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It's hard to flip through a home and garden magazine without coming across one of Kravet's ads that show the everyday item, like a black and white cookie, acting as the inspiration for some beautiful fabric or furniture.  I like to poke around their site from time to time since it is chock full of good ideas.
 
 
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I wanted to share a great site that is chock full of room photos from both designers and homeowners.  If you're looking to make some changes, this is a good website to check out since room photos are conveniently organized by both room use (bedroom, dining room, etc) and color. 
 
 
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image courtesy Elle Decor
I got to see a prescreening of the new Sex and the City movie Tuesday night with my friend Vallnez.  The movie was comparable to an "okay" episode.  I found the interiors much more interesting than whose marriage is on the rocks and even more interesting than (dare I say it?) the fashion.  Perhaps it's just the design nerd in me,but I am very glad there are helpful articles and pictures online detailing the set design.  If you find yourself missing the flea markety goodness of Carrie's old apartment (featured on the television program), you can still indulge here.
 
 
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I was so impressed with the makeover featured in the Times today.  The owner purchased a house on a lake in the Catskills but wanted to stay true to her style.  But how do you have a more modern, clean-lined look in a setting that generally lends itself to a more rustic, country look?  Like this.
 
 
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Red orange and chartreuse with crisp white
I've been working in Stamford for almost 2 years now and one of the best Connecticut "finds" I've learned about is a shop called Dovecote in Westport.  Don't ask me where exactly that is, all I know is Connecticut is a big rectangle and I go to the bottom left corner of it 5 days a week.  But between the published pictures of their projects in more local magazines and these images from their site, I'm inspired to make the trip.
 
 
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No, this is not an April Fool's joke.  I read an article in the Times today that showcased wallpapers from York Wallcovering inspired by Disney's Fantasia.  You remember that one, right?  Old Walt's acid trip movie?  Anyway, the designers used original artwork from the film to create some really beautiful papers. 
 
 
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For a while there, wallpaper really fell out of fashion.  The late 70's and 80's provided some truly frightening wall treatments so it is no surprise that a sea of taupe reigned throughout the 90's.  But enough time has passed for our memories to clear and for wallpaper to have another turn on our walls.  Unlike painted walls, which can easily be changed with a few cans of primer and paint, wallpaper is a commitment.  So if you're going to go through the time and expense, you'd better pick something fabulous.  And I found something fabulous at the AD Home Show. 
 
 
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Last saturday, I enjoyed the beautiful weather by strolling down 5th Avenue in Manhattan, checking out all the spring windows.  Hey, a girl can dream, right?  I almost walked passed the new(ish) Tommy Hilfiger store when I remembered reading about the fantastic store design.  I decided to stop in and it did not disappoint.   
 
 
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House Beautiful August 2008
As I've mentioned in previous entries, my current lease does not allow for painting the walls unless I'm prepared to repaint the exact same shade of "renters beige".  No, thank you.  So, in addition to my wallpaper panels that I plan to hang near my entry, I wanted to treat the wall behind my bed.  I used this picture from an article in House Beautiful as my inspiration.  The panels are done, by the way, but I haven't hung them yet.  They were really easy to do and look great.
 
 
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Spring is feeling very far off.  While looking for cheerful inspiration as I plan out my new apartment, I came across these photos from a friend's online album from her visit to Provence.  What I love about the Provence style is that it combines the ease of rustic finishes with beautiful bright color.  I appreciate Sweedish/Gustavian design, but the ethereal quality it goes for can come off a little cold.  The combination of rich pigmented colors and warm neutrals is much more inviting to me.  Pretty popular with Van Gogh, too, as the cafe pictured here served as the inspiration for The Café Terrace on the Place du Forum.