Design, Russian Style

A few weeks ago I spotlighted the renovation of the beautiful Bolshoi Theater in Moscow (here). Design in Russia is certainly not all classic, though.

Check out this grey pinstripe wall... cool idea for the more tailored feel, along with the coordinating ceiling patterns. Actually, I like the whole room with its contrasts of patinated wood, crystals, smooth ceramic and gilt.

Grey and green together- a fun combination for this wall pattern. Definitely do-able using the many fabulous stencils available at stencil companies such as Royal Design Studio, Cutting Edge Stencils and The Stencil Library.  

Plum + light grey to charcoal+ silver metallic- rich and clean in this modern room.

These rooms charmed me from the ceiling to the floor, from the animal skins to the chandelier and all that is going on in between. Quirky. Personality!

Which is your favorite?

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Waterside Viewing

Even in early winter, following the gorgeous fall colors and just before the pretty winter snows, the bare branches stand proudly. 

This is the time of the year when I notice lines and symmetry.

 

 Along the lake in Bay Village, Ohio

Living close to the water is always full of cherished glimpses...

 Huntington Beach

and pretty sunsets.

NYC skyline from a Brooklyn viewpoint

Lake Erie

Colorful Coincidence

It started with this drawing that I had saved forever in my files. The shot is a closeup of the beautiful wall paintings in the Royal Hotel in Evian, France, long considered to be one of France's premier resorts. The hotel was built in 1909.

And then I saw this current House Beautiful feature by Maine Design. 

It turns out that they installed custom panels by Iksel, the fabulous French company owned by Mehmet and Dimonah Iksel, that are entirely hand-painted on gessoed canvas. I like the continuation of the design onto the ceiling.

I also happened upon the charming works of Sally Chandler, which have a similar feel to the colorful botanical scenes above. Their compositions are happy and airy, not too serious. Almost fresco-like.

Ancestral home memories, Inverness, Scotland

Ancestral country home interior, Yorkshire, England

Fun and happy designs...

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Have You Ever...

been inside of a wrought iron museum? Who knew there even was one!

Rouen, the charming city close to Monet's Giverny in the north of France, is the home to the Musée Le Seq des Tournelles, the Wrought Iron Museum. It is housed in the 16th century church of St. Laurent, which was renovated to hold the ironwork collection assembled by Henri Le Secq des Tournelles, which he gave to the city of Rouen in 1921.

The collection features items from all over Europe dating from the 4th to the 19th century. Gates, railings, tools, locks and keys, jewelry and household utensils are displayed for easy closeup viewing.

Come with me...

Quite the collection they have! Which is your favorite?

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Birch It

Silver birch is one of my favorite trees, with its distinctive whitish bark. 

Love these clever ways to create a screen with the birch poles.

 I plan on featuring silver birch in my holiday decor this year.

I'd better get cracking...

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Into the Dutch Light

There is just something special about the light in Holland. 

No wonder it has been painted so many times by the Dutch masters!

Amsterdam

A canal in Utrecht

A beautiful canal in Amsterdam

A recent foggy day in the Netherlands

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In Thanks

What am I most thankful for?

My (very large) family!

These are my brothers and sisters and their families. Whew. 

But it sure is fun when we get together!

Happy Thanksgiving to you all, my dear readers!

Coming Around

What goes around comes around... and here comes the purple/lavender/amethyst again. It logically follows the perseverance of grey that has been with us for more than a few years now, but is slightly warmer and more spirited, especially in the northern climes where we must endure grey skies for days at a time.

I've always loved this vintage House & Garden cover, showing the best of the purple family with related accents.

So on we go, over to the current uses of purple.

Beautiful box of chocolates from Chapon

 Fine linens from Alexandre Turpault

 Love the linen curtains and tablecloth

 Katie Ridder 's new book, Katie Ridder Rooms, features this lovely living room on the cover.

Katie illustrates using lavender for shots of color... to cover the headboard,

 line the shelf backs and upholster the chairs.

Unusual kitchen tile selection

 Plop down on the purple perch

And last, but not least, Ladurée's Marie Antoinette cake

What say you? Do you do purple?

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Celebrating Early

Just finished a large, challenging project for the sweetest couple in the world!

Celebrating! 

Cheers!

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Second Act: An Old Mill

This vignette caught my eye in Marie Claire Maison. Mitri Hourani, the creative recyclist of Boboboom's recycled lights and Mixplus, transformed an ancient grain mill into his home.

Its stone walls and warehouse feel are charming. My own studio is in an old warehouse and while we are not allowed to, some folks still choose to live there as well.

I am not sure I could live here- a bit like being in a cave. Then again, some days that would be most welcoming!

What are your thoughts?

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