Perfectly Imperfect

Yesterday on Little Green Notebook, Jenny blogged about the infamous Circa Lighting's "Goodman Hanging Lamp."  The DIY queen shared a budget-friendly lighting substitute she used in her kitchen.

When I stumbled upon this fabulous kitchen by Athena Calderone, I immediately thought of Jenny's kitchen.  Both designers have the unique ability to mix colors, textures, and the not-so obvious, perfectly.

Everything about this space is spot on.  Keeping the color palette of the walls, cabinets, refrigerator, and pendants the same unifies and opens up a small space. The warm undertones of the grays, mixed with organic touches of wood,  keep the sophisticated kitchen from feeling sterile.  To top it all off, brass accents and gleaming white counters add a touch of glam.   

Cheers!

Elizabeth

"Great blends of pattern, like great dishes, must be carefully tasted. And constant tasting is what teaches a cook how to taste."  ~Billy Baldwin

Fab Foyer

What do I love about this foyer? Everything. The deep circular window; The custom built-in bench, that looks as if it's supporting the window; The gorgeous limestone floors, laid in a herringbone pattern; The silver-leafed chandelier.  Above all, I adore the custom Chinoiserie  wallpaper. 

Well done, Ms. Benedetto.

Cheers!

Elizabeth

“Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.”  ~ Pablo Picasso

A Little Inspiration

Well, a lot of inspiration packed into one house.

To view more of this house incredible house by Tommy Smythe click here.

Cheers!

Elizabeth

"A #2 pencil and a dream can take you anywhere." - Joyce A. Myers

Design Is In The Details

This "keeping room" designed by Laura Walker achieves all that I look for in a space: a calming color palette, the right balance between contemporary and antique pieces, a relaxed approach to traditional design, layering of textures, and the space tells a story about the inhabitants.  

Traditional elements, such as the paneled walls, breath a fresh sigh of  sophistication  painted in a pinkish-purple tone (Organdy - Benjamin Moore) that is grounded in neutrals.  

Carefully edited details like the antique armorie, the rustic basket, and the clean lines of the chair, side table, lamp, etc. result in harmony.

The ceiling and back of built-ins are painted in Benjamin Moore's Smoke Embers.

Images via Atlanta Homes & Lifestyle. 

Cheers!

Elizabeth

“The details are not the details. They make the design.” ~ Charles Eames

Spot On

This office designed by the talented Meredith Heron has it all.  There are elements of glam, modern, traditional, and eclectic.

The luxurious black and white striped silk drapes, paired with the clean lines of the brass desk and the deep blues in the rug are a home run.  

Why did my parents discard of the decades of  National Geographic magazines in the basement?  Why didn't I take the hundreds of vintage Nat Geos when my grandparents moved?   I suppose this mentality is responsible for amount of stuff priced for tomorrow's moving sale.  

What I love most about this space is the Tanzania Animal Spots,by Thibaut, covering the walls.  An upcoming project of mine involves this fantastic pattern. 

Thanks to Mad Med the office bar is back.  The feminine touches (and the champagne) convey that a woman rules this office.

Cheers!

Elizabeth

“But that’s life. One minute you’re on top of the world, the next minute some secretary’s running you over with a lawnmower.” ~ Joan, Mad Men, Season 3, Episode 3.

Hudson Interiors

What a fantastic foyer!  From the color of the front door, to the great emperor bench with the David Hicks pillow, to the Greek columns, to the limed console table, to the wallpaper and the stair runner... Home run Hudson Interiors.

Cheers!

Elizabeth

"There are two ways of spreading light; to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it."  ~Edith Wharton

Christina Murphy Interiors

Striped walls, gleaming hardwood floors, and a great stair runner are ingredients for a classic foyer/hallway.  You can bet your bottom dollar my next foyer will incorporate similar details.  

To view more of this beautiful home designed by the fabulous Christina Murphy click here.  

Cheers!

Elizabeth

"Simplicity will stand out, while complexity will get lost in the crowd."  ~Kevin Barnett 

Over Here

While it appears I've fallen off the face of the earth, I can assure you the opposite is true:  life is moving at warp speed.  Lately stress monopolizes my Covet du Jours, yet I am hopeful the near future holds lots of exciting opportunities.

Is your life in high gear as well?  Take a gander at this ethereal apartment, by Kelly G Design, and feel the stress melt away.

To view more images of this gorgeous space click here.  

Cheers!

Elizabeth

"In the middle of a difficulty lies opportunity."

~Albert Einstein 

A Man After My Own Heart

Maximilian Sinsteden provides me with hope.  You see, I live in a house full of the opposite sex.  One of my concerns for the future is the lack of companionship.  That is, I worry my boys would prefer golf with Dad over fabric shopping with Mom.  Plus, I am hopeless when it comes to sports terminology and comprehension.  

Why am I optimistic?  Take a tour of this chap's dorm room.

 

Images via.

To read more about this dapper young man click here. 

Disclaimer for anyone that considers this selfish: I will certainly be at every match (or what-have-you) cheering my children on.  I will appreciate and cherish any amount of time my kids offer.   I simply wish that a small fraction of that time can be spent exploring something I am interested in. 

Cheers!

Elizabeth

"The finest clothing made is a person's skin, but, of course, society demands something more than this."  ~Mark Twain

Veranda Unveils: The House of Windsor

Have you taken the tour of Veranda's "House of Windsor"?  

Click here to see all the splendor! 

Cheers!

Elizabeth

"I like to create libraries where men with names like Howard, Bing and Spencer sat in cashmere sweaters and contemplated the 13th hole on the Bel Air golf course. I am drawn to a simple but elegant time when the women were so legendary that surnames weren't necessary.... Slim, Babe, Coco..."  ~Windsor Smith

Perfect Summer Home Kitchens

Each of these S.R. Gambrel kitchens use every fixture, material, appliance, tile, marble, range hood, color (the list goes on and on) perfectly!  Either would work marvelously in my Summer home.  (Please note my tone is sarcastic.)  

SR Gambrel

SR Gambrel 

For another view of this kitchen click here.

Cheers!

Elizabeth

“The most serious charge which can be brought against New England is not Puritanism but February” ~Joseph Wood Krutch

Designer Spotlight: Barrie Benson

Just take a look for yourself...

Uploading multiple images, each worthy of their own post... I typically categorize that as a faux pas.  However I had to make a exception, because I could not choose just one image from Barrie Benson's portfolio.  You can see the consideration the designer paid to the architecture of each home and the clients personal style.  It appears that Ms. Benson did not swoop in and insist the client start from scratch.  She layered each space with her signature stamp resulting in approachable and chic rooms that balance traditional and modern elements. Bravo,Ms. Benson! Bravo!

Cheers!

Elizabeth

"The desire for symmetry, for balance, for rhythm is one of the most inveterate of human instincts." ~Edith Wharton and Ogden Codman, Jr, The Decoration of Houses

Fantastic French Kitchen

If this were my kitchen I would sleep in it.

Crystal chandeliers above the espresso stained island - just the right amount of glamour.  I also adore the range and glass doors.

Exquisite white cabinetry and open shelving. 

The limestone herringbone back splash is perfection!  

Please visit designers Julie Charbonneau's website to view more of her classic French designs.  You are sure to be inspired!

Cheers!

Elizabeth

“They say that nobody is perfect. Then they tell you practice makes perfect. I wish they'd make up their minds.”  ~ Winston Churchill   

Afternoon Snack: Bear Hill Interiors

Working for the weekend?  Pass the time by admiring the work of Bear Hill Interiors.  The serene spaces, drenched in light, are sure to aid in transitioning your state of mind.  

I spy a Sally King Benedict painting

Remember this foyer?

Happy Friday!

Cheers!

Elizabeth

"The rhythm of the weekend, with its birth, its planned gaieties, and its announced end, followed the rhythm of life and was a substitute for it."  ~F. Scott Fitzgerald