Category: natural light

Cottage tour: A beautiful Hamptons cottage

Cottage Tour

This East-Hampton’s home caught my eye right away. The home was completely gut renovated and the result is a light-filled, airy cottage. Join me on this cottage tour!

A sunken living room with a large comfy sectional and Tibetan Wool area rug. I ADORE the huge window.

Even from the outside this house looks happy and light.

Fine furnishings are kept down to earth by fun artwork.

Moroccan wedding blankets adorn the guest beds – and more beautiful carpets and amazing windows abound!

I love the tiled wall and mirrored wall in the bathroom.

The master bedroom is my favorite. The furniture is perfectly selected to reflect the light and contribute to the airy quality of the house.

Floating shelves and desk are perfect for the home in the home office.

What do you think of this home?

images via Cottages & Gardens

June 9, 2017
House Tour! Simple and Elegant: A San Francisco apartment

House Tour

This post is a blast from the past from when I was visiting San Francisco.

I’ve been in beautiful San Francisco since Saturday, and today is my last day. I thought I’d pay homage with this gorgeous Pacific Heights 700 sq. foot apartment. Enjoy!

I LOVE her bedroom. Calm but happy at the same time. The architectural elements are to die for.

This lady is good at editing her stuff – but maybe a tad bit more – like some art, etc. – would help us learn a little about the person who lives here.

What do you think?
via Apartment Therapy

April 28, 2017
Bright interiors: how natural light energizes a room

Light and Bright interiors

Bright interiors are beautiful interiors! There is nothing like natural light. Natural light has the power to completely energize and change the mood of a room. When we were house shopping, one of the first elements of a home I’d look for was natural light. I’d pay attention to window quantity, size, placement, and any exterior overhang. One of the best home improvements we ever made was replacing our small rancher living room window with a full length window. Believe it or not, ever since enlarging that window and knocking out a dividing wall, I no longer need to use my light therapy lamp in the winter.

Below are some example rooms that I though demonstrated the beauty and transformative power of natural light.

What a treat to wake up with the morning light streaming in. A simple white curtain allows the filtered light through and allows for privacy at night.

Gorgeous interior shutters can be opened all the way, and don’t impede any light from entering through the beautiful tall windows.

Lofts take the cake for bright interiors. Open concept layouts, high ceilings, and lots of windows make the most of natural light.

This dining room makes the most of morning light and would make a great place to wake up to coffee and croissants.

High ceilings and strategically placed mirrors are two well-known advocates of natural light.

all images via Disc Journal

February 16, 2017
New York City townhouse modern design and traditional bones

House Tour! An 1850s New York City townhouse!

Architect Ambler had grown out of his apartment when the 400 sq ft. studio next door came up for sale. It seemed like fate so he bought it and worked to combine the two into a unified New York City townhouse perfect for displaying his collection of vintage and modern art and furnishings. Combine that with subtle renovations in line with strict landmark district regulations, you end up with a beautiful classic modern contrast.

What attracted me most to this space is the beautiful arched window. It acts as a frame out to the street. In New York City you often have to be willing to welcome street life into your home as art through your windows!

So much natural light is a blessing on street level. I love the modern furniture, like these black leather chairs, combined with classical elements like the arched windows.

The townhouse feels like a museum with all of the modern art and interesting furniture.

How beautiful are the antique mirror closet doors.

The den and the chandelier in the office are one of my favorite parts of the house. The technique of leaving the top 12 inches of the wall unpainted really create an illusion of height.

The real showstopper in the townhouse are the gleaming herringbone hardwood floors.

Ambler honored the traditional bones of the house in all of the renovation except for the kitchen and baths, which he intentionally wanted modern.

via Lonny

February 14, 2017
Hygge Interiors Inspiration – What does it mean to you?

Get your Hygge Interiors inspiration here people! Okay, I know I’m really late on the band wagon, and probably some other trend is already popping up over the blogosphere. Regardless, I felt I needed to look into the Hygge trend myself and share interiors that illustrate what Hygge means to me. For those of you that don’t know Hygee, here’s a definition:

What is Hygge and Hygge interiors?

“Hygge (pronounced hue-gah) is a Danish word that is a feeling or mood that comes taking genuine pleasure in making ordinary, every day moments more meaningful, beautiful or special. Whether it’s making coffee a verb by creating a ritual of making it then lingering over a cup to a cosy evening in with friends to the simple act of lighting a candle with every meal. Hygge is being aware of a good moment whether it’s simple or special.” Read more here.

So when it comes to making your home hygee, the philosophy would be to surround yourself with what makes your home comfortable and beautiful. Obviously that can be subjective from person to person, but below are some interiors that would be my definition of hygge.

A hygee dining room, minimal but warm. The rustic table, branches in a vase, and art books make it hygee for me.

via ?

Super comfy chairs for curling up in, exposed beams, and a lot of beautiful windows for natural light make this living room hygge.

via Bloglovin.com

I find white interiors soothing, and layers of texture make it cozy.

via HomeDeco

What’s more cozy than a reading nook? I also love the blue and yellow color scheme.

via theculturetrip.com

Good craftsman ship and natural elements are also beautiful to me, and make a home feel comfortable.

via House and Garden

February 7, 2017
Traditional kitchens, stunning and white, from architect John B. Murray

Below are some jaw-dropping traditional kitchens from the John B. Murray Architect. I’ve featured their work before, as I’m a big fan of the mix of modern efficiencies with the character and novelty of more traditional interior design principles.

My kitchen is nowhere near the size of these. In fact, I only have 4 drawers, but it is streamlined and efficient, so until we move or plan a massive remodel, which is NOT in the cards, I’ll be happy with my little kitchen and simply admire these.

A huge island is a no-brainer when it comes to adding prep space, and the extra storage below can double your storage space. I love the plank ceiling and the matching pendants over the island.

Loving all of the windows here and the rustic wide plank hardwood floors are beautiful.

I guess this kitchen is more modern than traditional, but I thought it was worth sharing. In a narrow space the more light you can get the better. I love the sleek marble slab backsplash.

Love the classic use of subway tile as a backsplash in this elegant modern kitchen.

This kitchen may be large, but the tile backsplash, wood hutch, and country table and chairs keep it cozy.

I don’t know if this is from a kitchen, but this shot was so pretty I thought it worth sharing. The cabinetry and wood paneling is gorgeous!

via John B. Murray Architect

January 12, 2017
Just beautiful rooms to start your week off right

No specific topic today, just beautiful rooms to inspire this rather gloomy morning (at least here in MD). Granted, it’s also not Monday, but I also wasn’t particularly productive yesterday. So, without further ado, I bring you some interior design eye candy and inspiration.

What a great kitchen to wake up to every morning. The natural light and open concept is so nice. The glass front cabinets mimic the windows.

via ?

This bedroom in silver and purple is all about the elegance. Of course, what is more elegant than a purple velvet tufted headboard?

via Dwelling Decor

This is more of an art shot but the white and gray, wainscoting, and architectural details are really stunning.

via Tanini Home

A humble but cheerful breakfast nook looks like such an ideal way to start the morning. What I wouldn’t do for a little greenery out the window these days!

via Digs Digs

The blue Chinese stools and green velvet couch add elegance through jewel tones to the staircase. I like the gallery wall with tiny pictures too.

via BHG

Bohemian in pastels isn’t something you see too often. A bit busy for me but nice to look at!

via House Beautiful

January 10, 2017
Beautiful rooms that are eclectic, artisan, and bohemian

I know we see this look around a lot now, but I can’t help it – I love it. White kitchen, oriental rug, and clean hardware. Jealous.

I think this would make a great guest room. The amazing plank ceiling, antique bed, and pretty textiles hanging from the ceiling.

How fantastic are the bones of this room? From the moldings to the amazing tile floors it looks like a work of art!

Love all the textures and objects that look like they were found on fun adventures.

What a cool space to spend rainy afternoon reading. I think this is actually a girl’s room though!
All images above via Loombrand

Another room with amazing bones. One day I hope to have a home with windows like that!
via In My Interior</span>

September 19, 2016
Best Built-ins: Inspiration for adding beautiful functional storage

When I hear built-ins I usually envision more expensive custom built homes. However, when you consider the cost of quality furniture, or any furniture for that matter, you might be surprised at the bang for your buck custom built built-ins provide. Also consider the value it will add to your home, and that you have a storage solution perfectly suited to you and your lifestyle.

This large built-in with shelves and cabinets is wonderful because not only does it provide space to house books, but kids crafts and games can be kept in the cabinets beneath.

via Pinterest via Thrifty Decor Chic

A dream kitchen workstation. A desk in the kitchen would be very useful for us, but we just don’t have the space.

via Pinterest via

Built in jewelry storage?! Yes please! Not only does built in jewelry storage keep baubles untangled and dust-free, everything is visible at a glance. Imagine being able to get out and put away your baume and mercier watch without having to wonder where it is or where it goes!
via Pinterest via Apartment Therapy

Built-ins in bedrooms aren’t as common, but I think these are a great way to store books, and showcase personal or sentimental items
via Pinterest via Hometalk

This custom built-in desk is special because it’s designed in a way so it doesn’t block the amazing windows, therefore maximizing natural light.
via HGTV

Built-ins around a door jam really maximizes space and creates a unique way to display collections.
via Pinterest via Simplemost

August 23, 2016
Old barns converted into beautiful family homes!

Historic barns turned into functional living spaces

I spent the better part of this weekend scrubbing out my barn and stalls by hand this weekend due to a broken pressure washer, so I have barns on the brain. Our barn is just a small metal pole barn with two stalls, but it doesn’t make it hard to imagine the amazing open concept layout someone could create with a grand old barn of wood or stone. Here are some pretty examples I found.

I love the contrast of the dark wood floors and the white walls and beams.
via Architectural Digest

If the wood is kept dark, it’s a good idea to incorporate large windows for natural light and white or light walls (unless you like dark interiors!)
via Architectural Digest

via OneKindDesign

I’m not a fan of taxidermy as decor, but that door opening to the yard is pretty fantastic!
via OneKindDesign

Beautiful light stone and natural wood floors make this barn conversion quaint and pretty.
via OneKindDesign

I think the photo above and below are from the same barn. I don’t know if I could live on concrete floors, but I like the white plank walls and the rustic furnishings.

via OneKindDesign

via OneKindDesign

Okay, this may not be for everyone, but how amazing would it be to be able to keep watch over and observe your animals while going about your daily household duties!
via Great American Country

So pretty in every way! The large windows, vaulted ceiling, and character-rich hardwood floors are so pretty.

via HomeEdit

via OneKindDesign

The barn exteriors are often just as beautiful as the interiors!
via Architectural Digest

via Architectural Digest

July 20, 2016