How Cool Is This?!?

genius...
Cornered Coffee Table by Bobby Berk

Manly Men

Here are a few rooms that I love that have a definite masculine energy. They are the typical black and silver bachelor pad though, these rooms have comfortable style and places to sit and read a book (about sports of course). I love the combination of leathers and deep dark paint colors with the textured area rugs and touches of rich wood.

Design Star

Yes this post is a million years late, I still want to make sure I feature the amazing Emily Henderson. She recently won HGTV's Design Star - the reality show where the winner gets their own show on HGTV. Emily has such a unique style compared to many of the more traditional designers typically on the network. (Her style fits much better in the blog world - being that she is a fellow blogger.)





The above picture is of her own home (love.). Her show has now been airing - and its focus is to have a person's home reflect who they are - and their personal style. She primarily uses their wardrobe/fashion sense to determine what their personal style is. For the final project on Design Star, she created a room to reflect her personal style:




I love this space SO much. The eclectic mix of masculine wood stumps and cowhide and midcentury furniture pieces with the soft feminine touches (like the patterned walpaper and ornate mirror, and white painted chair) work brilliantly with the mettalic touches (like the vases on the shelves and the coffee table). Great job Emily! I can't wait to see all you do!

Cowhide Rug

I bought a rich brown cow hide rug yesterday! I have wanted one for years, and IKEA just lowered the price - so I couldn't resist. Now I just have to figure out the perfect spot for it!

Coo'ing Over Coral

I just came across this picture of a Martha Stewart room that I am in love with. It is so soft and feminine. I love the various tones of coral as well as the muted tones of yellow and gray that play off the coral so well. Add in wide molding and textural velvet with a bowl of fresh blooms and you have a room that is enviable.

Onesies

With my best friend just having her first, I have babies on the mind. I wish I would have come across this photo earlier (like when I was planning her shower). The idea of using the classic white onesie as decoration for a baby shower is a brilliant idea. They are cost effective and create such a clean and crisp look. Plus, the mom-to-be can take these home after the celebration to use on her little one!

Sophisti-cat

Apparently I love all pink rooms. This one is done SO well though. I love the girly pink walls pared with elegant x stools, modern art work, and a tribal area rug. The coral lampshades and stunning pillows are the perfect finishing touches. Love love love.

Sweet and Feminine

This little corner of a room is perfect in every way. I want to curl up with a book and a cup and saucer full of earl gray tea right there on that chair. Maybe snack on some shortbread cookies...Don't you love how the painting is hung low enough to be part of the seating area?!?

Baby Mama

I just came across this baby picture - and holy cow! Nicole of Making It Lovely has taken on photographing her adorable daughter every month in the same chair adorned in the same outfit until she turns two. Aside from how great an idea that it - check out the disgustingly perfect room that acts as the setting to these photo shoots.

I love everything about this room, and wish it were mine. I am pink with envy at every detail. That soft mustard curtain tied back with the pale powder-pink toned tassels is a favorite touch. Few people would have the (excuse my language) balls to dive in head first into an all-pink room like this. The rug, the pillows, the sophisticated hue of pink champagne on the walls are done perfectly. This proves that when done right - this concept does not have to be in-your-face obnoxious. Love it Nicole!

Room To Live In

I came across this picture recently and fell in love for various reasons. First of all, this looks like a room that you can really live in (not that it isn't also perfectly styled...). I love the perfect combination of glamor (with the crystal chandelier and the mirrored console table) and real living (like the wooden chair and grouping of liqueur bottles).

More than anything right now, I would love the ability to walk right outside of my place - those French doors leading out into the fresh air and sunshine are so enticing. Some day...

Kitchen

Check out this dream kitchen. I am sitting here drooling over the checkered floor, the gigantic wood island, and the gobs of shelving!

Dreamy

I LOVE this room. It is seriously like a dream. The collection of vintage plates against the dove gray wall is such a beautiful contrast to the warm chunky wooden furniture. Plus, who wouldn't do just about anything to have a set of built-in drawers like that!

How Cute

How cute is this room?!? It makes me want to paint the floors throughout my place in bright vibrant colors!

Sun Porch

I wanted to share this picture that I came across recently. I think it is a sun porch! How I would love to have one of those! I am crazy about the natural sisel rug topped with boldly-striped and over-stuffed furniture. Plus, that book shelf (wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling) is to die for. I love the white magazine boxes scattered throughout to create some unity. Gorgeous.

Fantastical

This room is so striking and catches my eye every time I look at it. I love the soft yet bold colors (from the apple green and periwinkle wallpaper to the bubblegum pink and butter yellow furniture.) The old fashion tufted chairs paired with the carved dark wood side table are such a wonderful contrast to the modern over-sized photograph. What a feminine and creative way to mix styles!

Al Fresco

I love spending time outdoors - which isn't possible for too many months of the year in Chicago. I love this photo that I came across recently of the amazingly beautiful outdoor patio. The warm yet calming color palette goes perfectly with the rattan and wooden furniture. The tree in the center of the 'space' sets the tone along with the many lush green plants thoughtfully placed around.

I love my loft apartment, but the one thing I desperately wish I had is easy access to the outdoors. These French doors leading out to this setting is what I dream of. I can just see sitting out here enjoying a refreshing glass of white wine. Ah...maybe in my next place.

Black and White

I have been really attracted to rooms and house exteriors that are primarily black and white lately. I love a simple white house with all black trim - then bold pops of fresh flowers for the perfect finishing touch!


In this picture, the clean white walls are accented with rich black painted ceiling beams, fireplace, and accessories. Every room should have something black in it. The slight touches of color in the candlesticks and throw blanket are gorgeous.

Tray Collection

Being partially of Norwegian decent, I tend to gravitate towards items with a Scandinavian vibe. I just came across this collection of trays, and fell in love. These would look so great hung on the wall in a set in a mostly neutral room. The perfect focal point!

{via fingerspitzengefühl}

Gorge

How amazing is this light filled space? The crisp white accented with bold pops of yellow is so fresh. This room is livable while still be glamorous (with the chandeliers, classic furniture pieces, ornate moldings, and chaise lounge). I love the soft gray of the walls, the muted tone of the floor, and the tonal artwork.

Living Rooms

The two living rooms below are two of my favorite I have seen. I mean really...how great are these spaces?!? Such beautiful mixes of old world rustic, clean and contemporary, and glitzy glamor.


That disco ball sitting in the fireplace is just two much (and I mean that in a good way). I love the white-washed floors, the traditional lines of the chair, the perfectly arranged books, and the simply hung artwork.


This one is obviously much more grand, but I love the chandelier hanging over the comfortable yet stylish room. The accessories are all more interesting than the last, and the simple color palette ties it all together.