Highlighting Interior Photography

As I'm gradually accomplishing projects around my house, and planning to put together a portfolio of my interior styling work, I'm focusing more and more on what it takes to present a room amazingly.  A professionally photographed space can take a less-than-extraordinary room, and with incredible angles and lighting, make it look straight out of a design glossy.  A poorly-lit and photographed room, however inspiring it may be, will never earn its true merits.

I came across the work of Ashlee Raubach, who's photographs of interiors capture light and essence perfectly, creating a sense not only of a beautiful space, but of actually wanting to be a part of them. 

Talk about inspiring!

 

 

 

Living Vicariously: The New Furbish Store

It's pretty amazing when the opening of someone else's boutique gives you heart palpitations.  But that's exactly what I'm experiencing after seeing Honey + Fitz's pics from the new Furbish store in Raleigh, NC - the brainchild of decorative artist extraordinaire, Jamie Meares.

I'm more than delighted to live vicariously for a few moments as I virtually go through the store and pick out what I'd take home.  Although, it'd probably be easier to select items I wouldn't want to buy.

The entrance:  the yum factor is just getting started.

A bubblegum sofa. "Oh, I couldn't."  Um, oh, YES I could!

One of my favorite vignettes:  layering art upon large, graphically-enhanced walls.  Brilliant.

Evidence that I need a bit more animal in my life:  leopard bowls...

...and cheetah rugs

Headboard: to die for.  Ms. Meare's ability to layer and mix patterns: OFF the charts.

I'm working with someone who's guest bath is screaming for one of these custom, ikat shower curtains.

If you're into subdued/neutral and subtle.  I dare say Furbish is not your place, but everyone's space needs a jolt of some sort.

I'm due a mommy getaway trip, and I'm seriously considering a mecca-like pilgrimage from Brazil to Raleigh.   Anyone wanna meet me there?

*All pics courtesy of Dina of Honey + Fitz *used with permission*

Inspired by October

Now that October is in full swing, I feel I have permission to begin seasonal sprucing around our casa. I don't go all-out for the holidays in general, but I do love Halloween. This month, I'm playing hostess-with-the-mostess for a couple of small soirees, so I'll probably go a bit beyond my usual.
Avery is dying to decorate pumpkins, and I need a new centerpiece, so I'm thinking some blingy pumpkins might be a fun projecto.

Source: stylelist.com via Alison on Pinterest

..but otherwise, I think a subtler approach - maybe a hint at glossy black goodness, or a speck of harvest orange might be enough to set the mood just right.

Source: None via harim on Pinterest

High gloss black doors can do no wrong in my book.

Source: google.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Whoever said dark walls retract space clearly never saw a powder room this grand.

Source: thedecorista.com via Jen on Pinterest

However, an all-white kitchen benefits from a shot of color

Source: bystephanielynn.com via DL on Pinterest

Making a huge mental note on the pumpkin detail of the bookshelves amid the slate-y walls. And wait! Is that a cowhide? Cut to mimic Moroccan tile? I die.

Source: flickr.com via Alison on Pinterest

New Trad goodness. Stripes never fail.

Source: janiemolster.com via Lacey on Pinterest

There's just so much gone right in this reading room, but I'll go ahead and note the orange leather.

Source: stylebyemilyhenderson.com via Virginia on Pinterest

So, go on. Let some orange and black do the talkin'.

Let's see...what else have I got?

Wow, you all were decidedly not interested in baby Oliver's to-be rockin' nursery. Four comments? ..and I worked my tail off on that board, too. Sads.

Well...how about this? We learned yesterday that baby #3 is another GIRL!! From the get-go, I figured we were destined to have girls, but I took one of those Gender Predictor tests, and it said Boy. So, I had sort of gotten used to the idea that we'd have an XY child in the mix. Turns out, I should've trusted my instincts, as an ultrasound tells no lie, and a baby girl it is. No worries, though, she's looking perfect, and we're delighted and blessed for that.

Still not what you're looking for?

OK - how about some pretty rooms...The latest Lonny killed it. Sent me into some kind of design schizophrenia.

The house full of creamy (and in some cases, contrasting) neutrals have me seriously questioning my devotion to color...

...and then I spy glossy persimmon and aqua velvet (the fabric, not the aftershave), and I feel a tugging at my soul.

Lacquered walls - will we ever get over it? Not when it's this good.

How perfect would this be to reflect our overseas life?

Hey! They're mooching off my inspiration!

3-D butterfly art, Lonny Style:

3-D Butterfly art: Casa G Style:

Lonny's Glossy Turquoise Bureau:

My Glossy Turquoise Bureau:

See? We are of equal, rad style.

This pink couch, amid all this amazing natural light, gives me huge amounts of inspiration for when we move to Rio. What? Did I just say that? It's a secret, so shush.

Now for the quiz:
1) What two things did I reveal in this post?
2) What Missoni item did you snag from someone else's cart yesterday at TarJAY?

The Bold and Going-to-Be Beautiful

I've heard it said before if you love interiors, your home is always in a state of flux. There's always something new and inspiring, something to switcharoo for a change of scenery. I certainly fall into that group.
Truth be told, I'm least content with our current home. I imagine it's because our homes in the States were ones we selected and loved, while our home here in Brazil - nice as it may be - is one that was assigned from a housing pool. There's a lot I would like to change, but can't. **Is there anything more nerve-wrecking for a design junkie than having a lot of decorating roadblocks???**
Fortunately, we were able to bring all our own furniture, so I have some flexibility to work with and change it.
Hence, my obsession with redoing our TV/Family room.

I really, rullly cringe at the thought of posting this pic (my husband even said, "aren't you wanting to show your best work?", but I'm. Keeping. It. Real. (eek!)

Try not to be jealous.

So, on my agenda is:
* Possibly replace, or certainly reupholster the couch. (Velvet ranking very high on my wishlist)
* Camouflage all the media components. (Possibly a tailored skirt situation)
* Bring in more/better assortment of art for the large wall
* Buy new curtains that aren't expecting a flood (these are Ikea - washed after installation)
* Change out rug with one more size-appropriate
* Manage the kiddo epicenter

The room is very shallow, so I can't commit to an ottoman or coffee table option for flow purposes, but we would definitely appreciate something to prop our feet up.

In trying to round up a style aesthetic, I culled some of my fave Pinned images - and whadya know? Velvet couch takes the lead! But first:

I considered doing something like this - keeping the couch in a neutral, and working in lots of color and pattern elsewhere, but really, a fug couch is a fug couch, and must be put out of its misery.

Since our room has so much natural light, I would love to go really dramatic like this room BUT all walls must be white when we leave. *Arrggghhhh

Can you get OVER that peek of stripe inside that skirt corner? No? Me Neither.

This room is looking a bit too Trad for me, but I've made mental notes on the greatness of velvet + animal print.

Jewel-tones and a cacophony of ethnic pattern. No harm, no foul.

Again, honing in on my tireless love of ikat, and wishing I knew where I stashed my Indian wood block, so I could recreate those curtains.

That's two pics with humongo lumbar pillows! I love the pattern play they allow, but think they would do very little in terms of comfort.

Where there's a will, there's a way, and I have will to spare.

*Please don't harass me for photo creds, Pinterest made me do it.

Late weekend Design Porn

You may have headed to Sunday services this morning, but tonight you can worship at the altar of this design porn. Sorry for the crappy scanned images - desperate measures...

This room is the embodiment of imperfect perfection. You may not be able to tell, but the leather chesterfields have worn arms, and the chrome of the can chairs is rusted. Still, everything is just so....right.

That's the living room interior...how 'bout this exterior? I know you could handle it as easily as me.

Vignette of the living room = Total. Porn.

Oh, dear Lord, this IS becoming a religious experience - Tufted, Orange Velvet Daybed against smoky walls?!!!

The Colonial chairs of this eat-in kitchen connote food, gathering, lingering - perfectly juxtaposing the linear aspect of the modern kitchen. I can't even talk about the open, glass door.

Stop it. I'm panting.
ALL baños should have:
a) Windows with Cremone bolts
b) White marble (LOOK. AT. THAT. TUB.)
d) A piece of furniture
e) Ferns

I could really smack Habitania for cruelly giving us this mere peek into what is surely a stunning bedroom, and YOU could probably smack ME for blurring the scan, but trust me, that headboard makes me dizzy.

all images via Habitania (aka Divine Being)

Was that as good for you as it was for me?