Gorgeous styling with beautiful natural objects and wistful beauty

Nature lovers will love this feature from Real Simple. It's simply beautiful and being fond of decor that is from the earth, I really dig it.


The lamp is perfect, the giant shell a great contrast with the wood beam.

Great juxtaposition with the velvet tufted chaise and the wood and reed elements.

You can click on each image for a larger view - you'll especially want to check out the detail in this montage.


and this one ---I really like wood bowls.


Really really want this coverlet. It's on my wish list on Wists - and available at Bloomingdales.

What do you think?
Images via Real Simple

Summer Essentials with Anne at The City Sage

Sorry I was silent yesterday - finding an internet connection in Alaska is not always an easy thing!

I promise that Anne aka "The City Sage," has made it worth your wait with this beautiful guest post..

Hi All! I'm so happy to be visiting Decorology while Ashley is in Alaska! With summer officially upon us, I've been celebrating the sunshine with a fabulous fashion giveaway and summer themed posts over at The City Sage--so I thought I'd share some of my warm weather Decorating Musts!

Crisp White Linens: It's a tried and true pieces of decorating advice to change your bed linens when the mercury rises, and nothing suits better than fresh, airy whites. I especially adore them with a bit of texture, like a matelasse, or with a scalloped trim.

A Touch of Greenery: Who doesn't thrill at the site of a big, bountiful bouquet? But a single blossom or even a succulent leaf can have the same effect; by bringing the outdoors in, you get to enjoy the season every time you enter the room!

Dining by Lantern Light: The romantic in me can't get enough of dinners under the stars. Plus everyone looks their best in this light--and even the most charred burger looks delicious when viewed through a candle's glow!

Natural Materials: Used sparingly, materials like wicker, rattan and sisal convey a relaxed front porch sensibility that feels just right on a hot summer afternoon. Keep the color neutral, or if you're feeling bold try a bright, cheerful coat of paint!

Breezy Window Treatments: Just as you would switch up your bed textiles for summer, you should also change out window coverings. Store heavy velvets and wools in favour of barely-there cottons or even a single panel of pink silk.

Travel Souvenirs: We bring out boxes of Christmas decorations around the holidays, so why not store a few special summer mementos to display come Memorial Day? A collection of postcards and knickknacks brings back summer memories with a smile.

A Piece of the Sea: Everything about the ocean says summer to me, from the colors and sounds to the smells and the feel of the breeze on your face. And you don't have to get all literal with a jar of seashells to honor the sea; glassware in lagoon hues will do the trick quite nicely!


Red and White: I love this color combo in the summer. To me it says clam bakes, Fourth of July, and sweet, juicy cherries in a bright ceramic bowl. Go subtle with gingham napkins for a picnic, or go big and design your whole patio around this palette!

Thanks to Ashley for having me and I hope to see you at The City Sage soon! xo Anne

Image Credits: 1, 2. Anne Naumann 3,4. Gemma Comas 5. Atlanta Bartlett 6. Domino 7, 8. House to Home 9. Domino 10. Marie Claire Maison 11. Rachel Whiting 11. Sam McAdam 12. Atlanta Bartlett 13. Rachel Whiting 14, 15. Elle Decoration France, June 2009.

Current book obsession

Not only am I obsessed with home decorating and design magazines, I also love books dedicated to the same subject. I have quite a few at home, and also have a rather large 'wishlist' of more that I want to buy.

I love finding a quiet moment to pick out a favourite home decorating book out of my collection, then poring over the pictures and being inspired by the design.

Here are some beautiful pictures from one my very favourite books, Coastal Style.










The book has many interior and exterior images of seaside homes.

I just love this idea below....a group of white feathers loosely bound by an old rope.

I wonder if this painting is an old thriftshop lucky find....

What a great way to show a collection of beach pebbles. Sea glass would look fantastic too.

Coral and shells in a large glass jar....be still my beating heart!

This little boat looks like its sailed around the world a few times....

If you like these photos, you should stop what you are doing right now and go buy this book! It is filled with so many more beautiful images. The photography is by the talented Paul Massey, whose own beautiful home I posted recently, here.

Best wishes,

Just a little bit beachy

Cluster of shells.....chunks of coral.....some little sea urchins.....they bring a little bit of beachiness and casualness to a room.

Here's some favourite pictures.

1 Anne Naumann 2 via Lilly g 3 Paul Massey 4 All posters 5 & 6 Country Home 7 Better Homes and Gardens

Have a happy day!

Best wishes,

Two different but beautiful beach homes

Granted, I focused on waterfront homes yesterday, but it's a hard thing to get too much of - so why not some more? The first home focuses on preserving the funky personality of original beach cottages, while the second home is modern in design - but constructed from reclaimed materials...which is closer to your aesthetic?








via Coastal Living









via Notebook

Showcasing shells

If you have read my blog before, you might know that I'm mad about shells. Love 'em! Just about every room in my house has at least one shell.

To me, they are a miracle of nature, pure perfection, and I look in wonder and awe at their shapes and colours, from the tiniest to the biggest.

I love seeing how others have put out their shell collections and today I've picked out my absolute favourite images.

The image above would have to be one of my favourite images. Ever. Full stop. I can look at this image over and over. I just love everything about it - from the humble painted white cupboard with those fabulous draw pulls. The wire basket on top. The glass bottles, the collection of cute little wicker baskets And then there's the shells and the coral. The look is artful, yet uncontrived. I just want to pick up this cupboard and place it in my house.

This next image, below is a little more formal, but so beautiful. I'm a book lover from way back, so I love the way they've mixed the books with the shells and coral and other tidbits.

Here's a closer look.

Here, below is another humble cupboard with all the aspects I love - books, shells, coral, antique glass bottles. So sweet.

Ooh look, can you see a pattern?

Uh, huh.

Now here's a display of simplicity - the beauty of the shells speak for themselves, and things always look good in threes.

How about these fantastic follised shells below? Simply stunning! This vignette is from the home of the incredibly talented Atlanta Bartlett, stylist and author of At Home With White and The Relaxed Home (I own both) and more. In fact it seems she has a new book coming out next month! For more pictures of Atlanta's home click here.

Images 1 an old Country Home magazine 2 & 3 Simon Kenny 4 & 5 Better Homes and Gardens 6 Belle magazine 7 Living Etc

I hope these images make you as happy as they make me!

Best wishes,