Sequel Weblog

Parasol Island Office = Paradise in Germany

This beauty belongs to Parasol Island, a production house in Dusseldorf, Germany. I think they're in the wrong business and need to go into interior design instead. They are responsible for this cozy, happy, dreamy, zen, modern loft office, which is in an old building, hence the character-riddled bones. The color is mesmerizing. The natural materials, lots of white, and lanterns make it feel like a cocoon. I really wonder how this mellow and serene atmosphere affects their work....how could one care about deadlines and productivity here?

Brownstone Obsessions

I am currently enamored with two brownstones on Houzz. I find myself going back to look at them all the time and disecting their design. So, the first is by Mark Dodge Design out of Toronto. The color palette is classic cream and black with tiny pops of orange. The architecture is elegant with tall celings and ornate moldings and fireplace. There are huge glitzy black lacquered mirrors that look like they are original to the space. Yet, the furniture is completely modern....Mies Van Der Rohe, Le Corbusier, Saarinen, Parsons, and Danish-esque pieces. There is a large painting of a male nude has a very classic feel, like a modern spin on Boticelli. And, the floors are high shine black herringbone.

The other is actually not a brownstone, it's a 19th century townhouse in New York, but it has the same feel. Grandiose architecture, shimmering drippy crystal chandeliers, mixed with clean lined modern furniture. The color palette of this space is a pale gray with black, white, and glimmering gold.

Blue Door

What a beautiful foyer.  Sure, it's got a lot going for it architecturally, lots of windows looking out to lush green and very open.  But, it's also been expertly decorated with some gorgeous antiques and that blue door is a knock out.  Not to mention that red bauble hanging from the ceiling...aqua and red are quite interesting together, tribal and refined all at the same time.

Beckett’s Nursery

On February 13th, 2010, I became a mama to Beckett Lyons Moore.  While I was pregnant, I designed a nursery for him (and me), which is finally complete, including baby!  Here are pics of the space...

The design centers around a wall mural of lifelike birch trees.  This went up like wallpaper and we got the help of a pro to hang.  It has lots of black and white contrast, which Beckett loves to gaze at.  We painted the other walls with Benjamin Moore's Decorator's White and used Eco-Spec which has low VOCs.  The room has an airy and refreshing feel to it.

For the rocking chair, I used a vintage Eames style chair and ottoman, which I had recovered in soft chocolate brown leather.

The crib is Ikea's Gulliver in White.  And, the bedding is a simple organic cream colored crib sheet.  Since the mural is busy, wanted to keep all other elements really clean and simple.

A mobile of tiny deer cut from birch plywood dangles over the crib.  Found this on Etsy.

An antique oak dresser stores Beckett's threads and doubles as a changing table.  It adds a lot of warmth to the room.  This happens to be the dresser that I grew up with...just removed the fancy carved mirror and updated the hardware.

The handles on the dresser are white stones which works with the nature feel of the room.

On the changing table is Sophie the giraffe who keeps Beckett happy while he's getting changed.  We also purchased a washcloth warmer to use instead of wipes, which we love...the warmth is soothing to Beckett and it cuts down on the cost and waste of wipes!  An oversized silk eye pillow is repurposed for a baby pillow.  In the background you can see the window panels, which are white linen.

We just got this nifty and adorable Beck puzzle stool in the mail as a gift.  The wool throw on Eames chair is vintage.  And, the lamb plushy on the ottoman was a gift and made by Gund.

Beckett's lovies and books are kept in a basket woven from recycled paper.

And, here is my little sweetheart!

Starry Eyed Over Laurie Owen

I discovered South African designer Laurie Owen over the weekend after reading a bit about her on Apartment Therapy.  She has dubbed her style "Romantic Organic".  Most of the pictures on her website are of resorts that she's designed, but she also does residential work.  Check it out:

Harnas Lodge in Namibia:

I

Agricultural Holdings Residence in South Africa:

Clifftop Limopopo in South Africa:

Little Kulala in Namibia:

Vumbura Lodge in Botswana:

So, I've attempted to deconstruct her work so we can all bring a little (or lot) of this "Romantic Organic" style to our homes.  Here is what I'm seeing:

-Raw tree trunks, branches, twigs, stumps, roots, rocks, and stones for furnishings and decor

-Faux natural furnishings and accents (ex. stone shaped ottomans made of wool or metal & metallic tree trunk tables)

-Drippy strands of crystal, beads, coral, bone, silver

-Earthy browns {taupes, camels, ecrus},  atmospheric blues, pure whites, and touches of black

-Fluffy plush rugs and pillows

-Metallic accessories

-Boho ombre & tie dyed linens 

-Textural concrete & mud-/plaster-like walls

-Floaty hanging chairs

-Reedy rattan and rope accents

-Organic shaped glass reminicent of water

-Natural fibers:  cotton, silk, linen, wool

-Relaxed, loose, slipcovered furnishings

-Low profile beds and seating

For more on Laurie, check out her website.

Nesting

My friend Melanie just had this precious little girl named Lily...

Melanie hinted that I do a post on nurseries and children's rooms.  So, I've scoured the web to come up with these lovely pictures to inspire...

neutral can be nice... 

but brights are really fun.... 

being part Polish, love the larger than life matryoshka nesting dolls... 

i'm suprised they were able to pull this color off...

soft pastels are comforting....

stripes are good...

like these cozy modern sleeping compartments (and the mod bedding)... 

paper lanterns will be nice for baby to look at...

glam is good too... 

room for friends is most important... 

Pictures culled from Desire To Inspire, Domino, Ohdeedoh, Dwell, Ouef, and probably a few others that I'm forgetting.

Oh la la….Priceless Interiors

Last night we watched the French movie Priceless starring Audrey Tatou, which was a fun, light-hearted flick with AMAZING styling (interiors + wardrobe).  It was filmed in luxury hotels in Nice, Cote d'Azur, Biarritz, and Monte Carlo.  The interiors were glitzy, yet sophisticated, with refreshing pops of vivid colors (red, aqua, and cobalt) on neutral backdrops, lots of patterns, and a mix of furniture styles.  I took pictures of the movie on my TV, so the quality is not so good.  I highly recommend you rent the movie if you like what you see here!

love this number.....

Frank Roop

There have been some changes in my life over the past few months (new job) which have put a damper on my blogging.  However, tonight, I have been too inspired by the work of Frank Roop to not blog about him.  You could say that Frank Roop has broken my blogging drought.  Let it rain Roop (I really love his last name too...so much fun to say!)...

Proximity Hotel

The April issue of Metropolitan Home arrived in my mailbox yesterday and it's their "Guide To Modern Green Design".  I was surprised to read a blurb about what could be America's greenest hotel, the Proximity Hotel, which happens to be a stone's throw away from me in Greensboro, NC (talk about proximity).  Metropolitan Home says "Proximity is striving for LEED Platinum status, which would make it America's greenest (indoor) spot to spend the night.  More than 70 sustainable ideas are at work, including rooftop solar panels, an elevator that generates energy for ascent on the descent and the use of geothermal energy for restaurant refrigeration.  From $199 per night." 
I had no idea this environmentally conscious and stylish boutique hotel existed just an hour away from me.  I will have to check it out in person sometime very soon.  Until then, here are some lovely pictures to enjoy from their website...

Blushing Over Magenta

Apartment Therapy is doing a Romantic Bedroom Giveaway this week, so of course I entered (one day I will win something).  You have to give a sexy bedroom tip and include a picture of your vision (real or aspirational).  Two entries are posted each day on Apartment Therapy and mine is one of them today!  I'm blushing that it is there for all to see.  It's kind of silly.  However, in the spirit of Valentine's day, you can see the entry too right here. 

The picture I submitted, which is also below, is of a collage I created over a year ago as inspiration for decorating my bedroom.  I love this dark magenta color (using it as an accent is my tip).  I like it mixed with a lot of neutrals so it's not too overpowering.  And, lighter shades, like that light pink paper lantern on the left, help soften the palette. 

I'll let you know if I happen to win the prize.  And, it's not too late for you to enter too, as the contest is open until noon tomorrow.