Tasty Tuesday {Coffee Break}

I love an amazing meal as much as the next person. But sometimes there's nothing more satisfying than a really good cup of coffee. {I am from Seattle, afterall!}

 

For those few brief moments I can be transported from my desk to a Parisian balcony or the winding streets of Venice.  Sheer bliss in a cup.

coffee image and design by tokketok and image 2 via {this is glamorous}

DINING ON SUNSHINE

We're supposedly getting a little sunshine in Seattle this week to ring in the new year, and it couldn't come soon enough as the rain has been falling nonstop! I've been hoarding away images like these sunny little dining areas just to look at while I dream of making a sunny vacation getaway...



If you close your eyes you can almost feel the warmth pouring through those windows... is it spring yet?
*images via french by design

ROOM OF THE WEEK 11.18

How could you not fall in love with a dining room where luxurious mismatched chairs are wrapped in warm tangerine fabric and you're surrounded by the gorgeousness of de Gournay wallpaper....?

Not to mention fabulously frilled curtains and a lavish chandelier! My favorite parts of this space might be in those little details, actually. Like the gold accent and subtle tufting on the chairs. And that delicious grey trim! The only piece I might swap out is the table - perhaps in favor of something a little more modern to change the tone of the room?? But there is certainly a reason why rooms like this never lose their appeal - no matter how many times I may have seen it on other blogs, it always catches my eye. What do you think it is about this space and others like it that gives it that everlasting appeal?

*room design by massucco warner miller

ROOM OF THE WEEK 10.28

It's officially that time of year where I begin to dream of heavenly dining rooms to host cozy dinner parties....

Something like this room by Joe Nahem, perhaps? I love that it's deceptively simplistic: a table, some chairs, drapes - nothing that appears too complicated - and yet the detail of each layer is perfectly thought out. The scale of the wallpaper pattern and how it compliments the tile in the fireplace. The way the woods ground the space even without a rug (which would take away from the gorgeous table base anyway), and the combination of that soft olive grey with peachy drapes. And plants, of course! The most simple of decor, but what a statement they make here bringing life to this quiet little space.


A bit traditional? Yes. But welcoming in the way your stylish grandmother would be. Which makes me love it even more!

*photo via elle decor

ROOM OF THE WEEK 9.16

Sunny, fresh, eclectic and just the right dose of classic femininity...

I've adored this interior shot since first setting eyes on it. There's a certain amount of quirk (the unexpected midcentury lamp and wire dog art piece that show off the owner's personality) combined with cheery but refined color on traditional pieces like the dining chairs and chesterfield sofa. The art pieces are divine and so are those huge windows! I also really love the soft grey walls and the way they bring a sense of calm to a space where it could feel like there's a lot going on. Most importantly, I could absolutely see my self living in this room... could you?


*interior via elle decor

ROOM OF THE WEEK: 7.22

Just yesterday I had a reader email me asking if I could do a post on my favorite dining rooms. I absolutely adore decorating dining areas because it mixes interior design with my other favorite subject - entertaining! So, while I sort through my files and pull out the best of the best, I thought we could at least start with this...

A bit aspirational, but oh so inspiring, no? The way designer Krista Ewart balanced the large scale table with a full wall mirror and that centerpiece of a painting is so lovely! And, despite some of these heavy features, the space stays open and light by neutralizing some of the accessories that could have been distracting (the all white chandelier and figurines on the sideboard). Using the aqua throughout in different textiles ties everything together perfectly. I'm especially loving the addition of the bench to the table which brings down the formality of the antique style pieces. What do you think, dear readers? Will this one be added to your list of favorites?

ROOM OF THE WEEK 7.1

This has to be one of my most favorite rooms in my inspiration files...

And, it seemed a fitting design for this week - I've noticed lately that my weekly posts are almost themed in their colors, inspiration and schemes. This week it's rich blues + blacks paired with sunny coral or white, Indienne prints, stripes, and the revival of some classic decor. Which sums this beautiful space from Alessandra Branca up quite nicely, don't you think? What's even more amazing is how it all comes together in this one beautiful, lofty room. Oh, and that chandelier? Yes please.

LET THEM EAT POSH

It's almost Memorial Day Weekend, which means lots of fingers crossed for sunny weather around these parts! If we were staying in town, I'd love to pack a pretty little picnic for the girls, just like this!

Instead, the boy and I will be spending the weekend road-tripping to Montana in the rain, but I'm still excited to spend some time in the country with the fam despite the weather. What will you be up to this 3-day weekend??

*sources: wine + champagne tote by anya hindmarch, gold champagne goblets at eden & eden, polka dot napkins and disposable flatware at kate's paperie, blanket by hermes

ROOM OF THE WEEK 4.15

Browsing through photos of a beautiful West Village townhouse designed by Steven Gambrel I found so many rich rooms to love, but it was this simple basement kitchen and dining area that struck me as so simplistically perfect...
The cozy tucked in nook with light filtering in from the window hitting the rows of glass bottles. The whitewashed brick paired with faded, worn wood. Each piece selected is absolutely perfect in scale and style. Perhaps it's because the room reminds me of days spent in cool basements with my Italian grandparents and aunts preparing gnocci and curing meats that I feel pulled to it. It's certainly not the usual glamorous or even fresh open space that I usually post! But there's something so appealing about this little retreat that makes me want to settle right in.

LOVE FEST

Darlings, it's Valentine's Week, and in honor of l-o-v-e, LOVE, we'll be celebrating with lots of pretty things making my heart go pitter patter at the moment...
Like the gorgeous, gorgeous artwork from Vanessa Briggs (discovered at Revival Home) whose entire 'Sunsets' series has me swooning.
Oversized florals in this fresh and simple dining room by Chris Barrett (via House Beautiful) - love the color of the glass bottles!
And a totally 90's inspired rug that makes the best of some seriously fun colors (by Matthew Williamson for The Rug Company).

October Obsession: The Library Table

Some call these farmhouse, others refer to them as library tables... I call them gorgeous.
The perfect blend of traditional detailing in the legs and a perfectly worn, rustic top, I can't imagine a better dining room table.
The best part? They fit into any setting - a cozy mix of modern and country? Done. A traditional polished room? Absolutely. An anchor to a completely white palette? Of course.
A true investment piece that will carry with you throughout all your decor phases, this is one must have on my list. While many larger furniture companies offer their own version, Noir furniture makes some beautiful ones from reclaimed wood, making them an eco-friendly and broken in!!

*photography via la dolce vita, john granen and vicente wolf

Two Genius Moves, One Unique Space

I've been looking for room inspiration in shades of plum for a client, and I pulled this one out of the archives...
The space is seriously genius - without overwhelming it creates such a personality - from floor to ceiling, quite literally! And the choice of black chairs helps to ground the room a bit without letting the saturated purple take over. Such a fun way to add a little dose of color!

*room by sarah story

Room of the Week 8.20

Dreaming of a sunny beach house getaway, I'm head over heels for this dining room...

Doses of sunny yellow and those kitchy seahorses are what make this room for me. A window seat and stocked bar? Even better. I also love the washed out floors and aged dining set... spacious and perfect for some beach side entertaining.

*room via house beautiful

Dining Obsession: Chocolate+White

The striking contrast between dark woods and bright whites has always been a favorite of mine, but after seeing these two spaces together, it hit me...
The perfect place to start this contrast in my own home? Lacquering my old desk chair in white and adding the richest chocolate fabric I can possibly find. I could easily create a little mismatched chair collection for the dining room, and bring them together with some new paint and upholstery. And, just look at how versatile they are! Perfect in a traditional or eclectic setting.

*rooms via domino and elements of style

Room(s) of the Week 4.16

Many of you may have seen the 'tag' going around asking bloggers to find a space that perfectly defines their style and aesthetic. Well, I've been tagged a few times now, and have been struggling to find the perfect room to share... so I'm submitting a few!

It shouldn't be too hard to spot the common design factors, but let's make a list, shall we?

*1: The room must have good natural light, and a neutral palette work with (to make it easy to switch out colors, of course!).

*2: The room must include an incredibly fantastic chandelier and a bit of glam (gold mirror) mixed with comfort (perfectly simple bedding that's not too fussy) and natural materials (wood flooring).

*3: The room should have pieces that pop and personal details that tell the story of its inhabitants.

*4: Most importantly, the room should be a perfect mix of genres from antique to modern to traditional, and it should be liveable!!

While I don't believe I could live in a house where every room was white, the aesthetic of these spaces is what I'm being drawn to at the moment - and each exhibit the elements that, regardless of wall color, I would love to use in every design I create... especially for myself!

*photography via domino, nuevo estillo (#2 and #4), and loftlife (#3).

Fit For A Queen

I see absolutely nothing wrong with setting a table to include a throne for the queen of the house... do you?

photo by debi treloar

Won't You Join Me...

For breakfast in this cozy room? Because there's nothing better than winter sunshine streaming through the windows (and gorgeous windows at that!) to warm your spirits...

I adore this little space with its contrast of new and vintage. Fresh flowers and fruits make it feel like spring, even in the coldest months, and the high ceilings and no curtains keep the room feeling open. Coffee anyone?

I Just Can't Get Enough...

... Of rooms like this and this, as evidenced by this:

I'm just obsessing about clusters of lighting, and I really love the lanterns around the table in this photo by Jonny Valiant. The black ribbon hanging from them is just perfect, and how cool is the collage of photos bursting from the seams of that vintage frame.

P.S. Notice the doorways...?...

Draping + embellishing an everyday feature in the house = awesome, dramatic, and unexpectedly glamorous. Love.

Lovely Lines

Don't you love the way the lines on these little benches keep the room open while still creating a cozy little eating area? And their dainty little legs do the same.

via gunkelman flesher

I swoon!

Opposites Attract

I can't decide which one I want more...

I cannot get enough of the detail on the table and all that gorgeous black...

And, of course, I love love love these chairs.

both photos via desire to inspire