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This is the picture that started it all. A minor obsession with symmetry, that is. There’s something about the symmetry of the exposed rafters, the shutters, matching consoles and round mirrors that speaks to me. It’s cool, calm and collected – an effect that’s further enhanced by the all-white palette. Complete order and I love it.
Symmetry has been used in design for millennia, and it’s still one of the easiest ways to pull a room together. But, as a technique, it’s suffered a bit of bad rap because it can look so formulaic and characterless. So, I decided to look into what makes a successful symmetrical arrangement. How do you apply symmetry without killing the personality and warmth of a space?
This room pretty much sums it up: There’s symmetry in the architecture (paired windows) and in the way the chairs and pillows are arranged. But there are also elements that hint at symmetry but are somehow ‘off’ – like the three irregularly-grouped but similar urn-shaped vases on the mantelpiece. Then the striking rug, blue walls and mock antlers lift the space out of the sphere of the ordinary.
This living room, from Ellen Pompeo’s house as featured in Elle Decor, is much more understated. But the symmetrical arrangement is given a focal point in the form of an oversize moorish-style mirror. A single statement piece at the center of your symmetrical set-up can change the look from predictable to powerful.
Another technique is to use offbeat pieces to create your symmetry. Just one of these cane sofas would be eye-catching enough, but using two against a relatively simple backdrop is truly dramatic.
Here the symmetry of the room’s architecture is subtley drawn out with the use of two unusual red chairs in an otherwise neutral scheme. There’s actually no other symmetry in this room – the chairs are enough to create a sense of order.
Twin beds naturally invite a symmetrical arrangement. Unusual shapes and a strong monochromatic palette keep things interesting.
Sometimes symmetry can be found in the smallest details. These symmetrical shelves are a sweet way to ensure a sense of order in the kitchen without creating a wall of uniform cabinets.
So what do you think of symmetry? Design by numbers or a perfect balance?
Credits:
1 – Delight by Design; 2 – House Beautiful; 3 – Elle Decor; 4 – Canadian House and Home; 5 – House Beautiful; 6 – Canadian House and Home; 7 – Canadian House and Home
I love stumbling across beautifully-designed ‘real’ homes on Flickr. So I’m crazy about this refreshingly eclectic place. It’s owned, and impeccably styled by Yvonne, who also blogs about her travels, family, crafts and home on her blog, Moline. Yvonne has lived in Germany, Istanbul and Mexico and her style is clearly influenced by all three locations. Yvonne was kind enough to let me post some images from her past and present homes.
For starters, isn’t this a glorious blue for a kitchen? The color was inspired by Yvonne’s time living in Mexico. I’m into the open shelves, mini pendant lights, tiles and extra-long cabinet hardware.
If you’re going to have open shelves in a kitchen, you’ve got to buy groceries that look like this.
Moroccan tea tray tables always look great, but this one, which happens to be Turkish, looks spectacular under this chandelier. What a great juxtaposition of styles.
Here a vintage champagne bottle holder has been converted into magazine storage/installation art. So cool!
More inspired styling – spring in letter and in spirit!
A great art wall looks even better over a geometric dresser.
Cozy sheepskin rugs on wicker chairs? That’s one way to ensure your home works as well in the winter as the summer.
We’ve all seen oversize maps used in kids’ rooms, but this looks particularly cute against the blue wall and with the patchwork bedding.
So much to love about this bathroom: the smooth modern tub and basin, sloping roof, low windows… It all spells peace and quiet.
I like the way this photo wall meanders up the stairs, with plenty of space for future pics.
These are hand-painted porcelain eggs, suspended to look like a chandelier. So beautiful…
If you like Yvonne’s style (and who wouldn’t?) she also has an Etsy store – check out the stunning bird and butterfly collages. I’m sorely tempted to buy one of the bird ones for our little boy’s nursery…
I’ve just finished reading American Modern by designer, Thomas O’Brien. Unlike many hardback design books which are overly reliant on photos and provide very little real information about the design process, O’Brien’s book is characteristically detailed (although the photos by Laura Resen are spectacular too). One of the things I admire most about O’Brien is the way his rooms look so organic, as if they have evolved over years. Although he’s a decorator, designer, and definitely an innovator, O’Brien is also a collector and curator and he uses items that reflect both his personal interests and those of his clients in his work.
There are many useful lessons to be learned from his particular approach to interior design, so I thought I’d extract a few of the ones I found most enlightening.
1. Pay attention to the background
A collection of objects is only as beautiful as its background. Even though furniture and furnishings are often the stars of the show, O’Brien pays extraordinary attention to detail with the architectural structure, fixtures and finishings that act as backdrop. Whether it’s altering the height of doors and alcoves to ensure they are all aligned, designing kitchen cabinets to reflect the shape and size of a window, replacing every door handle in a house with vintage sterling silver ones, or lining a bookshelf in a rich eggplant paint to convey formality, he’s guaranteed to have thought every inch of a space through.
The room below, for example, features a series of doors in metal-framed wire glass, inspired by an elevator in a nearby hotel, which provides architectural interest and a vintage look, while letting light into the space.
These kitchen cabinets were designed to line up with the windows and there’s unique detail in the countertops which are marble set inside a concrete edge.
2. Neutral is a color
O’Brien’s spaces are often characterized by apparently simple, calming neutral palettes. But his selection of a neutral palette is as carefully thought-through as any color scheme. He chooses between mid-toned creamy grays:
Warm honey blondes:
And cool milky whites (I know, I know, I’ve posted this picture a million times but I can’t resist – it’s such an amazing room):
He adds interest with metallic, reflective and gilded surfaces, as well as with subtle pattern and lots of texture. And, of course his signature is a lot of contrast between dark and light. But the lesson here is to think about the color of a particular wood, stone, metal or any other apparently neutral material and make deliberate choices in order to bring cohesiveness to any collection of objects.
3. Get out the history books
Although O’Brien’s designs are always fresh and modern, they also pay homage to the past through historical reference. It’s a highly cerebral approach to design and helps to ensure even the most eclectic collection of objects works together. Time and time again you see elements that have been inspired by vintage pieces he’s collected over the years. No item is too small to influence a scheme: take the duvet cover below, based on a 1940s napkin, as an extreme but not unusual example!
His Long Island house, The Academy, which was originally a schoolhouse, is another great example. Part of the house was built in the 1920s and there are many elements either from that period or inspired by it, such as the tall backsplash, bracketed shelving and enameled pendant lights in the kitchen to the 1920s vanity in the bathroom. It’s inspired me to look at historical references when it comes time to renovate the kitchen in our own house, which was built in 1922.
4. Expect the unexpected
While O’Brien respects and refers to history in his designs, he’s not afraid to break with tradition either. He’s known for his Manhattan apartment which throws convention out of the window and combines a bedroom and living room into one.
On a smaller scale, he introduces unexpected elements such as a table lamp on the kitchen countertop, men’s shirt fabric as bedlinen and a vast library table in the middle of the living room as a way to create that ‘collected’ feel.
5. Repetition, repetition, repetition
Throughout O’Brien’s spaces, you see repetition of colors, textures and shapes. This helps to create a layered effect which ensures both consistency and interest. The palette of the marble fireplace, for example, may be repeated in an ottoman, side table, and a print. A mantelpiece may be given a more unified look with repeated use of spherical objects. It’s all extremely deliberate and yet looks so uncontrived.
Sometimes O’Brien’s spaces are more sparse, sometimes almost cluttered. But they always look welcoming, cohesive and truly personal. It’s a look I’ve yet to master (I have a long way to go) but will certainly be drawing on O’Brien as inspiration in the future.
Photo credits:
1 – via La Dolce Vita
2,3,5,7,10 – Laura Resen
4 and 9 - William Waldron, from a feature in Elle Decor
I’m always drawn to modern white spaces with the simple, uncluttered look. But, at the same time, I know if I lived in one I’d long for a splash of color and a more casual vibe. This house is, to me, the perfect compromise. The combination of white gloss, horizontal lines and low-slung furniture with characterful accessories in fresh pink and green is just stunning. It would feel like summer year-round in this house, wouldn’t it? (From Micasa Revista via Achados de Decoracao).
The key to this space is the styling. The essentials are all neutral but it’s the pillows, blanket and flowers that inject color. The boxy sofas are tastefully restrained but the tropical print cushion and the chartreuse floor pillows just say ‘relax’.
A glimpse of the kitchen shows it’s just as minimal, with glossy white cabinets and a stainless steel hood. The use of drawers instead of traditional cabinets creates more horizontal lines to echo the living area’s low-key, loungy feel.
I love these blue-gray light shades in the kitchen. I bet those bar stools actually live on the other side of the island though and are just placed there for the photo…
This bedroom actually has many of the things I tend to steer clear of: very low beds, multiple pillows, teeny tiny rugs… But the effect here, in the context of the rest of the space, is great. And that color palette again!
Now this is a bathroom to hang out in! Huge limestone tiles and sleek white drawers create yet more of those horizontal lines. And, yet again, it’s balanced with a little bit of handcrafted character in the form of the crochet basket and perfume bottles.
Although it looks effortless and laid back, this space is actually a triumph in attention to detail. The fact that there’s so much continuity from room to room no doubt adds to the relaxed feel. And the fresh colors and abundant light make this place almost as good as being outdoors on a summer’s day. Almost!
As you know, I am not afraid to admit that a large amount of our furniture is from IKEA. If you’re smart about how you use each piece, you can’t beat it for affordable style. Well, IKEA has a new site where people share pictures of their IKEA purchases in situ. There are some great examples of stylish homes that use IKEA furnishings imaginatively. I particularly like this all-white home in Germany.
Great use of blackboard as cupboard doors.
I spy Ferm Living wallpaper offcuts…
More evidence (if we needed it) that an IKEA kitchen can look fabulous. I like the idea of using mosaic tiles to make the look less cookie-cutter. And, believe it or not, I blogged about using a ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’ poster as a kitchen backsplash over a year ago – looks like someone else was way ahead of me!
A teeny tiny office space still manages to look airy with all that white shelving.
If you like checking out what real people around the world have done with their interior spaces, this is a good site to visit with lots of inspiring examples of creativity on a budget.
I don’t know about you, but one of the small pleasures I look forward to every month is the arrival of Living Etc in the stores. Of course, here it’s usually several weeks after the magazine comes out in the UK, but that’s beside the point. This month, however, I was more than a little surprised to see the cover was based on this extremely familiar image:
Don’t we all have this room embedded on our memories from when it appeared in Domino in 2007? At first I thought it was a stock image from an agency, perhaps being used as part of a shopping or styling story. But no, it’s actually the dining room of Laura Vincent Poole, whose North Carolina home was featured as the magazine’s cover story.
Is it me, or is it rather odd for a major league magazine like Living Etc to run the same cover story as another (albeit folded) magazine did a few years earlier? If you recall, Poole’s house made the cover of Domino too (and, subsequently, the Domino book).
It’s the same photos, originally styled for Domino by Dara Caponigro, including the one that was used on Domino’s cover. (Photos are by the talented Laura Resen, whose impeccable work I’ll post on later…)
Don’t get me wrong. I love Living Etc. In fact, I’ve bought almost every issue since it launched. And I absolutely love this house, from the de Gournay wallpaper and retro sideboard combo in the cover image, to the smaller details such as this red and white plate wall:
The mixture of wood, marble and colored glass in the kitchen:
And the juxtaposition of Asian, Moroccan and French elements in the living room.
I know that magazines rely on stories sold by agencies and I have no problem with the model. But recycled cover stories? I guess I just expect a little more from what is arguably one of the finest magazines for accessible modern interiors today.
What do you think? Am I being unfair or would you like to have seen something else on the cover?
I find architects’ web sites to be a great form of escapism. Who wouldn’t appreciate the fabulous images of pristine homes, just ready for the owners to move in and make their mark? But, despite all the soaring ceilings and glossy kitchens, the images are often rather soulless. Just that little bit too perfect, perhaps. That’s why it’s such a delight to explore the portfolio of Feldman Architecture, a San Francisco-based firm which consistently delivers sustainable, beautiful, yet personal homes. Its pages are filled with images of furnished houses that display the interests and styles of their owners. At the moment, I’m particularly captivated by this gorgeous home in the hilly neighborhood of Bernal Heights.
The house was a dark, near-derelict 1860′s cottage. The challenge was to maintain the rustic charm, while opening up the space and injecting it with light.
I love the use of rough stone and wood, with more polished glass and metal – and those enormous sliding doors opening directly onto a deck.
The house is filled with quirky art and furnishings – those chairs are a surprising combination with the modern sofa.
The house seems to have two office spaces. This light-filled area would provide plenty of inspiration for working.
More skillful combinations of materials: rough-hewn wood, slate and lucite.
I love the red, gray and white of the master bedroom. The shelf above the bed is a really simple way to add interest – something I think I might do in our guest room. I must also make it a life mission to track down those lamps!
To my mind, this is the perfect chill-out bathroom.
The nursery is, as you’d expect, a departure from the rest of the house aesthetically-speaking. But it still has a cool vibe and clear sense of personality. Having nurseries on my mind, I’m appreciating the child-friendly storage ideas and the way the brown puts a grown-up twist on baby pink. Shame I’m having a boy, otherwise I’d pinch some of these ideas!
And just to prove this house has everything – a fabulous double-height library!
This home is a wonderful combination of old and new, inside and outside, cool and quirky. You can see more of Feldman Architecture’s work here.
On these cold winter days, we look for ways to make our homes more cozy and inviting. Perhaps that’s why I’m drawn at the moment to images of spaces with lots of wood. I’m particularly attracted to warm woods with lots of texture. Even better if they have that sheen that comes from years of careful polishing. From individual pieces to entire walls and floors in beautiful wood, here are some of the images that have grabbed my attention lately.
The entire house in this post via Automatism is stunning, but this image appealed particularly. (Come to think of it, that’s probably because it looks so similar to my blog banner!)
I think this is my all-time favorite look: warm wood, neutral colors, white ceramics and a bit of sparkle. Via Smart Alec.
Love, love the idea of a stairway entirely in chunky wood. But I have to admit this image makes me want to shrief in a grandmotherly way: watch your footing in those socks, dear! Via Seen and Said.
These giant armoires are just beautiful. Via Bloesem.
A unique spin on the traditional wooden kitchen cabinet. This looks like it comes straight from an apothecary shop. Via Katy Elliott from the book Restoring a House in the City.
That piano is stunning and I love the organic shapes of the coffee table and Danish chair. By Amy Lau Design.
A really beautiful polished wood piece can bring all the pattern you need to a room. From Thomas O’Brien’s apartment, via Habitually Chic.
I love the quiet simplicity of this space. Via Make my Day.
Ok, this one is as much about the chair, pendant light and wallpaper as it is about the wood cabinet. Via Houzz.
I’m sure many enjoyable evenings have been spent round this table over the years. Via Decorology.
The holidays are a magical time and, for the interiors-obsessed among us, an excuse to bring out the sparkle and indulge all our decorating whims without fear of going OTT. Now that I have children (well, one), we’ve started to make decorating the house a fun festive tradition in itself. So far we’ve decorated the tree, hung the wreath, wrapped the presents, strung fairy lights and silk flowers around the place and made a gingerbread house. This is also the time of year when perfectly sane adults enjoy humming carols, reading fairytales and watching Christmas movies (It’s a Wonderful Life again anyone?). Well, the Christmas spirit has clearly got to me because I’ve been mulling over the silliest of posts – the idea of looking at interiors that are reminiscent of the best-loved fairytales. And I don’t mean little girls’ bedrooms transformed into Cinderella coaches. I mean rooms that grown-ups could actually live in all year round (just about). Perhaps it’s because scattering glittery baubles around the house is only a step away from designing a scheme for the Snow Queen in Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, but, well, if you can’t indulge your most extreme, fantastical design side at Christmas, when can you?! So here goes…
Speaking of the Snow Queen, if she lived in the real world, her home’s entry way would probably look like this (via Flickr).
If Hansel and Gretel found a real gingerbread house, the interior might look like this: a woodland cottage that’s good enough to eat (via Decorology).
The wicked stepmother in Snow White might sit here to ask: ‘Mirror mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all’ (via Lucyina Moodie).
And this could be the house Snow White found in the woods (via Atelie Gaaya).
Who could blame Sleeping Beauty for not wanting to wake up if this is where she slept? (via This is Glamorous)
Cinderella might have found this the perfect perch for resting be-slippered feet between dances (via Living Etc).
The Princess and the Pea probably would have had a more comfortable night if she’d slept on this bed (via Flickr).
No wonder Goldilocks enjoyed poking round the Three Bears’ house: this chair is juuust right! (via This is Glamorous).
Little Red Riding Hood could have prepared her picnic for grandma in this kitchen (via Decorology).
Bambi might have gambolled through this forest-inspired room (ok, Bambi is more of a Disney cartoon than a fairytale but, hey, it suits this space by decorator Fawn Galli).
And Rapunzel might have gazed out of one of these windows (via This is Glamorous).
And pretty much any fairytale heroine could have reclined on this sofa… minus the leftover takeaway that is (via Atelie Gaaya).
Ok, that’s enough frivolity and nonsense. My new year’s resolution for 2010 is to write much more serious posts. Let’s see how long that lasts…!
Have a very happy holidays everyone.
It’s been a while since the first post in my house tour series, so it’s high time for another one. If you recall, my goal with this series was to show how real people live stylishly, and how different homes can really show the personalities of their owners. The home we’re touring today is no exception.
We’re visiting Sarah and Danny’s house in the East Bay, near San Francisco. Sarah and Danny’s story is a familiar one for many young families. Having spent years living in San Francisco itself, the time had come to escape the big smoke. As if having a two-year-old wasn’t enough reason to start looking for more space, the chaotic housing market in San Francisco made buying a first place in the city even more perilous. So Sarah and Danny headed for the hills – literally. They ended up buying a mid-century modern home high up in the El Cerrito hills, near Berkeley, with the most fabulous views over San Francisco Bay. In fact, it was the view that convinced them there was more to life than city-living.
Of course, the house itself played a big role in convincing them too. Sarah says they both instantly felt at home here. It’s easy to see why.
Sarah describes their style as ‘global modern’ and I couldn’t agree more. Hardly surprising when you consider what these two do for a living. Danny is a horticulturalist and Sarah works for a global non-profit, a job which requires traveling to Africa and Asia. The house is filled with the couple’s collections of exotic plants, orchids, fossils, stones and statues. Yet, it’s still a welcoming house, suitable for a toddler (and some chaotic, toddler-filled parties!)
At the heart of the home is a huge, open kitchen and dining room. The latter area is a perfect example of the couple’s style. But, although it looks like everything came from some far-flung place, in fact there are several canny local purchases here too. The vintage floor lamp was a gift, but the pendant shade was from Z Gallerie.
And this cute little guy was from World Market!
Most San Franciscans would kill for a kitchen like this. Sarah and Danny repainted all the cabinets, but the floor plan was in place when they moved in. I like the huge crystal – citrine quartz, from Living Green in San Francisco – and the way it glows like kryptonite under the lights. The art on the left (just seen) is actually a photo of graffiti in SF (a little reminder of urban life?) The orchids are all by Danny. If, like me, you can’t keep an orchid more than two weeks you’ll appreciate how handy it must be to have a horticulturalist around the place. (Email me if you have inquiries about the orchids).
I expect this kitchen made leaving San Francisco a lot easier. There’s even room for the couple’s little girl to have her own toddler kitchen in the corner.
The living room is very mid-century with those vast windows (overlooking the Bay). It’s truly a place to chill out and enjoy the view. Sarah says they often feel like they’re on vacation when relaxing in here. Like the dining room, this space uses a clever combination of finds and buys. The green glass lamp base was actually salvaged from a street corner.
The gray brick fireplace is original to the house. The orange dogs are from Pier One.
And the 50-year-old Buddha was a gift from a friend who bought it in Vietnam.
Here’s a closer look at the orange Staffordshire dog. Quite the cheeky pup, this one!
And here, posing for the camera, is the reason for the big move! Sarah and Danny’s daughter proudly shows off her bedroom, which is a treasure trove for little girls. I love those little suitcases – they’re from Noodle Soup in Corte Madera, just north of SF.
Sarah and Danny chose deep greens and oranges for their walls. The effect is restful in the master bedroom.
And welcoming in the entryway.
Outside, there’s a patio for BBQ-ing and a lawn for playing. Plus, there’s another benefit of moving out of the city: sunshine!
And so, back to that view. Quite apart from the space the new house provides – perfect for hide and seek, apparently – it’s easy to see why Sarah and Danny were able to move away from San Francisco. They may have left the city behind, but the view meant it was never out of sight.
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