Home Improvement

The Gallery Restaurant at Sketch London

There's no question that pink is a favorite of mine and I'm not picky for where it is. Whether it's fashion or interior design above, this dusty pink is a version that I am particularly fond of. While I never got the chance to visit, in perusing Pinterest for this week's Home Improvement post, and I'll admit, a little London withdrawal, I came across The Gallery Restaurant inside of Sketch--London. The pink is used perfectly by being paired with sort of rose gold chair bases and table top accents and a floor that is an unexpected herringbone pattern in a series of browns, and the fact that the chairs and booth style seating is plush velvet as opposed to a different fabric creates an incredibly luxe and pleasing look to the eye. Not to mention, the almost cartoon-like drawings perfectly aligned on the wall match the playful setting and definitely make me long for the time I get to jump back to London and visit Sketch.

Home Improvement

In this extremely hot weather that we've been having lately, how can you help but want to transport yourself to this home in South Africa. Aside from being located near the beach, everything about this home adds to its airy and fresh atmosphere. From the light colored floors, fabrics and materials of the  furniture, to the larges sliding glass doors, it seems that maybe just being in this space could help with the heat. The high ceilings add to the overall open feel of the space as well, and I am in love with the hanging lights that not only have that same airy feel to them as the room does, but create another interesting texture and element, too.

So, who's with me on taking a trip to South Africa?

Home Improvement

When I came home from my finishing my Sophomore year of college last week, I came home to a literal home improvement. While I was away, my parents had changed our stairs from being covered in an old, grey-ish carpet, to clean hardwood ones. It's amazing what something as simple as going from carpet to wood can do to a part of a space and it got me thinking about alternative stairs, an aspect to some homes that is often neglected--as was ours. In perusing favorite interior sites, I had seen everything from turning parts of the stairs into hide-away storage units, to mirrored stairs for a definite sparkle lover. However, one of the ones that stuck with me was a set of beautifully painted floral stairs (seen above). While to some it may seem unnecessarily decorative, I thought of how unique it might be to instead of having paintings, these stairs were in a perfectly white staircase and the only color came from the steps. There surely is something quite whimsical, but not too quirky about these stairs, and it will definitely make me pay more attention to spaces that are otherwise left unnoticed. 

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Home Improvement

When I was younger, one of my favorite parts about going on a vacation was staying in the hotel rooms. While I obviously was excited about seeing sights other than my Houston neighborhood, there was always something about pretending that this new, perfectly clean, and well organized room was actually mine. To this day, one of the things that I still am fond of in hotels is their white sheets and upholstery fabrics. Sitting on a white couch or climbing into a bed with crisp white sheets makes you extra cautious to not do anything to change the perfect white appearance. Now that sixty degree weather has been somewhat of a regular here in Syracuse for the past few days, it got me thinking about spaces that always provide a sense of freshness like the season of spring does. For me, that feeling is always associated with white hotel linens and plenty of beautiful and natural light like in the image above.

What kind of interiors do you associate with spring?

Home Improvement

When it comes to bathrooms, it's ashamed that they are often so easily overlooked design-wise. However, behind closed doors and not the center of the house, I see them as a great opportunity to test out looks that I might be trying out or just to go for it! Upon first sight of this week's home improvement feature above, I wasn't sure exactly which room it was. The bright, but not overwhelming, striped walls, various patterns seen in the towels, rug, and pillow, and the picture frames and intricate mirrors made it a space that kept my eyes perusing around a space that is otherwise not given much thought about. Although to some it may come across as a mix of many different styles, to me, everything down to the contrasting black door is fun and engaging.

What do you think of this space? Too crazy or crazy good?

Home Improvement

I have always had a thing for libraries and when I was younger had a goal to read every book in the neighborhood library. While obviously unrealistic, it is a good thought. The idea of having all of the books filled with information, inspiration, and photographs waiting for me to delve into them was exciting and the limits of what could be read were endless. So many libraries seem to be under appreciated and are seen as dated. Even still, I can't shake the thought of eventually having a small collection of my own in my future home. While it will be a while, or never, until I can have a room organized with books in every category, simple bookshelves and coffee tables will take place. To liven up the basic set-up, like in the image above, a few photographs and prints, wallpaper accent wall, and the word "library" in a fun script, create a place for the books that show a little love to them just like a library would.

Do you ever think of creating a library--big or small?

Home Improvement

When I was younger, I collected everything from quarters from each state to porcelain dolls. Through the years, though, I have grown quite an affinity for collecting and admiring coffee table books. With their typical high cost, my collection (here, here, and here) is still small, but in their nearly endless categories of inspiration from fashion, photography, and art, I see them not only as amazing references for my interests, but as beautiful decorations in themselves. While their name mainly places them on the coffee table, the way that they are displayed in the image above, is not only much more interesting to the eye, but allows for the true beauty of the content and covers of these books to be showcased. Just as artwork can show the owner's personal style, these coffee table books can do just that, as well as provide passages into the owner's interests. On my current dream list: fashion, typography, and a favorite artist.

What are some of your favorite coffee table books? Would you display them like this?

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There is a library on our Syracuse University campus that has creaking spiral metal staircases and narrow wooden floored aisles that always makes me feel as if I am in an old English library when I am in there. I have collected all of my favorite fashion and art magazines for as long as I can remember, and held on to favorite books for whenever i get the sudden urge to delve into them and hope to one day have an immense shelf filled from floor to ceiling with books and magazines that are not only interesting and beautiful to read, but to look at, as well. I love how in the room featured above, everything about the room is simply white and black and that aside from the rug, the only other color is coming from the spines and covers of the books.

Do you hope to one day have a library? What are your favorite books and magazines to collect?

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One of the most important things that I have learned from dorm living in the past year and a half is that proper space utilization can make a huge difference in not only the feeling of the size of your room (or home), but in the feeling of cleanliness and organization, as well. Both being design students, my roommate and I definitely have our share of stuff. However, it is the little areas in which we discover to house them all, that can make our room feel more like a home, and less like a storage room for our things. In the kitchen above, the room utilizes the sort of awkward curved corner to turn into a dining nook. What once may have been an odd empty space is now transformed into something cozy and unique to the room that also manages to add charm and an interesting appeal. 

What are some of your space utilization techniques? 

Home Improvement

Now, I know that everybody loves a little bit of glitter and shine throughout their days, but this kitchen by architect Emma Templeton and her design team at Templeton, is a whole lotta fabulousness. With such a powerful and sparkly focus of the backsplash behind the counter, the team made sure to balance the room with neutral colors and materials--like variants of brown woods-- to ensure that the space felt special, but not overwhelming. This kitchen is surely a place where enjoying your morning coffee will make sure to start your day off right. 

Would you like some sparkle in your kitchen?

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While mint green is one of my favorite colors, I would never think of using it in an interior space such as the one in the photo above. When I think of living rooms and fireplaces, I often don't think of pastel and cooler colors. However, with the high ceilings, intricate molding, abundance of knick knacks seen in the fireplace, pillows on the couch, and plates and bowls spread throughout, the mint is just as inviting and comfortable as any other color would be. And, it has a sense of uniqueness and freshness that would not often be found.

What do you think? Would you ever use a pastel color for your living room?

Home Improvement

My love for bright colors is not one that goes unnoticed. However, sometimes, in a room full of colors from wall paint, furniture, artwork, and so on, the brilliance of the colors on their own can become lost. The dining room in the image above, though, does just the opposite. By having a neutral and otherwise fairly stark looking home aside from the dining room set and the lamp at the top of the stairs, the brightness and amazing hues of cherry reds and persian rose, are able to really shine and be appreciated.

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Home Improvement

I've always been really interested in work spaces. Everyone has their own individual style that works best for them in a workspace with everything from organization methods to color schemes. For me, since I hope to one day work in a creative space, having a lot of room for inspirational photos and bulletin boards to pin them all on, is ideal. In this image, I love how the clean color scheme of gray, white, and some purples, allow for all of the images to take the focus. With more rustic details like the shelving cabinet and trash can, these little elements can also help to make the space less stark.

Is there a specific way that you like your workspace to be laid out?

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A to Z: Design

It seems obvious, but when you think about it, there are so many different types of design in the field. From packaging design, interior, and of course, fashion, design is something that constantly changes the way that we buy, interact with, and view the products around us. 

Packaging Design-

As consumers, one of the first ways that we come in contact with a product is through sight and how the product looks and appeals to us. Personally, I know that when I find myself in a pharmacy or grocery store, the products with interesting packaging design or logo is the one that I will usually prefer.  These wine bottles have a series of sunglasses that not only make an appealing look, but also are interesting in that when held up sideways across your face, it appears as if you are wearing the glasses, as well...not that you would do that. 

Interior Design-

Interior design is something that I have grown to really be fond of the past few years. How you choose to decorate your space is something that is so personal to each person and can really be a way to showcase your individual style. The image above is one that I really love for an interior space, as I absolutely love a gallery wall anywhere. Gallery walls appear to be extremely thought out and intricate, but I find that they look best when the owner of the space decides to arrange random compositions of art that they find special. Also, the neutral palette with the pops of the natural green of the plants provides a fresh look to an otherwise almost monochromatic space. 

Brand Design-

In a business, it is important that there is a sense of consistency throughout. When everything from business cards, headers on documents, and even certain colors are kept at constant, it is easier for the customers to be able to remember the company and to relate to it when seeing these things. I think that these business cards are great. While still in the typical rectangular format of a business card, this company utilized the shape to their advantage to display what their company is in a creative, unique, and aesthetically pleasing--while still simple--way. 

While clearly there are many more areas of design than only packaging, interior, and brand design, these are areas that I don't often focus much on, but am interested in and really make a difference when it comes to design in general and of forming ideas for companies in the future.

What are some of your favorite fields of design?

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Black and white is a classic combination that can almost always do no wrong. Whether applied to clothing, photography, or in this case interior design, it always manages to look polished and amazing. This photograph is from a Manhattan dining room and kitchen featured in the September 2012 issue of Lonny Magazine. Designed by Lilly Bunn Weekes, the black and white is bold enough that it makes a statement and is the feature of the room, but by being applied to the backsplash of the appliances, is not overwhelming for such a common space of the home. 

Would you decorate a room in black and white, or are you a die-hard color fanatic?