Be Inspired No. 39 - House Crush

I have a house crush. There, I said it. I came across a photograph of a room from this house and tucked in my file of "Rooms I Love", then I saw another image from another room in the same house, and another, and another. Until I realized I had a love crush on the whole kit-and-kaboodle.

Enjoy.

Love the zebra rug, love the glass-pane door to lower level instead of the typical solid one, love the artwork collage...

Love the black painted moulding, love the weave art, love the simplicity...

Love the lighting, love the fireplace mantel goodies...

Love the black and white pillows...

Love the arched moulding...

Love the table placement, love the sisal rug....

Love the chandeliers times three, love the zebra chair, love the flanking benches....

Love the furniture selection, love the mirror, love the zebra chair (did I already say that?) I love it that much!

Love the window treatment which encompasses the plates, love the cornice board.....

Love everything about the nook furniture...

Love the settee, love the headboard, love the desk, love the zebra pillow....

Love the chandelier in the bath, love the crispness....

Love the black shutters, love the chair...

Image Sources: Joy Tribout

At the Window No. 5 - Windows with Flair

If you are a frequent reader of my blog, you know my thoughts on window treatments. (see Rethinking the Look of Things No. 2 - Window Treatments http://willowbeeinspired.blogspot.com/2011/05/rethinking-look-of-things-no-3-window.html)

So I am always delighted to come across window treatments that show distinct inspiration.

If you need to do stationary panels - don't forget the bells and whistles. Otherwise they are just "run of the mill-looking" package draperies.

Loving the contrast velvet banding and tabs on this treatment and how the fabric selections provide a neutral, yet no boring backdrop to the contemporary artwork.

All I can say is...white done right.

Gawking. Literally. 

Perfect treatment design, just enough trim embellishment, fabulous texture, and wonderful color.

One can never go wrong with a classic done right.

Image Sources:  Elle Decor, House Beautiful, Robert Couturier, Atlanta Magazine, Miles Redd

Well Dressed Home No. 22 - No Girls Allowed

Here are some fantastic ideas for designing a boy's bedroom retreat. Yes, boys need a retreat too! It's just called a "man cave" when they get older.

Loving the artwork collage and Hero pillow.

Room for sleepovers and treasures from exploring.

Of course there can be a chandelier in a boy's bedroom. 

Oh my, someone likes pirate ships.

For the travel bug in all of us.

The color combination is inspiring. And love the storage.

Hee hee. The adventures!

Room for the imagination.

Image Sources:  Elle Decor, Houzz, Burn Side Writers, Pinterest, Posh Tots, Cafe Mom, Restoration Hardware

Design Questions Answered No. 3 - Pillow Fight

There is nothing like a good old fashioned pillow fight. But what are the "accepted" amount of pillows on a bed?

Is the number of pillows different if the headboard is upholstered?

If decorative pillows are used does that play into what the total allowed amount should be?

If the walls are painted a dark color do the pillows have to be neutral in color?

Does the gender of the bedroom dweller determine the amount of pillows?

If the bed is a sleigh bed can one use more or less pillows?

Are the number of pillows based on the style of the bedroom?

If monogram pillows are used does that limit the use of other pillows?

Does the size of the bed matter?

Psst. Here's the answer. The answer to all of the above questions is No. See there is no secret when it comes to design. Especially in this case - it is all personal preference. Just one tip...feather pillows are the best pillows for pillow fights, hands down!



Image Sources: Barclay Butera, Apartment Therapy, Adventures of Tartanscot, House Beautiful, Houzz, Pinterest, Ralph Lauren, La Dolce Vita

Gift Giving No. 4 - Even More Wrapping Ideas

It all starts with a simple pretty button.

Or colorful construction paper and a hole punch...

Or scraps of beautiful ribbon...

Or those left over feathers....

Or that little trinket you picked up because it was so darn cute...

Or those broken costume jewelry pieces you just couldn't part with...

Or two simple symbols.....

Happy gift wrapping!

Image Sources:  Elle Decor, Real Simple, Design Sponge, A Gift Wrapped Life

Well Dressed Home No. 20 - Shadow Effect

Sometimes an important effect is overlooked when selecting a light fixture, whether a chandelier or even a floor lamp. And this overlooked effect can be a pleasant surprise the first time the light is turned on. 

 I have two such light fixtures, one is a torchiere from Fine Art Lamps and the other is the burning bush lamp from George Kovacs. Both are not available any longer and I don't have photos.  

The torchiere is a iron caged design that throws an artful shadow onto the ceiling that is so cool. And what makes the burning bush lamp effective is the flickering orange bulb that creates a burning flame effect.

I love the delicate branches and crystals that create a beautiful silhouette on the ceiling.

What a stunning Star of David effect.

An amazing shadow effect from a tiny source.

Love this stairway lighting effect.

The hues in this shadow are beautifully eerie.

Image Sources: Velvet and Linen, Studio 81611, LA Times, Home Portfolio, Design in The Woods, Flicker, Chateau Chic