Wednesday, January 7, 2009

A Thoughtful Bit of Design

When I come across what I think is inspirational design, I like to share it here on the blog with all of you. It's my hope that you'll find it as inspirational as I have:

Perhaps it's the use of my favorite color combination: apple green and chocolate brown, or maybe it's the mix of settee and chair for a cozy breakfast nook - but this setting is, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful I've ever seen.

I've blogged before about how I love the use of twin beds in a guest room. Here they've done exactly that, and mixed some of my favorite colors for spring: cream, robins egg blue, and sage green.

Chocolate brown walls are so sophisticated and elegant. They're the perfect transition from that age-old red dining room, or navy formal living room. Here the gold sofa, and gold accents really pop - and the books (though they be coffee table) really give a feeling of warmth and welcome. Are you thinking about painting a room chocolate brown? Tired of that red dining room? Don't act too quickly - my sources say Aubergine, yes, deep rich purple - is going to be the new sophisticated dining room color - mixed with none other - than canary yellow, robins egg blue, kelly green, and slate gray, respectfully.

And lastly, quite possibly my favorite of all - the use of industrial or architectural elements in any room - no matter how formal! These gorgeous antique industrial bakers racks used as shelf display and bookcase are a perfect solution to add storage, and drama with a unique personality and charm.

25 comments:

  1. I love these pictures...I have long been thinking about a settee in my breakfast room and have gathered numerous inspiration pics, this is one of the best! Love the twin beds...another fav of mine and also done in my own home.

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  2. What lovely things to look at as I drink my coffee! I love the settee with that round table - I still want both here in Museville! And those baker's racks are fabulous!

    Beautifying the world one post at a time! Thanks for sharing all that yumminess.
    xo Isa

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  3. ummm, i really enjoyed all your eye candy here...love every single photo..
    thanks for sharing,
    bj

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  4. Hmmm, purple mixed with canary yellow, robins egg blue, kelly green, and slate gray? I don't thiink I'm quite ready for that combo but I'll keep an open mind. Does this mean I have to throw out all my french country blue and yellow? LOL
    Thank you for stopping by and the birthday wish!
    Hugs, B.

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  5. OOOOH that first picture is splendid! I love the settee and the houndstooth is YUMMY!

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  6. Oh Artie I just loved the first picture...have you heard yet about design star ?? no of course you haven't but am so keeping my eyes crossed for you..hope you have a great day...hugs and smiles Gloria

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  7. That dinning room is classic, love the chairs with the settee, and of course as always love my green apples...

    Cathleen

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  8. ~Beautiful designs.
    Love the round dining room table and pedestal. :)

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  9. Beautiful. I love the table in the first pic.

    Hey, when do you find something out from HGTV?

    Justine :o )

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  10. Hi Artie...all of the photos look so classy & easy to live with... I have been off the web for several days & I'm just now reading about you trying out for Design Star...please send me your autograph now before you become rich & famous...'cuz I'll just bet you get picked! Good luck! ;-) Bo

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  11. Hey there...I love this post..each and every picture has so much inspiration in it...I especially loved the one with the twin beds...I hope to one day have a room with twin beds in it for the grandkids & your picture is just what I am looking for...thanks so much for coming by and for the comment of encouragement on the weight loss & good luck to you on your Designstar entry!

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  12. Thanks for the photos. That last picture is GREAT.

    G in CT

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  13. Best of luck to you on your Designstar application. You have a lot of fans who are cheering for you! I LOVE the idea of twin beds in a guest room too. Why did people ever stop doing that? "Talk" soon!

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  14. Great pictures! I can't believe you just got a Hobby Lobby. I'm there alot too. By the way there is no way you need to lose 40 pounds and good luck on Design Star, you should make it! Kristen

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  15. My favorite color combo's - chocolate with apple, robin's egg & sage, and walls painted chocolate - my new fav. I adore those houndstooth chairs. I was looking for chairs like that myself. Do you know who manufactures them? ~ Robyn

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  16. I dream of twin beds in one of my rooms. I've been collecting pics for a long time.

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  17. Oooooh...I think that last one is my fave too!

    Hey...recieved your package today...rhanks! Such fun!!

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  18. Now, click your heels three times and say "There's No Place Like Design Star, No Place Like Design Star ......"

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  19. Thanks for stopping by my blog. I think yours is fantastic. Love all of your photos...I will be back,
    Ness xx

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  20. I'm with you on the twin beds in the guest room. Did my kitchen a couple of years ago in chocolate brown (we call it pluff mud here in the lowcountry)... Great photos.

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  21. I'm loving all your inspirational photos. I use a lot of that sage green toile in my home and never thought to pair it with the robin's egg blue--awesome! Also, I'd like to wish you good luck with the HGTV application!

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  22. What great inspirations! I particularly love the guest Bedroom. (I'm am 100% with you on the use of 'twin' beds in a guest room. Throughout the course of the years I have discovered they are the most functional as they will accommodate a wide range of house guests.)

    The color palette of Aubergine/Yellow/REBlue/KGreen and SGray really sounds tempting. Is it possible to share your sources or provide a sample as I would love to see it together. (Thank you.)

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  23. I just came across your blog from Helen...I want to encourage you on your weight loss! Way to go!
    I too am on the healthy living express...it feels good to be in control!
    I would like to add you to my fav's because I love reading your posts...I am off to do more of just that!
    Good Luck on the Design Star audition! My fingers are crossed!! I love that show and have enjoyed watching it from the beginning!

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  24. Fresh an inspired...the pics offer a good blend of both the new modern approach to elegance :)

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  25. *love* the cream, blue and sage bedroom. such a fan of those colors. neutral pastels are really my thing. i am spreading them through my whole house.

    and i <3 sarah mclachlan that you have playing. i actually do a couple covers of hers in my band. dreamy!!! my favorite is a hot bubblebath, candles, and sarah mclachlan. wish i could learn to like wine.

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