HOME SWEET HOME...

I'm taking one more day off of work to attempt to get settled into my new place as much as possible. So, while I'm doing that... wouldn't you like a little tour?? I snapped some pics while the place was still empty so you can see what I'm working with. Here we go!

You enter right into a little hallway, which takes you into the living area...

A huge selling point for the apartment were the big windows and tons of natural light! Not to mention decent hardwood floors. The space to the right will be the breakfast nook area... at least that's the plan for now!


I'm still not positive on how the furniture is all going to layout - I have a few options - but I'm fairly sure my desk will go against this far wall.

Back down the hall is the bathroom...

It's the only space I don't really love - mostly because they've painted it a creamy color that I can't stand and the maroon tile isn't helping either. I'm going to go with a lot of white and grey to try and balance it out.

From the bathroom, we're back in the entryway! Another big selling point? Tons of closet space... 

The only awkward moment is the fact that the front door basically opens into the bedroom door. However, that little extra length in the bedroom? Totally worth it!


I have a feeling the bed will end up centered in front of the window once I get a headboard! For now, it's against the left wall, which is also nice as it keeps the room really open.

And now? I need some furniture! I have some small pieces that I've brought in, but I'm selling my sofa, and will still need a coffee table, dining table, chairs, desk, and dresser. Not to mention some lighting, mirrors and other accessories. And eventually a TV (preferably before baseball playoffs and college basketball season - the only reason I even want one!). But - just like I tell my clients - I'm trying not to rush into purchasing things just to purchase. First I need a stronger vision for each room and time to hunt down some great quality pieces, both new and old.

So... what do you think? Any ideas of your own you'd like to share? I'd love to hear them!

A LITTLE PREP IN MY STEP

The past few weeks I've been pulling together examples of 'preppy' interiors for a little project, and in doing some serious searching was reminded of this over the top home designed by Jason Oliver Nixon and John Loecke, featured in the belated Domino...

They describe the style as "British country manor souped up with splashes of color."

And indeed it feels very British Colonial meets Florida, with a hit of feminine charm.


It's definitely not for the faint of heart, but I love how happy it feels! What do you think? And, while we're at it, would you say this falls under the category of preppy? How do you define a 'preppy' style interior??

ROOM OF THE WEEK 12.2

Lately, it's been harder and harder for me to find a space worthy of Room of the Week status - it seems to me that they've been underwhemling, overstyled, or blogged to death. But this room had me at hello!

Yesterday I was featured over at La Dolce Vita where Paloma was sweet enough to ask me to participate in her "10 Things I Can't Live Without" series. As I was browsing through, the post directly under mine happened to be about her dream home... this was the dining room she chose.

I'm sorry, Paloma darling, but I'm kicking you out of your home and moving in! I love everything about this room - especially that open atrium feel given to the space by the mirrored cabinetry and those stunning entryway doors. A statement chandelier is absolutely necessary in a space like this (anything else would just disappear) and I love the addition of the floral on black rug - dramatic and traditional at the same it, it completes that garden dining feel. The mix of chairs is also just perfect, playing of the black and white contrasts in the room.

And, just in case you're not drooling enough already... well, here's the rest of the studio:


Those floors!!!!!

All the work of Barcelona designer Lázaro Rosa-Violán whose firm, Contemporain Studio, does some amazing commerical projects. For more inspiration, I highly suggest browsing their site!

INTERIORS TO INSPIRE: ROMAN WAREHOUSE

Hello friends, Julie here from over at Chapman Interiors. Are you feeling Italian today? Good, because we are traveling to Rome where two sisters have reclaimed a once industrial warehouse and transformed it into a home and studio. The sisters (Diane and Evelyne de Clercq) happen to be designers, which will become beautifully apparent while on our tour..

I'm seriously considering taking up sewing if it means I can store spools of vibrant yarn in my studio. I can't get over how beautiful  and simple it is. Don't worry, I haven't overlooked the to-die-for antique doors. The sisters scoured Italian flea markets for months collecting doors for the whole home (please excuse me while i whimper with jealousy).

The open kitchen is perfectly European with simple cabinets and limited uppers. The hand-painted tile adds a very personal element, and the sleep appliances and industrial touches balance the old world charm.

I'm dying a million ways for this office space! The illustrated closet drawing on the (wonderfully tall) wall, the desk floating mid-room, the colorful pencil holders, the kelly green task lamp, and a petite Asian screen. It's all so simple and absolutely stunning. (But where, pray tell, do they sit?)

The exterior of the home seems to be wrapped in vintage glass - hello natural light. The doors coordinate with the buffet and the green bowl is the perfect pop of color.

Ready for patio time and a bellini after a long day of combing the Italian flea markets? Me too.

While not too many of us are enjoying a restored warehouse in Rome, we can use this space to inspire ours with:
* Simple pieces in wood and metal.

* Accessories should be bright, graphic shapes. (This is especially key to this project.)

* Various hand-painted works.

* Case goods with glass doors.
* Maybe there's even room for a good illustration on your walls?

*resources: Pacifica Buffet and Hutch, blue vase, red bowl, birch wall stickers, yellow task lamp, cloisonne pencil cup, Oasis sofa.

 

Hope your Tuesday is as fab as this home! Ciao bellas!

xoxo,

Julie

(Images courtesy Marie Claire Maison)