Displaying posts from September, 2010

Beautiful photos of beautiful rooms. What better way to end a frantic week! I love the light. Soft and dreamy. The photographer is Max Kim-Bee. Domino, Martha Stewart Living, House & Garden, Elle, he has shot for them all and it is not hard to see why. Soak all the beauty. Now if I could only soak in a tub like the ones below…

I hear fairly often from readers that they don’t know what to do with window treatments for bay windows. I frankly hate bay windows unless they come with a gorgeous century old Victorian house. Otherwise they are typically 80s non-descript nightmares. I received a request for each of these scenarios recently:

“Just closed on a new house, and though we will not be renovating for some time (while hubby finishes his Masters) a certain level of charm is required :))) We have a total of 4 bay windows (minto makes ugly bay windows, just a side note) that begin about a foot below the ceiling, not always centered on the wall and DON’T take up the whole wall. in my mind they look too deep, too low and very very awkward. I was wondering if you have any pictures of fresh, clean and not too too spare ways of decorating these. I find many people either go overboard with curtains or go very sparse with just blinds. I am hoping to have roll up blinds for privacy, but can’t decide on what to do for the charm factor 🙂” – Nat

“Could you give any ideas on how to dress a bay window in a living room of a period/Edwardian house? I have been searching for it for a while but I am finding difficult to find anything…. ideally something not to heavy looking, so that the living room does not look any smaller.” – Susana

I went through my stash of living rooms photos (thousands) and found the following that included bay windows. Now, some of these window treatments are a little odd or impratical, and some I don’t really like, but it’s all I had. I am a fan of either sheers like the first photo, or wooden blinds with curtains at each edge similar to the James Merrell photo. Hope this helps ladies!!

Living Etc.
Mlinaric, Henry & Zervudachi
Shoot Factory
Light Locations
Kwinter & Co.
Guido Barbagelata
Oak Management
Light Locations
James Merrell
Markham Roberts Inc.
Lonny
Homes & Gardens
Living Etc.

Steven Gambrel	Selina Lake
design*sponge	Frank Roop
Caroline Beaupère	Andreas Trauttmansdorff
Living Etc.	John Janik
jj Locations	Andreas Trauttmansdorff

The artist is famous… and successful. The artist has an enviable home. Historical yet quirky, stylish and lived in like a pair of expensive handmade Italian moccasins too well worn to wear out and about but you can’t help yourself. When the walls aren’t adorned with wonderful paintings they are tattooed with whimsical murals. I want to grow up to be just like the famous artist then I could afford to buy his quirky home. Maybe he’ll just let me live in the converted stables until then. Link here while it lasts.

As I mentionned back in a post in ’08, Manhattan interior designer John Willey is an inspiration for those who believe that beige is a colour. Because he certainly does NOT. His spaces are wrapped in bold colour and pattern and give off lots of fun energy. He’s a genius, what can I say. Here are some newer photos from his portfolio.

Photographer Lisa Romerein specialises in food, travel, lifestyle, architecture, interiors and…. “lovely”. She excels at “lovely”. Look at this portfolio! Just gorgeous. I want to jump through the screen and make myself at home in every photo. If that is part of Lisa’s mission statement then she’s succeeded. Lovely light, lovely rooms, lovely feel to each shot.  Just lovely.  P.S. Ever wonder how to “lift” heavy oak furniture? Check out the perfect blue to liven even the most dour of dark wood.