Green and White Living...

via Desire to inspire

via Chenille Home

unknown source


via The English Home

How exciting it is for me to see white rooms with green as an accent colour. It is such a fresh look that always attracts me. These are just a collection of some of my favourite images. I especially love the top one which was recently featured on Desire to Inspire blog showing the impact of adding green plants back into our interiors.

Comfort of Home...

A week away camping was fun, relaxing and renewing (a complete escape from everyday life), however, it's always great to come home to a bit of comfort. These gorgeous images from NZ House and Garden got me excited about making a few Spring changes around my house...so good to be home.

What a stunning floral arrangement, so simple and fresh.

I need a cooker like this one (but then I would feel like I had to use it).

Love the gorgeous windows in the background.

Just love everything about this bathroom - the blind is particularly gorgeous.

3 Needs for Fall

A comfy couch, roaring fire and extra blankets........

Cool Kitchens

Came across a few kitchen pictures that I really like. The middle and bottom photos are from the same kitchen. I love how they have the island pushed up against the huge bank of windows. I've often wondered if a washer/dryer in the kitchen would be a good idea, it seems to me it could work, although I would probably spill what I was making for dinner on SOMETHING piled up on a counter. The top picture does it for me again, its all about the lighting. Someday I will have a house with lots of windows, I don't care what the square feet is!!!

BACK to BLACK

"Every room can use a touch of black" is so true and is something to remember when it comes to interiors.

Bright colors are taking a back seat to black.

Back to Black, the name of Songstress Amy Winehouse's soulful vocal, is enough to inspire the return to

classic, forever black.  Amy's song (listen to it here) is my inspiration for The Return to Black, in fashion as well as in Interiors.

Think style, think sophistication, think timeless.

  

The little black dress,or LBD as it is known in fashion shorthand, is an timeless classic. 
Tory Burch left   Philip Lim center   Vince right

Amy Winehouse 

A room needn't have a total makeover to make a statement with black - punctuate a neutral interior with a sleek black table lamp.

A TOUCH OF BLACK in a room can act like a punctuation mark!

This gourd lamp with black silk oval shade is from the stylish Porta Romana lamp company in the UK and is a timeless classic. 

 

The Night Hotel (pictures above and below) in New York is a study in black and is decorated in "Modern Gothic Gotham"

 
A bold black stripe down the back and seat of these mid-century chairs creates added interest. Popham Design 

 
Black & White photos line the walls of this stairwell, and the black geometric "David Hicks" inspired carpet
adds drama and lots of glamour.  Eric Cohler 

 

Hollywood Glam - black patent headboard & bench - InStyle 

 

The black marble floor is another timeless classic (left) Jamie Haydon / Kitchen with black slate floor (right)

 
Black & white dishes (left) / an iconic Chanel tray (right). 
When I think of Chanel, I think Black, I think timeless, I think classic, I think unforgettable!

    

Timeless black sofas add drama and are a grounding element in the above rooms.
(left) Mary McGee / (right) Suzanne Kasler 

Want to add drama to a room quickly and inexpensively, try painting or wallpapering a feature wall black.

 

 

Paint your house black.  My favourite black paint is Benjamin Moore Black Beauty - photo NY Times

Black can act as a neutral because there is no color it doesn't go with.

Accessorize with these buffalo horns from Z Gallerie 

To see more posts on colour trends click here

 

 

Patricia Gray writes about 'WHAT'S HOT 'in the world of Interior Design, new and emerging trends, modern design, architecture,
and travel, as well as how your surroundings can influence the world around you.
© Patricia Gray Interior Design Blog, 2009

Gone Camping...

Well we are off first thing tomorrow morning for 9 days of camping with family and friends - the kids are beside themselves with excitement while we are so frazzled from the packing and organising that we may have to sleep for a day or two to recover. I'm sure it will be great. Will leave you with this gorgeous camp set up by Cath Kidston and see you all when we get back. Tracey x

The Ultimate Workroom...

While browsing some of my favourite blogs this morning, I came across a new blog called Le Petit Cabinet De Curiosites via Katie Did blog. These photos were taken by Melanie in Prelle's showroom - one of the oldest fabric factories in France (started in 1752).

I would so love to be able to look through these old bolts of fabric so stunningly displayed in this timber cabinet.

How stunning are these fabrics and so beautifully displayed. I would love to recreate a showroom to look like this. Now which of these gorgeous fabrics should we reupholster those Louis chairs in?

Only 200 Square Feet !!

Quiet Moment!

I via House and Garden

Any mother of boys will tell you that there is rarely a quiet moment. Maybe that is why this picture really appeals to me. If my bathroom was big enough I would love to have three trough basins in a row like this just to avoid arguments in the morning. So cute!

Which Room do you Prefer?

Same room, different owners. Which one do you prefer? I had a TOUGH time with this one because I like them both in different ways. Do you prefer Doug or Debra? (Names are in the corner of the pictures).

Relax, its the weekend!

via Simply Seleta Blog

Only one week to go until we go away camping with all our extended family and lots of kids. I'm trying to feel inspired with this gorgeous photo. Well it looks relaxing, doesn't it? Hope you all have a happy and relaxing weekend.

Never Forget......

Hot or Not? Sarah Palin’s Alaskan Office Décor

Are Grizzly Bears and King Crabs going to be the new trend? I certainly hope not!!

Take the reader survey in the right hand column. Poll closed see results below.

This image appeared in The New York Times, accompanying the story Sarah Heath Palin, an Outsider Who Charms.

November 5, 2008
Here are the statistics of the Poll

Patricia Gray writes about Interior Design inspirations, emerging trends, and the world of Design.
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Take Me To The River...

Going through some files of homes I love I came across this Lodge by the river from Notebook Magazine. This home is so "one with nature" yet has all the comforts you could possibly need or want.
How fabulous is this view of the river just outside your back door, and the distant mountain is such a gorgeous outlook.

Love these built-in seats with the windows behind to make the most of the spectacular location.

Of course any good lodge needs a beautiful fireplace.

Love the white kitchen with the open shelves. Also love that they haven't gone for an overly rustic kitchen as lodges often do.

Nice simple decor for the bedroom - very relaxing for an escape from the city.