Modern Serenity

Today I bring you something a little different. My taste in furnishings tends to run toward things that are old, worn, mis-matched, and, perhaps, a little frilly. There is, however, another side of me that craves utter simplicity. The rooms here (all from Better Homes and Gardens) pay tribute to the basics of design: color, form, line, and contrast. When pared down to these bare essentials, spaces become incredibly calming, almost meditative in nature.

Come along and explore with me the softer side of comtemporary design.



This bedroom relies on white with black accents to provide graphic interest. There is a multitude of textures, and the many layers of painted wood provide depth. A black-on-white color scheme allows the eye to rest and yet, keeps it engaged. I love the interspersed accents provided by living plants and flowers.


This bedroom boasts dramatic canopy beds and natural, homey accents. The beds are an update of an old country classic. The backdrop is such a soft shade of cream that it easily welcomes the bold black pieces, as well as the textured elements.

In this living room I am drawn to the juxtaposition of contemporary pieces against classic Victorian architecture. The simple lines of the furniture allow the architectural details to stand out. Notice that voluptuous glass bottle in front of the fireplace!

In this bedroom grayed-greens and taupes form the neutral base for soft, white accents. I like the sleek bed paired with the leggy, wooden settee and side tables.

These greens here are more electrified than in the last image, but with the white and dark wood, they still manage to be serene. The bed is the star of the room, and looks incredibly inviting to me.

This room is all about comfort and softness. The bed coverlet, curtains, glass-topped table, side chair, and floor covering are all about texture, rather than color. This is a room made for sleeping in on weekend mornings! I adore everything about it!

This room is even more countrified than the rest, but I include it here for the simplicity of the decor. White and natural wood, with great light--- it doesn't get any more basic than that. The sheers hung from the canopy add a note of romance to nourish your dreams.

As you can see, modern design elements can fit quite nicely into natural, neutral decorating schemes.

Until next time...

Anne

Inspired by roses (and the occasional peony)

image: Anne Hammett
I am in love with roses! Their many petals are a mystery to me, as is their intoxicating fragrance. And just as with people, no two are alike. There is a David Austin rose bush in my front yard that has some blush-colored blossoms on half of it, while the other half reverted to its parent-type and has blooms that are a bold crimson. In reality, all of us have this sort of dual nature present within ourselves. It takes courage to let it all flower at the same time!

Today you will find some photographic studies of roses (and one peony) that came from my yard, along with rooms that pay homage to this queen among flowers. It is indeed possible to indulge both a longing for floral patterns and a need for calm, neutral interiors, that duality I mentioned earlier.

Come along and see what I mean.

image: Anne Hammett

Late summer roses from my garden in a stoneware pitcher.

image: Anne Hammett

A single stem in a mottled silver serving dish.

image: Anne Hammett

An "iceberg" rose rests on the piano.

Let's see how to translate my adoration of the rose to interior spaces...

image: Better Homes and Gardens

This bedroom shows creative re-use of flea-market finds against a simple, white background. Floral pillows and a floral quilt add a touch of springtime to the room. The florals are tone-on-tone and not abundantly colorful, which makes them quieter.

image: Better Homes and Gardens

A French-style sofa on the front porch is surrounded by pots of blooming plants. The soft blues works well in an outdoor space with the colorful blossoms and it echos the color of the skies.

image: Better Homes and Gardens

This room is warm-toned and comfy, with a nod to roses on the pillow embellishments.




image: House Beautiful

The floral toile on the cozy chairs adds pattern subtly. The pitcher of flowers and tray of fruit provide notes of life and vibrancy.



image: Better Homes and Gardens

These florals are soft and aged. They add depth to the scene without taking control. I love chocolate brown paired with gray.

image: Atlanta Bartlett
This dining room is soothing in pale pinks, taupe and touches of gray. Floral curtains are still soft and quiet enough to look at home in this pretty space.

I hope this has offered you a glimpse into ways touches of floral fabrics can provide some soulfulness to your rooms, while still maintaining the serenity of neutral schemes.

Until next time...
Anne

Wonderful wicker

image: pottery barn

I have a love affair with wicker! It is one of my favorite natural materials to use in decorating. Woven furniture instantly lightens the mood of a room and brings texture and informality to the scene. It breaks up heaviness, both visually and literally, of wooden pieces. When furnishing rooms with wicker, summer freshness is never far away!

image: pottery barn

Pottery Barn (http://www.potterybarn.com/) shows many gorgeous ways to use wicker throughout the home. Their line of woven furniture, shown here, is called the "seagrass collection". I love its chunky texture and the variation in color. Here it pairs beautifully with white, wooden cube tables and a bold wool rug.

image: pottery barn

Even though this is set for the winter holidays, the room looks unbelievably fresh. I adore all the greenery, and the way it plays up the natural theme. The dark wood tones, set off by dollops of cream, complement the earthiness of the room's decor. I could live in this room all year long!

image: pottery barn

Another sea grass sectional. Notice the industrial elements and how they keep the look modern. Notice the vase filled with budding branches atop the round coffee table.

image: house beautiful

This porch is phenomenal! Look at the architectural features. There is a delightful mix of colors for the wicker pieces and the wood accent tables. The oversized lantern fits the space perfectly.

image: pottery barn

A lovely country porch designed for an afternoon repose. The sunflower pillows add some whimsy. The pillar holders, made of woven wire, provide yet another form of texture.

image: house beautiful

The large wicker basket and straw hats hanging from pegs in this entry way appeal to me. Painted floors and wood walls are classic country-style icons.

image: better homes and gardens

The day bed in this screened porch reminds me of an arabesque. It is so graceful! Notice the dark color of the wicker against the white background and greenery.

image: house beautiful

The hanging wicker swing is so clever here! See the whimsy of the coffee table on wheels. The platter of apples as its centerpiece offers a little burst of color.

As you can see there is no better way to increase the texture, freshness, and earthiness of a room than to add a piece (or a few) of wonderful wicker.

Until next time...
Anne

A visual feast...

Today I am craving beauty. Some days this need becomes almost physical, where there is an aching in the pit of my stomach. Somewhere within my soul there is a sense of depletion, a longing for nourishment. And for me, a connection to objects of beauty serves this purpose. Images like this bowl of cherries are evocative. Memories of cherries past come to mind (and so does the scrumptious cherry cobbler I made one summer from the bounty of my neighbor's tree... mmm)! I love the play of light and shadow on the burgundy fruits. A simple white bowl is the perfect backdrop.



Come along and immerse yourself in the gorgeous world of Arcobaleno (http://arcobaleno.ws/). These rooms are deeply mysterious. They seem at once ancient and freshly modern. They are not spaces to hurry through, but to places to linger and allow oneself to be engulfed, as if immersed in a fine work of art or music, literature or poetry.

The stone here evokes a connection to the past. Stone gives interior spaces a sense of permanence and indestructibility, and so creates a feeling of stability. The baroque candelstick in the right center provides a darkly dramatic note to the serenity of this space. This room has an uncluttered feel and just enough well-chosen accents to keep things interesting.

My favorite kitchen element...simple, white dishes on open shelves. The metal brackets look aged and are reflected in the tile walls.

This dining space has a great connection to the outdoors through the huge windows and bountiful centerpiece. The built-in cupboard lends stature. Dainty chairs are gathered round a rustic table. The stone floors are timeless and elegant. And that chandelier is true perfection.

More open shelves against a tiled wall and dozens of pretty, white bowls.

Another view of the living space. Worn sidelights elegantly frame this scene. The beams and ceiling trusses give the room added definition and create a sense of gravity in such a high-ceilinged room. The mix of warm grays, taupes, and whites makes me swoon.

A lovely tabletop vignette. Stone, iron, and glass create a sense of something ancient. The grapes add life.

Textures play a starring role in these photos, where colors are muted and faded. Now I am sufficiently inspired to go and create some beauty in my own home. I hope you are, too!

Until next time...

Anne

A tribute to one on my favorite designers...

I have found a kindred spirit in designer Atlanta Bartlett (http://www.atlantabartlett.com/). She is an author and a design diva who resides in Britain. I was first introduced to her work in one of the final issues of Country Home magazine last year. Thank you Country Home for 20 years worth of inspiration and for turning me on to the genius of Atlanta Bartlett. She uses the palest of palettes, along with a mix of natural materials, like wood and leather. She adds tiny bursts of color through pillows, throws, and fresh flowers. There are also a few girly items thrown in for fun, like sparkly chandeliers, faded florals, and bits of pink. Her work is multi-layered but well-edited and never feels cloying or claustrophobic. All images here are courtesy of Atlanta Bartlett.

Come along and see why I am so enamored with her work.

A lovely still-life set against a backdrop of painted wood paneling. All of my favorite elements are present and accounted for: mirrors, coral, sea shells, mercury glass, fresh flowers.

In this room pale floors play host to worn leather club chairs and a casually-draped sofa. Notice how the floral pillows, the grayed-green armoire and the dark coffee table add interest.

A welcoming tableau in the entry to Atlanta Bartlett's country house. The hulky table, the beat-up baskets under the table, the bucket of flowers and, of course, that huge mirror are ever-so-charming.

This is another view of the entry table and the rest of the room which houses it. Notice the repetition of elements here (leather, wood, white) the maintain consistency and cohesiveness. Each area within a room and each room within a house must relate well to one another, as they are inextricably connected. This principle makes for lovely interior views, as you can see here.

This guest bedroom is serene and so pretty! The wallpaper is subtle enough to keep the space feeling open while echoing the curved swag of the headboard. Pure white bed linens make the room as refreshing as a spring breeze.

Here are the pops of pink in a rustic corner of the living room. Notice the large vase of cherry blossoms and the hunk of wood used a s a side table.

This is the master bedroom. It is ultimately romantic but clean and fresh. The wicker baskets under the bed look great and provide storage, as well as texture. I am always taken by canopies made of mosquito netting.

Black and white photos add a modern element to this living space. Notice how they are all framed identically, which makes the grouping cohesive.

The dining table set for a celebration. More pink touches and sparkle keep the mood festive. Informally draped twinkle lights add some fun. What a hutch! It has great color, presence and seems to store a ton of stuff.

Many bloggers and design fanatics rave about Atlanta Bartlett. She seems to be everywhere these days. Now I hope you can see why!

Until next time...

Anne

A toast to kitchens all in white

There is something about kitchens done all in white that just sends me. They are always fresh, clean, and bright. They have a sense of always having been there and never seem dated, unlike wood tones and color schemes which quickly fall out of favor. White kitchens are eternal. They invite you to pay attention to detail, such as carving in the wood or patterns in the tile.

Come and take a look at some of my favorites from House Beautiful.


I quite adore the warm white and black color scheme here. The cabinets are simply designed and blend beautifully with the Aga cooker (how I would love to have one of those). The black countertops and hardware add nice contrast. The glass-front upper cabinet bounces light around and show off pretty dishes, while echoing the window muntins. Touches like the brackets below the cabinets and on the range hood add a dash of spice to the mix.





Another view of the same kitchen shows an abundance of drawers, a farm sink, and gorgeous wide-plank flooring. The lights above the island and the clock add more bold bursts of black to punctuate the space.

This kitchen also plays on the black-and-white theme. The islands have nicely detailed legs atached to their sides for a dressy note. I like the industrial-looking light fixtures for a modern counterpoint. The arches in the doorway and the window beyond are sublime.

This kitchen has a sort of Victorian-meets-English country vibe. It beautifully pairs the rustic (pieces like the cupboard, island, stool, and table) with the refined (marble countertops, detailed cabinetry, and ornate ceiling). I am intrigued by the assortment of items on display in the cupboard--I imagine that each piece has a story of its own.

Another view of the same kitchen shows the stunning French range in its niche. The pots hang like jewelry above the island.

Notice the simplicity of the lines in this kitchen, The cabinetry is straight-forward, spare, but still lovely in pure white. I love the faucet and sink, which have a platinum-colored finish. They gleam against the well-scrubbed marble. The glass-front cabinets lift the eye upward.

I hope you can see why an all-white kitchen is so dear to my heart.

Until next time...

Anne