Patriotic Interiors

Gary McBournie. I'd love to be out here with a book and a G & T.

Today's Inspiration Friday is being put on hold for something even better...Patriotism! Since it's the Fourth of July Weekend, let's all enjoy some Red White and Blue interiors. These interiors remind me of Summer, New England, the beach, and relaxation.

Markham Roberts mixes a whimsical bedspread and a geometric rug in this bedroom.

Red white and blue geometric patterns are in this room too. How cute is that teddy bear in the chair? By Meg Braff.

Digs By Katie pairs this distressed red painted bench with a dark blue backing and a gorgeous sunburst mirror in this little nook. PS you should really check out her portfolio--it's genius.

Red walls are usually to much for me but if you put it with a blue and white striped rug, I calm down a bit. This entry way (with sticks used as coat hooks) is from Country Living.

Pretty paisley bedspread but what really gets me here (besides the Windsor chair) is the basket full of throw pillows. Country Living.

I hope you all have a great and patriotic Fourth of July. If the weather cooperates we'll be going up to the CT shore and enjoying some time on the beach! Maybe some ice cream, fireworks, and some good old fashioned fun. Ya know, things that make America so awesome! What are you up to?

Alicia B.

Rando Design Inspiration Friday

Too much rain makes me sad inside so I'm in need of some sunshine in the form of great interior design! Am I the only one? I think not.

I adore this sweet little attic guest room by Suzanne Kasler. So crisp and clean without looking uninviting. How lovely is yellow and white--the shades are Michael Devine Home, who has the greatest fabric collection HERE!

Mary McDonald's rooms are always a treat. Love everything here minus the mirrored coffee table. LOATHE mirrored furniture.

When I own my own country cottage, I'd like to have a library sitting room like this one with antlers, books, gorgeous throw pillows, and lovely art prints. By Markham Roberts.

I found this incredible designer Grant White on The Daily Bed (thanks Raina!). I'm in love with this color palette, but more importantly the gallery wall of prints with the one round one in the middle.

I think this home really defines my personal style. NO NO JUST KIDDING. This is from Real Housewives of NJ. OY.

Have a great weekend, all! Any great plans? For the first time in a while I'll be staying in NYC.


Alicia B.

Flora

Rita Konig's bedroom in her fun eclectic apartment in NYC. She uses a floral pattern in the bedspread, the wallpaper and even the light fixture!

So over the summer I was seeing lots of geometric patterns, lattice work etc in fabrics and wallpapers. WELL, summer is over, and so is geometry. Sort of. Anyway, I've been noticing a lot of flower patterns in wallpaper, bedspreads and fabrics in general. I find it quite calming in a world full of dropping numbers and people panicking about the economy etc. (clearly I need to get out of NYC for a few days). Flowers are pretty, sweet, and simple. Take a look at some of these sweet rooms.

I think this wide floral patterned dining room makes the space look bigger than it already is by adding a depth and openness to the walls. By Michael Taylor.

I know, I know. It's very traditional, but SO pretty! Look at the effect of the large beams on the ceiling leading down to the simple but beautiful curtains and into the room. By Markham Roberts.

Again, Markham Roberts (genius) uses the flowers to frame out a room/area, and it continues around the room (tablecloth, flowers on table and on mantle).

Even with traditional flowers, you can make the space look modern. Living etc.

Mix many different floral patterns for an eclectic look like this one by Fawn Galli.

Does this wall paper look familiar? (See above.) Found it in Domino.

It could be fun to use big bold flowers, like this one in Greenwich, for a glam/modern/but also classic look.

There is a lot of floral fabric in this bedroom designed by Barry Dixon (love!), but it is a pretty wide pattern so it appears more subtle and not too over-flowered. In the huge glass vase, the theme continues! So cute!

It's interesting how even though we are seeing lots of flowers, they can still maintain a modern look or some of the geometric quality. I think that when people think flowers, they think old lady designs or a stuffy chintz, but they can be light, feminine, modern, or glam depending on how you place it. Thoughts?


Alicia B.

Pink is the new pink.

Ever since one of my fave bloggers Joanne Goddard said that pink is back, I've been super happy. For me, pink is always in, but I don't pay much attention to that because I'm the type of person who, if I'm not wearing pink or some form of it, I think I look "goth." Anyway, through looking at some of my favorites I've found some pink beauties! And it's not what you're thinking--bubblegum girly pink--it's the jewel toned, glam, festive pink.

How beautiful is this coral bag from J Crew?

From Domino mag, one big bright burst of pink with small subtle accents in the bedding. Rad.

Mary Mcdonald interior. This is so pretty and I love the contrast of the sweet pink with the intense zebra rug.

Markham Roberts. This is a super gutsy use of A LOT of pink--even in the wallpaper.

These are from Kate Spade. Great gift idea (for me)!

From House Beautiful. This room has many neutrals or black/whites but is carried by this amazing bright bench. I love this room.

Pinks and soft greyish blues here! From Metropolitan home.

How glam is this room from Living Etc? Greys, and blacks contrasted with those small hot pink pillows.

I love pink. To me it's a happy and uplifting color. It is associated with glamour, summer, breast cancer awareness...thoughts?

Alicia B.

Dark Rooms 101

Most people, when painting a room, think of going with a light color, not a dark blue, dark brown or even black. Dark paint colors are a bold choice, and as they are unusual, we are drawn to them. They are often good for small spaces, surprisingly enough. Designer John Barman says about the room above, "You're swept away by the blue and have no sense of the size of the room."

Moises Esquenazi used Farrow and Ball Mahogany paint.

Living Etc. The furniture in the room make this look more industrial.

Todd Romano. I love this room; it looks so cozy yet sophisticated with the rich blue walls and thick mouldings.

Australian Vogue Living. What a great gallery wall--looks so organic.

Carol Prisant used contrasting mouldings that add depth to the wall in this small room.

Elle Decor. This room looks pretty large and the windows add lots of light to it. I love how the walls curve up into the ceiling.

Leta Austin Foster. The dark color used here blends so well with the different colored ethnic floral patterns.

Metropolitan Home. The walls as well as the floor are painted a dark color. Again the use of the mouldings really adds depth to the room.

Jeffrey Bilhuber uses a dark chocolate brown. The glossiness of it reflects the light coming in from the window.

House to Home UK. I like how the black shade repeats in the next room to lead you through the space. NOT loving the Christmas lights on the floor though.

Katie Ridder. I love this little room with navy blue paint.

Markham Roberts. Dark floor and dark walls!

Markham Roberts. This room looks so New England-y and He even uses the dark blue paint in the fireplace.

Jeffrey Bilhuber uses dark paint in a larger setting with natural materials like a sisal carpet and stone fireplace.

I really likes these looks--they're fun and very bold. Thoughts? Has anybody done this in their own home?


Alicia B.

Feeling Blue? GREAT!

Benjamin Moore's Paddington Blue # 791

A friend of mine just moved into a new apartment and was asking me for advice! Yay! She has lots of dark wood furniture and doesn't want pink to be involved in the color scheme (I know, crazy right?). I suggested blue to her and she loved the idea of the rich dark browns and contrasting blues. Also add in some sandy browns or pale golds for accents! Here are some fun blue interiors that I found.

A tranquil bedroom from Dominio Mag.

I love this facade. LOVE.

A blue color scheme with a pale yellow wall from Domino Mag.

A Markham Roberts Dining room. Beautiful.

Blue hallway.

From Domino, Nick Olson designed this living room with bold blues and yellows.

Alicia B.