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More from my summer in Europe – enchanting Siena

Siena was not originally on our schedule to visit this summer, but we ended up being able to squeeze it in one day. It’s a laid back, charming Tuscan city with an amazing sense of history.

You can click on each image for a bigger version.

The famous Piazza Del Campo

You can read about Siena here.

Church of San Domenico on the hill.

I’d have to say the highlight of Siena for me was the interior of the Cathedral of Siena. I feel like if Tim Burton ever designed a cathedral interior, it would look like this. Black and white are the colors of the civic coat of arms of Siena, and the black and white stripes are really striking…

You can read about the Cathedral of Siena here

really cool, right?

I’ve seen A LOT of cathedrals and had never seen anything like this

There was also a room full of amazing painted manuscripts…which offer great pattern design inspiration…
What do you think? Has anyone here been to Siena? What did you think of the cathedral?

Here’s that list again of all my posts from our travels that I’ve posted –

Spain
•Introduction to my European backpacking trip and a list of places we visited
• Galicia – Baiona and Isle de Cies
• Galicia – the coast, some charming vineyards, and Pontevedra
• Santiago de Compostela and gorgeous hidden beaches
• Gorgeous mountain lakes of Picos de Europa
• Stunning mountains – Picos de Europa
• Bilbao and San Sebastian
• Beautiful Barcelona
• The amazing Sagrada Familia Cathedral in Barcelona
• Art Nouveau dream house by Gaudi in Barcelona

Italy
• Not to miss – the gorgeous rocky coast of Italy’s Cinque Terre
• More from my summer traveling Europe – amazing Rome
• From my summer in Europe – amazing Pompeii
• Turquoise ocean and vineyards on cliffs – the amazingly stunning Amalfi coast
• My Summer in Europe: Pictures from lovely Florence, Italy

So stay tuned for more Europe pics – next post will be featuring the one and only Venice!

Thanks as always to my boyfriend Chris, who took these amazing photos.

May 11, 2011
Take your pick: Living rooms for every taste and style

Along with your bedroom and the kitchen, I think the living room is one place in the house that should be a reflection of you – and be comfortable and beautiful. Hopefully one of the images below will provide some inspiration:

A simple and cozy country living room
via Ideal Home

A family friendly, flea market style living room
BHG

Elegant and feminine
House to Home

Traditional with a little twist of rustic
House to Home

Eclectic
via House to Home

Modern
via Home Sweet Home

New traditional
via Canadian House & Home

Which is your fav? What style is your living room?

May 10, 2011
Chic interiors inspired by the one and only Audrey

We love Audrey Hepburn. She seemed so effortlessly chic and sophisticated. From Charade to My Fair Lady, her movies are style icons unto themselves. Who can forget the “little black dress” in Breakfast at Tiffany’s or the black and white extravaganza of the races in My Fair Lady? Audrey Hepburn’s personal style was equally feminine and elegant with modern twists. It’s easy to see how these elements can inspire chic interiors.

Holly Golightly’s wardrobe with its trench coats and little black dresses was classic but her apartment was anything but. Remember the bathtub loveseat?

Audrey as Holly Golightly on tub settee.†(via)

(via)

Her Brazilian inspired dÈcor in Breakfast at Tiffanyís was eclectic to say the least, fearlessly mixing antiques, modern lighting fixtures, taxidermy and vintage pieces with classic elements like a tailored tablecloth. Very Domino magazine!

(via)

We love the bold black and white stripes and French style accessories of this small powder room. The stripes remind us of Eliza Doolittle’s races outfit from My Fair Lady. What do you think?

(via)

Beyond her famous movie roles, Audrey Hepburn personified feminine, European chic. Tailored clothes, classic accessories and crisp color combinations are hallmarks of her style.

(via)

We love these rooms “inspired” by Audrey!

(via)

Mary Macdonald found inspiration in the famous Tiffany blue box. The feminine but not frou-frou furniture and black and white photos give her office a crisp, tailored feeling.

(via)

We’re inspired with interior design ideas from the mix of antiques and frilly touches, like the feather covered table lamp in this garret bedroom. The dressing table and French chair add a Parisian feel to the dÈcor.

(via)

This room is tailored without being fussy, just like Audrey. The black and white picture of her in this room is a nice touch along with the delicate wall sconces.

This post comes courtesy of Arcadian Lighting, a site that specializes in top quality light fixtures at extremely affordable prices. Come visit us today!

disclosure: this is a sponsored post from Arcadian Lighting

May 5, 2011
A most pretty little space

I’ve yet to loose my sense of wonder at beautiful interiors, but even more so when the space is small! As some of you know, I work from home, and live small, so I’m always on the look out for great small spaces that serve as both live and work space. I think this apartment, owned by a jewelry designer who works as well as lives in it, is just one such example

I think the light colors used consistently lends an openness to the space

Collections are kept in neat groupings

Her desk/workspace is behind the couch in the living room

Lovely desk details…

Jess’s Tips for working from home:

1. Make the space work for you:
Jess says her kitchen was begging for an island, so she placed a large table there that doubles as a jewelry assembly station by day and a dining room and kitchen prep table after hours.

2. Dress for work:
Jess puts on a nice outfit with shoes when she’s working. As for her space, she uses overhead lights during business hours, while pharmacy lamps atop cabinets and bookcases create a homey glow in the evenings. (I like this idea, however, living on a farm with muddy dogs means I only dress nicely for meetings or going out)

3. Separate storage:
To avoid seeing a stack of business receipts when she’s looking for a recipe, Jess keeps her office supplies completely separate from her personal items. Each day her assistant wheels out a cart with the jewelry supplies and it’s tucked away at night. (I think this is really important, to have all of your work supplies put away at the end of the day – however, I think I would rent a separate office space or get a bigger apartment before hiring an assistant – but that’s me..)

via Rue Magazine

May 5, 2011
Rooms for sweet slumber

For some reason I have not been sleeping well lately. I wake up feeling anxious but I’m not sure why; so needless to say I’m a bit groggy. Maybe if my bedroom looked a little more like these I’d sleep easier…

Love the quiet, clean design of this bedroom
via Home Sweet Home

Great morning light…
via Country Living

Neutrals can’t help but create a peaceful feel
via Ballard Designs

So simple and clean… and coffee brought to me in bed is my idea of heaven!
via Pinterest

clean, no-fuss design

gorgeous!
2 above via Apartment Therapy

Love the raw linen bedspread and other natural textures
via Adore Home ma

May 4, 2011
A fabulous house tour with modern and vintage twists…

This is the home of Jess Loraas, a photographer and competitive show jumper, based in Calgary.

I love the clean, simple lines to everything – but it doesn’t lack “prettiness” which I also like.

One day I must have a home office as efficient and beautiful as this one. Believe it or not, it’s in her guest room…

SO pretty! Crisp, stark bedding keeps focus on the Paris wallpaper, which she had custom printed.

I love seeing oriental rugs with the mid-century modern furniture

*adore* I’m all about large mirrors just leaning against the wall- it creates a posh feeling while still being laid back…

via Design*Sponge

May 3, 2011
Modern interiors in ancient homes

I LOVE old, historic homes. The character, the charm, the history, and the quality of craftsmanship far surpass the cookie cutter houses most of us have to settle for. What I also love is to see how people of today integrate modern technologies and furnishings into houses built long before those technologies were ever dreamed up.

PS – click on each image for a larger version

A home in Sri Lanka – I like that so many of the original architectural elements haven’t been tampered with.

Love this bathroom and bedroom – check out the nooks above the desk

the 3 images above are from another Sri Lanka home.

2 images above from a farmhouse in Santiago, Chile

This kitchen is one of my favorites. I love exposed beams, and these have been painted yellow to brighten up the place.

2 images above from a home in Provence, France

2 above from a home in Mantova, Italy

LOVE the stone with a modern take on a classic chair. Gorgeous. From another Provence home.

What do you think? Do you live in an old home? What do you love about it? If you don’t, would you like to live in one?

all images © Richard Powers.

May 3, 2011
A super easy DIY that makes a great Mother’s Day gift

The new home networking site – Link My Home, was awesome enough to publish my post today on turning a Mason jar into a soap pump. Link My Home connects home owners globally to chat, share inspiration, and buy/sell – check it out.

Below is my post and DIY

Decorology DIY: Turn a Mason jar into a charming soap pump – A great Mother’s Day gift too!

via Country Living

I’m far from the first one to present this idea, but it’s really great and perhaps some of you out there have yet to discover it. All you need is a soap dispenser pump (reuse one from your last soap bottle or purchase one from a supplier like onedreamdesign.com), a mason jar, and the jar’s lid. It is also helpful to have a drill, as you will need to create a hole about half and inch wide to accommodate the soap pump. Other supplies you may want to have on hand include scissors, a marker to mark where you will drill the hole, and some 2 part epoxy to seal the cap of the soap pump to the jar of the lid.

(via Apartment Therapy)

Directions:

1. Use marker to measure and mark a circle in the lid of the mason jar the width of you soap dispenser pump
2. Drill hole where you marked in lid of mason jar
3. Mix epoxy and apply to the lower rim of the soap dispenser pump
4. Insert the pump dispenser through the jar lid (if the tube is too long for the jar, just snip it to size with some scissors)

5. Let the epoxy dry according to the instructions
7. Fill with your favorite liquid soap – and enjoy!

Here are some examples of what you can create:

(via Apartment Therapy)

If you don’t have a Mason jar they are pretty easy to find at thrift stores.

via Décor Chick

So cute right? I think I’ll be making a couple for my mom for Mother’s Day!

May 2, 2011
O M G – Best house tour ever!

I don’t know how to make your Monday better, because if this house tour doesn’t leave you high off the beauty I don’t know what will. It is simply gorgeous.

The house is registered for film and photo shoots – so no one actually lives here. Still, it’s beautifully done. Seriously, I would consider giving my left hand for this house. And I’m left handed.

ps – you can see a larger view by clicking on the image

Well ? What do you think?
via 1st Option

May 2, 2011
Like reclaimed wood furniture? Than you’ll love this…

HauteLook, one of my fav. designer discount sites, sometimes has really great sales on home stuff. Today they opened a sale for some really lovely reclaimed wood pieces. The sales never last long so get it while you can…

To shop the HauteLook sales you have to be a member. Click on my link for a free and fast membership.

LOVE this cart
and this console…

To shop the HauteLook sales you have to be a member. Click on my link for a free and fast membership.

May 1, 2011