Newton, MA Guest Room Redo

1. Hagalund sofa bed, Ikea; 2. Threshold Natural Core Solid Window Panel, Target; 3.  Blåst finial, Ikea; 4.  Benjamin Moore Gray Owl wall paint; 5.  Assorted throw pillows, Target; 6.  Hemnes chest of drawers, Ikea; 7.  Global Views Nugget Bud Vase, Horchow; 8.  Threshold Iron Wire Table, Target; 9.  Threshold Hand-woven Wool Tie-dye rug, Target

I've been working to help some good friends of mine reorganize and redecorate their condo in Newton, MA.  They've been living there for quite a few years and while there is plenty of room in the condo, they have begun to feel like the space is closing in on them.  To help them reclaim their home and sanity I'm helping them rethink the way each room is used and select furniture that better fits each space.  We're also adding lots of new organizational solutions and a clean, refreshing, gender-neutral color palette.

One of the first rooms we've tackled is the main guest room.  This room functions on a day-to-day basis as the husband's dressing room, serving as a guest room on occasion.  Since it's a secondary space we're keeping things budget-conscious and sourcing lots of Ikea and Target items (see key furnishings and accessories above).  Ikea is a great source if you remember to keep things neutral.  Focus on texture rather than color and keep the lines of the furniture simple.  You can get really great basics at Ikea, like neutral linen window panels and wool or natural fiber rugs, at prices that you truly just cannot find anywhere else.  Just make sure you use the shopping list/check stock features on their website before you go into the store, and get an ice cream cone on the way out to make it bearable!

Here are some before shots of the room.  They are weird panoramas but you get the idea.  Stay tuned for final project photos!

before

before

Monochrome Danish Log Cabin

I really love the way the dark-painted exterior of this log cabin looks nestled back in the tall trees.  I am a little bit on the fence about the interior, or actually maybe just the photography style of the interior.  Don't get me wrong, this is a great interior.  I just get a weird feeling from the images.  With all that rough wood and that great rug, it should feel more welcoming - warm and fuzzy.  I mean it is a log cabin.  But the whites just look so stark and it seems a bit colder than it should.  Maybe it's just that white northern light?

Images from Elle Decor Jan/Feb 2013.  Originally featured in Elle Decor Italia.

Casual/Luxe Cottage by Peter Dunham

How great is that giant dining nook?  Using two separate tables allows people seated in the center of the long banquette to squeeze in and out, which is smart.  I just love dining areas fitted with custom banquettes.  If I don;t get to design one for myself sometime soon I might have to do it for someone else.  Any takers?

This image is from a Newport Beach cottage designed by Peter Dunham, as featured in House Beautiful February 2013.  Photography by Victoria Pearson.

This project features so many GORGEOUS rugs and textiles.  And also lots of great layering and style mixing.  You can see some more photos after the jump...

Instant Attraction: Study in the Home of Carlos Aparicio

This serene study is from the Home of Carlos Aparicio, as featured in Elle Decor December 2012 in the article Miami International.  This clean, white interior is kept from beng too sterile by the addition of warm, brown wood and leather elements and soft surfaces, especially that shaggy midcentury Swedish rug.  I really, really love that wrought-iron chair.  It is by Marc Du Plantier.

Lots more photos of this interior can be found at Elle Decor.  Photographs by Richard Powers.

Instant Attraction: Study in the Home fo John Robshaw

So much personality.  Very collected.  And the plants.  Love that rug.  Good trick to paint the ceiling a lighter shade of the color on the walls.  

Image from Elle Decor.  Photos by William Waldron.  Featured in Elle Decor December 2012: Home and Abroad. 

Instant Attraction: Manhattan Apartment of Nate Berkus

The November 2012 issue of Architectural Digest ran a great before and after article featuring Nate Berkus's gorgeous Greenwich Village apartment.  I love the neutral color palette and the mix of graphic and rustic elements.  Nate is always amazing with giving his spaces character.  I've included a couple of my favorite shots here, and there are loads more over on the AD site.

Love the way he super cleverly disguised the oddly placed and proportioned windows in the office (above) (see the "before picture below).

Black and White Foyer

This lovely foyer is by decorator J. Randall Powers, as featured in Architectural Digest, November 2012 in the article Revise and Conquer.  Photos by Eric Piasecki.

Although it's a pretty traditional design, I love how it's modernized and punched up with that bright, geometric/tribal rug.  The contrast between the black and white keeps it exciting.

Fish Scales!

Jarrod Lim - Koi Lounge Chair; Property

I've been seeing fish scale patterns popping up everywhere lately, and I'm loving it.  That chair above is amazing.  Here's another fun shot.  Check out those shadows!  More fish scale items below...

African Wave wall stencil from royaldesignstencils on Etsy.

Mansour Modern, Ben Soleimani Hyde Collection Zeus Black Rug

Mecox Gardens - Fishscale Chest of Drawers

Plantation - Lafayette Side Table

Kitchen with fish scale wall pattern - Sorry, I don't know the designer.  I know I have

seen this image before, though, so I will keep digging!

Sourcing: Luke Irwin rugs

You must check out the rugs of Luke Irwin.  So many gorge designs.  Ikat, geometric, overdyed...many have that worn in look that I just love sooo much.  The forced perspective you get from the rug below is pretty slick.

All images from www.lukeirwin.com.

Cozy Rugs

Vilcanota Rug, Anthropologie.

My feet are cold, so I'm wishing I had a cozy rug under my desk.  Some other nice rugs after the jump.

Instant Attraction: Craftsman Bungalow by Nickey Kehoe

This beautiful overhaul of the interior of a Craftsman bungalow in Venice, CA by Nickey Kehoe was featured in the February 2012 issue of House Beautiful.  The designers began by brightening up the interiors with white paint, which neutralized the Craftsman architecture.  They highlighted ceiling beams and mouldings with black paint and grounded the rooms with deep brown black wood floors, then added a beautiful selection of furniture and textiles.  I love the the black, white, and muted neutral palette with pops of the right colors.  

House Beautiful has posted a video showing before an after shots of this project so you can see just how incredible the transformation was.

Photos by Amy Neunsinger, scanned from House Beautiful.  More photos of this project after the jump.

Color Files: Dark background florals

I'm not usually a big florals person, but I do love black background Dutch master floral paintings.  Many florals can be tacky, in my opinion.  Too overtly cheerful or country cottage for my tastes.  But these beauties are moody, dramatic and even a bit somber.  I love the sharp contrast between the brightly colored flowers and the surround and the level of detail in the painting of the flowers.

This area rug evokes some of what I like about these paintings - the drama, the dark background with bright highlights and rich colors.  Ivanovo by Taiping.

Carpet image from www.taipingcarpets.com

The soothing Layer area rug by Campion Platt for Roubini Rugs.

Rug, Fabien Baron for Elson & Co.

christian lacroix for designers guild.

Textiles and wallcoverings: House Beautiful April 2011

Hand Made wallpaper.

Balloons wallpaper.

Rug, Doug and Gene Meyer for Niba

Beautiful Silk carpets from Carini Lang.

Doug and Gene Meyer for Niba