via Material Girls
Monday, February 28, 2011
5 Tips to a Stylish Man-Cave
This month, Esquire magazine has devoted an entire feature to interior design for men (thanks for the tip Curbed). Which makes today the perfect day to bring up the man-cave.
Man-caves have always been an object of fascination to us women. It's not always a fascination worth coveting - especially when it comes in the form of an email from our other-half containing one of these or these (yes, I have received the latter in an email).
But when the man-cave is done right, a masculine look can be beautifully ingenious. Stylish man-caves keeps us believing that deep down, men do have a sense of style that doesn't involve la-z-boys and beer fridges.
So here are a few ideas if you are considering adding a masculine touch to your house (it looks glam and will keep a certain someone in your house happy!):
1. Black grasscloth wallpaper: black grasscloth looks absolutely gorgeous and is the essence of masculinity: a little scruffy, dark and mysterious - it's basically the George Clooney of wallpapers.
Tony Baratta via NYSD
Left - I took this pic of M's closet today right before posting this. It is not staged!! I kid you not, he really has been housing 2 dozen Coronas in his closet for the past week! Hey at least it's not taking the 3 only shelves in our fridge!
Right - Kerry Delrose via Design for Men Mag
5. Black & white artwork: paired with #1, 2, 3 and a few fancy electronic gadgets, black & white artwork is sure to complete the much needed elegance of the stylish man-cave.
Man-caves have always been an object of fascination to us women. It's not always a fascination worth coveting - especially when it comes in the form of an email from our other-half containing one of these or these (yes, I have received the latter in an email).
But when the man-cave is done right, a masculine look can be beautifully ingenious. Stylish man-caves keeps us believing that deep down, men do have a sense of style that doesn't involve la-z-boys and beer fridges.
So here are a few ideas if you are considering adding a masculine touch to your house (it looks glam and will keep a certain someone in your house happy!):
1. Black grasscloth wallpaper: black grasscloth looks absolutely gorgeous and is the essence of masculinity: a little scruffy, dark and mysterious - it's basically the George Clooney of wallpapers.
Shamir Shah via NYSD
2. A well-stocked bar: this one applies not only to the man-cave but also to every good hostess. A well-stocked bar shows that you are always prepared to entertain!
3. A tan leather couch, armchair or even headboard: Tan or brown leather (especially when aged or antiqued) is so manly and so beautiful. I don't even feel the need to add any more. I'm sure you already know how good it is.
3. A tan leather couch, armchair or even headboard: Tan or brown leather (especially when aged or antiqued) is so manly and so beautiful. I don't even feel the need to add any more. I'm sure you already know how good it is.
Todd Yoggy via Desire to Inspire
James Andrew via NYSD
4. A spacious manly walk-in closet: This one is more like a man-batcave; the secret hide-out; the cave not even his best mate knows about... I know that men say they would prefer a walk-in beer fridge than a walk-in closet but the truth is: everyone, including men, can benefit from having enough space to dress in the morning and/or store their clothes. And who knows, they might even decide to fit a beer fridge in their walk-in closet (see very tangible proof below)!
Tony Baratta via NYSD via La Dolce Vita
Left - I took this pic of M's closet today right before posting this. It is not staged!! I kid you not, he really has been housing 2 dozen Coronas in his closet for the past week! Hey at least it's not taking the 3 only shelves in our fridge!
Right - Kerry Delrose via Design for Men Mag
5. Black & white artwork: paired with #1, 2, 3 and a few fancy electronic gadgets, black & white artwork is sure to complete the much needed elegance of the stylish man-cave.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
Friday Fix: Canopy Beds
Here's a weird one for you. I have always hated canopy beds with a passion - I've always found them quite bulky and definitely not practical and frankly never understood the point of them! Then one day (I believe I was reading this by Knight Moves) it struck me: I actually LOVE canopy beds! This morning's post only confirmed it all...
This didn't come all of a sudden. After uncovering this new found love, I found a ton of images of canopy beds in my inspiration files! Has that ever happened to you? I guess this is how trends work - you hate them at first and then your taste develops and you come to like them - like a good bottle of wine or anchovies...
I still probably wouldn't want a canopy bed in our bedroom - because I want a bed with a wingback headboard and nailhead trim way too much. But maybe for a holiday house - one day?
Anyway, in the meantime here are some canopy beds from my inspiration files...
I believe this one is the first that ever made it to my inspiration files.. It's so old I don't even have a source for you, sorry..
This didn't come all of a sudden. After uncovering this new found love, I found a ton of images of canopy beds in my inspiration files! Has that ever happened to you? I guess this is how trends work - you hate them at first and then your taste develops and you come to like them - like a good bottle of wine or anchovies...
I still probably wouldn't want a canopy bed in our bedroom - because I want a bed with a wingback headboard and nailhead trim way too much. But maybe for a holiday house - one day?
Anyway, in the meantime here are some canopy beds from my inspiration files...
I believe this one is the first that ever made it to my inspiration files.. It's so old I don't even have a source for you, sorry..
And then came a few others...
via Mochatini
via JPM Design
Viceroy Mayakoba via Patricia Gray Interior Design
via Fresh Quince
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Interior decorating 101: The rules of colour
This question has been trotting in my head for a while so I thought, what better way to get an answer than to ask you, dear readers:
Do you follow a strict colour scheme when decorating or do you just chuck together all the colours under the sun that tickle your fancy?
I personally have a huge pet-peeve for when things look matchy-matchy, but a little colour direction can't hurt right?
For example, I want my main colours for our office to be blue and emerald green but I'll mix it in with lots of black and white, some metallics, a little bit of tan neutrals and once everything is finished, I might consider throwing in a touch of yellow or a hint of pink. And there goes my colour scheme - out the window!
Sure there are lots of rules out there about how to match colours - But then again isn't one of the rules to learn the rules and then learn to break 'em?
So what are your decorating colour rules? Do you like to follow or break them? Please do share!
Do you follow a strict colour scheme when decorating or do you just chuck together all the colours under the sun that tickle your fancy?
Lonny via Live Like You
I personally have a huge pet-peeve for when things look matchy-matchy, but a little colour direction can't hurt right?
via Plush Palate
For example, I want my main colours for our office to be blue and emerald green but I'll mix it in with lots of black and white, some metallics, a little bit of tan neutrals and once everything is finished, I might consider throwing in a touch of yellow or a hint of pink. And there goes my colour scheme - out the window!
Sure there are lots of rules out there about how to match colours - But then again isn't one of the rules to learn the rules and then learn to break 'em?
So what are your decorating colour rules? Do you like to follow or break them? Please do share!
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly: Real Living March 2011
I had a really good surprise in the mail today: the latest issue of Real Living Australia! Well it wasn't exactly a surprise since I had been eagerly waiting for it... Even more so after this morning when I saw it on the shelves at the servo gas station and thought: where is my copy?
Without further adieu, here is my best and worst of this month's issue of Real Living.
The Good: Ok, first of all I felt really guilty having only one good thing to say against one bad and one ugly thing because overall, I really loved this issue! So I'm giving you three good features about this month's issue:
1- The cover - What gorgeous colours and stunning space! Love the George Nelson lamps and I really want/need that sofa (but I won't buy it - see why in The Bad)!
2- Old home, warm heart - remember that hallway that went all around the blogosphere a while back? Of course you do. Well, the whole house is featured in this month's issue and it is stunning! It's borderline too scandinavian for my taste - but the colors (that dusty purple) the glossy black floors, the mix of old and new, and all that natural light won me over.
3- A surprising terrace makeover - if you love a good before and after, this one is for you! The transformation of this terrace house is truly phenomenal and I love how they've kept the old charm in the front and a sleek bright, airy, updated and extended kitchen in the back - just like our house! The owner, Anne Bowen, is co-founder of Gallop Lifestyles, an online homewares shop filled with pretty products. Go check it our or see more of Anne's home's "after" pictures here.
The Bad: I was a little disappointed with real shopping this month - it featured 4 sofas, none of which were mid price range! It went from a lavish and stunning $4480 three-seater (on the cover) to sofas from Fantastic Furniture and Ikea sofas ranging from $249 to $399! What about all the readers (me, for instance) who are looking for a sofa in the $1000-$2000 mark?? Or anything between $400 to $4400 for that matter!
The Ugly: Handy Woman - when a coworker told me about how bad this month's Handy Woman was, I thought she was exaggerating. Ok so a candelabra made out of plumber's piping didn't sound so appealing. But, I had somehow imagined a rustic metal one that looked relatively ok - if you're into that kind of stuff.. I hadn't imagined a bad cheapy PVC one!! EEEK! Let's just say I'll be looking for DIY projects elsewhere this month...
PS - How did you like my little "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly" feature? I really enjoyed sharing my thoughts on this month's Real Living issue and I'm thinking about keeping this format to review other shelter mags... Note to self - I should really consider a scanner if I'm to keep this up!
Without further adieu, here is my best and worst of this month's issue of Real Living.
1- The cover - What gorgeous colours and stunning space! Love the George Nelson lamps and I really want/need that sofa (but I won't buy it - see why in The Bad)!
2- Old home, warm heart - remember that hallway that went all around the blogosphere a while back? Of course you do. Well, the whole house is featured in this month's issue and it is stunning! It's borderline too scandinavian for my taste - but the colors (that dusty purple) the glossy black floors, the mix of old and new, and all that natural light won me over.
via Desire to Inspire and 79 Ideas
3- A surprising terrace makeover - if you love a good before and after, this one is for you! The transformation of this terrace house is truly phenomenal and I love how they've kept the old charm in the front and a sleek bright, airy, updated and extended kitchen in the back - just like our house! The owner, Anne Bowen, is co-founder of Gallop Lifestyles, an online homewares shop filled with pretty products. Go check it our or see more of Anne's home's "after" pictures here.
both via Gallop Lifestyle
The Ugly: Handy Woman - when a coworker told me about how bad this month's Handy Woman was, I thought she was exaggerating. Ok so a candelabra made out of plumber's piping didn't sound so appealing. But, I had somehow imagined a rustic metal one that looked relatively ok - if you're into that kind of stuff.. I hadn't imagined a bad cheapy PVC one!! EEEK! Let's just say I'll be looking for DIY projects elsewhere this month...
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Gallery Walls 101: Affordable Modern Art
I recently discovered Artriver - an online art shop that focuses on providing affordable modern art to the public. I couldn't understand the why the prices were so low - so I did a little research. The majority of prints sold on Artriver are bookplates. What are bookplates you ask?
So while the size of these prints is often quite small - they are the most affordable way to collect the works of your favorite artists! How perfect for a gallery wall! Here are a few of my favorites from Artriver...
A bookplate is usually a small print or decorative label pasted into a book, often on the inside front cover, to indicate its owner. Bookplates today are mostly coveted by collectors for the constitution - at quite reasonable cost - of a miniature, personalized art-print collection. They commission numbered and signed editions of bookplates to their name which are never pasted into books but only serve for exchange purposes
(Thanks Wikipedia!)
So while the size of these prints is often quite small - they are the most affordable way to collect the works of your favorite artists! How perfect for a gallery wall! Here are a few of my favorites from Artriver...
Wool 32 - Christopher Wool
Roschach Plate #6 - Andy Warhol
James Nares - I Stand Up to a Mountain
A Blvd Called Sunset - Ed Ruscha
No4 - Wes Mills
Untitled - Cy Twombly
Monday, February 21, 2011
The search is finally over!
Ladies and gentlemen, the search for the perfect dining room table is finally over. We purchased this beauty yesterday on Ebay - an antique walnut dining room table.
We are picking it up on Thursday and I cannot wait to see it in person! Stay tuned for an update on our dining area!
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Friday, February 18, 2011
Friday Fix: Botanical Prints
I'm not a green thumb. In fact I'm quite the opposite - whatever plant I touch pretty much dies. And, I wish I could say the opposite but - I'm not a fan of gardening. Dirt always gets stuck under my fingernails, I hate creepy crawlies and it's an insane amount of maintenance to keep things looking good and alive.
Don't get me wrong - I love a beautiful garden. I just wish someone else would do all the work. Although I'm probably the worst gardener in the history of the world, I love botanical imagery and prints. It fascinates me to see plants and other growing things so perfectly represented. If you love botanical prints too, go see the Dreamery Studio Etsy shop. Their prints are beautiful and at that price, they would make a great gallery wall!
Here is more botanical print inspiration:
Don't get me wrong - I love a beautiful garden. I just wish someone else would do all the work. Although I'm probably the worst gardener in the history of the world, I love botanical imagery and prints. It fascinates me to see plants and other growing things so perfectly represented. If you love botanical prints too, go see the Dreamery Studio Etsy shop. Their prints are beautiful and at that price, they would make a great gallery wall!
via Dreamery Studio
via The Decorista
via The Decorista
via Artrism
via House and Home
via Solid Frog
via Emily A Clark
via Emily A Clark
via Myles Henry
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