I've been bitten by the design bug once again, and I can't stop drooling over gorgeous interiors, particularly those with multitudes of whites. As such, I am (naturally) contemplating such painting in my petite abode. My apartment's gone through countless transformations over the past 20 months, and while I don't intend on doing a dramatic overhaul, I am eagerly looking forward to some fresh change.
Mostly? I want to declutter, simplify and downsize. Luckily I recently became the owner of a storage unit across the hall from my apartment (negotiated with my apt manager since, um, THEY RAISED MY RENT), and today after work, I'm going to pick up the key and start hauling crap over there. Eventually I hope to sell or donate the "crap" I'm "storing", but that all takes time, and for now, I want it out of my apartment.
As for painting, there is a loooong wall that spans the entire length of my apartment (entry/dining/living room) that has never been painted. The current color is grey-ish (my apt is "loft"-y), which doesn't bother me too much (since it ain't beige), but I want a crisp clean white. I love white walls and white furniture with POPS of color. I have oodles of color in my apartment already, so a long white wall would fare nicely. Do you have any recommendations as to a good white paint? I'm a fan of Benjamin Moore. I also want to paint my bed white, but you knew that already. ;-)
I recently stumbled across Jennifer Ramos's lovely house tour. I love her home because it's so real, but still personalized, design-worthy, and beautiful. I also love her prints and recently made her I Love You, Blogs and Coffee one mine. I framed it over the weekend and will post pics as soon as I get my new dining table (that is currently sold out at IKEA - grrr).
I particularly love her office and *SO* wish I could get rid of all my standard (and BROWN) office furniture. Yuck.
What's your design aesthetic when it comes to your home?
14 comments:
those are all so gorgeous!! you have a real eye for things like this. maybe something you should look into... ;)
oooo, love the typewriter sitting under the blogs & coffee pic.
her office is wonderful. twinkle lights make everything better :)
In PA, I painted a lot of walls white and would have French Country asthetic for the furniture with IKEA blended in (it's cheap!). In the new house (as of this October), I really want to paint the living room purple with white trim. The b/f and I are still negotiating, but hopefully I will win.
I wish I had better paint suggestions but the only Benjamin Moore whites I've used are Linen White which is really ivory, but nice and clean also. I did my kitchen cabinets in Winged Dove which has a little grey in it, but they look white to me.
I love crisp white too.
That's funny, I have her "Love" poster up in my dining room! I need her blogs and tea little print to put up on my art wall in my office...I really wanted a large white fluffy couch, but alas, the dogs and hubby wouldn't allow it...it's tough being married to a man who has an opinion on decor :O
I would describe my design style as
chic, earthy, Zen....Not sure this style actually truly exists, but I think it is fitting!
Carolyn - hello!!! Martha directed me to your blog after she learned of my growning obsession with blogs - so fun - I added it to my reader immediately! As a professional I had to comment on this post. Benjamin Moore is definitely the best paint - I have used and like OC-17 White Dove, OC-25 cloud cover, and OC-65 Chantilly Lace (the purest white of these). Good luck! Hope to see you soon!
Yay downsizing!!! It seems I'm always trying to downsize, but am never fully there, no matter how many times I return to the quest. My apartment is in a basement and has really neat slatted wood/faux stone/cement walls ALL painted white. It helps make my apartment look larger because I have really low ceilings (like if I lose my balance in tree pose I can just reach up) but I would love just one green/teal painted wall like in Mamma Mia. Looking forward to reading about your decluttering!
I LOVE that office space. That would be my dream office. We have a dedicated office downstairs but the window looks out onto a fence so I keep the blinds down all the time (so it is dark and gloomy) - those pictures have given me some ideas on how to lighten it up a little. Thanks.
I found a GREAT white paint color while crusing through Restoration Hardware. While I am not a fan of the their paint quality, I take the sample for the Benjamin Moore folks to replicate! My sister also told me that Pottery Barn has their own color palate that might be worth checking out.
That little bug has bitten me as well...I am itching to repaint practically the whole house! Hubby suggests only one room at a time (darn!)
Our design style is very Urbane!
I agree with you, Jennifer Ramos does have a great style!
Dear Sweet Carolyn,
Was there a photo of you and that ms jane aldridge in this blog. 'Cause I heard she's like close to 6feet tall. How tall was she compared to you?
I guess that's why she loves boots. Was she lanky?
Daphne - Yes I did meet Jane and posted a pic! She is tall, but was also in her heels. I'm only 5'4, so I do remember her being MUch taller than moi. She's also TINY!!
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