Starry Night

Sleeping among the stars has its enduring visual appeal, especially in children’s bedrooms.  As you can see, the repetition of the stars, the same geometric pattern in its varying sizes creates an illusion of depth, as some of the stars seem farther away

A little girl’s room elegantly designed to nurture a child’s love for creating or listening to imaginative stories. Of course, no child’s room would be complete without a teddy bear…

As always, thank you my dear readers for your gracious support.

Photo courtesy of House Beautiful, photography by William Waldron

Merry Christmas

 Happy Holidays!

&

 Best Wishes for 2014

Courtesy of Southern Accents, photography by Fran Brennan

Attic Design

With the holiday season fast approaching, finding the extra room to accommodate family members and close friends is a luxury by itself.

I came across these wonderful photos of an attic, which was used as a residence in France, designed by Christian Badin. Aside from using the attic for storage in a house,  converting an attic can be quite an investment.

 In this living room, light was nicely provided by the windows. The crisp white walls and ceiling made it look more spacious. Bookshelves were built around the door, providing color, storage, and interest, in addition to creating charm for the connecting room (the bedroom).

Notice the staircase on the right side; it leads up to a bathroom. Because of lack of space, symmetry was created by adding more shelves on the slightly upper level, which made it look cohesive.

 

 As for the elegant bedroom, it was covered with paisley, as you can see above. Its continuous pattern on the walls, drapery, and upholstery helped harmonize the traditional bedroom.

 The collaborative approach between the designer and the architect led to an effective use of the space for occupants, creating a comfortable and chic attic.

Photography by Roland Beaufre 

Trompe L’oeil at its Best

When I first saw this photo of the neo-Greek room, my first impression was that all of the classic motifs on the walls, the pilasters, the ceiling, and even the art above the mantel were real…

 But, after reading the description, and after careful observation (making you want to touch the walls in real life), I realized it’s the refined art of trompe l’oeil, which is a French term meaning to trick of the eye.

 This optical illusion is the work of artist Alan Dodd, at the entrance hall of a London townhouse. It certainly presented the observer with a spectacular impression of reality.

 Courtesy of House & Garden, photography by Richard Bryant

Longwood Gardens

 Who among us doesn’t love walking among exquisite fragrant flowers, streaming water, and towering trees where nature is at its best…sound, movement, texture, color, and line all merge in a magnificent horticultural display.

 I would like to share with you some photos from my recent trip to Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania. There you’ll find acres of outdoor plants, in addition to the beautiful indoor gardens. A great American gem. Enjoy!

The Italian fountain garden, similar to the layout of the water garden at Villa Gamberaia near Florence, Italy

 Peirce -du Pont's house, the founder of Longwood Gardens

 

 Topiary Garden

 Live music!

 Chimes Tower

  The Conservatory

Photography by Amal for Picture of  Elegance Blog

A Sunny Disposition

After long awaited first signs of spring, you can’t help but to think of happy colors. A timely reminder of spring’s uplifting effects …

How we see color is usually affected by the light’s source, its angle, and the important fact that colors are perceived differently depending on their surroundings. This usually doesn’t apply to the vibrant color of yellow, which is minimally changed by its surroundings.

As you can see in the images below, the color yellow is contained and holds its own.

In the ancient world, the spice saffron was one of the main sources for the color yellow, and was used in paint and dyes for textiles. Enjoy the color yellow as it moves indoors, giving everything a positive feeling.

Photo 1  photography by Guy Dannenberg

Photo 2  designer Sabine Marchal, photography by Andreas Von Einsiedel

Photo 3  courtesy of House Beautiful, photography by Eric Piasecki

Photo 4  designer David Whitcomb, photo- Reed Consumer Books Limited

Photo 5  courtesy of The World of Interiors, designer Roberto Bergero, photography by René Stoeltie

Classic yet Revolutionary

This loft in Kortrijk, Belgium used to be, at one point, a warehouse. To accommodate her client, architect Stephanie Laporte had transformed and designed the space according to the way the client wanted to live by mixing opposites, whether it’s the style or texture to keep it interesting.

A twenty-six foot high glass roof was installed to allow light in above the grand living room, which centered the space. Two apartments were created on either side, and glass partitions created an overlook into the living room. 

  A visual rhythm was created by the repetition of the same

 The simple concrete floors and walls showcased the classic curves and lines of the furnishings, and art both modern and traditional

 

Because of the abundance of light, bold colors were used and the light shining through 

added a dramatic dimension in the dining room. Notice the industrial table

   

Amazing view!

Photography by Gilles Trillard. The New Eighteenth- Century Home by Michéle Lalande   

 

  

Greek Details

I love this room because…
It represents a typical Greek house where the rooms have a restrained look, with simple whitewashed, almost sculptural, interior walls that lead to an open central courtyard.

Perhaps this room was once a storage room turned into a sitting room, where cushions and big pillows covered the platform allowing the residents to sit, recline, eat, and drink. Its seclusion from the noise and traffic of the rest of the house creates an alcove feel perfect for relaxation.

Photo courtesy of Camera press

Happy Holidays

I would like to extend my very best wishes for a wonderful holiday season and a happy and peaceful 2013. A special appreciation is expressed, and a heartfelt thank you to all my dear readers for your continual support.

  Photography by Rupert Tenison

A Holiday Mantel

The always sought after fireplace and its mantel can be the heart of any room. In addition to being an added source of our basic needs of heat and light, it can create a wonderful holiday focal point.

So how to accent the mantel for Christmas?

With a touch of nature

 With a garland of flowers

                                                   With a garland of berries

With personal mementos

With elegant stockings

With candles and holiday gifts

They are all certainly heartwarming…

Photo 1 courtesy of Veranda, designer Lisa Luby Ryan, photography by Erica George Dines
Photo 2 courtesy of Southern Accents, designer Pamela Pierce, photography by Tria Giovan
Photo 3 courtesy of Veranda , designer Renny Reynolds, photography by Thibault Jeanson
Photo 4 The White House 2009, photography by Chuck Kennedy
Photo 5 courtesy of Victoria,photography Jim Bastardo
Photo 6 Christmas with Southern Living2009
Photo 7 designer Carolyne Roehm, photography by Sylvie Becquet

Fashion

With our constant fascination with dress, observation of fabric, and the manner of its use, drawing inspiration from the world of fashion into the world of interior design unsurprisingly remains a constant.

I recently discovered a newly published book titled Fashion: The Definitive History of Costume and Style. This wonderful book has been produced in association with the Smithsonian Institution and forwarded by Susan Brown.

The book is brimming with design inspirations, detailing the history of fashion design from ancient times to the 21st century for both men and women.

Here is a glimpse of the wealth of information and the visual history this book provides.

The elegant male 1930-1940

The elegant cocktail dresses and the couture gowns of the fifties

Courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution
Photo 1 jacket image : Corbis : Condé Nast Archive
Photos 2,3,4 my apologies for not  being able to identify the exact source

Red Does It All

I have always loved this red room designed by the design legend David Hicks, in which the red color defined and filled the space with excitement. This is a great example of careful planning- a perfect English red room, both balanced and classically styled.

The room was divided by the contrasting colors of red and white. The light colored ceiling and molding makes the ceiling appear higher. The dark fireplace was accentuated by the dark artwork, which was carried vertically, creating a beautifully symmetrical interior.

As for the lighting, as typical of traditional interiors, it feels like it was lit by candles, which makes the colors even more vivid.

Here are more examples of red rooms. Enjoy!
 

Photo 1 photography by Derry Moore
Photo 2 designer Jacques Garcia, photography by Jean- Francois Jaussaud
Photo 3 designer Gérard Trémolet, photography by René Stoeltie
Photo 4 designer Mark Hampton, photography Peter Vitale

Beyond the Exquisite at Hillwood Museum

The Hillwood Museum’s new exhibition Prêt-à-Papier is now on view until December 30 of this year. For the first time in Washington D.C., the Belgian artist Isabelle De Borchgrave displays her paper fashion collection derived from the history of fashion.

Inspired by European painting and fashion, the exhibition starts by highlighting the materials, methods, tools, and techniques used by the skillful hands of the artist and her team. By using the method of trompe l’oeil, opulent gowns, shoes, and dresses from the early twentieth century were created.

Yes...It's paper!

Isabelle De Borchgrave’s fascination with the dress and her interpretations of it are remarkable- she creates such delicate pieces that simultaneously have a powerful impact.

Some of the gowns are on view in the Adirondack building and exhibited in different rooms around the mansion.

Photos 1,2 photography by Alain Speltdoorn, courtesy of Hillwood Museum

Post Modernist Detail

By referring to the past in a modern interior, this oversized pediment was a historical embrace that brought back familiar ornamentation to the modern library designed by architect Charles Moore.

The postmodern style started in the seventies as the new way of thinking in design. Aside from creating design solutions to reach the different heights of shelves in this library, classical concepts were reintroduced…

Photo courtesy of House & Garden, photography by Tim Street- Porter

Old, Yet Always New!

Even though it’s well known as a hallmark of French country design, Toile de Jouy fabric has the ability to give the sophisticated and romantic look to any space. It never goes out of style…

Toile was identified by its printed cotton, which was made in the eighteenth century the French village of Jouy -en- Josas, near Versailles. It was first available in floral and striped designs, followed by pictorial groups, which reflected the local news- stories told on fabrics. Different shades of red, blue, green and eggplant scenery were printed on a white or cream background.

Nowadays, Toile still collaborates with current interiors, as it has its feminine and masculine appeal, and has consistently provided rooms with the aura of grandness.

Photo 1 designers Kenyon Kramer & Jean- Louis Raynaud, photography by Andreas Von Einsiedel

Photo 2 courtesy of House Beautiful

Photo 3 designer Anne Singer, photography by Fritz Von Der Schulenderg
Photo 4 courtesy of Southern Accents, designer Dan Carithers, photography by Pieter Estersohn
Photo 5 designer Charles Faudreé, photography Jenifer Jordan