In Barcelona

I'm a little obsessed with their floors.


Read their fascinating story at Dwell

Stripes

Design*Sponge just ran this "before and after" post that showcases a chic kitchen floor made from inexpensive linoleum tiles. If I had an ounce of DIY ability, I would consider doing this.

Public and private

Black, white and wood in the public spaces...

and softer and more muted tones in the bedroom. I've always been annoyed my lamps that stick out over a bed — I can just see myself knocking my head — but I kind of love the slightly surreal look of these Jieldes. Being practical, I wonder where the switches are.

from Marie Claire Maison

Akari sightings

Last week I went to my friendly neighborhood Noguchi Museum to look at the Akari Light Sculptures (for my current table lamp search). Unfortunately, they didn't have either of the models I was interested in (the two most popular!) in stock. I looked at some other lamps (including the many printed models) and left unconvinced. But recently I feel like I've been seeing these lamps everywhere! And they tend to look good in photos!

The top photo (with that gorgeous floor and cool cement storage unit) has one of the lamps I'm interested in. The bottom photo shows a printed model.

from OWI (top) and Design*Sponge (bottom)

White, with leather and a bit of gold

Stylish.

from Morten Holtum

One hot look

Let's see... Giant architectural artwork, vintage steel storage (with old desk lamp), red leather pouf, red velvet chair, amazing old door. Yup, I like it all.

from Mikkel Vang/Taverne

Summer bedroom

This room gives off such a cozy-yet-breezy summerhouse vibe. I would totally want to stay here as an overnight guest, perched at the top of the house, listening to my host family bustle about below. The mix of toile patterns is so casual and welcoming. It's cramped, of course, but it's just a summer home.

from DosFamily

Gone

Please try to ignore the painting of the giant boob (which had Lincoln's face superimposed on it before I, um, cropped it) and focus on the found-letter art. I suspect this is a pricy artwork (Jack Pierson, maybe?) but it definitely looks like something that could be recreated on one's own. I previously posted a home filled with collected "Ns." I love old signs and have to admit I'm a sucker for this look, even as it has been mass-marketed by Pottery Barn or Anthropologie.

But, like I said, I think this "gone" is pricy art, just because the same people have a William Eggleston just propped up in a corner of their kitchen. I like their pottery collection, but that kind of offends me.

from Bruno Suet (for painting in all its glory), via Head Over Heels

Beautiful French home

Another hot little number from Elle Decoration. I suppose the modern furniture/ethnic fabrics thing is very trendy right now. But I like the look! I also really like those bookshelves in the dining room. (The books piled on the floor, not so much.)

Another room in this home previously posted here.

from Elle Decoration UK, August 2009

Floor-to-ceiling stuff

I guess the lesson here is that if you keep everything else white (and very, very clean) you can pile your stuff as high as you want.

from Skona Hem

More Buenos Aires!

How about that! Design*Sponge just posted a Buenos Aires guide!

Buenos Aires!

So, in less that two months, I'll be on my long-awaited vacation to Buenos Aires! I'm so excited! And I'll be staying here, at the Home Hotel, which looks very trendy and fun!

Here's their sample photo of a small room, which, of course, is where I'll be staying. I think they might have had me when I heard "vintage French wallpaper in every room." I love bright, bold patterns. It's hard to make a commitment to them in real life — so why not experience them in a hotel.

There's also a lovely backyard pool. I'll be there in the spring, and it'll be too cool to swim, I think. But this looks like a great place to settle down with a drink.

Of course, if I was a real high-roller, I'd stay in the Garden Suite...

which has its own lil' baby pool.

Can't wait!

Swedish townhouse

I bought the August Elle Decoration UK. It's a pretty kick-ass issue. This lovely, high-ceilinged home has lots of white, wood, beat-up leather and interesting fabrics.

All that white. And they have five children and a dog.

from Elle Decoration UK, August 2009. Many more pics in the mag.

Montauk style

The beach house of Roman & Williams, designers of the Ace Hotel New York (and this amazing apartment). I like how it maintains that low-key, summer house vibe, even with some bold statements like that pendant lamp. It's hard to see, but there's a glass-fronted cabinet too!

Nice mix of furniture styles.

Not a fan of taxidermy, but I love the look of those unframed seascapes!

from World of Interiors, via Remodelista

Ditte and Fritz

I started off this week with something from the wonderful photographer Ditte Isager. Here's something more — two pictures from a set she shot for Fritz Hansen (more of the series here, here and here). I like how Fritz Hansen — much like a top fashion house that picks a supermodel to show off its clothes — has found a gorgeous old mansion to show off its furniture. Match made in heaven. Great photos and a great look.

Make your own art

After seeing this article on the home of writer Douglas Coupland, I did have wonder about the source of his income (yes, he coined the term "Generation X," but how many books has he sold?). Of course, he lives with a partner, so who knows. He's credited with this home's decorating flair, and I have to admire this bit of homemade art: a collection of fabric spools inspired by Damian Hirst. Of course, it helps to have a gallery presentation — a totally white room, right down to the Eames La Chaise.

slideshow at the New York Times

CD storage

I'm going to ignore those silly sunglasses on the Jielde, and focus on the CD storage, which is sort of half-hidden in drawers. Not a bad look — although once again it seems like custom work.

Also in this picture, one of those cool Cluster lights.

from Ruy Teixeira, who gets invited all the best places

Framing wallpaper

...as supersized art. Not a new idea, but a good one.

from Laura Resen

Jens Risom

The excellent September issue of Dwell, featured the 93-year-old Jens Risom. He's looking pretty good!

And more to the point, so is his home! It's always great to see how the original modernists live today (granted, their numbers are dwindling). It seems like their homes have a really warm and lived-in feel, unlike many new modern homes, which read a bit sterile. It's also interesting to see how the modernist furniture itself ages. (I've always judged expensive furniture by how it will age. There doesn't seem much point in buying something expensive, if you don't think it will last!)

the whole story at Dwell

Pretty

This was from a lovely feature spread on the home of photographer Ditte Isager. The premise of piece was that she lives in a newly constructed building, but maintains a vintage style. It's all pulled off quite successfully (of course, it helps to be photographed by Ditte Isager!) Since I live in a new construction myself (grumble, grumble), I could relate, even if my style isn't as "vintage" as hers.

from Elle Decoration UK, via Inspiracion Pura

So much awesome

It's hard to know where to start with all the wonderful things in this picture. No — I know where to start: with those industrial bookcases fitted with bare-bulb lights. So chic, yet practical! Everything else is an old favorite: the wide plank floors, the French cafe chairs, the Arne Jacobson lamp, the steel table. (From the same home as this.)

from Marie Claire Maison

Portrait power

It's been a while since I wrote about me obsession with portraits. Now here I've found an interior where a portrait punctuates nearly every space. The one pictured above is the only one that might tempt me for purchase (I also love that sideboard!), but there's no question they all have impact. This all-thrifted home belongs to Morgan Satterfield, of the great blog The Brick House.


from Design*Sponge

Color charge

Ikea bookcases rendered luxe by a turquoise wall.

from Cookie

Modern rustic

The cement fireplace ... meets the ethnic rug ... meets the white metal floor lamp ... meets the pale wood floor. It's a great mix. Plus ... bookcases!

from heyhome

Average

I was amused by this post from Emmas Designblogg:
I've received quite a lot of comments and emails lately about Swedish style, that it is so wonderful and everybody here must be born with a great sense of aesthetics and so on. Well, that is not the case. The pictures I show here are in no way representative of what an average Swedish home looks like! If I were to show average homes, no one would want to read this blog...

Hee! Keeping it real!