Juxtaposing Rough And Refined

I know I have blogged about Darryl Carter before, but I can't help but go off on some of my favorite designers!  Darryl gets it; his design is based on minimalism - stripping away all unnecessary embellishment (loud colors, busy patterns) to focus attention on carefully curated pieces.

How sad to have beautiful antiques throughout your home, but you can't see them because there is too much going on.

This is a huge reason why I love the monochromatic!  

Darryl says, "White rooms make old things seem more current."  He goes on to say, "White rooms are more complex than they appear because there are no distractions.  Every choice becomes critical."

I love Darryl's 19th-century Virginia home.  He perfectly balances the rough and refined, creating the perfect juxtaposition of texture and atmosphere!

I love how Rosy Strazzeri-Fridman puts it: "It's not that I have an aversion to color - it's just that I have more of an affinity for the monochromatic.  For me, people are color, flowers are color, food is color... and all of this is my canvas."

... amen girl!

Blanc d'Ivoire

A couple of years ago while in Paris, my husband and I walked into a gorgeous store! 

The furniture reminded me of everything French and the selection was the perfect combination of antique and modern elegance!  Ever since that day I have been a huge fan and would love to get my hands on some of this beautiful furniture.

Blanc d'Ivoire carries a large selection of beautiful light fixtures, consoles, buffets along with luxurious French quilts and bedding.  

Check out Indulge decor!  It's the perfect place to find the perfect Blanc d'Ivoire piece!

All images via Blanc d'Ivoire

If you want to see some more beautiful images from this line? 

Check out Indulge decor's blog!

Have a wonderful week!

... Needing a Little Whimsy?

I have to say - the last couple of days have been long and hard!  My two boys have been fighting an awful flu bug, one of the worst I've seen.  I think it's just as hard on parents as it is on the kids.  

Sleepless nights... constant whining and complaining... it never seems to end!  One day seems like a week!

So here I am posting happy images.  They are full of color and whimsy and I hope they will bring a spark to a long winter day!

via Kate Spade

via http://9thspace.tumblr.com/

via http://www.dottieangel.blogspot.com/

via http://www.designdazzle.blogspot.com/

via Jenny Lind

via http://www.poppytalk.blogspot.com/

via John Grenan

via http://www.houseofturquoise.com/

via http://www.vosgesparis.blogspot.com/

via http://www.myhomeideas.com/

via http://www.flickr.com/

Don't you love the mirrored mosaics?!

via http://www.flickr.com/

Don't these images get your creativity going?

Which image inspires you?

Stay healthy everyone!

The Perfect Belgian Kitchen

This kitchen was built by Joris Van Apers bvba.

This is the perfect eighteenth-century inspired kitchen; with all its original elements, proportions and aging techniques - this kitchen is truly one-of-a-kind!!

I can't get enough of the color palette that was used; I could sit in this room all day!

Notice the eighteenth-century fireplace integrated above the oven

all images via beta-plus "Compendium Architectural Antiques"

Sorry for the fuzzy-scanned pictures... these images don't do this kitchen justice!

I hope you're having a wonderful weekend!

Lake Martin, Alabama... WOW!

I found a jewel-of-a-place!

There is this gorgeous lake house on Lake Martin, Alabama and it was designed by Tracery Interiors...  whom is now a favorite!

I can't get over the perfect combination of French antiques, galvanized metal and all the raw wood... simply  breathtaking!

... I want this lake house!!

Don't you love airy and unexpected? 

Hands down one of my favorites!

The Perfect Team!

Nothing I love more than an amazing company who creates and offers perfection!  

Bourgondisch Kruis is an amazing team who offers one of the most extensive collections of Burgundy slabs and natural stones; these can then be turned into floors, fireplaces, stairs and columns.   This particular company has its own carpentry workshop as well as their own design team.  

Below are some pictures of Bourgondisch's projects!  

Every picture illustrates functionality, class and timelessness.

I hope you enjoy these pictures as much as I do, and don't forget to check out their website!

Couldn't you just stare at these images all day?

The warmth of the woods, the reclaimed fireplace mantels, the lime-washed walls... I absolutely LOVE Belgian decor!!

I hope you're having a wonderful week!