the rustic style is the way in which it draws inspiration from the landscape and brings the outdoors into the home. By taking some of the best elements of rustic (the warmth and beauty of natural wood, the variety of textures, and the comfort of unrefined furniture), and combining it with whites and neutrals, you can can immediately take a space from “country charm” to “rustic chic”.  Adopting the more natural features of a rustic home doesn’t mean you have to give up sophistication, style, and refinement.

Elle Decor. Designer Darryl Carter is known for creating polished and refined rustic spaces. I love the combination of the rustic console table and mirror with the traditional wing chair and gold sconces.

This is a beautiful example of how white can add an element of sophistication and refinement to natural wood and weathered accents. I love the white painted plank floors.

This all-white dining room is still very elegant and chic, but includes some of the best elements of the rustic style...exposed beams, natural wood, and textured stone. A perfect example of how chic and rustic can coexist beautifully.

Darryl Carter. My favorite example of rustic chic! I love the juxtaposition of the equestrian painted barn door and the baroque chandelier. Also notice the beautiful contrast of the dark stained formal dining set against the white plank floors.

Nina Grisom's Millbrook, New York home. Rustic meets French elegance in this dining room. The chandelier of branches and natural wood table is made elegant with the French urns and French bistro chairs.

Elle Decor. The kitchen in Darryl Carter's clapboard house is quintessentially rustic with the farmhouse door and plank floors. But the all white palette, coupled with the white marble and stainless steel, preserves its elegance and refinement.

Another of Darryl Carter's beautifully polished rustic spaces. I love pairing white chairs with unfinished wood tables. Lost are the days of matching dining sets.

Elle Decor. Darryl Carter. Modern meets rustic. Just a touch of weathered wood can make what would have been a very minimalist modern space into a rustic nature inspired space.

Elle Decor. I love how there are so many different woods in this space...finished, unfinished, stained, and high-sheen. The unique antler armchair not only adds an element of rustic style, but also provides texture and visual interest.

I also love the idea of a rustic chic wedding…

Rustic chic weddings are beautiful in the mountains or the wine country. The natural setting makes for a beautiful backdrop and allows you to draw earth tones from the landscape. I also couldn't resist because I absolutely love her wedding dress!!

Beth Helmstetter Events.

Pretty In Pink

“Pink has become as ubiquitous as black. Who would have thought that?”                              -Constance White

I admittedly don’t have a natural attraction to pink (nothing like my relationship with black), but there seems to have been a resurgence of pink in interior design over the last decade. Much like red, too much pink can be overwhelming, but when used as an accent, it can bring great emotion to a space. The color pink evokes many different emotions, and it is not confined to simply one style. While soft pinks are associated with romance, feminism, hope and happiness; bright pink is youthful, fun, sensual and passionate. Whether applied as an element of bold modernism or soft traditionalism, you can’t help but feel pretty in a pink space.

Jersey Lomellina swimwear. Flourish Design + Style blog. I love this 50's style bathing suit...very vintage chic.

This is a very feminine space, but the graphic wallpaper keeps it modern and I love the contrast between old and new.

Elle Decor. The bright pink is very bold, but the different textures and patterns give the space visual interest and prevent it from being overwhelming.

I just couldn't resist this picture. The rosy pink is beautiful!

Modern meets traditional in this ultra-chic pink office. I absolutely love the lucite chair with the ornate French desk, and the silk drapes create a dramatic frame around the windows.

When using pink you are not confined to one shade. This living room uses a variety of different pinks...bubblegum pink walls, bright pink pillows, and a deep rose pink velvet armchair. The variety of colors and patterns creates an alluring eclecticism.

Domino Magazine. The mirrored foot board coupled with the pink walls makes for a very feminine bedroom. I like that the linens are a different shade of pink than the walls. Using different hues prevents the space from being too "matchy".

This is a perfect example of how just one element of pink can add personality to a space. Because of the all white palette, the framed poster becomes the focal point of the room.

Elle Decoration UK. Betsey Johnson's all pink loft. Now that is a pink room!

If adding pink to your decor is a little intimidating, you can start by painting one accent wall in a very light white-washed pink. This wall almost looks like it is painted with water colors.

2007 Elle Decoration UK Magazine.

All In White

I am naturally drawn to the elegance of white, but I can’t help but take note of it’s beauty when paired with silver and taupe. An all white palette is fresh, bright, simple, and serene; but the addition of taupe or silver accents can take an all white room from simply calming to beautifully chic. When white stands alone there is always the risk of making a space feel somber, cold, and institutional. An accent color, coupled with different textures and architectural details, can help to give a white space warmth and dimension. If white or light-toned neutrals don’t appeal to your aesthetic, then I hope that you can at least savor the momentary calm and serenity that these spaces exude.

The bridal shower today was beautiful, and the homemade cupcakes were a success!

I love this bedroom! This is a perfect example of how the addition of texture, pattern, and a taupe accent can make a monochromatic white space elegant and beautiful.

The exposed beams and paneled walls give architectural detail to a very large white space. This added detail, coupled with silver-gray accents, keeps this space from being sterile.

Although there are no accent colors, the sparkle from the hanging crystals makes this space magical.

This Serena and Lily nursery is so calming and serene. I love the shape of the side table and the way the drapes are haphazardly tied back...they give visual interest to the monochromatic space.

Elle Decor Suite at the Cite de L'Architecture. Elle Decor Magazine commissioned Belgian designer Martin Margiela to decorate the former apartment of Jacques Carlu, the architect who designed the Palais Chaillot. It is now available to rent as an event venue.

Elle Decor. I love the touches of soft gray along the floor board and the interior of the bookshelves...it anchors the white space. You can get a similar sofa at Oly Studio..which I love! Check out the Hanna Sofa at http://www.olystudio.com.

Architectural Digest. To avoid creating a very sterile white kitchen, designer Jose Solis Betancourt installed a beautiful gray granite island with stainless steel. The natural wood accents also help to keep this space bright and fresh.

Designer Noriega Ortiz is known for creating beautiful all-white spaces. This Hamptons home becomes heaven-like with the sheer white drapes and raindrop crystals. The dark wood floors and bits of greenery prevents the space from being too stark.

If you are brave enough (and don't have children), white painted floors are beautiful. Farrow and Ball floor paint is said to be the best, and they are surprisingly easy to clean if you use a damp cloth and dry Swiffer. I worked in a show house with white floors, and they were actually easier to keep clean then the carpet.

You can get away with having an all white space with a light filled room. The natural light keeps the space bright and refreshing. I love the unique shape of the chairs and the built-in tabletop...a great way to maximize a small kitchen.

First Impressions

The entryway in a home carries a very heavy responsibility. It is the first space that guests see when they enter your home, and thus it is very important that it makes a good first impression. Entryways serve as a preview of the homeowner’s personality, style, and aesthetic preference; making it a great place to showcase some of your favorite pieces. Whether it is a beautiful console table, an ornate mirror, or a unique wallpaper;  the pieces in your entryway should capture the attention of your guests and create a sense of expectancy for what the rest of the house has to offer. Despite their importance, an entryway is often the smallest space in a home…presenting a challenge for even the best interior designers. It is tempting to want to fit a lot into such a small space, but as you will notice below, some of the most simple entryways make a lasting first impression.

These entryways are just small vignettes of what is to come…

This is an absolutely beautiful entryway. There are only a few pieces of furniture, but they make a very dramatic statement. The chandelier and mirrored table captivate your attention the moment you walk in the door.

The purple console table and colorful wallpaper make a bold first impression and are a clear indication of the homeowner's more intrepid use of bold color. Many people will use stacks of books in an entry to give the space some height.

I love this space...very uptown chic. The black and gold with touches of hermes orange is a clear expression of the homeowner's style and interests. Fashion, fashion, fashion!

This is my favorite for obvious reasons...monochromatic but very elegant. The console table is not only beautiful, but also utilitarian. Notice the small letter holder and tray for your keys.

Elle Decor. The beautiful antique French table and gold gilt frame makes for a grand entrance to this home. Although there is a lot on the console table, no one item loses its unique appeal.

I love putting the table in the middle of the entryway if you have the space. It allows you to create one central focal point and gives you the option of hanging a low chandelier or lantern. Notice how books are used again here as part of the decor.

Martha Stewart Magazine. The mirrored entry and crystal chandelier makes for a very elegant first impression. The mirrors also make the space appear larger.

Domino Magazine. I love white moulding on painted walls, it instantly makes a room feel glamorous. The moulding is the focal point of this entryway because your eye is instantly drawn to the end of the hallway. I love the color of the walls!

Thom Filicia. This entryway has beautiful clean lines...notice the repetition of rectangles throughout the space (the chandelier, the legs of the console table, the sides of the bench, and the moulding around the door). I love the contrast between the dark stained door and the bright white walls.

Architectural Digest. Designer Stephen Knollenberg's cottage in Michigan. This is why I like placing tables in the middle of an entryway, it allows you to go as big as you want with the fixture. I love this oversized lantern...it immediately gives a focal point to a rather large and simple entryway.

Oceanfront Property

It is very difficult to describe in words the blue of the ocean, and people interpret the color in very different ways. When decorating an oceanfront home you can draw inspiration from the water and create a room with a palette of different shades of blue, or you can draw from the color of the sand and create a tranquil neutral tone space, or you can draw inspiration from the harbor and create a nautical space with navy blue, red, and white. No matter how you interpret the colors of the ocean, there is one thing that all oceanfront spaces share…a beautiful view. All of the beach houses below are beautifully illuminated with natural light from a window, making the whites brighter and the blues deeper. The view that these windows offer is what makes these oceanfront spaces so alluring.

David Lawrence Studio. This living room is very simple, keeping to two basic colors-navy and white-but the striped rug and floral couch gives this space dynamism and visual interest. I love the white garden seat...it is a beautiful accent piece in any space.

There are a lot of patterns going on in this bedroom, and yet the all blue color scheme allows the room to maintain its elegance. I like the oversized version of blue and white stripes on the drapes. The sheets are the Lulu DK line by Matouk. They make the most beautiful linens!

Coastal Living Magazine. This room is a perfect example of how navy blue and white can brighten a space. The round mirror is reminiscent of a porthole on a ship, giving this room a more nautical feel.

Coastal Living Magazine. I love the all white decor with just splashes of red and navy blue, and notice the small navy blue details that bring it all together (the navy piping on the cushions and the navy trim on the roll-up shades). The floor to ceiling windows make you feel like you are on a yacht.

Coastal Living Magazine. I like this modern take on nautical decor. The simple addition of the oars on the wall immediately transforms the style of the space.

Victoria Hagan Interiors. This all navy blue and white look is very similar to the David Lawrence living room pictured above. Much like black and white, navy blue and white creates a beautiful contrast. I love the unique shape of the wooden seat in front of the fireplace.

Coastal Living Magazine. I love when a space brings the outside in. The colors of the pillows and cushions mimic the blue of the ocean and the natural color of the sand. It is an effortless transition between the living room and the beach.

House Beautiful, March 2010. A map makes for beautiful wall art. The wood framed chair and low-lying couch gives this room a 70's feel.

The bathroom in this Southamptom beach house is a gorgeous sea blue retreat. The glass tiles, silver chandelier, mirrored vanity, and chaise lounge transforms this bathroom into a luxurious living space.

Meg Braff Interiors. This is a modern take on nautical...very sailor chic. I love the geometry of the wallpaper and the trim on the pillow.

The geometric rug and blue zebra pillows makes this casual beach house modern and chic. The wood paneled walls makes you feel like you are in the hull of a ship.

Back to Black

Many people say that black isn’t a color, but to me it is THE color. Just take a look in my closet…it is the staple of my wardrobe: the little black dress, the perfect black trousers, the classic black handbag, and the always-flattering black stilettos. What black does for a woman’s wardrobe it can also do for your home. It is effortlessly chic and can immediately add an element of elegance, drama, and sophistication. In order to avoid creating an overly dark or somber space, black is best applied as an accent piece or paired with bright white or gold-gilt accessories. It takes a confident designer to introduce black into a space, but I hope that these spaces will inspire you to embrace bold decor and not banish black to your closet.

“The best color in the whole world, is the one that looks good, on you.” -Coco Chanel

My love for black extends to black and white photos as well. Black, white, and gold are absolutely timeless in both interior design and fashion.

Domino Magazine. The black chair rail molding along the wall of the room ties all of the black accessories together.

Apartment Therapy. Black high-sheen painted floors are very dramatic and give a masculine feel to the space.

Domino Magazine. This New York flat uses just the right amount of black and bright white to keep the room from being dreary. The black and white portrait on the mantle draws your eye to the beautiful black and white marble fireplace below.

I love the mix of black and shabby chic. The black adds drama to the charming farmhouse kitchen chairs and antique china cabinet.

Just like in fashion, black looks best with gold accessories.

I love this black shoe cabinet featured on the "This is Glamorous" blog. Every girl's dream is to display their beautiful shoes this way.

Domino Magazine. J.Crew Creative Director Jenna Lyon's bedroom. The dark walls are not covered in black paint, but chalkboard paint. This would be great for a child's room or playroom.

Domino Magazine. Dark walls seem to be a new trend. This room has an eclectic collection of pieces, but I love the strength of the black walls, black upright couch, and black leather nail head coffee table.

I love these high sheen black split doors. They are reminiscent of black patent leather ballet flats, another staple of my wardrobe.

The Office Space

For many people, an office is strictly business. But home offices are often an extension of a living space, and therefore, deserve the same attention to design as the rest of the home. The possibilities are endless when designing a home office, and the style you choose is a clear reflection of the personality of the person or family using it. It is a space where you have the freedom to break the rules, and perhaps use a style that is a complete departure from the aesthetic of the rest of the house. And just because it is a place of work, doesn’t mean it has to conform to the stale nature of utilitarianism. The “non-office” office spaces below are markedly different in design and style, and prove how a home office can be both functional and beautiful.

Domino Magazine. The upholstered arm chair and silver scrolled base of the desk give this office a sense of luxury and elegance.

Better Homes and Garden. The addition of the black bamboo chair and glass lamp makes this traditional Queen Anne desk more contemporary.

I love this vintage gold desk with a wood tabletop. It's unique shape makes it the focal point of the room.

Domino Magazine. Modern meets traditional in this space with the Queen Anne desk, white chrome chair, and geometric glass lamp.

Chicago Home Magazine. There are so many unique pieces in this office. The curved Demilune desk and Hollywood Regency gold chandelier make this office a one-of-a-kind.

Domino Magazine. Designer Mary McDonald's office. I love the contrast of Tiffany blue and bright white...so girly and chic. This is a space I wouldn't mind working in.

This office is an eclectic collection of old and new. I love the juxtaposition of the antique desk and lucite chair.

I have always wanted an A-frame saw horse desk. This is a perfect example of how a home office is an extension of a living space. There is an effortless transition between the family room and the office.

Designer Monique Lhuillier's office. The use of dark slate on the walls and furniture creates a beautiful monochromatic space, allowing the white desk to serve as the centerpiece of the room.

Office by designer Steve Miller. The blue painted trim, coupled with the collage of pictures and mirrors, makes an otherwise boring white wall a beautiful backdrop to this work space. I love the lucite legs on the desk!

Decorators Studio. This dual workspace is both utilitarian and unquestionably chic. Red and purple are a very powerful pair.