SEQUEL

Starry Eyed Over Laurie Owen

I discovered South African designer Laurie Owen over the weekend after reading a bit about her on Apartment Therapy.  She has dubbed her style "Romantic Organic" (and it has certainly allured me).  Most of the pictures on her website are of resorts that she's designed, but apparently she also does residential work.  Check it out:

Harnas Lodge in Namibia:

Agricultural Holdings Residence in South Africa:

Clifftop Limopopo in South Africa:

Little Kulala in Namibia:

 

Vumbura Lodge in Botswana:

 

So, I've attempted to deconstruct her work so we can all bring a little (or lot) of this "Romantic Organic" style to our homes.  Here is what I'm seeing:

• Raw tree trunks, branches, twigs, stumps, roots, rocks, and stones for furnishings and decor
• Faux natural furnishings and accents (ex. stone shaped ottomans made of wool or metal & metallic tree trunk tables)
• Drippy strands of crystal, beads, coral, bone, silver
• Earthy browns {taupes, camels, ecrus},  atmospheric blues, pure whites, and touches of black
• Fluffy plush rugs and pillows
• Metallic accessories
• Boho ombre & tie dyed linens 
• Textural concrete & mud-/plaster-like walls
• Floaty hanging chairs
• Reedy rattan and rope accents
• Organic shaped glass reminicent of water
• Natural fibers:  cotton, silk, linen, wool
• Relaxed, loose, slipcovered furnishings
• Low profile beds and seating

For more on Laurie, check out her website.

Nesting

My friend Melanie just had this precious little girl named Lily...

 

Melanie hinted that I do a post on nurseries and children's rooms.  So, I've scoured the web to come up with these lovely pictures to inspire...

neutral can be nice...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

but brights are really fun....

 

 

being part Polish, love the larger than life matryoshka nesting dolls...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

i'm suprised they were able to pull this color off...

 

soft pastels are comforting....

 

 

 

 

 

stripes are good...

 

 

like these cozy modern sleeping compartments (and the mod bedding)...

 

 

 

 

 

 

paper lanterns will be nice for baby to look at...

 

 

glam is good too...

 

 

 

 

 

room for friends is most important...

 

Pictures culled from Desire To Inspire, Domino, Ohdeedoh, Dwell, Ouef, and probably a few others that I'm forgetting.

Oh la la....Priceless Interiors

Last night we watched the French movie Priceless starring Audrey Tatou, which was a fun, light-hearted flick with AMAZING styling (interiors + wardrobe).  It was filmed in luxury hotels in Nice, Cote d'Azur, Biarritz, and Monte Carlo.  The interiors were glitzy, yet sophisticated, with refreshing pops of vivid colors (red, aqua, and cobalt) on neutral backdrops, lots of patterns, and a mix of furniture styles.  I took pictures of the movie on my TV, so the quality is not so good.  I highly recommend you rent the movie if you like what you see here!

 

love this number.....

Frank Roop

There have been some changes in my life over the past few months (new job) which have put a damper on my blogging.  However, tonight, I have been too inspired by the work of Frank Roop to not blog about him.  You could say that Frank Roop has broken my blogging drought.  Let it rain Roop (I really love his last name too...so much fun to say!)...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proximity Hotel

The April issue of Metropolitan Home arrived in my mailbox yesterday and it's their "Guide To Modern Green Design".  I was surprised to read a blurb about what could be America's greenest hotel, the Proximity Hotel, which happens to be a stone's throw away from me in Greensboro, NC (talk about proximity).  Metropolitan Home says "Proximity is striving for LEED Platinum status, which would make it America's greenest (indoor) spot to spend the night.  More than 70 sustainable ideas are at work, including rooftop solar panels, an elevator that generates energy for ascent on the descent and the use of geothermal energy for restaurant refrigeration.  From $199 per night." 
I had no idea this environmentally conscious and stylish boutique hotel existed just an hour away from me.  I will have to check it out in person sometime very soon.  Until then, here are some lovely pictures to enjoy from their website...
 

 

Mesmerized by Morocco

This morning I was lost over what to blog about next.  Then, it hit me, it had to be about Morocco; a place that has recently captured my imagination. 

I guess it all started with the blog My Marrakesh, which I've been following for a few months.  It's written by Maryam, an American woman living in Morocco.  Maryam is charming, her writing is gritty and good, and her blog is beautiful.  You can watch a podcast of of her being interviewed by  some fellow bloggers here.  Maryam's blog is very personal and in it she talks about the guest house (inn) that she's building (along with her architect husband) amidst an olive grove, local shopping(she's a personal shopper among other things), and all kinds of art and design from Morocco.  Here are some examples of the beautiful imagery you will find on her blog...

 
 

Then, last week, I was messing around on VRBO and stumbled upon this amazing little suite (pics below) in Fez, Morocco which is just $125-$150/night!  It's a two story antique royal suite from 1880.  The suite is encrusted with museum-quality carved plaster, original mosaic, and decorative painting.  There's a rooftop terrace and one room even has an intimate domed hammam bath.  They describe the space as quirky, authentic, and romantic.

I love this quote from the VRBO write-up "We will not repair the lovely webbed plaster where it has broken. We will not remove the tiny abandoned mud wasp’s nest from the sharp carved starburst of the Menzeh’s antique plaster. All of this is part of the baraka, or fortuitous blessing, of the Menzeh, which we have preserved as it was found, a jeweled secret place at the crown of the Fez Medina."  How poetic.  And, this is a perspective I've embraced with many of the vintage furnishings I've bought....the imperfections are part of the beauty.

There are many beautiful places to stay in Morocco on VRBO and you can find good travel information on Lonely Planet.

But, look no farther than your mailbox for Moroccan influenced modern design.  It's evident everywhere...
From West Elm, Lanterns(on sale for $29.99) and headboard ($299-$399):

Morocco Rug from CB2 ($299.00 - $499.00):

Moroccan Wedding Cape from Viva Terra ($395):

Marrakech bedding from Crate and Barrel ($495-$149.00)

From RianRae , Moroccan Metal Side Tables ($890) and gorgeous Mother of Pearl Inlaid Mirror ($1,980)
   
And, good finds are always on eBay for those that like to dig.  I like what this eBay store, Click2Egypt has...frames, lanterns, metalwork, and more.

 

Blushing Over Magenta

Apartment Therapy is doing a Romantic Bedroom Giveaway this week, so of course I entered (one day I will win something).  You have to give a sexy bedroom tip and include a picture of your vision (real or aspirational).  Two entries are posted each day on Apartment Therapy and mine is one of them today!  I'm blushing that it is there for all to see.  It's kind of silly.  However, in the spirit of Valentine's day, you can see the entry too right here. 

The picture I submitted, which is also below, is of a collage I created over a year ago as inspiration for decorating my bedroom.  I love this dark magenta color (using it as an accent is my tip).  I like it mixed with a lot of neutrals so it's not too overpowering.  And, lighter shades, like that light pink paper lantern on the left, help soften the palette. 

I'll let you know if I happen to win the prize.  And, it's not too late for you to enter too, as the contest is open until noon tomorrow.

Spanish Simplicity

This lovely home was featured in Veranda's October 2007 20th Anniversary issue.  It's a 1930s Spanish style home in Santa Barbara that's very classic and beautiful.  I love the use of neutrals, natural materials, crisp white walls and light floors, amazing antique furniture, and unusual accessories. 

Credit for this masterpiece goes to Barbara Wisely, the owner and interior and exterior designer.  Photography is by Jonn Coolidge.  Produced by Miguel Flores-Vianna for Veranda. 

French Loft

This chic French loft has beautifully combined modern, industrial, and primitive styles.  I love the use of contrasting light and dark neutrals.  And, the worn woods add amazing texture and interest.  The raw wood dining table and  mixed dining chairs is my favorite.  This is from via Ellmania via Emmas designblogg via Marie Claire Maison. 

Surreal Dining

This is perhaps my favorite dining room of all time.  I tore this picture out of an Architectural Digest many years ago.  It's from the home of Helena Rubenstein in which she commissioned Salvador Dali to paint a mural for her.  This photo shows one of three panels he painted.  This interior is just dreamy with the cerulean blue glass, creamy walls, and glamourous lucite chairs (and of course that painting).

Here's what Architectural Digest had to say about it...

After digging around on the internet, I've found another panel of the mural.  But, there's still one missing.  Does anyone know where I can find it?

 

And, for a small fortune ($3200/each) you can buy lucite chairs very similar to the ones that Helena Rubenstein had at The Paris Apartment (the main difference I see is that these do not have the etching that Helena's had).  This is a very fun site to explore with lots of glamorous French furnishings.  And, they have a book that looks stunning.