Chic and beautiful living spaces

In my house, the living room is the center of our house. Not only is it the first room you see when you walk in, it's the place where we spend the most time.  When our wedding is over and we have our lives back - the living room is second on my makeover list after my office.

LOVE the wall treatment in this space.  The crown molding and chandeliers mixed with the modern decor is really cool too.
via unknown

Gold is very trendy right now, but I have to admit I'm smitten!
via 91 Mag

I love that this console isn't all about the TV!  Pretty accessories and a gallery wall distract from the TV.
via HGTV

via High Gloss Magazine

via unknown

I love the proportions of the furniture in this space - it's something I need to pay more attention too in my own house.
via Sweet Home Style

via Sweet Home Style

Timeless Inspiration

Finding that perfect piece of furniture to fit your space isn't always as easy as it seems. Luckily there are plenty of timeless iconic pieces that have been making statements and creating inspiration over the years.

This chic colorful armchair adds a little hint of playful to a room but keeps the glamour alive! Perfect for small spaces where you are looking for a little more seating but you don't want it to just blend into the wall!

Looking for something a little more rustic and original? This coffee table would definitely be the talk of the room and pull together your room for a finished touch. The gorgeous wood taps into the traditional design but the wheels keep it modern and almost give it an industrial feel!

Going for a rich luxurious look? A desk like this would make anyone feel like a professional! I love the sleek look of the drawers and the rounded edges of the legs. It screams elegance!

If comfort is more you style then sit back and relax in this gorgeous simple armchair. This seat may not steal the scene in your room but it will definitely be a favorite among many! 

All of these pieces have been acclaimed iconic design and will be timeless additions to your home. You  might even consider them a piece of art! Each of these pieces have been found via Infurn who is known for providing great classic pieces of furniture at affordable prices.

Vanity Eye Candy!

Every Monday could use some eye candy to start us off, right?! Lately I've been scoping out ideas for bathroom vanities.  Ours is soooorrrryyyy. It's chipping and cheap looking and I hate. Vanities are one of those things that should look great, because they are such a focal point of a bathroom, but also be functional because most of us need all the storage we can get in our bathrooms.

HELLO beautiful backsplash!

2 above via BHG

Finding the perfect vanity for your space is more than just picking out the style. Measure out how much space you have and find something that looks amazing but also fits in well with the rest of the room.  Consider what you will need to store in the vanity, and what you will be using it for.  Modern Bathroom is a great resource for finding a vanity that suits your needs.

via houzz.com
Love the dark walls contrasting with the white and seriously considering this for our master or guest bath.

A little character in your choice is good! Even though most vanities come in white, brown, or black, mixing it up with a nice color can make any bathroom have a little more personality. A toned down color like the one below really makes this bathroom clean and crisp but also adds a little something extra to the space.

This gorgeous weathered piece adds character and beauty.
via BHG

via houzz.com

Carrying a material throughout, like on the vanity top and floor as seen below, always adds a luxe and elegant look in my opinion.

via Elle Decor

via House Beautiful
LOVE that mirror!

this post is in partnership with modernbathroom.com

A lovely potpourri of living rooms

Happy Friday! I thought today I'd just share some pretty living rooms.

A stylish multifunctional space


three images above via House to Home

Maybe this one is more of a home office. I would love to have a couch or easy chair in my office for when I'm searching through my books and magazines.

two images above via Home-Designing

Pretty interesting that they used books to bring in their pop of color.
via Fjeldborg


two above via Elle Decor

A contemporary midwest home that pulls off eclectic!

I love this home. It's so natural looking - granted a bit too clean to really be lived in - but I love how furnishings and decor are pulled from different spots on the globe, at different times in history, and yet it still flows together. Thoughts?



I like how the mirror falls behind the couch a bit - it keeps the room looking casual


Love those slipcovers



I want a farm table!


via BHG

Super small, super stylish apartment

It's also in one of my favorite cities, San Francisco - like NYC - but cleaner, friendlier, and with nicer weather!
I really like this little home office space. I tend to prefer a "table" over a traditional desk. I love having a lot of surface space...and give me drawers and I some how manage to fill them with things that should really be in the garbage...

hmmm...I don't know how I feel about projectors..or sitting like that through a movie for that matter. Does anyone have a projector? How do you like it?

I love all the modular bookcases

...kitchen is a little sterile?

The closet is 15' long, I would've liked to see it in all it's grandeur.

Ok, her apparel....explanation please...

...a great place to drive stick ;)

via Dwell

A house tour from me!

Last year I conducted a house tour for Apartment Therapy. By lucky coincidence I went to pick up a desk I found on craigslist from the very congenial Leona and Kay, and I was instantly struck by the clean design of their top floor, Park Slope apartment. Around the same time, I was asked to conduct a house tour for Apartment Therapy. I instantly thought of their home, and they were kind enough to allow me to present it. Nice place isn't it?

Their apartment had great light!


This shower curtain was a hit - they acquired it at a local hardware store





This 50's dinette set is their prized possession

The headboard is actually an inexpensive Ikea mattress!






A day bed for guests. The curtain behind it acts as camouflage for storage



These sliding screens from Ikea make for pretty closet doors




Here was my original post:
I was shocked when Kay and Leona told me they had moved into their beautiful top-floor apartment only a month ago. They've hung art, curtains as partitions, and even come up with an attractive and functional closet system. The couple's furniture and décor comes from a wide variety of sources, such as flea markets, antique stores, Ikea, Art de vivre in France, Christie's, and Lumas. I was really impressed when they revealed that the headboard for the bed is actually an Ikea mattress. I thought it was a real upholstered headboard! The apartment has a surprising loft-like feel, as they've chosen to embrace a more open layout, including using what most would consider the bedroom as a living room, and the living room as a bedroom. They spend the most time in the living room, so they designated the larger room with better light to serve the purpose. Kay and Leona also enjoy the almost exclusive (nobody else ventures up there) rooftop with a great view of the Statue of Liberty!

Their survey for Apartment Therapy:

Your Style?

Although we like modern design, we wanted to give this brown stone (pre-renovation) apartment a special touch and combined modern and vintage elements. Because our lease is limited to one year, we couldn't structurally change anything in the apartment.

Favorite Element?

The open bedroom with fireplace, the kitchen that opens to the dining room. The almost exclusive rooftop.

Biggest Challenge?

The open bedroom without a door to the dining room and the lack of storage / closet space.

What do friends say?

Love it

Biggest Embarrassment?

He: The old IKEA sofa and the cheap lamps;
She: the 1995 Baywatch centerfold in the office

Proudest DIY?

The classy (we think) but inexpensive and easily removable walk-in closet.

Biggest Indulgence?

The art (photo art mainly). We love our custom-made walnut dining table from France, which combines a modern shape and warm wood color combined with chairs from the mid 19th century. And the 50ies modernist bar and all the photo art for the walls that is yet to come

Dream Source?

Christie's (they actually have very interesting stuff at their furniture auctions)

Furniture: Custom made dining table from Art de vivre with 19th century chairs
50ies Formica diner table and chairs for the kitchen
Chest of drawers, daybed and sofa from IKEA
Walk in closet a combination of Home depot & IKEA
Vintage and antique furniture shops in Brooklyn
Glassware and chandeliers from flea markets
Beds: Standard spring box and mattress with a twin mattress (our guest mattress) used as a headboard
Artwork: several galleries, Lumas

via Apartment Therapy via ashleywhitedesign.com -- me ;)