MichaelStano

MichaelStano

Blossomhillcottons

SomeThingsIKnow

jrcraft

290Shelby

samlamb

balcony girl

Lilac Grove

Boston Bash

aoneko

dkvrtis

Chez Larsson

Kanemojo

junkgarden

nathy_0308

seeks2dream

amecustomcabinetry

debstromquist

There is a problem with this blog. All of this eye candy we feature has the effect of making people change their minds over and over again about what sort things they like in a space. I for one am not a big fan of pastels, particularly purple/lavendar. Then I go and find this gem of a home on Micasa and I now think purple is not that bad. I kind of like it (although the living room rug could be a bit more interesting) – especially with all the grey walls, which has been my favourite wall colour for ages. Maybe you’ll change your mind about using pastels when you see the wonderful photos below. (Happy Friday!!)

This week’s reader request comes from Nicola in London: “Our living room has a beautiful original Victorian fireplace but I am struggling to figure out what would look good on the mantelpiece (I think they are just called mantels in the U.S.) I have tried a few arrangements but nothing I have put together so far seems to work….” Simple enough. I think when you’ve got a Victorian fireplace, you could decorate it with virtually anything as they are so beautiful to begin with. 🙂  Anyway, here are many photos of fireplace mantels and the assorted decor they hold.

Lonny
House Beautiful
Apartment Therapy
domino
Camron
Otthon
Todd Yoggy
Luca Trovato
Heather Jenkinson
Lonny
House Beautiful
Martha Stewart

James Merrell	Simon Brown
Inspace Locations	Stacey Brandford
Yatzer	Elle Decoration South Africa
Paul Viant	Johnstons
design*sponge	The New York Times

I was just working on a blog post for tomorrow when I came across the heavenly home of Greek interior designer Marilyn Katsaris on Yatzer. OMG I think I’m going to pass out. It’s understated and simplistic perfection. Here is a little peek.

This next home is that of Melody, and it has an interesting past: “We moved in a little over 2 months ago and we’re still settling in.  The bf, chi and I transitioned from a 600sq ft apt, to this massive 1330 sq bungalow. It’s on Henry Ford’s former estate on a very old island in Miami Beach called Hibiscus Island. Ford’s VP built it in 1930 and it’s passed through a few owners since. It’s very bohemian, quiet, eclectic and inviting. Aside from some weird history that I’ve read about ford and his cohorts, we love this location. (One of my bungalow neighbors has a tiled swastika inlay-ed in her floor. She keeps it very hush hush with an Ikea rug over it at all times. Apparently the Nazi’s were big into Ford’s assembly line thing- and the dude is even mentioned in Meinkamph).
Anyways, back to my home… The main space that we use as our living room has 15 ft ceilings and a wonderful view of the bay. We have a couple who lives on a boat docked outside, you can spot it in one of the shots.  I have a mix of taxidermy, thoughtfully selected sentimental bits, tons of books in our fireplace because the boy is an avid reader, an ever growing family wall of childhood pics and memories and some handmade treasures and prints picked up on Etsy. The kitchen, as I’ve been told was his butler’s quarters. The Chi Parker loves to sunbathe in the kitchen because the terrazzo floors heat up nicely. My bar is rarely stocked, but holds some of my fav pieces: a found book ‘poems/tiny apts’, an antique chemistry vessel and a scull decanter my uncle made 45 yrs ago.  All in all the space is air enough that we don’t feel cramped but I’m sure I’ll keep filling it up with more yummy things.”
Melody has entered her home in The Selby/CB2 contest so go here for her entry and to vote for her. Thanks Melody – your home is fab and WHAT A VIEW!!!