Some more romantic neutrals, and a whole lot of inspiration

I'm not sure why, but I have a ton of new photos in my inspiration file.  Maybe it's because I might be moving again.  Maybe it's because we will soon have a change of seasons.  Maybe it's because Fall is my favorite time of year, and that triggers the nesting instinct.  Here's a bunch of inspiration and a lot of ideas I'd like to try, hope you enjoy!

 Above two images Solange van Dorssen via Desire to Inspire

I'm all about edgy femininity.  I love a combination of the glam and the raw.  I've always wanted to experiment with a corrugated steel wall.  Love it here combined with the white slip covers, the gray pillows, the lamps and art.  The perfect pop is provided by the hot pink pillows.  Every room needs a pop of hot pink.

I adore industrial looking, purely functional bookshelves!  A bookshelf should not compete with the items it displays.  These look great in this room, they take up very little visual weight.  I adore the juxtaposition of the slip covers with the bookshelves.  Keeps the fabric from looking too frilly and gives just the right amount of edge.

 Above two images via La maison d'Anna G.

This kitchen is in the same home, and is close to being my fantasy.  I adore the subway tiles and the open shelving.  The simplicity of the dishes is the perfect foil to the edgy art.

Shoot Factory

This room is a tad overdone for me.  There's too much on the walls, and I don't care for the pattern of the drapes.  But.  Look.  At.  That Sofa!  I love it!  You already know I love me some silver.  This sofa has me up at night fantasizing about it.  It reminds me of car seats, and I can almost hear Feel Like Making Love by Bad Company.  Seriously, this thing is bringing back memories of my first kiss.

 Atelier Abigail Ahern

Abigail Ahern is a genius.  She always challenges my perspective, and I like that.  I like minimalism.  She's a lover of maximalism.  I like light rooms, she likes dark rooms.  In fact, it's her influence that started me loving black accent walls.  And, as you know, she's the one who got me obsessing about an over scale lamp shade.  Here she again challenges my perspective.  I'm not usually a fan of the Chesterfield sofa, but I must admit it looks great in this room.  Love it paired with the Moroccan-inspired tapestry, lamp and rug.  Dig that rug!  Lately I've been seeing a lot of rugs that appear to be made from Moroccan wedding blankets.  Divine.  Lastly, dig that tall, skinny chair.  I think it's a great foil to the sort of short, stubby looking sofa.  (BTW - Abigail's home was featured on The Selby (link)!  You go, girl!)

One thing leads to another.  Now I'm obsessing about this chair that I saw at my favorite vintage store.  It came in a set of six, but I just want one.  I love intentional distortions of scale, and I think it would look great with my low scale sofa.  Image by Peggy.

 Karl Anderson

Here's an idea I'd like to use if I move into a studio or open loft.  I'd  love to use a screen/headboard like this to separate the space.  Maybe I wallpaper cardboard panels.

Sandra's Luxurious Modern in Brentwood via Apartment Therapy

Love this little seating area.  Steely blues, gray and silver, yum.  Love the Moroccan inspired tables.

Arcadian Home Decor

This room is a little overdone for me.  As you know I'm normally not a wallpaper fan, and the mixing of the wall paper patterns is too much for me.  Especially with the tufted chair.  But.  There is something alluring about the room nonetheless.  There's a bit of edge provided by that groovy steel lamp and table to the right.  And look at that chandelier.  So romantic.

Centsational Girl

Again, this is a little overdone for me.  I don't care for groupings of photos.  The photos are pretty, but I would've preferred to see one over sized piece.  Go big with art!  It makes such an impact.  But.  Look at that color scheme.  Absolutely gorgeous.

Krakvik & D'Orazio

I just can't get over gray and white interiors.  So peaceful and calming.  What do you think, dear readers?  Do you see any ideas you'd like to use in your home?  Have any of these rooms challenged your perspective?

Dark Walls

Dear readers, I'm not one for trends.  I'm usually late to trends, and often fall in love with trends when they are over.  But I don't worry about that.  I just trust my instincts when it comes to color.  The black accent wall is a trend that's been around for a while, but doesn't seem to be losing popularity any time soon.  I'm dreaming of a new apartment, something small and simple and I am decorating it in my mind.  I'm definitely doing a dark accent wall.  Either gray and black.  With pops of hot pink, and maybe turquoise and yellow.  I love the allure of a dark room.  The room should be cozy, but a little edgy, feminine and and mysterious.  Here's some inspiration.  Hope you enjoy!

As you know it was Abigail Ahern who first got me thinking about dark walls.  I love her living room.  I adore that hot pink coffee table, and those gray floors.  Abigail's approach to design is very different from my own and challenges my perception, and I love that.  (See previous posts about Abigail Ahern, here.)

I know I've featured the bedroom of the perfect Jenna Lyons before, but it's so - well - perfect. 

Here's another view of Ms. Lyon's bedroom in a different light.  I love to watch how color changes during the day.  Love the pop of the white fireplace and crisp, simple bedding.  The room is romantic, simple and restful looking.  Images Habitually Chic.

I've featured this lovely bedroom before as well, but it is a perfect example of a room with a black accent wall.  The room is simple, calm, restful and very sophisticated.  Image The Boo and the Boy.

I'm sure you are all avid readers of Desire to Inspire. If so, you've been watching with avid interest, Jo's transformation of her new (old) house.  I've watched Jo collecting for a couple of years prior to to buying her home.  It's absolutely astonishing how it's coming together.  She skillfully pulls together such disparate pieces as the deco screen, vintage chairs, ethnic prints and luscious dark walls to achieve an incredibly chic room.

Love the pop of the white fireplace and the hot pink pillow against this accent wall.  Image Door Sixteen.

I'm not a big fan of herringbone floors, but I do love the purple sofas in this dark room.  Image via Richard Powers.

This room is a little ornate for me, I don't care for the paneling.  But I do love the soft pink chair and foot stool.  This room proves that pale pink and gray look great together.  Gubi via sfgirlbybay.

 This chartreuse door really pops against the black wall.  Image House to Home.

This room is a tad disjointed, and I'm not a fan of chevron, however, it is still largely successful due to its bold use of color and pattern.  I think I am bothered by the sofa, and would prefer to see a pink, lavender or maybe gray sofa.  I am also bothered by the wood dresser, and maybe the white desk doesn't go there?  I'd like to see a little tweaking here, but just a little.  I love the direction the designer is taking.  I adore the color of the walls, the turquoise lamp, the yellow chair and the silver poufs.  I think this is a case of a homeowner creatively using what they have with a small budget.  It does prove that dark walls with pops of color make a room look very rich.  Image via Apartment Therapy.

Beautiful black accent wall and sofa.  Love the pops of pink from the pillow and rug.  Image House to Home.

A simple dining room takes on stunning sophistication with a black accent wall.  I love how minimal this room is, the wall is the art.  Image Apartment Therapy.

Dark blue makes a beautiful accent wall in this lovely, minimal dining room.  Image Apartment Therapy.  I think the following three rooms are my favorite of this batch.  One of these may be my inspiration for my new apartment.

This room is stunning (except that the TV is mounted too high, but who cares?).  I love the pops of hot pink, yellow, violet and red.  In the past, I've always used pops of color against white.  For a more smouldering look, why not substitute gray for white?

Another stunning room.  I'm not usually a lover of pattern, but I am digging this sofa.  Love the pops of color provided by the pillows.

And oh man, will you look at this beauty.  Beautiful pink sofa, Moroccan-influenced end table, low scale coffee table, ethnic screen.  Drool.  Above three images via House to Home.  What about you dear readers?  Would you ever do a black or gray accent wall in your place?  If you have done a dark wall in your place, send me a picture and maybe I will feature you on this blog.  I'd love to hear from you!

My apartment - for today

Dear readers, as you know I've been obsessing about pink and gray lately. I've also been wondering if I could add a couple of black accessories to my decor. This color palette definitely influenced my latest thrift purchases.

I have been doing a lot of thrifting lately. I need to stop! This lot cost about $60.00, more than I ever spend. I am in love with the silver sequins pillow! Some of these things may end up as Christmas presents. The most expensive piece was the Danish bowl, but I may have a buyer for it already, and it will be at a profit.

I rearranged my living room today. Don't look too closely. It needs a good clean, which I will probably be able to do tomorrow. I think a storm is coming. I know I have too many pillows, but I can't help it - I adore them! I finally hung my Dee Adams' painting instead of just propping it (see previous arrangement here). Abigail Ahern has me wanting to paint my apartment gray.

Another arrangement of the pillows. It's so much fun to toss the pillows around. Like painting. Without the mess. I love the pop of the yellow (see yellow influence here).

Here is a peak at my sleeping area. I love the pink curtains from Target.

This little shelf in my kitchen is a nod to my love of Asian design. Love the pink chopsticks and the little rice bowl. Sometimes I think I should start a blog devoted to pink. I can't live without it.

Think Pink!

Today I read on Apartment Therapy that there are two camps of thought when it comes to pink.  Those die hard fans who love it, and those who hate it.  Obviously, I fall into the first camp.  Pink has been my favorite color my whole life.  I am mystified when I hear someone say they hate pink.  I think it is by far the most mysterious, warm, romantic, soothing and flattering color there is.  It is also the most misunderstood color, which might be why it resonates so well with me.  I've often felt like a misfit.

Pink can be used in so many ways.  Pale pink looks great with blue, black or gray.  Hot pink looks great with yellow.  Pink works great in large amounts and in small amounts.  It looks great with wood and hard industrial pieces.  A small piece of pink brings needed balance to a room.  Pink is very flattering to any one's complexion, no matter what color.  Most importantly - as I've said a million times - pink is not just a girly color.  It can be used in a thoroughly modern way as these beautiful rooms from my inspiration file prove.

I don't remember where I got this image, my bad.  Inside/Out maybe?  In any event, hot pink works very well with cool blue.  Dig the ombre treatment of that hot pink canvas.  May have to steal this idea.

A very beautiful use of pink.  Those curtains are to die for!  Image Living etc.

I love this fresh approach to color blocking.  This is my dream home office.  Image from Emily Henderson's blog, but not designed by her.  I love Emily, but she has a bad habit of not linking to her sources.  Please contact me if you know the designer of this room. 

Love the peek of pink behind the door!  Very inviting and warm.  Also love the sweetness of pink juxtaposed with the edginess of this loft.  And dig those ceramics in the right corner by Jaime Hayon!  Image via Abigail Ahern.

Love the pale pink sofa with the yellow glass table, fabulous rug and white floors!

You know I am a sucker for light fixtures.  Dig this vintage pink and gold one.  Just enough femininity balanced with just the right amount of edge.  It's perfect.  I want it.  Above two images via The Apartment.

How sweet is this corner of a little girl's room?  Coral pink is also a beautiful, soothing shade and is used nicely on the door insets.  Also check those fab over sized knobs.  Another idea I may have to steal.  Traci Fleming via Apartment Therapy.

I adore all white interiors with pops of pink, and really love the combination of hot pink and pale pink provided by the pillows.  Image via my favorite designer, Benjamin Noriega-Ortiz.

An accent wall is great idea for a pop of color.  Also love the pink and gray pillows.  Image skona hem.

I love pink in the bedroom!  The pink walls look fab with the wood floor and night stand.  Love the gray lamp, brown curtain and yellow pillow.  Pink, gray, brown and yellow make a beautiful color scheme.  Image via  vtwonen.

For a pop of hot pink in a mostly white dining room, Julie Khuu cleverly chose these inexpensive vases from Ikea.  She proves that beauty doesn't have to cost a lot.  The vases gain prominence by being used in multiples.   Love the white table and chairs, and the rug.  I am loving the organic touch of wood provided by her clever art installation.  By using multiples of the same object, she again has achieved a beautiful look that is not expensive.  She provides interest by having each figure posed in a different manner. The look is still simple due to the repetition of the same object and its geometric display.  All in all a very stunning room.

Have you ever seen a more beautiful banquette?  I certainly haven't.  Image via Desire to Inspire.

Hot pink is so sophisticated with black and gray.  I love those lamps!  I love how they are shaped differently, but made cohesive by using the same shade and spray painting in the same color.  Hmm.  May have to steal that idea.  Image via HGTV.  Pops of pink looks so sophisticated with white, gray and black as the following rooms show.

Also HGTV.

House to Home.

I dearly love this room.  This is currently my fantasy room.  Man I love the pottery, the tables and the ombre treatment of the curtains.  And the rug.  A perfect room.  Also House to Home.

Or maybe this is my favorite.  Pink sectional, low scale coffee table, black pops from the vases and art, and organic touch provided by the credenza.  Retro and modern.  In other words, heaven.  

Ditto, but add a pop of yellow in a modern, graphic painting.  These two rooms look like they could be in the same house.  Above two images Living etc.

Just a small pop of pink is provided in this hanging shade, but it is very impactful.   Love the retro-inspired shade in this largely organic looking room.  Love the green and yellow chairs and the Moroccan-inspired stove (heater?).  I usually cringe with I hear the word eclectic, but this is eclectic done right.  Although I wish they'd edit out the antlers.  I just don't like dead animals or animal parts used in decor.  Sorry.  I'm stubborn that way.  Image vtwonen.

I love these pink vases with the green credenza.  Bad blogger again.  Oops.  Please contact me if you know the source of this image.

Love hot pink with yellow!  It looks especially fabulous with the gray rug and the silver sofa.  I'm having sofa envy.  House to Home.

Love the international flavor provided by the poster.  Love the pop of yellow from the lamp.  Also love the use of color blocking here.  Nancy Riesco via sfgirlbybay.

Let's review shall we?  You can use a lot of pink or a little pink.  You can use pale pink or saturated pink.  You can even combine the two.  Pink looks great with yellow, gray, silver black, white, brown, blue and green.  Heck, pink looks great with any color.  Pink flatters anyone's complexion.  Pink is not strictly a girly color and can be used in a modern way.  If you're afraid of pink, start with a pink pillow.  I promise you will be a convert.  There's only one rule when it comes to pink:  There's no such thing as too much pink.