Sweet Simplicity - Delikatissen

I adore everything about this home - the brick walls painted white, the mix of modern and antique, and of course, the neutral palate.  My mind is able to focus more in a neutral setting - perhaps there's already enough color in my life elsewhere!  I especially like the bedroom with the door to a garden.  What's not to love!

photos: delikatissen 

Return to Simplicity

Perhaps it's the overwhelming work schedule I've kept the last week - finishing up final exams while planning the second semester - but I'm drawn to photographs of simple interiors that don't jump out to overwhelm your senses.  I love each of these images for their carefully chosen items that end up creating a calm and inviting interior.

photos: emmas blogg, french by design , holtum , coco & kelley 

Scandinavian Inspiration

I was completely smitten when I came across Scandinavian Chic via From the Right Bank .  I also adore the images from Maison Norway .  The items that I am most intrigued by are the hides used as rugs, the four-legged table, and overall the varied shades of white. Apparently, this look is called Scandinavian Maximalism. Over the top accessories (yes, I would consider an ostrich on the wall over the top!) matched with the simplicity of Scandinavian design make this look just perfect.

Sweet Simplicity - Italy

I think this house is definitely my new crush!  The wrought iron railing against the white walls along with the simplicity of furnishings. This is what I consider my nirvana!

{photo: style files }

My Love Affair With White

For many years I have decorated with white.  The past five or six years I've added quite a bit of brown but I have to say I am the queen of neutral.  Some find it boring but for me it is so serene.  I prefer the salt and pepper of my life to be in the life I live and not in the decor.  I have tons of texture but love keeping it neutral.  Here are some photos that I found particularly inspiring.  Enjoy.

{photos: the style files}

Inspiration

Since I have a French daybed in my living room in place of a sofa, I was very attracted to the simplicity of these photos.  I would prefer a touch of modern mixed in but all three of these are great rooms.  Mixing different chairs in the dining room is a good idea and makes it far less formal. And where do I find a chair like the one in the hallway?  I have a total crush on it.

{photos: brabourne farm}

My Old House!!!!

I was checking out a blog I had never seen before called brabourne farm.  Much to my surprise as I was scrolling down the entries, I came upon two photos from my old house.  It had been published in Better Homes and Gardens.  I now live in a brownstone and have only a few items in the shoot.  The mirror now hangs on my dining room wall with a crusty old round marble table in front of it.  I haven't had the heart to part with the French cafe table either.  It lives in the middle of my living room.  Thanks brabourne farm for a walk down memory lane.

{photos: brabourne farm}

The Treasure of a Small Space

It isn't the large houses with gigantic room I'm attracted to.  Rather its the small spaces with a simple design and continuity of design.  I was attracted to this room by the care taken in a few items on display and of course the large baskets on top of the wardrobe.

(photo: skona hem}

Dining Room Table: Part Deux

This weekend I went in search of a new dining room table that would fit my growing book club.  In the end, I realized that I adore the one I already have so I need to come up with a new plan.  Most of the time I don't have large groups over for dinner and I enjoy sitting at a round table.  However, that still leaves me with what to do when I have my book club over.  I have thought of three alternatives to moving my marble table.  The first is to have a plywood top made that could fit on top of my marble that I could store in the basement.  I would be able to store it in the garage.  The second alternative is to move the marble to my kitchen and have the kitchen table refinished and have pieces made to extend it.  Finally, I could buy a table that would work as my project table in the basement and just move it up for book club events.  Oh...decisions decisions!!!! 

{photo:domino via flickr}