South of the Border

One of the outings my children and I took over the holiday weekend was to our local Barnes & Noble (about the only brick and mortar bookstore left in Nashville, seriously). They each got to pick out a book and mama got to pick out a foreign design magazine - my favorite part of hitting the bookstore. What me, buy an actual book? No, I must feed my design obsession. So, this time I picked out Elle Decoration, UK edition.  One of the homes that spoke to me the most was the moody and mysterious home of cult jewelry designer Caledonio Lohidoy in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Behold:

Yummy velvet.

The floors, my God, the floors!

Okay, a carved dragon sculpture might even be a bit much for me (and that's saying a lot), but you gotta admit it's unique.

Might need to use this trick in my house.

 

 

 

Compared to the other rooms, this room seemed almost monastic in its simplicity. But I doubt monks have much abstract art on their walls. 

When we arrived home, what should I find in my mailbox but the American version of Elle Decor. What a treat. I'm sure a lot of you have already seen some of the eye candy in this issue. Ashley Stark's amazing apartment has already made the rounds in the blogosphere. But for some reason, I was really drawn to another South American lair . . . that of Brazilian editor Fabrizio Rollo. I just loved all the layers, colors and textures.

Yes, there is a lot going on here, and yes, it's a bit cluttered for my taste, but I was still bowled over by it. 

Have you seen any interiors lately that have wowed you?

Sources: Elle Decoration UK Edition and Elle Decor (American)

It's Black and White

If you've read my blog over the past year, you've probably seen this chair.

As per usual, I have waffled back and forth over which fabric I should use to recover it. I thought I had settled on one. I ordered the fabric, and it sat neatly folded in my bedroom for months. I just couldn't pull the trigger. Something was holding me back. Recently, I painted the chair's legs black and threw the fabric over it to get an idea of what it might look like.

Premier Fabric's Chipper in black and white.

I like it, I just don't love it. Something was bothering me. It was guilt. You see, I have feelings for another. I might actually like him more. Here he is. Don't judge. 

I know it may sound crazy, but I've been loving this Marimekko Joonas fabric for quite some time. It's been in my inspiration files on some very similar chairs, as a matter of fact.

Christina Murphy

Elle Decor

And then, more recently, I saw that the ever-stylish Christine at Bijou and Boheme recovered her bergere chairs in Joonas.

And just the other day, when I posted this photo of my foyer with the chair in the corner . . . 

I got a nice comment from Nelya at Head Over Heels informing me that she used Joonas on a sofa and loves it . . . 

That's her littlest boy a few years ago. Isn't he a cutie? Even kids look good on Joonas.

I must say I'm a little obsessed with Joonas now. Maybe it's my Finnish heritage (Marimekko is Finnish, and I'm a quarter Finnish -  my Finnish maiden name has double vowels and all!) or my more modern leanings these days, but I think the answer is clear. There are no shades of gray on this one. The answer is in black and white.

Are you as taken with Joonas as I am?

Just My Speed

I was so thrilled when the September issue of Elle Decor landed in my mailbox this weekend. I devoured it of course, but I was surprised by my reaction to some of the features. My favorite, by far, was the last house in the issue designed by Jessie Carrier and his wife Mara Miller. I love this house.

My immediate attraction came as a surprise because the home featured is a mid-century glass house, and I usually don't respond to design that leans to the modern side. But I loved everything about this house because the designers integrated what the family already had and made it work. No austere, cold modernity here. This is a warm, layered look that is so livable. Throw in a Chippendale-style breakfront, some Chinese panels, an IKEA bookshelf, some cool art and photography, comfortable furniture, and you've got the recipe for a unique and welcoming home.

These photos are actually from Carrier and Company's website not Elle Decor, but it is the same house featured. I know it's not always considered kosher to share photos from an issue that's currently on newsstands, but since these shots are just similar and they're on the designer's site, I figured it was okay. 

Also, I spied some slight differences in the magazine photos when compared to their site - mainly styling, but also some different fabrics and furniture pieces throughout the home.  This feature made the whole magazine worthwhile for me. 

I think what also drew me to the Carrier-designed home is that it seemed attainable -  like a normal house where a regular family could actually live and be comfortable. Ah, what a difference from the rest of the homes featured. The Miami mega-mansion of film director Michael Bay just seemed grotesque. Why does anyone, especially a single guy, need a 17,000 square foot home? It looked like a hotel - cold and uninspired. 

And I was so excited when I noticed a Jeffery Bilhuber-designed home was included, but I must say, I was underwhelmed. It seemed kind of bland compared to his usual designs, and dare I say, granny-ish. Which made me sad because I usually love his work. The ED article even felt the need to explain this by saying the muted tones were "emblematic of the current mood in interior design." According to Bilhuber, "clients are asking for a return to neutral. It's calming and feels appropriate now." Hmm. Really?

I won't critique the whole issue, and I really didn't mean to go on a rant. . . . you can decide for yourself. Let's just look at more photos from one of my new favorites . . . Carrier and Company.

This is from the offices of Jason Wu. Ring a bell? He's the famous fashion designer most well-known these days for having designed for the First Lady.

I think the home above was featured in a magazine at some point because that green chest on the right looks awfully familiar.

These shots are from the Editor's Office at Vogue. I think it must be Men's Vogue whose former editor inhabits the Elle Decor home because some of the items (lamps, tables, chair, sofa) appear in the article.

I think what I like most about Carrier and Company is that they can adapt different styles. So, what do you think of my latest crush? Is it true love or just a passing fancy?

Sources: Carrier and Company

One is the Loneliest Number

If one is good, then two are better, right?
I say definitely yes. Pairs are good.
Since the dawn of time, nature has conspired to pair us off . . . Adam & Eve, the animals on the ark, night and day, good and bad, yin and yang, ebony and ivory. You get the picture.

I love the symmetry of sets of anything . . . lamps, chairs, tables, art. Ah, the order of it.
Can you find all the pairs in my living room? I might have a problem. An intervention might be in order.

Don't get me wrong, I do love a little asymmetry too. But with all the chaos in the world right now, I find the balance of pairs comforting in a way. How about you?

Photos: House Beautiful, Elle Decor, My Interior Life