design inspiration: from the files

It seems like it's been forever since I've had a chance to just sit and look at interiors that inspire - be it online or from magazines - but then I remembered that a couple weeks ago, we had an office clean up day - you know the kind, when you go through all your files and drawers and clean out all the junk that doesn't matter any more - well, anyway, I dug up a bunch of magazine tear-outs that I'd been hanging on to for this client or for that. Even though most of the projects have already wrapped up, I still didn't have the heart to throw these out. They still inspire just as much as they did the first day I laid eyes on them.

In no particular order...

Such a feeling of romanticism is evoked when I look at this image. It begins with that amazing oversized, gold frame mirror leaning on a mantle filled with a teepee of birch logs. A pair of classic daybeds in a simple neutral fabric sit side-by-side beneath an intricately carved chandelier. The pair of standing candelabras flanking the fireplace in a polished black finish add such an interesting contrast to the rest of the very pale room. And I think this is a great example of how to style a monochromatic room - with just a single pop of color for contrast and by using a mix of design styles to add interest. I love this room - it's just so pretty and so wonderfully girlie. Too bad it would never ever ever work at our house... for too many reasons to go into.

Ah... here is exactly the kind of dining room I would have in my dream house. The bookcase lined walls - complete with a ladder on a rail - create such a cozy feeling that I'm sure I could sit in there for days and not tire of it. And look at the detail on that ladder! The nailhead trim is so clever. What's so great is that the bookcases don't overwhelm and there is even still a huge spot of wall left for art. It's a library - dining room - gallery in one, and to me, it is perfect. And wow... take a look at those floors.

Maybe this kids room is a little less formal, but it's not one iota less inspiring. It's kid-friendly yet uber-stylish. A high chair rail - so I'm not sure what exactly you call it then since it's not at chair level - separates white painted walls above from a genius corkboard below. What a fabulous way to have an ever changing gallery of art on display. The bold colors of the upholstery are so refreshing and lively. And I adore the combo of stripes, color blocks and bulls-eyes. Toys are cleverly stored in a big cabinet with different red-doored compartments and a pint-sized table in vivid blue is a great place for playing games or making more of that art to display.

(I apologize that I don't have the details for either of the top two photos to note who is behind these fabulous interiors, and all I know about the third is that it is from Elle Decor. Like I said, these were ripped from magazines - some of them years ago - and I never thought at the time that I might be writing about them on a blog some day!)