The Top 5 Interiors of 2012

These past 12 months have been inspiring and wonderful. We wrap up this year with the top 5 interiors of 2011, as chosen by our fans on our Designing Luxury Facebook Page. Happy New Year!

Speechless at this bedroom from designer Carde Reimerdes! Love the canopy bed, not to mention the view from it! Absolutely splendid! http://goo.gl/Dh749

Love this 200-year-old farmhouse in Germany's Black Forest. Holiday romance that's whimsical and comfortable. What do you think? http://goo.gl/rbS21

Behold this hilltop beauty from California's Hartman Baldwin team! Modern, open, a gorgeous view! http://goo.gl/LBJlE

Just want to curl up by the fire in this lovely loft! Love the contrasting colors and textures. Looks like the perfect quiet getaway! http://goo.gl/ZY6wE

Still enamored with high ceilings, especially this beauty shared by interior design blogger Arianna Belle! http://goo.gl/7l9aO

Romantically High Ceilings

There's something incredibly whimsical about beautifully high ceilings. It makes a room feel epic - like you're about to experience something grand. This week I'd like to feature some of the most inspiring high ceilings that I've uncovered. I hope you enjoy these interiors and that they inspire you!

Don't forget, for more stylish home inspiration, like us on Facebook!

Source: Boston Luxury
Source: Decor8
Source: Decorating Home Designs
Source: Fresh Home
Source: Fresh Home
Source: Home DIT
Source: Momoge
Source: Momoge
Source: Momoge
Source: Picture Interiors
Source: Ran Room
Source: Richard Powers Interiors
Source: Tracery Interiors
Source: Trendir
Source: Urban Oasis

Must-Haves for a Luxurious, Million Dollar Home

This post might get some of us into trouble. I mean, who doesn't have a taste for the luxurious, million dollar mansion?! Contributed by Megan Gates, this is the second edition of our Designer Guest Series. In this post, Megan gives us an inside look as to what a million dollar home has to offer, and she should know! Megan is an active, expert blogger for Long Island Real Estate, Suffolk Rentals, and regurarly posts on home improvement, architecture, high design, and fashion.  Follow her on twitter at twitter.com/MEGatesDesign.



Even though the economic state of our country may have affected many markets, the luxury housing market keeps seeing sales coming. Depending on what part of the country you may live in the $1 million dollar market is generally quick moving - a lot of buying and selling. In a busy city like New York, a $1.2 million is going to have around 1000 square feet, more of an apartment style place, a loft or a bachelor pad. On the west coast, a $1 million dollar budget can buy you well over 3,000 square feet in a nice home, depending on the city. The limits of what you can have are endless depending on your budget.

Beverly Hills Home via http://is.gd/P91tjE
What exactly are people looking for in the million dollar homes they're investing in? People obviously don't want ordinary, with an extraordinary budget; they want something spectacular!

Luxurious Kitchen

Many relators believe that a large and up-to-date kitchen is the main selling point in a home. This is no different when it comes to these extravagant million dollar homes. The kitchen must be big enough to fit the entire extended family in, with plenty of room to move around. Not only should you be able to host a ballroom party there, but also all of the appliances should be brand new. Restaurant style appliances are definitely a necessity; 16 stove burners, an extra large refrigerator, a couple of ovens, wine coolers, ect. only add to these wonderful homes.

Beautiful, Up-to-Date Kitchen via http://is.gd/MlhJfj

Designing Luxury October Giveaway

I just love giveaways. Especially when they are for something that I adore - like beautiful home decor. We don't really need a reason to, but let's pretend it's to celebrate Fall that we're awarding one Designing Luxury Facebook Fan with a $400 Gift Card to Restoration Hardware! We plan on announcing the winner on October 21st.  Click here to enter to win!


Top 7 Rooms with Beautiful Views

I am constantly inspired by what I see, inside and out. Well designed rooms with serene outdoor views are inviting, enchanting even. Here are some homes that boast the most beautiful scenes. They are stunning inside and out!

Lit Up Midtown Manhattan View via http://is.gd/te1Jt7

What Inspires You?

This is the question at hand. What inspires you? What gives you joy?

How to Create a Home of Hollywood Glamour

I know what you're thinking: Yes! Hollywood Glamour! ;) Well, who doesn't love a dramatic interior every once in a while? This post, contributed by Arcadian Lighting is part of our new Designer Guest Series, featuring guest posts from talented interior designers and unique design product brands. If you would like to be featured, email me at krista@designingluxury.com



Gorgeous glitz and glamour were at a height in 1930s Hollywood. Film stars and movie execs gave lavish parties in their homes which had to be over-the-top gorgeous! This Golden Era style made a comeback a few years ago and is still being embraced by some interior designers, such as Barclay Butera. He recently shared his take on glamorous Hollywood style with HGTV, "The wonderful fabrics, fringe on lampshades, light fixtures with crystals - Hollywood Regency style is about glamour, but so much is found in the wonderful details."

Here are a few ways you can add a touch of sumptuous Hollywood design to your space. Let's start with mirrors:

Hollywood Glamour in Interior Design
Bohemian Valhalla via http://is.gd/x7D8zp
Dita Von Teese, featured here in a glamorous Hollywood dressing room, is the epitome of the modern day glam era. The setting: A mirrored vanity set amongst two mirrored dressing tables topped with tall elegant flower arrangements. Anything and everything mirrored goes with the style. Many of the 30s starlets were photographed in their dressings rooms seated at a similar mirrored vanity to Von Teese's.


The Most Beautiful Gold-Kissed Interiors

More and more, I'm finding elemental interiors shimmering with gold. When tastefully and brilliantly implemented, the use of gold is enticingly warm, soothing, and relaxing.

Decor Pad: Gold Accents
Graham and Green: White and Gold Light Pendants
Kristen Hutchins Designs: Gold Infused Living Room

Top 10 Websites for Design Inspiration

I share interior design inspiration almost daily on the official Designing Luxury Facebook and Twitter pages. I share because I believe that beautiful interior design is a gift - one that can not only change environments, but people.

Today, I want to pass the impetus along. If you love my elegant daily design posts, here's a list of top 10 websites I frequent for inspiration. Feel free to add yours to this post via comment. I'm always on the look out for another muse!
  1. Glo | Living: glo.msn.com/living/all.living
  2. Elle Decor: elledecor.com
  3. Design Spotter: designspotter.com
  4. Remodelista: remodelista.com
  5. ASID Icon: icon.asid.org
  6. Guardian | Lifestyle: guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/homes
  7. Trendir: trendir.com
  8. Decorati: decorati.com
  9. Modenus: modenus.com
  10. World Interior Design Network: worldinteriordesignnetwork.com
And there you have it! What's in your top 10?

Beautiful White Rooms

I love all white rooms. The elegance and luxury of white brings feelings of calm and peace; freshness and delight. If you love a clean feel, pair shades of white with blue. If you're into vintage decor, marry whites with yellows and browns. For the modern look, add gray and black to white.

The first illustrates white paired with light blues. It feels very clean, very fresh. Not boring or sterile. The next two interiors exhibit a great use of yellows and browns for a more vintage feel. The last few interiors pair white with gray and black - showing off a modern chic look. All are stunning!

Fresh Home
Apartment Living
Country Living
The Lennoxx
Chic Provence

The Essential Orange

Orange. Yes, this hue is so essential to 2011's decor palette. It is orange that keeps joyfully popping up among the fantastic interior design sites I frequent for daily inspiration. Some of the interiors make use of vibrant, citrus hues, while others employ a deeper shade of sunset that would add warmth to any room.

Either way, all are very beautiful. And so, I'm officially in love with orange. Take a peek at some of the interiors below. I'm sure you'll be smitten too!

Hamptons Cottage by Steven Gambrel / Elle Decor
Vibrant Use of Orange / Southern Accents
Citrus Hue in Orange / Traditional Home
Dark Sunset Orange / Martha Stewart
Orange Muted Accents / Martha Stewart
Saturated Orange Accents / Studio 10
So, what do you think of orange now?

Congrats to Our Giveaway Winner!

Congratulations to Laura Folsom for winning the Designing Luxury Winter 2011 Giveaway Sweepstakes!!!

Laura, from Lantana, Florida, won Tiffany & Co.'s beautiful Elsa Peretti® Thumbprint bowl (right). What a great way to end the Winter!

This has been fun so, we'll definitely have to sponsor more giveaways. Watch the Designing Luxury Facebook page for info on our NEXT giveaway, or to stay up-to-date on stylish home inspiration.

Last Chance to Win!

The chance to win a Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti® Thumbprint bowl is almost over! The bowl is a gorgeous piece made of sterling silver with vermeil. I'm sure it will brighten up someone's table this winter. :)

This sweepstakes giveaway ends Tuesday, March 15, 2011 at Midnight! I will announce the winner on DesigningLuxury.com by the end of the week. Good luck! Click to enter to win


Outdoor Inspirations for Alfresco Dining

A friend of mine recently returned home from a three week vacation in Northern California and Hawaii. Tough life, right?

Since we both live in the frozen tundra of New England, many of us spend the winter months cooped up in doors. Vacations to far far away lands with sunny, warm days are much appreciated. What my traveling friend enjoyed most about her getaway was the constant feeling of connection with the Earth - the ability to spend all hours outdoors. Especially in Hawaii.

I was reminded of my love for outdoor villas - seamlessly connected interiors that run into the outdoors. And oh! The joy of alfresco dining!

Now imagine these scenes at your fingertips...

Traditional home design by interior designer Arjen Reas
The serene scenes of rolling hills by InteriorMagz.com
Beautiful mosaic creation by CommuneDesign.com
By Various / From Left to Right: countryliving.com, housebeautiful.com,
Elle Decor,  Elle Decor