Live Breathe Decor

Feb 17

A perfect room

I talk quite a bit about masculine style in decorating, and how much I’m drawn to ‘masculine’ spaces and pieces. I think this room is the perfect example of how to create a stylish and sophisticated masculine space. Wouldn’t this be a great room for a style-conscious teenage boy? A lot of it is about texture; polished nickel lamp, the clean lines of the shelving and bed, the beat-up vintage trunk, the matte side table with stud trim, some antique accessories and a chunky floor rug. The colours and the composition of pieces is also great. I can see my boys in a room like this in a few years!

I’m finally emerging from the haze of illness today and trying to get on top of the daunting list of unread emails that need replying to…My few days in bed have enabled me to view just about every gorgeous country property and weekender for sale in Australia. And now I’m thinking….Tasmania! I’ve always loved the climate and the landscape there and you would not believe the beautiful historic properties available. I might post some next week. Just need to talk husband into it!

Have a great weekend All,

Naomi xx

comments: 1 » tags: boys bedrooms, masculine decorating, masculine style, red white and blue rooms

Sep 1

My new favourite house!

Posted in beach style, dream rooms, entryways, masculine style, neutrals, Uncategorized

I am so in the market for a new house! Something like this would be a dream – timber-lined walls for that tropical/beachy feel (there’s not a lot of this in Melbourne I have to say, but it was everywhere in Brisbane) – a big open plan living room with soaring ceiling (below), and that amazing front door that you can see in the mirror’s reflection. I also LOVE all the lanterns – I’m a big fan of lantern-style lighting. See that rug (above)? We are using an almost identical pale patchwork cowhide rug in the entry way of a client’s house. I love this entry setup with the huge mirror behind the hall table.

Another lantern! Love the white walls and the white piping on the black chair covers, all paired with a big rustic timber table- and those windows!

Do I need to mention the lantern in the kitchen?

Love the pared-back windows with no curtains and the modern take on a Moroccan style sitting area (above). I could very easily play my copycat room here too…

Do you think the bed was placed at this angle for the photo or that it’s always like this? The simple white wardrobes are perfect- they just blend into the background here.

This room is just about perfect for me! I always love a mixture of the refined and elegant, and the rustic and masculine. And all those textures are gorgeous..

My Dream room!!

comments: 3 » tags: beach style home, lantern lights, masculine decorating, neutral rooms, rustic style decorating, stone fireplace

Jul 8

Decorating an apartment man-style

Posted in masculine style, Uncategorized

After my post on navy rooms the other day, my sister sent me this comment, asking for advice for her boyfriend’s future apartment:

Noma, I am trying to inspire and motivate (P) in his (slow moving) apartment search by showing him some of your posts on more masuculine style… so far he likey likey, but maybe you can post some more ideas that might be good? he found most appealing the navy rooms, stainless steel and dark wood, vintage style as well as modern features- you know he can paint so i am encouraging him to do some nice grey palette abstract paintings- if they turn out good i will see if he can do something for you as well. Also some way to display him guitars, amp, percussion etc as at the moment they just clutter up a corner. Most likely space will also be an issue. Any inspiring ideas??
xxx B

Well, yes! I can picture exactly how fabulous (though maybe I shouldn’t use that word for a man-pad) P’s apartment could be! I’m thinking cow hide rug(s), some 50s influence in timber furniture and sofa, some industrial elements (think light fitting and lamps, industrial-style shelving and brackets for instruments on a wall). I’m thinking some white walls and maybe the entry way and bedroom, or the kitchen, in dark navy or black (believe it or not black can make small spaces look bigger!), some abstract art and also some black and white photos, some mid-century classic pieces included in the furniture. Maybe timber floors, a grey low-lying long sofa, one or two (depending on space) vintage Danish tan leather chairs, some black and some white finishes in there too..it could be fantastic! Here are some ideas to get you started..

I think this apartment (above and below) shows a good use of a small space – I’d replace the French-style armchair with a tan leather vintage one though. There’s also a lot of Ikea here – good for the budget so you can splurge on the vintage pieces!