"Om" inspiring images

As always a HECTIC Monday here at the Decorology desk. If one of these images can't inspire a little peace, I don't know what will...

via Rue Mag

Such a wonderful place to sit and just breathe deep...
via House to Home


Design Lovefest

A GORGEOUS Barcelona apartment you don't want to miss

While searching Apartment Therapy for some eye candy the other night I fell in love with the 2010 Small Cool International Winner. This apartment is small on square feet but big on beauty.


I ADORE this beautiful reading room. Plenty of books, a big comfy couch, what else do you need?

For small bedrooms a bed like this one with under bed storage is the best use of space


So pretty - love the lighting!

Do you agree?

via Apartment Therapy

A Divine house tour mixing elegance, peacefulness, livability, and vintage elements

These rooms blend so many nice elements and styles. Even though the feeling is luxury - I also get a sense of peacefulness. The colors are muted but not monotone.

What a great style mix - the tufted sofa with the retro dining set.

The bedroom has a rustic, country feel

The below are actually from another home I think..



Great table...

I'm usually not a fan of something so modern as this bedroom, but the simple lines and clean design work really well in a bedroom.




LOVE that window!

What do you think?

via Elle Decor

A little eye candy to brighten up your Monday

Mondays...blah. Especially when it's getting so cold out! It makes it so tough for me to crawl out from under the covers when I'm toasty warm. Hopefully these chic homes with a nod to the traditional can help brighten it up a little?

The beam above the window adds a nice rustic touch without being too "look how rustic I am."

Love the nooks for spices by the oven

Cappuccino maker!

I like the look of raw linen and canvas like they've used on the bar stools

This kitchen has such a 17th century Dutch air to it - even without the Vermeer

The rooms below are from another house -

A home office with gobs of natural light! Looks nice and tucked away.


Love the retro classic chair. I also like that this room, though it has modern retro elements is still most obviously lived in. Nothing is too precious. Evidence of human, and canine, life can be seen on the shelves, the coat rack, etc.


In this room I like the large prints on every wall, and of course, the lounge. I'm a sucker for a reading nook!

via Southern Living

An 18th Century Copenhagen apartment full of historical charm

I love older homes and buildings not only for their historical charm, but because each one is a little different. This is sometimes by design, and sometimes from the relationship the house has had with previous occupants.








Love this room- great for napping or reading



I really like that this home is obviously lived in - not just staged for the photographer

Indenfor

From my library: Speed Decorating by Jill Vegas

I really like the tips in "Speed Decorating: A Pro Stager's Tips And Trade Secrets For A Fabulous Home In A Week Or Less," and the pictures are mighty cute too!



Two lovely entryways - check out the wood "bottles" to the right of the red secretary.

Five Musts For A Great-Looking Entry

1. Clutter-free surfaces. Get rid of boxes, shoes, anything that doesn't belong in the space.

2. Brilliant light. Replace any burned-out or too-dim bulbs. Clean and polish light fixtures.

3. A nice-looking floor. Vacuum and mop the floor. Replace the doormat if it's dingy. If the floor's condition is really bad, buy some floor polish and buff out scratches, or buy some carpet tiles (FLOR brand is an example) and make a runner to hide them.

4. Clean walls. Get rid of scuff marks (a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser is great for this), or touch up the paint in spots to hide them. If the walls are in really bad shape, repaint.


I really like how the side of this settee is just a bare wood.

What a dreamy reading nook!

A sweet little writing area in the bedroom


I love this bathroom! "A bathroom adorned with unique accessories and artwork feels comfy. Here, botanical prints, a fern in a simple vase, and a vintage map makes this room memorable."

Anyway, I'm sure you can see why Speed Decorating is a fav. new addition to my humble library!
All photography by Michael Grimm<

Help with ideas for bay windows!?

A reader emailed me with a really great (and challenging!) question:

"My fiance and I are moving into an apartment that has bay windows (in both the bedroom and living room). A lot of people convert them into benches, but I'd rather use the space as a showcase for special items, while not allowing it to look cluttered (clutter is my worst enemy!)."

As you can imagine, you have to dig deep to find bay windows that haven't been converted into window seats - and here are some solutions I found...


via Living Etc.



The above two photos are from an AT reader's home - I really like her solution of using a narrow console table in front of the window to create a beautiful display. Make sure the objects you use are edited and the arrangement is thought out to keep the console or shelf from simply looking like a catch-all place for objects.
Here's another example - though this is an unusual bay window, you can imagine the effect of having a narrow bench/table/shelf, etc. and using it as a display area.
via House Beautiful

You could create a glamorous reading nook - an excuse to buy a chaise lounge!
via Apartment Therapy

Found this on Apartment Therapy, but it's Victoria of SF Girl by Bay apartment. So pretty - and a great sun-filled reading nook.

via Apartment Therapy

via House to Home



A teapot collection displayed on a bay window
via FotoSA

I really like this shelf/drawer window sill display.
via Country Living

A display is especially striking when all of the objects are similar, or part of a collection.
via Canadian House and Home

I included this photo to show that, if all else fails, bay windows can be beautiful bare - just add some dramatic or interesting curtains, and/or some striking paint to make the area pop.
via Beecroft


via Design Sponge Online

Bring window boxes inside and grow flowers or herbs.
via House Beautiful

My sister utilizes her bay window for this exact purpose, as a pretty indoor green house.
via Martha Stewart

Does anyone else know of any great bay window solutions that aren't window seats? I'm all ears!