Showing posts with label Styles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Styles. Show all posts

Decorating with the Greek Key


Symmetry, order and proportion are all classic elements of design which can be found in the Greek key pattern.  The Greek key can be modernized with the use of bright, bold colors, used as an accent, and works well with other patterns, which brings versatility to the Greek key.

Incorporating the Greek key can be as simple as including furnishings and artifacts, such as mirrors, chairs and pillows to your room. It adds a subtle hint without going overboard.
 
If taking it to the next level peaks your interest, try adding the Greek key design to your floor, either with carpeting or a rug. Since your floor is now stealing the spotlight, it allows you to keep the decorations in your room to a minimum.
 
How do you plan on incorporating the Greek key into your home?


A Look into Tom Brady & Gisele Bundchen's Luxurious Mansion


Step onto the property of Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen’s new 22,000 square foot mansion overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Brentwood, CA, and you’ll surprisingly feel at home. Featured in a full layout in the latest issue of Architectural Digest, the Brady Bundchen mansion is not only eco-friendly, but it breathes scents of both tasteful and homey.


Tom and Gisele’s desire to make their home as eco-friendly as possible was a success, as the home boasts reclaimed oak ceilings and their energy and water systems have been implemented from recycled components. Better yet, there are 2 arrays of photovatic solar panels that meet all of the property’s electricity needs.

Tom and Gisele focused on implementing a neutral color palette throughout the house, which instantly gives it a country chic vibe.
 
 

To turn your kitchen into a less expensive version of Tom and Gisele’s, think about painting or staining your cabinets a rustic brown, and giving the countertops and walls a neutral tone. Think marble countertops and cream walls. You can then make your kitchen pop with your accents, which can be as organic as flowers on the table to a bowl of fresh fruit on your kitchen island. Even choosing colorful handles and knobs is an easy way to bring life into your kitchen.

The same can be said for your outdoor patio. If your outdoor area is mostly catered around neutral colors, play up the space with bright decorative pillows, or keep the area earthy and cozy like Tom and Gisele have done by accenting the area with plants of various colors and sizes.
 
 
Gisele even keeps her closet as simple as possible, by allowing her shoes, purses and clothing to make the room pop and give it life amid the neutral shelving units and wall color.
 
If you have neutral walls and furniture, how do you plan on making the room come together to give it a fun, yet homey feel?
 


Elegant Entryway

This entry is large, grand and beautifully designed. While the focal point is on the elegant winding staircase, notice how the hall credenza with overhead tall mirror to ceiling seems to anchor the room. The grandfather clock angled across the stairs to the urn in the right of the picture lends symmetry. Light and shadows also play into the overall ambiance of the space. What draws your eye?


Five Floors of Luxury on Beacon Street

A few weeks ago I had the absolute pleasure of touring a beautiful home on Boston's famed Beacon Street. How did I get an invitation? Well it just so happens that my good friend, Jerry Arcari, owner of the award-winning Landry & Arcari Oriental Rugs & Carpeting in Boston, MA, created and curated the floor coverings for all five floors of the luxurious townhouse. The floors, all from The Dabbieri Collection, consisted of silk rugs, leather floor tiles, wool carpeting, and so much more!

I took a few photos (not sure if that was appropriate) because I just couldn't stand not sharing with all my friends on DesigningLuxury.com! So, here's a quick tour...

One of the many balconies facing out to Beacon Street.

The beautiful kitchen sitting area was laced with grey marble!

One of the many sitting rooms featuring beautiful rugs and a grand piano.

Our hosts served delicious Blood Orange Martinis, all catering by Davio's.

One of the 6ish bathrooms I counted. I say 6ish because I think I lost count!

And finally, a picture of the outside of Landry & Arcari in Boston, MA.

Landry and Arcari, one of my favorite floor covering showrooms, was founded in 1938. There are actually two showrooms - one in Boston's Back Bay and another in Salem, MA. With the largest selection of handwoven rugs in New England, I'm always overwhelmed by the beauty that lies in a wonderfully crafted floor covering. Jerry loves to feature fine antiques, formal and traditional designs, tribal rugs and kilims, and Tibetan and other contemporary rugs. They also design and weave custom rug for their more adventurous clients.

If you're in the area I highly recommend stopping by!

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

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

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

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

Honeysuckle, A Color for All Seasons

I've been eagerly awaiting Pantone's 2011 Color of Year announcement. In 2010, we celebrated Turquoise as Color of the Year. This coming year, Honeysuckle will rule as our courageous, confident, bold, and uplifting hue.

A Color for All Seasons / http://tinyurl.com/2bqqssz
Pantone forecaster Leatrice Eiseman conveys that,
"In times of stress, we need something to lift our spirits. Honeysuckle is a captivating, stimulating color that gets the adrenaline going – perfect to ward off the blues. Honeysuckle derives its positive qualities from a powerful bond to its mother color red, the most physical, viscerally alive hue in the spectrum."
Don't you agree? Let's start off the New Year by featuring spirit inspiring interiors that make wonderful use of our newly declared Color of the Year.

Kristen Brant, Elle Decor / http://tinyurl.com/2ay6ndk
As Accent Color via Shelter Pop / http://tinyurl.com/2cdu4dd
Betty Murdock Interiors via Traditional Home / http://tinyurl.com/34zklmv
Pink Guest Suite, Photo by Scott Moore / http://tinyurl.com/23eb4g5
Elle Decor / http://tinyurl.com/2ay6ndk
Graphic Bedwall / http://tinyurl.com/3xhfvab
I hope these interiors leave you inspired and ready to take on 2011! Happy New Year!