NO MORE BORING WALLS

NO MORE BORING BLANK WALLS

It stares at you every time you enter the room.  That blank stare.  Cold, unfeeling.  It says, well, what do you expect?  I'm blank and boring.  Fix me.  Make me interesting.

We all have a wall that needs something fabulous!

Speaking of fabulous, I just discovered photographer Clark Little

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Adding Some Patina with Wallpaper?!

I am generally not a wallpaper person. I prefer more stark walls to showcase my antiques and artwork. But the Gustavus Collection of papers from Zoffany has me completely in love with wallpaper again. You generally don’t think wallpaper can add patina to a room but let’s have a look. The paper above is called Gustavus and I love the soft faded feeling. It is a perfect backdrop for antiques.

Generally I do not favor florals, but the Elenora paper is just so lovely. Wouldn’t this perfect in a dining room or sunroom? Again, I am in love the muted palette.

I adore this image – the paper, the chairs covered in nubby linen, the antique mirror and chest – I could live in this room.

This paper is called Medici, I love how faded the edges of the design are. These papers really add another layer of depth and Patina to the room. I love how aged they seem.

Speaking of Patina, congratulations to our friends Brooke and Steve Giannetti of Velvet and Linen for the launch of their new book PATINA STYLE. You can learn more about HERE and pre-order it HERE. To see more of Zoffany’s Gustavus line of wallpapers HERE. Both are great inspirations for incorporating a bit more Patina into your Decor.

(Photos Zoffany – Photo credit T. Harvey)

A Living Room Redo

BONNIE AND ROB'S NEW LIVING ROOM

(AND DINING ROOM)

I love making a client's vision come true.  In the end, that is (or should be) the goal of any interior

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Our Summer Trip to Italy

This summer we are taking the family to Italy. We are not “ten cities in ten days” type of travelers. We like to linger in one place and really explore off the beaten path. When Dave and I lived in Germany we spent many weekends in Italy, but because we often drove, we never went too far south.

So this year, we thought we would first take the kids to see the highlights of Rome and the Vatican; and of course the Fountains.

I am pretty excited about our private tour of Villa Borghese.

And then, as they both have been studying Latin and Pompeii, we head to Pompeii to explore the ruins.

But most of our time will be spent relaxing on the Amalfi coast, a place we have never been.

We plan on hiking the interesting trails from town to town.

Attending family cooking school to learn to make some yummy regional dishes.

In my travel search I came across this fabulous site for renting Italian villas, you can see more HERE. I found an amazing one I wanted to share with you in Positano.

Villa Casa Giusy has the most gorgeous views.

But the inside is equally spectacular – I love the relaxed decor.

Can you imagine living here year round?

The kitchen is just wonderful notice the iron scroll work on the door. I can imagine myself rolling out a big sheet of homemade pasta on that table.

The bedroom is also beautiful. I adore the tile floor. I am so excited to see all the beautiful handmade tiles.

If any of you have been to this area and have recommendations I would love to hear from you. We are so excited and I can’t wait to bring back photos and inspiration from trip. I wonder where it will lead us...

(all contents by Willow Décor and not to be copied with out permission)

ASKED AND ANSWERED:

WALL COLOR - CHOOSING A YELLOW/GOLD

Question:Thanks for putting up the info on yellow/gold.  [see http://yournestdesign.blogspot.com/2011/01/exploring-wall-color-warm-tones.html ]

However, I am as confused as ever! For example, BJ's Hawthorne Yellow looks like one color in your photo (lovely light amber) and another color in a magazine photo I have (strong primal yellow). And just when I thought maybe that was the color I was looking for.

I'm really frustrated! I've been at this for over six months. I decided on yellow or gold because I live in Chicago, and as you so aptly pointed out, moods are affected by dark days (or walls). I don't get the current trend towards grey for that reason. Heaven help us if everyone is living in a grey world.

Could you give me a bit of advice?

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Oprah’s Teahouse - Perfect for Easter Dinner!

I couldn’t imagine a more perfect place to have Easter Sunday Dinner than in Oprah’s Teahouse.

Located on her lovely property in Montecito, CA

The spectacular views are enhanced by hydrangea, dahlias and her award winning rose garden.

Wishing you a wonderful holiday weekend!

(all photos Oprah.com)

Beautiful Things

Home decoration is an ageless favourite.The Comforting elegance of grandeur times,helped me explore more of the traditional decor style.Illustrating the various elements of traditional design became a part of life.I prefer traditional style more at times when compared to the modern,abstract style of design.

The warmth of the traditional decor extends the warmth of the beautiful hues created by our forefathers...

Today let me share with you all some pieces of beautiful things at home,some unique pieces of art which has always remained my personal favourites.Almost all of them have been bought by my grandparents in their golden times..

Simply a photoshoot at home to keep them in memorable cuisine ,lets me think to share with you all....

I hope the photography and the artefacts may interests you..

Silverwares and a small side /coffee table which my mom got as a wedding gift..decades back....

a tanjore krishna painting which a japanese friend (Nakano)of my grandma gifted her years back.Nakano came from japan to study the art and lived near our house and used to visit the nearby temple and they became great friends.My grandma was sad during the time of japan earthquake,no news of Nakano so far..

to Nakano with love
absolute in love with this goddess saraswathi ,which my grandparents bought years back.This adorns our puja room.Yes,this is from the Ravi Varma Collection..

A small silver uruli ,an antique one accompanies the goddess..
this is the biggest uruli we have,an antique one
a brass Nandi near the window sillabsolute beauty/radianceAnother art ,Lord Krishna and Rukmini.,my grandparents bought from Tiruchirapalli when my grandmother went to sing for a concert 30 years back...An Interesting find
a closer look at the art

All images by Lakshmi Arvind

Please do not save nor use them without the prior permission of the author

ASKED AND ANSWERED - COLOR HELP

Atlanta Homes

I've been in the middle of a client's renovation and I haven't had time to answer my wonderful readers' questions individually.  

So, with apologies to those who asked for help -

(and I hope this isn't too late) 

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Dreamy Spring Decor!

I have long been a fan of Designer, Lisa Teague from New Hampshire. Her beautiful work was introduced to me by the fabulous interior photographer, Jamie Salomon. Above is a peek into Lisa’s gorgeous Living Room.

Her color palette is so beautiful, soothing and soft without being too monochromatic. So often we see soft color palettes that turn boring, but Lisa has an extraordinary talent to turn a soft color palette into an exquisite room.

I

Here is another angle of the living room – notice the pop of blue on the legs of ottoman. The blue is echoed more softly on the back wall and on banister by the stairs. These are lovely ways to introduce a pop of blue and then soften it by adding paler shades elsewhere in the room.

I love her country kitchen with blackboard wall and open shelving. Notice the addition of the floor runner to add a bit of blue.

Another shade of pale, gray blue in the bedroom.

I adore the antique linen chair.

It is no surprise that Lisa is also writes a wonderful blog on color and design called Color Gypsy you can read it HERE. You can see more of Lisa Teague’s work on her website HERE. Also to see more incredible interiors visit James Salomon Photography HERE.

What do you think readers, doesn’t this home embody a dreamy spring day?

(All content copyrighted by Willow Décor. All photos James Salomon Photography – not to be used with out permission)

Flowers and Flickr friends,Part 9

"Friends are flowers that never fade"

Its a long time since the series has been seriously pursued and here comes the wonderful flowers and corners of my dearest flickr friend Subasri Pillai,lovingly called Sri...

A creative consultant / freelance photographer /artist / busy mom ,thts what Sri is.Yes Indeed and she keeps herself very busy and I 've endless passion in interior designing , photography, cooking ,baking, reading,painting, scrapbooking and travel says Sri.....
You'll see some glimpses of her everyday life through these images

Friendly and Cheerful person says Sri and who doesnt love flowers?

Images Courtesy,Subasri Pillai.

She flickrs here

Enjoy and flowers and they do ask your comments...