Live Breathe Decor

Every Saturday I want to share with you a home that I have been meditating on that week for inspiration. This week’s home represents something I dream of: a tall townhouse with original features that blends old with new: it belongs to New York’s (incredibly lucky) Betsy Morgan.

Owner Betsy Morgan in her study

I could (and have) sit and soak up this house for hours! This office is my dream room and perfectly comines the styles that I love: white modern elements like the desk, chair, dome light pendant and Saarinen ‘tulip’ table (I want one!), mixed with french and feminine elements like the fireplace, mirror, potted pink orchids and mercury glass jars.

I also love the rug - it looks like a patchwork of white cow hide - and the way the black framed photos are arranged. They look expensive don’t they? But Betsy frames pages out of photography books as art.

Colour-coded books always look good

(Apologies for the substandard scanning here - obviously the two images above go next to each other)

front door

Living Room

What I love about this house is the blend of styles and the surprise factor once you’re in the front door. From the outside it looks like a classic townhouse with its classic black front door. But the rear of the house has been replaced with a huge double-height glass atrium which houses the kitchen, dining and living areas. I love the pale palette and the glamorous lighting. All the finishes are family and child friendly.

upper deck and atrium ceiling

Two things that (one day) I want my house to have: a deck off the main bedroom looking into treetops, and a double-height living room where you can see the sky- I’m in love with this house! I love the idea of not needing curains closed at night, seeing the rain on the skylight window and never having to worry about neighbours peering in at you.

colour-backed bookshelves

Black and white with pops of bright colour - this is what I think of as ‘Domino’ decorating - using modern classics (White Louis Ghost chairs here) and bold coloured accessories on bookshelves.

french windows in bedroom - all images from Vogue Living

Again, the pale palette, touches of french style combined with plain white walls and modern silver vase really appeals.

Can I please live here??