The beautiful and interesting portfolio of Amsterdamn design firm Uxus

Can you believe that this artistic white dining room is in a 1930's hunting lodge in Connecticut?
 The chairs are a nod to the residence's past.

The bedroom is also modern and white.

A beautiful, artsy loft in Amsterdam.  Notice the bedroom behind the curtains?  You can see a larger view by clicking the image.

The painted headboard is such a pretty substitution for a headboard.

The two above are from a Spanish farmhouse.  The dining chairs are actually all different, but being the same color unifies them.

I really like the pairing here of fancy wallpaper and clean-lined, rustic furniture.

The concept for the images of the townhouse (3 images above) was "Victorian Jetsons." The home is Victorian, but the couple had an extensive modern art and furniture collection.  I think Uxus did a great job at fusing the two styles.  I especially like the use of wallpaper throughout the rooms.

Like what you see?  Go to Uxus to see/read more.

Liveable rooms full of attainable glamor...

This light-filled kitchen stays humble but pretty with simple, classic cabinets, and simple light fixtures.

A dark neutral adds instant elegance

This room is literally brought to life with plants.

I ADORE this bedroom. The bedding adds a lot of glamor, which is kept down-to-earth with a neutral, solid rug.

This room is very mid-century mod, but it doesn't feel overly gimmicky to me.

If you're scared of bold color or pattern - do it in a small space like an entryway or powder room first. I tend to think "big impact" is more interesting in small spaces anyway.

How have you added a little glam to your home while still keeping it liveable and low-maintenance?

via BHG

An amazing chic and liveable LA home makeover

This amazing makeover is the home of Lisa Ullmann, Executive Producer of The Ricky Gervais show.  What started as an Echo Park "diamond in the rough," turned into a multifaceted top-quality gem. The interior design is by LA firm Jonamor Decor

Here are some before/after pics to show you the amazing transformation...

entry before

Entry after -- so chic!

The overall goal was to create a comfortable and relaxing environment that would reflect Lisa's many interests and styles and be welcoming for guests. Having a passion for travel, Lisa wanted to incorporate elements of some of her favorite places around the world that she had visited, specifically Italy, France and India. She wanted her home to be unique, elegant but also “user friendly”.

My favorite transformation - the living room

gorgeous - the jewel tones are really fresh

The dining room

The red is a bit too loud for me personally, but the room is still really intriguing, I like the wallpaper and the Moroccan lanterns

The master bedroom transformation

Many of the central pieces to each room were vintage or purchased at discount prices. Older furniture was re-painted and re-upholstered (a used Crate and Barrel desk painted black, an ottoman from a flea market covered in a funky Indian orange fabric). Lisa not only appreciated vintage items for their price and unique appearance, but felt that buying used items was a “greener” approach. Of all the newly purchased furniture, only the couch, a chair and a bench were “new” items.


What do you think of this home makeover?

A house tour that oozes comfort, clean design, and individuality

This house tour is coming at you from a BRAND NEW online mag from our stylish friends across the pond, 91 Magazine.  It comes as no surprise that this UK e-glossy is full of charming and lovely crafts, style, inspiring vintage decor, and shopping.

The feature that caught my eye was this fabulous house tour of a Surrey semi-detached abode of a couple and their 3 year-old daughter.  Enjoy!

I like to see a salon-style wall with a lot of different style frames

I love the simple and clean look

Neutral tones keep the space airy

What do you think of 91 Magazine's debut house tour?

via 91 Magazine

Pretty Swedish interiors that will take your breath away

I don't know if I've seen a Swedish home I don't like - look at how pretty these are!

Great lighting in this room...pretty sure that pendant is Ikea.

How great would it be to walk into your home to a fire like this?

Have a fantastic weekend everyone!


via Alvhem Makleri

Two awesome shows back-to-back tonight! Design Star and awesome HGTV new-comers the Novogratz!

So - I have a confession to make - I don't really watch much HGTV, but that's only because I don't really watch much TV.   I'm not a TV person, and it is really hard for me to commit to a tv-watching schedule. Luckily, we just got DVR, and two new shows have caught my fancy. One is this season of "Design Star" (I hadn't heard of the show until this season), and the first two episodes I loved, and the other is "Home by Novogratz." I know of the Novogratz via Six by Design and their awesome book, "Downtown Chic" - which I reviewed here.

So when I heard they had a new show airing on HGTV I figured I'd give it a shot, and I really like it so far. The duo's solutions are great for people who love to try DIY projects, shop at flea markets, and find it really important that their home reflects them, not the most recent issue of the top-of-the-line home and interiors glossy.

I have for you a sneak peak at what you'll catch on tonight's "Home by Novogratz," where the couple livens up a rather dull family beach condo into a colorful and whimsical get-away. What's really exciting about tonight is the Novogratz are also guest starring on "Design Star" and then their new episode airs directly after that! So be sure to have the tube on HGTV at 9 for "Design Star", and/or 10 for "Home by Novogratz"

These images below are from their first episode, where the Novogratz team created this awesome surfer-girl home for two sisters.

You can read more about the show on HGTV.

Glamorous and Green

Once I own a home I hope to make it as green as I possible can. Luckily, "greenifying" your home no longer means uglifying it, and technology is coming down in price everyday. I've noticed many progressive cities are getting more and more green restorations in historic homes, like this one in Toronto. Enjoy!

The owner didn't want to rip out the authentic stained glass windows, so she added extra glazing on the exterior to improve energy efficiency... so beautiful.

Furnishings are mostly vintage and/or antique and refurbished/reupholstered when necessary.

oh I do love that rug

Here are 5 green things the owners did to improve the space:

1. Complete Geothermal Retrofit
2. Replaced windows and doors for high efficiency versions
3. Added Insulation
4. Used Zero VOC paints
5. Furnished with antique and vintage furniture

Not too shabby huh?
via Pure Green Magazine