Jan 27

Warm rooms and high ceilings

You know my obsession with double-height rooms? I was doing a little research online looking for inspiration for if I could build a new house (yes, I am a busy woman but this was down-time at about 4:30 this morning), and looking at said tall rooms and saw this:

I really like that glimpse through to the hallway under the upstairs walkway, and the iron balcony overlooking the living room. I used to draw pictures of rooms like this when I was little – and I still love this neo-classical, luxurious style. And I LOVE that double-height room!

But it’s not just the architecture I’m drawn to; I’m a big fan of warm and cosy colours and comfortable rooms that envelop you. I like white walls in the right room but where you want a room to feel luxurious and ultra-comfy I prefer warmer shades like sands, tans, honeys and stone sort of colours.

Here’s another example:

I love all these warm tones with the rusts in the rug and also the fabrics; silk in the curtains and leather on the chairs. Add a little black and a little brass or gold and you’ve got a beautiful room that feels luxurious, grown-up and expensive!

Remember the house from the movie ‘It’s Complicated’?. It had that same warm and cosy feel but without the formality (above). The rusty reds add to the warm feeling.

Here’s another example (and another zebra rug!):

I really like how well taupes go with duck-egg blues.

But back to the double-height rooms, I realised when I looked through some of my photos that I seem to have a thing for tall stone fireplaces, too:

though I think it’s mainly the height thing that appeals to me. Here’s another favourite from Traditional Home:

The high ceilings and the connection between the two floors is definitely on my House Wish-List!

I’ll be away in Sydney all this week for the trade fairs and to check on a couple of projects so I’m not sure that I’ll be back until next week, hopefully full of new inspiration! So until then have a great week.

Naomi xx

Aug 11

More of ‘that’ beach style

Continuing my theme from yesterday, here’s another incredible double-height room, with high windows, pale floorboards and architectural columns to divide the space. I’d love to live in a space like this; open plan and easy-going but still big on space and elegance. And because this room to me screams ‘Hamptons!’, here are a few more Hamptons-inspired rooms that I’m ogling and admiring:

 

from movie 'The Holiday'

How gorgeous is this sunny kitchen? I love this old fashioned idea of the table being in the middle of the work area.

adore home

 

Aug 10

Double-height rooms

I’ve been dreaming lately about building a new house, and number one on my wish-list is a double-height living room, or some sort of high and interesting ceiling line. I really don’t like the look of flat (especially low!) plasterboard ceilings that are punctuated by various ugly ceiling necessities- vents, smoke alarms, downlights etc. I love ultra-high ceilings and that feeling of airiness and space. The room above is a dream! What a great mix of the rustic and the elegant, and all those gorgeous windows!

I love this converted barn, open-plan look, with the warm neutral walls and the simple lines of the fireplace.

Impossibly beautiful windows!

Love this mix of blues and neutrals with natural timber and stone (above). But the high ceiling and window makes the room.

What appeals to me in this room (above) is all the heavy dark timber, the comfort factor in the colours and decorating, but also that it’s got a lot of masculine appeal.

Love that doorway under the staircase (above)! There’s nothing not to love here.


I am leaning more and more towards a modern style, like the clean lines of this fireplace (above) and the smooth, high white walls. I posted about the rest of this house awhile ago, here.

Another view from the doorway in the same room as earlier.

This is possibly a little rustic for me (above), but I do love the privacy of looking onto an old brick wall (am I the only one who likes this sort of view in the city? Much better than being overlooked). Also the wall of glass and the staircase leading upwards is beautiful.

I’m really drawn to this New York loft-style double height room (above), and this modern beach house (below). I just love the idea of an upstairs walkway or bridge overlooking the living room, and sunlight coming into the room from high North-facing windows is an absolute must.

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