Live Breathe Decor

I had some computer issues over the weekend – I am soo not computer fluent and writing a blog is still a learning curve for me – so here is my Saturday House of Inspiration a little late… 

It belongs to graphic designer Ashley Haley. To me her house is great because it’s a mix of new pieces and market finds, classic modern, rustic casual and antiques. In short, I like it because it’s easy to recreate this look at home. If you start with a plain white base in walls and furniture (above), you can do just about anything. I love all the accessories and the little flea-market stool.

Ashley started from a plain white base, painting all the walls and timber work white, and painting the doors black. I know I’ve mentioned before that I love black-painted doors, it just gives punch and definition to the interiors and adds a bit of drama, too. The furnishings in this house are basic black and white too, with colours added through cushions.

I like the mix of styles here (above), and the pairing of modern white leather and chrome chairs with an old pine table, classic ‘navy’ stools in the kitchen and an antique-style leather wingback chair. You can buy any of these pieces on ebay and not sticking to any one style makes it easy to buy new furniture and mix it up a little.

I so prefer this look to sparse decorating with nothing to look at or read. But once again the basics are black-and-white: white walls, upholstery/slipcovers, black mirror, zebra rug, dark coffee table. Without the books and pictures and ornament this to me would look boring, but with them and the the leathe chair it’s such a great room.

Again, black and white form the base here, just add some natural elements through a sisal rug and bamboo blinds. Throughout this home black-framed art looks so stylish, though it’s so easy to do yourself. I also like the way in the bedroom a sleek modern wenge bedside drawers look with the curvy painted white stool and white ceramic lamp. 

What a great window seat! Love the black seat with white piping, black curtains and white light shade. The yellow cushion and ornate picture frame on the wall keep it interesting.

images from real living magazine

Doesn’t this office make you want to paint a room black? It does for me! I love this look, the pairing of the classic black and white striped chair with modern black eames office chair and asian-style yellow stool. You could get shelves and baskets like these from a place like Ikea and voila! have a super-smart looking office space.