Do Not Miss: The phenomenal interior photography of Richard Powers

Okay, these images really speak for themselves. I am super busy today, so of course, I started it off by cyber-slacking looking at design blogs. I stumbled upon Richard Powers's portfolio and just had to share it with you asap. So, if you're slacking too, you won't regret it after seeing these pics...

*hint: click on each image for a larger view - it makes a big difference and you won't regret it!



Gorgeous

The two above are from the Royal Mansour Hotel in Marrakesh.

This is a hotel - awesome bathroom!



Love the window seats - if that's what you would call those...







The two images above were shot in Istanbul


Are these not divinity?

all images property of Richard Powers

A round up of eye candy to get through the Monday

Happy Monday of a short week! Somehow - even with the holiday week - it still feels like Monday today. So...lets perk it up a bit with an installment of Favorite Images from my Favorite Blogs

Enjoy! (In no particular order)

From Chocolate Creative


I like the simple, white kitchen on the left


From roomenvy
makes me want lunch!

What do you think of this black and white bedroom?


and last but not least, life a la mode.

Thoughtful design trends translated for your home

The people at Charles Luck Stone center reached out with their interpretation of how the design world can be translated into home decorating and I thought their perspective insightful enough - and their pictures pretty enough - to share with you guys. Tell me what you think.

They were a little more articulate: "The latest trends in color and texture don’t just play out in the world of fashion; they also influence interior design and architecture. For many individuals, the look and feel of their home is just as important as the style of their clothing. And let’s face it, it’s much easier to renovate your wardrobe then it is your kitchen! To stay ahead of the curve, interior designers and architects need to keep tabs on the latest fabrication developments and color forecasting, as well as understand the longevity of a trend."

Here's my favorite - "Whiteness" of course

so serene. Here's what they predict:

In Design

• We’ll see more monochromatic, semi-plain decors with clean lines, no clutter and minimal structural effects.

• Technology and hand-tooling will be used to add dimension and texture, generating depth and visual interest.

• Homage will be paid to strong and classic interpretations of architecture, and not overly masculine or feminine.

• Woods, if used, will be pale or dark, grainy and textured.

In Stone

• We’ll see a resurgence of classic white marble in the kitchen and bathroom, often featuring the European prefence for thicker, solid edges.

• Stone will be present in various textures and face finishes for a tone-on-tone dimensional effect.

• Classic polished stone materials will be tumbled for a new look.

They also had some pretty pics illustrating the "Artisan" perspective






In Design

• Cultural influences will lead to the popularity of vertical and elongated forms. We’ll see more repeating designs.

• Artisans’ influence will be shown in an increased use of mosaic, stencil and stained glass.

• Natural, indigenous materials will be used to reflect the representative culture.

• Arts and crafts and mission will continue to be popular, as will bungalow style, with emphasis on porches and terraces.

• We’ll see a growing influence of global styling, particularly Indian, Moroccan, Latin and Chinese colors, detailing and craftsmanship.

In Stone

• We’ll see more handcrafted and handtooled materials. A mix of textures and finishes will add to the feel.

• Mosaics, especially those that are custom designed, will be incorporated into design.

• New color blends in stone will emerge.

• Accent detailing will become more prominent—an influence of the new multiculturalism.


Another good inspiration board - Authenticity






In design

• Natural (versus faux) materials will reflect the desire for designing and building enduring legacies.

• Arrangements will be more purposeful and coherent. Signature pieces will become important and personal.

• We’ll see a surge in the use of reclaimed wooden floors, natural stone, original art pieces and antiques.

• Architecture and design will remain relatively disciplined, with flexibility for personalization within the vernacular.

In stone

• Stone rooted in the history or culture of an area will gain prominent use.

• Products with great tradition or used in famous buildings will become more valuable.

• Products that exhibit a vintage, patina or weathered look will be in higher demand.

• Clients will actively seek out reclaimed stone as their desire to preserve architectural heritage increases.


There are more images and design predictions at Charles Luck Stone Center

Do you think these are some of the design trends we'll see in the home? How do you think people will be decorating or what materials do you hope to see more of?

Use flea market finds no matter what your style!

Even more than buying something new, I enjoy the thrill of finding something for a steal and turning it into something you could never find in stores. I think that is partially the essence of shopping at flea markets and thrift stores. However, it doesn't mean you're stuck decorating a vintage or shabby chic style.

The frames are all flea market - and the wine jugs as well

Collections always make interesting decor.

If you want to display a range of things but keep it looking neat make sure they all share a characteristic - like color. Notice the platter behind the bowl is hung backwards with twine to display the artist's name.

via Woman's Day

The eclectic look is perfect for decorating on a budget. Found textiles look almost glamorous when mixed and matched like above. The decorative piece of iron on the wall is also salvaged.


objets d'art abounds at flea markets

via Notebook