Tag: home decor

When you see or hear the name Oprah attached to something, you know the end result will be far from simple.  Furthermore if it has something to do with beauty and serenity, inner beauty and natural growth.  Unsurprisingly Oprah Winfrey’s Rose Garden is worth keeping on an inspirational board for all the valid reasons as you can corroborate by looking at these images below.  Rose parterres, gravel pathways, topiaries, and a metal arbor where Oprah usually goes to get in sync with nature.  She declares “Sometimes I stand under the arbor, close my eyes, and allow myself to take in as much as I can: I hear birds splashing in the fountain and literally smell the roses. This garden makes me present.”  One of the many effects Gardens can have on people, which I wrote about in this post.

Oprah winfrey's rose garden

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renovation tips for bathrooms Julie Paulino Design marble shower
When we started remodeling our home I knew we were not going to live here forever, I also knew what many people knew, that the time of the housing boon was over.  Knowing that, my choices on materials and structural changes needed to be more cautious, but I didn’t want to sacrifice style or comfort.  So I kept the kitchen and bathrooms as traditional and neutral as possible, something that would appeal to most people, in case one day we decided to sell this house.  For our master bathroom I mixed “real and steal” materials: marble mosaic in calacatta gold for the floor, chair rail (to end the tiles that I extended 12″ up the wall, below) and the pencil border that frames the walk-in shower.  The shower walls are in porcelain that look exactly like calacatta gold marble.  It’s funny the tile installer didn’t know it wasn’t marble until he saw the back of it.  The vanity is custom made.The master bathroom is on the small side so I installed a programmable tile warmer, a luxury feature that will compensate for the lack of space. Anyone who has ever remodeled a home knows that faucets can be expensive.  For the shower faucets I simply left out unnecessary things such as volume control handles.   The main shower handle does the volume control already so why buy an extra one?  I wanted to create a luxury experience for my shower with more than one water source without having to pay top money for it.  I got the big overhead shower at Lowe’s where the handheld shower is a combination of one of those handles that come with the shower I just replaced the hose for one that you can connect separately and got the set of handles with its respective valves at a trade showroom.  This way I was able to have two separate shower sources with two separate faucets.
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While searching about this black and white kitchen below, I came across the sitting area of another kitchen that looked as they belonged together, sort of like a Dream Kitchen Design.
black and white kitchen, design, beam ceiling, black stove and hood and glass upper cabinetsThe black and white kitchen with ceiling-high subway tiles and dark grout was designed by  Tamara Magel while the would-be other side of the “Dream Kitchen” with a more neutral, earthy tones was designed by Huniford.  Their aesthetics and atmospheres are very similar to each other, especially when the exposed beam ceiling is a shared interior architectural detail.  The shared color in both kitchens is white, especially in the first two images where white is on almost every surface except for the beam ceiling and the black range hood.  This is a very relaxing and clean kitchen, however I believe that the tones in the last two images are a bit more soothing and warmer due to the use of earthy tones such as grey, browns, black and the touch of nature in the form of indoor plants.  Such details make a difference when it comes to creating an atmosphere in interiors.

Black and white kitchen design marble island, whitewashed floors

The choice of glass doors for the upper cabinets give this kitchen an open feeling.  It also softens up the exposed beam ceiling.

Black and white kitchen breakfst room design with earthy tones

I especially love the windows in this kitchen sitting area.  The details of curved edges soften up the brick walls and metal windows.

Black and white kitchen breakfast room design with beam ceiling

Lovely warm and modern inviting sitting space.

Two top images via Tamara Magel. last two images via Rikki Snyder.

 

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Poppy Delevingne’s luxurious bathroom is like a gift that keeps on giving.  It’s also a girl’s dream with marble covering counter tops, shower and floors and accents of polished brass fixtures. Delevingne’s bathroom is right up my alley.  The walls are covered in a De Gournay green wallpaper, but don’t fret, the luxurious wallpaper seems to be protected from water and moisture, thanks to the glass enclosed marble-covered shower, as you can spot in this video she did for Jo Malone.

Poppy Delevingne's luxurious bathroom, with de gournay wallpaper

Poppy Delevingne taking a selfie in her fabulous bathroom from her Instagram acct.

The beautiful bathroom also shows some functional features, as a closet for storage and a glass and brass metal three tier side table next to the free-standing bathtub for easy access to toiletries.

poppy delevingne'd luxurious bathroom, via abelle vivir

Poppy Delevingne's luxurious bathroom, bathtub and brass faucet

Make it your own

Framed chinoiserie wall mural would add a great touch.  Brass deck mount exposed faucet, brass sink faucet, a more modern version freestanding bathtub, three tier side table in brass and acrylic.

Second picture by Bjorn Looss, scanned by me from Porter Magazine

 

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Provencal Gardens design ideas with terracotta pots with boxwood and stone walls and shutters

Francois Catroux courtyard in Laurmarine, France.  The Provencal garden has ancient fortified stone walls with shutters on the windows, the floor is in gravel and the green throughout is planted in terracotta pots.

Characteristics of Provencal Gardens

European Country or Provencal gardens are informal with a more laid-back atmosphere.  When more European formal gardens are meticulously planned and focused on symmetry, many countryside gardens share a common thread that reflects their slower pace of life and unpretentious approach to design.  As in many of their choices in life, Europeans first priority when it comes to designing their garden is about creating the space to celebrate the pleasures of life among friends and family.  What an inspiring way of living, taking what you have and working with it, instead of falsely inventing what’s not there.  Of course, not all of us
have the perfect surroundings of the South of France but there is something to be learned from this realistic low maintenance approach to design.  Europeans have an innate sense of style and even though their country gardens are casual they sure are stunning and charming settings where we can linger and never get tired of them.  One main element I constantly see in these gardens is gravel, typically used in patios and pathways as well as partitions between boxwood.  These countryside gardens in Europe may be full of harmony, but make no mistake, these lush outdoor spaces are full of varieties.  Usually lots of container
plantings for easy caring, lavender for the beauty as well as for the aroma, vegetable and herb farming for an organic living and ancient old trees.  Since food and wine is an integral part of good living (in my and many others opinion),  iron garden tables and simple chairs are a must for outdoor eating.
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As everyone knows, the first impression is essential.  In many cases, definitive.  Accordingly, a gracious foyer or entryway decor speaks volume of what lies ahead.  Whether you are lucky enough to have in your home a full room for a foyer or a small entryway, there are endless ways to decorate it in a welcoming way.  Here are 10 great ways to decorate your foyer or entryway.

Contemporary Entryway

foyer, 10 great ways to decorate your foyer, home foyer decorating ideas ways to decorate your entryway
In this entryway, two identical eagle-base consoles with two respecting round mirrors bring
balance and symmetry to the entrance of this home.  The shimmery wallpaper decor adds a touch of glam to the space.
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