Jan 29

Saturday House of Inspiration – Dream Paris Apartment

Posted in black and white, french style, grey, Saturday House of Inspiration

 If I lived in Paris it would be in a place a little (or a lot) like this:

This apartment has many elements that really appeal to me, the main one being the chic colour scheme of black, white and grey. I also love the classic styling and architecture, and the elements of contrast; the dark grey upholstery against a white-painted chair (above), the black-and-white scheme of the kitchen, and the bold striped curtains in the bedroom (see below). 

What a fabulous combined dining room/library! The pistachio green upholstery of the sofa is really the only departure from the black/white/grey of the apartment. The colour and the modern lines of the sofa keep the room fresh, particularly against the backdrop of formally-arranged leather books. I love the shape of those dining table legs!

This is close to being my dream kitchen. Again, it’s the combination of modern and classic styling that makes it interesting for me. The light fitting and the sleek handle-less cabinets with integrated appliances represents the contemporary, while the look is softened by the white silk curtains and the classic black-and-white chequered tiled floor. I love the old-fashioned idea of having a table and chairs in the kitchen. To me it’s so much friendlier and nicer than sitting up at an island bench.

Do I even need to say it? Those broad-striped silk curtains against the classic-style grey toile wallpaper is gorgeous! I love the pairing with the charcoal sisal carpet and black pannelled wardrobe, too. When I grow up I want a bedroom like this! To me this is black/white/grey done to perfection.

Hope you are feeling inspired and enjoy the rest of your weekend!

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Jan 16

Black and White – Striped Wallpaper

Posted in black and white, Designers I Love, Elements of Decoration, wallpaper

via hello my pretties

I love the idea of a really bold statement somewhere in my house. I tend to play it safe and keep things neutral and white so I can add and change colour through accessories. Also sometimes I don’t want to live with colour so I like to be able to take it out altogether. BUT I am really drawn to the idea of doing something bolder, but in a small area. Every time I go to Ikea (which seems to be a lot lately) I am drawn to this black and white stripey fabric and I wonder where I could use it. Then I thought, maybe black and white striped wallpaper instead? I love the idea of using one on the inside of a wardrobe or the back of a bookshlef – or maybe a hallway.. I’m wondering about trying this (above) in my little front hallway. It’s small, so the wide horizontal stripes might make it look bigger, and I love the blac-framed photos against it to add some interest. And of course I love the black doors..

source unknown - possibly elle decor or traditional home??

 This stripe (above) reminds me of a large-scale ticking fabric. I like the traditional style and the black bed posts look great against it.

elle decor

 I’d love a little cottage house with an entry and staircase like this (though it’s way bigger than at my house!). I like the beams in the ceiling and the style of the staircase. The black and white striped wallpaper is such a modern and bold contrast to the style of the architecture and the cottagy rounded door, but it works. The pale floor keeps it light and casual.

miles redd in domino

 I like the thinner black and white stripes in Miles Redd’s kitchen. I picture this as working for a little galley kitchen in a small apartment, and it works so well with the green cabinets. There’s that little pop of colour in the pale blue coffee machine!

anne coyle

 Love the classic style of Anne Coyle’s work. these stripes are perfect for me.

I’m not sure if the black and white stripes here (above) are wallpaper or painted on. The horizontal stripes really draw your eye around the room and look great as a backdrop for the art, rather than giving the room height. It’s more cozy this way. I am so drawn to drawings and etchings with mismatched gold and black frames – I know I’ve said it before, but I love ‘colourless’ art walls and this one is gorgeous for me.

via walldigger

 This is an interesting mix of styles (above). The table (I don’t love it), chairs and art are modern, the chandelier is a classic style but modern black in colour, and the wallpaper ties them together. I love those classic ‘navy’ chairs and nearly bought them for my place – they are so great with kids. For me the weakest link here is the dining table, but I’m not a big fan of warm red-toned timbers. If it were me I would stain the floors black and maybe use a white table.

Love this! The headboard looks fab against thos stripes, and love the retro-style bedside table, pillow fabric, clock radio and vintage lamp base. The white waffle blanket, lamp shades and bright whites keep it modern. This is such a fun and interesting room and the pop of colour (lovely aqua lamp) is great.

brown design inc.

 Black, white and yellow is always a great colour match. The black, white and greay horizontal stripes here are classic and modern at the same time but not as overpowering a statement as wide black and white alone. The mirror, black laquered asian-style table and zebra stools are all strong elements in their own right so that they work with the wallpaper and force the paper into the background. Imagine if the mirror and table were plain white – it would still look great, but the walls would then be the main feature. Gee, I could go on about decorating all day!

elle decor

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Jan 10

Saturday House of Inspiration – Ashley Haley

Posted in black and white, Saturday House of Inspiration

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.

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