UNDERSTATED

This is kind of space I'm willing my head to be in right now...


Clear of clutter, absolutely fresh, and focused on the important things. Like bold wall decor. And leafy accents (whether gilded or recently plucked from the garden).  And great seating (even in the form of a miniature stool).

*images via here, here and here.

ROOM OF THE WEEK: 5.26

When blogger had it's little *ahem* 'accident' a couple weeks back, it deleted this Room of the Week post.  So I brought it back! Because this room really is quite deserving, in my opinion...

There are a few colors I'm consistently drawn to wherever I go, and coral happens to be one of them (you may have noticed). I have loads of it in my wardrobe, but hardly any in my home. Every time I've tried to bring it in, it feels just a little too loud and overpowering. But I think I may have just found the solution...

Given a room all its own, the color blocking combination of coral and peach feels just right, and extremely fresh against all the white! I love the updated traditional styling of the room - simple rich wood chairs, beautiful white walls with lovely molding, and antique accents. Nothing too stuffy or over-the-top here. The addition of the potted urn atop the modern white column, however, might be the final piece pulling it all together. The room needs that dash of greenery to give it a softer, garden feel.

PS - If you hate the peach, you can swap it out - bonus!! What color or pattern would you rather see on the table? 

*room featured in veranda via mfamb

Kips Bay Decorator Show House 2011 Dining Room

As I mentioned previously, some designers were faced with the task of keeping certain room elements at the 2011 Kips Bay Decorator Show House.  None was more daunting than the dining room with walls clad in hand-painted wallpaper which was a gift to the owner of the house from the sister of Madame Mao.  Interior designer Matthew Patrick Smyth did such a great job designing around the wallpaper that you think it was part of the original design.  He created special wall hangings to soften the space and played off the neutral tones to create a serene oasis.  Sometimes, an unwanted design element ends up making a room.

Matthew Patrick Smyth

Photos by Heather Clawson for Habitually Chic

LIONS AND DINING ROOM CHAIRS, OH MY...

This table deserves a fiesty roar... 

I'm dying over the intricate lion-head (and feet!) legs. And the complimenting modern chairs are almost perfect - I would have gone with something even more simple (maybe armless?) to really let the table shine. It's so good in this clean, all-white space. 

*image via one white apron

BETTER THAN THONET?

I've been on the hunt for some casual dining chairs for a client of mine, and I keep returning to the classic Thonet bentwood style.

I love them all lacquered up and shiny, and their shape is perfection... unless of course you're worried about little squirmy kiddos slipping through the open design. Which, in fact, we are. The solution?

Well, it just might be these - the new Henri dining char at Anthropologie. I don't love the design as much, but they're still pretty darn good. And I do love the option of that deep navy blue instead of black! What do you think of them? Any other suggestions from my design friends out there?

*black and white chairs from crate&barrel, green thonet chair at dwr

HUNTING: WINGBACK DINING CHAIRS

I've been working with a client to create a lovely dining room featuring light woods and an indoor/outdoor feel - ironically it's a very on-trend moment (every showroom at High Point had their version of this 'Restoration Hardware'look') featuring some very classic pieces. Which is why I'm obsessed with bringing in a pair of wingback dining chairs...

There's something so sweet in these petite versions of the traditional wingback chairs. And, I love that you can easily pull them into the living room for extra seating too.

Here are a few options I've hunted down so far. A gorgeous piece from Aiden Gray at Layla Grayce comes in at $840 (a little on the high end!). On the opposite spectrum, a seriously affordable style at (gasp!) Sears for only $230. Not a huge fan of the legs on this one, but nothing a little 'customization' can't fix! Just below, a modern wingback at SOM is surely unique, but way above budget at $2,650 for a pair. And finally we have some pretty little lines at this chair from Hooker - on sale at $650 each. (Do we have a winner?)

Which would you go with??

*top image via creamylife

A RECURRING THEME...

Not that I usually recommend one color palette for an entire home (unless you have a very small space to work with) but....



The mix of rich teal with pops of red has been one that just seems to stick with me! Yesterday I reported from my twitter that there is still a big surge of teal in the marketplace - we saw it in lots of leather goods in High Point - but my favorite way to use it is definitely as a base for the room - whether on the walls, cabinets or floors - with that pop of red and plenty of natural light so it doesn't feel too heavy. Do you think this a color scheme that's doable for your home?

*images via traditional home, domino and lonny

ROOM OF THE WEEK 3.31

Sometimes I really have to dig deep into my files to find a worthy Room of the Week... and today I came up with and old favorite...

I have always adored the lightness of this room - the way the chairs' thin lines combine with the lucite table makes it feel like there's hardly any furniture at all! The white chandelier almost disappears into the ceiling, and the simply trimmed shades add just the right touch of detail.

If you see the adjacent living room, it makes sense as to why it's all so simplistic...

Quite a bit of pattern and pops of color going on in here! Designing a space in the round can be tough, but I like how this one was done. I also love how the trim in the pillows echoes the trim on the shades! For some reason, it's not quite my style... do you prefer one space over the other other? Would you take them both? I'll stick with the dining room.

*images via elle decor

RAINBOW ROUND THE TABLE...

In the latest decision concerning my next living space... I've decided that I absolutely must have colorful dining room chairs...

For a girl who can be a little shy of commitment, I think this is just enough of a pop of color that I won't regret saying "I do." And it adds so much fun to the space! Now the question remains... what color? I did a little dream browsing at 1st dibs last night to consider my options...


I'm pretty sure the yellow are my favorite... but the style of the purple are so glam... and we all know I'm a green girl... Funny how I could design so many types of rooms around these chairs, and yet I'm drawn to each of them for different reasons. What are your faves?? What color would you go with?

*rooms via (clockwise from left): william waldron, mwm, mikkel vang for aussie vogue living, jamie drake, kristin ewart for domino, and elle decor  chairs all via 1st dibs: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple

ROOM OF THE WEEK 3.17

It's time for some fresh, fun glamour for this week's Room of the Week! I'm totally swooning for these adjoining rooms and the way the bright pinks + patterns are playing off each other while traditional pieces and modern lines mix in seamlessly...


Do you recognize the fabric on the sofa? It's a fun little Josef Frank print, which I seriously covet. I love all the gilded details too (of course!) and can you ever go wrong with that simple acrylic coffee table? I think not.

I had to point out the art in the dining room because it really connects the two areas together. The designer made an obvious choice to have the rooms really compliment each other because the area definitely could have been treated separately, but by bringing them together it opens up the whole house and makes the space feel  much larger.

I never would have chosen such a pop art-inspired, bold colored piece for this traditional home, but it totally works! One word for this whole space - FUN!

*images via skona hem. ps - for a great josef frank roundup, check out this article on apartment therapy!

DINING ON SUNSHINE

We're supposedly getting a little sunshine in Seattle this week to ring in the new year, and it couldn't come soon enough as the rain has been falling nonstop! I've been hoarding away images like these sunny little dining areas just to look at while I dream of making a sunny vacation getaway...



If you close your eyes you can almost feel the warmth pouring through those windows... is it spring yet?
*images via french by design

ROOM OF THE WEEK 11.18

How could you not fall in love with a dining room where luxurious mismatched chairs are wrapped in warm tangerine fabric and you're surrounded by the gorgeousness of de Gournay wallpaper....?

Not to mention fabulously frilled curtains and a lavish chandelier! My favorite parts of this space might be in those little details, actually. Like the gold accent and subtle tufting on the chairs. And that delicious grey trim! The only piece I might swap out is the table - perhaps in favor of something a little more modern to change the tone of the room?? But there is certainly a reason why rooms like this never lose their appeal - no matter how many times I may have seen it on other blogs, it always catches my eye. What do you think it is about this space and others like it that gives it that everlasting appeal?

*room design by massucco warner miller

ROOM OF THE WEEK 10.28

It's officially that time of year where I begin to dream of heavenly dining rooms to host cozy dinner parties....

Something like this room by Joe Nahem, perhaps? I love that it's deceptively simplistic: a table, some chairs, drapes - nothing that appears too complicated - and yet the detail of each layer is perfectly thought out. The scale of the wallpaper pattern and how it compliments the tile in the fireplace. The way the woods ground the space even without a rug (which would take away from the gorgeous table base anyway), and the combination of that soft olive grey with peachy drapes. And plants, of course! The most simple of decor, but what a statement they make here bringing life to this quiet little space.


A bit traditional? Yes. But welcoming in the way your stylish grandmother would be. Which makes me love it even more!

*photo via elle decor

ROOM OF THE WEEK 9.16

Sunny, fresh, eclectic and just the right dose of classic femininity...

I've adored this interior shot since first setting eyes on it. There's a certain amount of quirk (the unexpected midcentury lamp and wire dog art piece that show off the owner's personality) combined with cheery but refined color on traditional pieces like the dining chairs and chesterfield sofa. The art pieces are divine and so are those huge windows! I also really love the soft grey walls and the way they bring a sense of calm to a space where it could feel like there's a lot going on. Most importantly, I could absolutely see my self living in this room... could you?


*interior via elle decor

ROOM OF THE WEEK: 7.22

Just yesterday I had a reader email me asking if I could do a post on my favorite dining rooms. I absolutely adore decorating dining areas because it mixes interior design with my other favorite subject - entertaining! So, while I sort through my files and pull out the best of the best, I thought we could at least start with this...

A bit aspirational, but oh so inspiring, no? The way designer Krista Ewart balanced the large scale table with a full wall mirror and that centerpiece of a painting is so lovely! And, despite some of these heavy features, the space stays open and light by neutralizing some of the accessories that could have been distracting (the all white chandelier and figurines on the sideboard). Using the aqua throughout in different textiles ties everything together perfectly. I'm especially loving the addition of the bench to the table which brings down the formality of the antique style pieces. What do you think, dear readers? Will this one be added to your list of favorites?

ROOM OF THE WEEK 7.1

This has to be one of my most favorite rooms in my inspiration files...

And, it seemed a fitting design for this week - I've noticed lately that my weekly posts are almost themed in their colors, inspiration and schemes. This week it's rich blues + blacks paired with sunny coral or white, Indienne prints, stripes, and the revival of some classic decor. Which sums this beautiful space from Alessandra Branca up quite nicely, don't you think? What's even more amazing is how it all comes together in this one beautiful, lofty room. Oh, and that chandelier? Yes please.

LET THEM EAT POSH

It's almost Memorial Day Weekend, which means lots of fingers crossed for sunny weather around these parts! If we were staying in town, I'd love to pack a pretty little picnic for the girls, just like this!

Instead, the boy and I will be spending the weekend road-tripping to Montana in the rain, but I'm still excited to spend some time in the country with the fam despite the weather. What will you be up to this 3-day weekend??

*sources: wine + champagne tote by anya hindmarch, gold champagne goblets at eden & eden, polka dot napkins and disposable flatware at kate's paperie, blanket by hermes

ROOM OF THE WEEK 4.15

Browsing through photos of a beautiful West Village townhouse designed by Steven Gambrel I found so many rich rooms to love, but it was this simple basement kitchen and dining area that struck me as so simplistically perfect...
The cozy tucked in nook with light filtering in from the window hitting the rows of glass bottles. The whitewashed brick paired with faded, worn wood. Each piece selected is absolutely perfect in scale and style. Perhaps it's because the room reminds me of days spent in cool basements with my Italian grandparents and aunts preparing gnocci and curing meats that I feel pulled to it. It's certainly not the usual glamorous or even fresh open space that I usually post! But there's something so appealing about this little retreat that makes me want to settle right in.

LOVE FEST

Darlings, it's Valentine's Week, and in honor of l-o-v-e, LOVE, we'll be celebrating with lots of pretty things making my heart go pitter patter at the moment...
Like the gorgeous, gorgeous artwork from Vanessa Briggs (discovered at Revival Home) whose entire 'Sunsets' series has me swooning.
Oversized florals in this fresh and simple dining room by Chris Barrett (via House Beautiful) - love the color of the glass bottles!
And a totally 90's inspired rug that makes the best of some seriously fun colors (by Matthew Williamson for The Rug Company).

October Obsession: The Library Table

Some call these farmhouse, others refer to them as library tables... I call them gorgeous.
The perfect blend of traditional detailing in the legs and a perfectly worn, rustic top, I can't imagine a better dining room table.
The best part? They fit into any setting - a cozy mix of modern and country? Done. A traditional polished room? Absolutely. An anchor to a completely white palette? Of course.
A true investment piece that will carry with you throughout all your decor phases, this is one must have on my list. While many larger furniture companies offer their own version, Noir furniture makes some beautiful ones from reclaimed wood, making them an eco-friendly and broken in!!

*photography via la dolce vita, john granen and vicente wolf