Our outdoor patio will have to have a place to eat Al Fresco, cushions, there must be a bunch for comfort, evergreen and of course flowers among which there will be wisteria, lavender and roses. ummm…that sounds like a lot of purple.
We’re starting to renovate Lucas’ bathroom and this time I’m going for a more eclectic French approach. It’s for a toddler this bathroom, but it’ll also be shared with guests so it’ll be eclectic and rooted on tradition. I love how French have proven their immortal style so much so that sometimes they throw this here and that there and they know that the result will be as close to perfect as if they had planned it more carefully. I’ll just try and see what comes out. After all Belle stands for my love of everything French and Vivir for my living, feeling and experience through design since I ever remember. Enjoy the eye candy!
Chastleton House, Oxfordshire
Flamestitch or Florentine stitch, not to be confused with zig zag, is believed to be originated in Hungary as Hungarian stitch or embroidery. The design that is as old as you can imagine was first found and created as embroidery, which was called in Italy Bargello Arts Stiching, hence the Bargello chairs. It consists in straight up and down uneven zigzag resembling flames. Back in the 1600’s Anne Fettiplace, wife of Walter Jones, had a bedroom and closet ” The Fettiplace Closset” in the Chastleton House, Oxfordshire covered completely in Flamestitch. Mary Mcdonald anyone? You see how nothing is really new?
I am completely madly in love with Sally Benedict‘s sophisticated work. In her work, full of soft and delicate colorful strokes, I see a little bit of Matisse and Williem de Kooning’s influence. Now, when all I can think about involves sand, sunblock and sun, her beach abstract landscape paintings are calling my name and I think they would look stunning in a beach house.
Abstract Expressionism is my favorite type of painting. Below are two of hers which I think are breath taking.
A lovely kitchen to start the week, right?! The earthy and fresh feel of this kitchen screams beach at countless miles away. Its stone walls, whitewash island, straw bag resting on the floor and white pottery do nothing more than confirm it.
Image via Delight by Design.
The high temperatures here in the Northeast have broken records. It reached 103 degrees yesterday and although it calls for staying inside under the cool effect of AC, reality screams something different. But finally the weekend is here and I have decided that even when it’s burning hot outside, outdoors is the place for me to be this weekend. But before I confront the heat wave outside I will suck in all these relaxing and refreshing images for inspiration and perhaps encouragement. Happy weekend everyone!
Photos by Marcus Ohlsson, Henrik Halvarsson via Classicq and Kate Ryan.