IN HONOUR OF ITALY!

I came upon these pictures when I was checkout out House Beautiful. It is actually in Houston, Texas believe it or not.  And it’s a brand new home but everything in it is old. The owner loved Italy when he went as a boy and he is the one who drove the design of the home.  The designer behind all this beautiful is Eleanor Cummings.

I thought it was so beautiful and in honour of my future trip to Italy, here it is.

The doors are 1850 Italian oak and she used reclaimed wood stone and brick. 

These are 10 feet tall French shutters which were retrofitted to fit these windows.

Lo

Love that coffered ceiling with the reclaimed wood beams. So hard to believe that this is a new home.

This is the hallway between the entryway and the living room. The bench is so sculptural against the stone wall.

Such a lovely vignette with the French chair situated between the beautiful silk drapes.

This dining room set reminds me of my own – so ornately carved. 

This kitchen was done to look old, like the rest of the home.  The countertops are zinc covered as is the fridge.  The pot rack is actually an Italian window grill turned upside down.  They didn’t really like it with pots hanging on it so its been left to function as a sculptural piece.

This is the bar area in the family room. That antler chandelier looks right at home.

The powder room – the husband wanted this window grill installed over the mirror the designer, Eleanor Cummings tried to talk him out of it but he won.  It definitely makes a statement.  And they used an old stone sink with all the dents and wear.

This is the master bath and the shutters have their original blue paint on them – one of the few painted wood items in the home.

 

With this beautiful ceiling the rest of the room was kept small and simple to avoid competing with it.

I included this stairway in my recent post about stairways as I thought it was so interesting.  Love the chandeliers and sconces and the stone stairs – gorgeous! The railing was hand forged.

And last but not least,

The same feeling inside is brought outside as well.  It boasts the only new wood in the home – a cedar covered ceiling.

Hope you enjoyed this tour!

*all photos from House Beautiful

I believe that every space can be comfortable, warm, elegant and beautiful. I would love to help you achieve your beautiful space!

Email me at lisa@lisagouletdesign.com or if in the Ottawa area call me at 613-762-0818.

Lisa

CAN YOU SPOT THE TRENDS?

A few months ago I went to a colour session from Pittsburgh Paints and they identified some of the top colour trends for 2010.

Obviously gray was the main one but an organic weathered gray, comprised of many colours, not the black & white grays. It gives a warm, toasty feeling and fits in well with all colours, even white.  It makes bright trendy colours sophisticated and it whispers where white would shout.  An example is Benjamin Moore’s Silver Fox 2108-50.

They also talked about the key residential palettes and trends that we would see.  I know I’ve been seeing them in the all magazines and design blogs and here they are….

Canvas –  lots of texture and rugged finishes together with sleek accents.  The use of simple and authentic natural materials.  Wabi-sabi has come out of this one click here to read my previous post about it.

Grace – think of Grace Kelly – elegant, sophisticated luxury.  Gold, silk, mirror and damask patterns.

Pink City – exotic, ethnic and eclectic decor with colours inspired by India.  The use of linen fabrics and lacquered paint finishes.

Zest – playful colours with punch.  Think of happy, quirky, retro and contemporary colours.  Transparent and lacquered finishes with trellis, angular or geometric patterns.

 
So there you have it the main interior trends that we have been seeing and will still be seeing for the next year or so.

Have you used any in your home?

I believe that every space can be comfortable, warm, elegant and beautiful. I would love to help you achieve your beautiful space!

Email me at lisa@lisagouletdesign.com or if in the Ottawa area call me at 613-762-0818.

Lisa

A BUNCH OF TWIGS

I was visiting The Lennoxx the other day and Linda had a great post on a bedroom done by Thom Filicia.  He had the perfect little night table in this room:

I love tables with branch and twig bases and I thought I’d look around and see all the different ones I could find. 

Elte Sherwood Accent table

via Houzz modern family room design by new york architect Dufner Heighes Inc

via Houzz contemporary living room design by san francisco interior designer Michael Merrill Design Studio, Inc

contemporary living room design by san francisco interior designer Michael Merrill Design Studio, Inc

 There’s even a DIY to make this table at The Style Files. 

Jayson twig table via HarmonyandHomeblog

Here’s a metal version

viaStylehive

Another one using twigs and LED lights.

via West Elm

  viaRoomRemix

viatheHouzz

viaDecorPad

Did I mention that they are everywhere?  They are tiny and versatile and bring a little of the outdoors in…I know what I’ll be looking for…

I believe that every space can be comfortable, warm, elegant and beautiful. I would love to help you achieve your beautiful space!

Email me at lisa@lisagouletdesign.com or if in the Ottawa area call me at 613-762-0818.

Lisa

GO SIT ON IT!

I have been so loving these lovely stump stools and end tables that are showing up everywhere.  I have a stump from my cottage in my backyard right now that is patiently waiting for me to actually strip it and level it and varnish it. 

Poor thing! 

Well here’s some to inspire you and maybe you’ll get yours done faster than me.

House & Home May 2010 – Janis Nicolay

Looks so cool and modern doesn’t it…

 

House & Home Sept 08 James Tse – Mimran home

Here’s an outdoor setting with tons of interesting stools – so many different shapes. 

 

House & Home Sept 08 James Tse – Mimran home

Here’s one that makes a fantastic focal point at the end of a hallway.

 

House & Home Sept 08 James Tse Mimran home

Another serene bathroom with lots of natural elements – again the unfinished stump stool.

via Houzz home design

 

Aren’t these puzzle stools so cool – I think they are a new favourite of mine.

 

via Houzz modern entry design by Miami interior designer Pepe Calderin

These are just like the ones in the outdoor setting – they look like they could walk away from you…

 

via Houzz modern kitchen design by philadelphia showroom usona

What a modern and clean kitchen.  The touches of wood make it feel less sleek and cold.

via Style at home

 

Another exterior shot that I’ve had on my inspiration board for years – love the view – the water and trees!  And I love that they left the stumps au naturel which is where I think I am headed. 

I believe that every space can be comfortable, warm, elegant and beautiful. I would love to help you achieve your beautiful space!

Email me at lisa@lisagouletdesign.com or if in the Ottawa area call me at       613-762-0818.

 

Lisa

Wabi Sabi

I went to the Pittsburgh Paints seminiar a few days ago and listened to a great talk by Janice Lindsay (author of All about Colour) and Canada's premier colour designer. She was discussing a new trend in decorating and designing called Wabi sabi.
The definition of wabi sabi (according to Wikipedia) is a Japanese aesthetic which can best be described as one of beauty that is "imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete". The Japanese describe wabi sabi more as an emotion - one of solitude and quiet moments where North Americans are more likely to describe it as an imperfect object.

"nothing lasts, nothing is finished, and nothing is perfect"

Characteristics of the wabi sabi aesthetic include authenticity, asymmetry, simplicity, modesty, intimacy, and the suggestion of the natural processes. Items such as fading autumn leaves would be an example of wabi-sabi or a chip or crack in a vase which may make it more interesting.

I love this idea that there is beauty in the imperfect, as most of the items in my home are imperfect, due to a busy household of four children and three cats. It is also great to embrace the fact that things can create an emotion and that they do not have to cost alot. Here's a quote that I love that I think captures the essence of wabi-sabi.

Ring the bells that can still ring
Forget your perfect offering
There’s a crack in everything
That’s how the light gets in.

Here's some photos:



A wabi sabi tea bowl image from Wikipedia


eclectic kitchen design by san francisco interior designer Susan M. Davis

Photos from Skona Hem and Emmas Design Blogg


Images from http://www.poetichome.com/
Image from http://www.tendir.com/ Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architectsvia DeZona

Photos from Apartment Therapy via Sköna Hem and Emmas Design Blogg

Kelly over at Design Ties also attended this seminar and wrote a great post on wabi sabi as well. Check it
out.

I believe that every space can be comfortable, warm, elegant and beautiful. I would love to help you achieve your beautiful space – email me at lisa@lisagouletdesign.com or if in the Ottawa area call me at 613-762-0818.