Color Palette

Photo by Francesco Lagnese; Design by LeeAnn Thornton

This. This is the color palette I cannot get out of my head. Green + Blue + Lavender. And I would add a teeny touch of ruby red. It's been swirling in my head for our living room and/or our bedroom.

And this execution (spotted on HB's Insta) caught my attention. The lamp shades on the floor lamps, blue and white porcelain stools, and lavender pillows are my favorite details. And I love the depth created by the wallpapered bay window.

I already know finding the right living room rug is going to cause me anxiety so I like this reminder that natural fiber is always an option. Perhaps layered with something smaller that grabs attention.

Y'all, this world of inspiration photos and a clean slate and not knowing which direction I'll take all feels very thrilling. 

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Cleveland Park Chic

We have some creative minds here in Alexandria, Virginia - including that of designer Susan Nelson. Love the colorful yet traditional touch she put on this Cleveland Park home in the District.

That lavender rug is wonderful. Let me talk to you about gray - I'm not a fan. I know. It's a darling, but it never sings to me. But here, it's working. With the doses of lavender and rich wood tones, it feels so classic and serene.

And who wouldn't want to come home to that Chinoiserie lantern in the foyer?

Check out more of Susan's work here - great use of color in classic spaces.

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Color from Gil Schafer

Everything Gil Schafer (and team) touches is gold, in my opinion. Impeccable taste that shines through true American style. I love it all.

And this project - a vacation home on Lake Placid - has some captivating color usage that I thought we would all enjoy.

Photos by Eric Piasecki for Architectural Digest

That top photo has some killer blue grasscloth...and I LOVE it paired with those navy doors. So clever. And if someone told you they were going to paint your whole room red - trim and all - you might think that was crazy. But here, with the help of tall ceilings and natural light, it's stunning.

See more of this gorgeous home here...

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Matthew Carter Interiors

image via Matthew Carter Interiors

Grown-up house goals from Kentucky-based designer Matthew Carter...whose portfolio is worth your time today. 

His mixes are complex but feel effortless. His design is traditional but reads modern. He uses bold color in neutral ways. 

The restraint, the whimsy, the classic, the bold...it's all there, friends. And all of these spaces - from the lively to the demure - are perfectly balanced in just the right way.

If you want to see more of Mr. Carter's talent, check out his website here. 

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Friday Crush

Painted trim for the win! This space by Kate Collins Interiors has lots of lovely texture and color, but what makes everything sing is that pop of blue paint. Such a small detail with a big impact. For me, it's these clever touches that elevate a room.

Happy Friday. Do you have big weekend plans ahead? I'm happily settling into the cooler weather and enjoying my favorite month of the year. Enjoy the down time...see you next week!

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Friday Crush

Design by Sarah Whit Interior Design

I'm fairly wishy-washy when it comes to defining my own decorating style - I like many things. But today, it is THIS. Holy moly, THIS. The art, mirrors, wallpaper, colors, side chests...it's all a dream. And I want to live in it. 

Hope you have a fabulous weekend planned...see you next week!

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Peaceful Pastels

Photo by Red Rabbit Photography via Immi and Indi on Instagram

Hello!

I went to the beach last week for our annual family vacation. It was lovely, to say the least. Yes, I want to go back, but I also love returning from the beach and feeling like fall is on its way. I'm ready for a new season.

Now about this photo, I feel pretty zen when I look at it. Not my style, but it's SO easy on the eyes. I think if I was a single gal living creatively out in Cali, this could be my living room. The art is on point and the silhouette and blue hue of that chair are stellar. So calming....

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Friday Crush

Design by Massucco Warner Miller via House of Turquoise

Summer vibes. Citrusy, cerulean loveliness combined with deft pattern usage from the genius ladies at MWM. The elements here are simple, friends...fabulous color and pattern can go a long way.

Hoping to have a nice summer weekend filled with family and friends...hope you are as well. Have a great break...see you next week!

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Putting the Blue in Bluemercury

Let's stay on a blue theme this week.

Loving this Bethesda, MD sunroom designed by my girl Sally Steponkus Roche and home to Bluemercury founders Marla and Berry Beck.

Photo by Gora Kosanovic for The Washington Post

The particular shade of saturated blue on the walls is the perfect anchor for all that wonderful natural light. And the chippendale chair + table combo is right up my own alley. Also loving those oversized lamps.

I know I say this every time I write about her, but Sally is so charming and delightful. Really. And her work is always tailored, elegant, and refined. She's a great DC area talent.

Sidenote: You should check out the full Washington Post article here because they have one of those awesome 3D tours of the house - you can literally use your mouse to walk through the various spaces. If you don't know what I mean, you should really try it - such a great use of technology.

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Aqua Walls

I typically don't take my blues this cool, but my jaw dropped at this ensemble by designer Cortney Bishop. That aqua grasscloth on the walls is 100% good. Paired with the painting by Lynne Hamontree of the Charleston Artist Collective, that waterfall console, the lilac bench and those floors...it's all a watery blue dream come true.

Where do you land on pastels? I LOVE them. I could use them all day long...and I love what Cortney did here with that gray leather chair - she anchored it all so it didn't get too cute. Same with the curtain rod - simple, slightly industrial...if that had been a gold scrolly situation, this room would start to feel splenda sweet.

Balance, y'all.

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Traditional Twist in Richmond

It's rare that I post photos from an entire home. But this home 100% deserves it. Because every single space is fantastically fetching.

And, bonus points, it's located in my hometown of Richmond, Virginia.

Designed by Charlotte Lucas, it's true to Virginia tradition with a striking nod to modernity.

Photos by Laurey Glenn for Southern Living

Every space nails it. The wonderful mix of color, the touches of brass and gold, the wall treatments, the floor coverings...it's all so balanced and so mixed and so everything.

And let's talk about the lighting which is phenomenal - the mustard lamp pair, the acrylic chandelier, the glass foyer pendant, the brass kitchen pendants...literally the lighting alone makes me love these interiors.

Can you tell I completely dig this house? Do you like it as much as I do?

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Friday Crush

^ I believe this is Miles Redd + Gil Schafer ^

As the impending snow approaches, I wouldn't mind being holed up in a sumptuous country mansion like this one. I like that apple green, turquoise, and animal print are made to feel so fancy in this space.  And I love the black fireplace mantel (is that granite?) Wouldn't be the same if that was white painted wood. 

There will be plenty of fires in our fireplace this weekend, albeit not as fancy as this one. We are stocked with wine and food so as long as we keep our power, we should be good to ride out the blizzard. Hope you stay toasty, safe and warm this weekend. See you next week!

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Studio Apartment Design from Katie Rosenfeld

Decided to check in on one of my favorite designers - Katie Rosenfeld - and the new-to-me images in her portfolio did NOT disappoint.

Like this phenomenal studio apartment. Would have been a dream to live in a space like this when I was single and fancy-free.

I love the creativity that goes into a small space - using every nook and cranny to make a space feel vibrant and bigger in personality than its square footage suggests.

The Vase wallpaper in a small kitchen is brilliant. And the freedom of a small space is you can splurge on that expensive paper because you don't have much wall to cover!

So much inspiration here...Katie is a master in deliciously vibrant and warm spaces. She owns color and nothing she designs ever feels stuffy.

Check out more of her work here...

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Two Lessons

Design by Palmer Weiss, photo by Thayer Allyson Gowdy for House Beautiful

Let's learn two things from this design today:

1) Paint your built-ins and moldings. Would this design be half as good if the built-ins were white? Whenever I mention painting moldings people look at me like I'm crazy but we design buffs know this is a shortcut to chic. And if you also have built-ins and the guts to do it all THE REWARD WILL BE GREAT.

2) Paint your walls to match your upholstery. I have not contemplated this one enough. I'm all about architectural details blending with the wall color but I had a mind-bender looking at the genius of this photo with the walls and built-ins matching the sofa upholstery. It makes it all so cozy and rich but achieving this is not hard. You just have to have vision and confidence.

That is all. Proceed.

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Friday Crush

image via bhg.com

Feeling great about this traditional desk + modern chair + blue curtain + green couch + yellow lamp + natural fiber rug situation. Also love the fireplace built-ins and the bamboo blinds, a personal favorite I use in my own house. The big blocks of color really work, don't you think? Especially with the lovely brown textures that work as anchors. I could live here for sure and for certain.

Summer is in full swing. The pool and backyard are getting lots of play and we'll be back in both spots this weekend. Hope you have some fun plans lined up. Enjoy the time off...see you next week!

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Lavender Living Room

Did you catch this image in your inbox via Joss & Main last night? It was the cover photo for their current Pastels & Metallics sale.

What is it about a lavender room that makes me fall all over myself? Use lavender to its full potential in a space and I'm hooked. Like the room above - LOVE the (grasscloth?) lavender ceiling, the modern velvet chairs and the fun metallic ottoman. Combined with soft-colored walls and touches of green and seafoam, I like what I'm seeing.

I don't really exalt lavender (read: purple) otherwise, but I'm continuously drawn to it in interiors. And maybe eyeshadow. What are your feelings on the hue?

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Krista Ewart's Home

Y'all, THIS. HOUSE.

It's been a while since I've seen a full mag feature where every space has killed it for me. Now, that might be because my magazine reading kind of came to a (temporary?) halt in December of 2012 but I do remember back when I read magazines cover to cover, it was rare for me to love an entire home.

But I just saw this feature (online) of designer Krista Ewart's California home for House Beautiful. And I love it alllllllllllll....

Photography by Douglas Friedman for House Beautiful

The last two little girl bedrooms might be my absolute favorite. And then there is that living room and the Chinoiserie mirror moment. IT'S ALL SO GOOD.

Why has Krista Ewart not been on my radar before this moment? Did we all know about her and no one told me? I think what I love about this house is I see my own style reflected back at me - except done extraordinarily well...and it's what I want my house to be...but isn't quite because I don't have this kind of talent.

But it's an excellent home to file away and come back to over and over again for inspiration. I'll be pinning every single picture. Full home tour (with a couple more pictures) here...

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W.I.L.A.T.S.

That stands for "What I Love About This Space":

Home of Chelsea and Greg Shukov, Design by Leslie Hunt, Photo by David Tsay for  

Better Homes & Gardens, seen by me on Shelter

1) That is some wonderful small-space living. Note that in one room is their kitchen (see the counter on the left?), dining room (see the hanging pendant back-left?) and living room (the TV is on the right out of view).

2) White walls - they completely open up the space and keep it airy.

3) The anchor of neutrals is really working for me. If you take away the accents, you're left with all the foundational elements being shades of beige and khaki which I really like with the white walls. I especially love that rug.

4) That ceiling is amazing. High and architectural. If it were my space, I might leave the beams stained and not painted white for some contrast. That might look awesome, yes? But let's be clear I love the all-white look too.

5) The accent color palette of lavender and blues make the space, methinks. Especially with the khaki ground, those colors are really working for me.

What do you like about this space? See more of it here...

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Neutrals from Melissa Haynes

Now this is how I love neutrals. Varied shades, textures, layers...with small, well-tailored shots of color. This gorgeousness is from Arkansas-based designer Melissa Haynes.

I would classify this home as incredibly classic but there is nothing stuffy or boring about it. Just the right amount of pattern and modern elements are used to give it a crazy chic vibe that is quite fetching.

What do you think? Do you like your neutrals even more tailored? Or are neutrals always a no-no for you?

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New from Megan Young

I love checking a favorite designer's website and finding new photos in their portfolio. Just did a little sweep of Megan Young's (such a talent!) and found some pretty images where she is really working the jewel tones:

All photos via meganyoungdesigns.com

Love the tones of berry aubergine with chartreuse. It takes a very trusting client to say yes to a "purple" couch but I think the result in that second picture is stunning. Feels incredibly fresh, yet traditional so the colors are not overpowering. A great balance.

Check out more of Megan Young's work here...

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