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Un-decorated


Just out is this book, illuminating the latest tendency to undecorated spaces. It is lovingly assembled by Christiane Lemieux, founder and creative director of Dwell Studio. You can buy it here. It's certainly not a new concept, thinking of the gloriously undecorated rooms of the Bloomsbury Group. 
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Or the artistic salons at the turn of the last century: Gustav Klimt comes to my mind. 


Image (View of Gustav Klimt’s studio on Josefstädter Strasse 21, Vienna, ca. 1912. Photograph by Moritz Nähr. Furnishings were designed by Josef Hoffmann and executed by the Wiener Werkstätte. The painting is Klimt’s Hope II(1907-08), now in the collection of The Museum of Modern Art, New York.)
True, these stand out through their incredible creative energy, but any honestly grown place will always exude it too. Picasso held court, showcasing not only his art, but found objects, ceramics, his children's toys, beach gear next to design proto-types or his latest love...


Image (Picasso's Villa La Californie)


Image (Picasso's last day in Villa Californie 1959, before moving to Provence)


Of course we often just see these outstanding homes of artists or, occasionally, writers. 
 But this development reverberates with my own design philosophy and once in a while there comes a moment where it surfaces in a trend. There will always be the un-decorating fellowship.
It's a state of mind and for time being maybe even people with order and perfection on their minds will subscribe to it for a while.


Perhaps what's so intriguing is the simple fact that it looks rather naturally lived in, not too groomed and perfect. 
In these times, when nothing around us is perfect - and when is it ever - we might answer this by living just like that.
So go on, relax, have that bundle of books you read on the floor next to your bed, coffee table or on the kitchen counter! Make momentous exhibitions on the window ledge of these small treasures you just picked at the flea market or the consignment store, don't paint that old table to a perfect turquoise, less is more! Live happily with what you have and don't take decorating too serious! And let these pillows artfully lounge around your couch.



Image ( from the book Romantic Homes of Ireland (above) and my own work/family
            room (below).

Enjoy some un-decorated time!
Until it all changes again and we move on to the next best thing.... ; )
XX
Victoria
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Today I love

Painted floors! I have a weakness for painted floors. I love the sophisticated or relaxed look of it, it evokes country side and ease, but at the same time I can see it at an old castle.

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I love white floor boards, Swedish design often relies on it, but also the intricate designs by skilled artisans to faux finish a floor to perfection.


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There are endless possibilities and the only thing that stops me from painting my floors light is the fact that my dog is black and sheds more then I like! And more over, my children are in and out year round, tracking their boots into the front door and way more often into the family room. It would be a nightmare!
But I love them...

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Look at these wonderfully painted stairs!
Done by Karen Oakley, a faux finish painter with incredible talent! She lives in Mystic, CT. If you are lucky it's your neighborhood...


Or these ones!


They can be such fun too.

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And these add some flair to a bathroom, which would otherwise look like any other!


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But honestly, a white painted floor is just wonderful!


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My floors certainly could use some serious refreshing, I might just paint them! Perhaps a sophisticated muddy gray?
What is your take on it?


xx
Victoria



All images as indicated.
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Remodeling Vs. Moving

Remodeling your current home may be a better option for you than finding a new home that fits your needs.  Yes, there are plenty of homes on the market, but consider these reasons why many are improving your existing home rather than thinking of packing up and relocating (according to the National Home Builders Association):

  • Remodeling allows you to customize your home to meet your needs and desires. The only similar, but much more costly alternative, is to design a new custom home and have it built to your specifications.
  • Remodeling means that you don't have to give up a familiar neighborhood and schools.
  • Remodeling is a more efficient use of your financial resources. According to the American Homeowner Foundation, selling your home and moving typically costs about 8-10% of the value of your current home. And much of this goes into moving expenses, closing costs, and broker commissions - items that have no direct impact on your home's quality.
  • Remodeling can be stressful, but few experiences are more stressful than moving.

While your home may have fit your living requirements over the years, remodeling it will make your home a more enjoyable place to live while adding resale value.  While remodeling may improve the resale value, though, remodeling projects vary greatly as far as investment vs. value.  According to the NAHB, “the general rule of thumb is that any remodeling project that brings your home up to the level of your neighbors' is a worthy investment. But it doesn't pay to be the most expensive house on the block - real estate experts recommend that a remodeling investment should not raise the value of your house to more than 10-15% above the median sales price in your neighborhood.”

Remodeling can all you to live comfortably for several more years in your home while you wait for the market to recover fully in your area.  Remember, though, that when you do sell, potential buyers will be comparing your home to newer homes.  The solution?  If possible, says the NAHB, you should look at the current design trends for new homes and incorporate popular features like “great rooms (open kitchen/family room arrangements), master bed and bath suites, and higher ceilings”.

Also, suggests the NAHB, read Remodeling magazine’s “Cost vs. Value” annual report, which assesses which projects give homeowners the greatest return on investment.  You can’t go wrong updating your kitchen and bathrooms, as these are the first things potential buyers consider in buying a new home.

Our tip?  Hire an architect for your home renovation project.  Read another blog on why it's beneficial at http://timberframeblog.blogspot.com/2010/03/home-renovations-hire-architect.html.
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Cartoon and Theme designs for Children’s Bedrooms


Toons4Rooms

Toons4Rooms

Toons4Rooms

Toons4Rooms

Toons4Rooms
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Modernist wooden House - in The Garden Design Ideas in Dallas Texas by Cunningham Architects

small water fountain beside the pool design in the garden house

wonderful night view in house in the garden design in Dallas

large grass landscape design in house garden ideas

Landscape house in the garden design in Dallas

swimming pool terrace with lounge chair design in house in the garden

living room wooden furniture design with sliding glass windows

first floor with wooden interior and furniture

wooden dining table with wooden ceiling and wooden kitchen design

Here are 5250 sq. ft. the modernist wooden house in the garden design ideas in Dallas Los angeles, this house used the wooden wall, wooden furniture & stone floor, the house amazing lighting in the night. house feature with giant garden, romantic swimming pool design, & low energy consumption because giant glass windows. the house is lined on two sides with a rain screen method, using Ipe wood, climate over time to a bright silver-gray. The south facade of glass frames, insulating glass units incorporating one 8-meter wide sliding glass doors. The 14 meter cantilevered front cover that protects the hard sun of Los angeles while serving as a reference point for glass mosaic infinity pool. A small water fountain on the concrete floor provides subtle noise to eliminate distractions outside the garden walls. Giant stone slabs become connectors in any garden & facilitate the transition from the street from his house. These pathways culminate organic & winding around a campfire. There is an upstairs room & studio. On the ground floor, concrete floor & outdoor deck provide a smooth transition from living room to garden.

Source:hometrendesign

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How divine

This is some divine seating if you ask me. By Designers Guild! In good company with Finn - Juhl's beautiful settee...Poeten!


Introducing the Julep sofa!


And browsing todays Wall Street Journal, there I found an extensive and fabulous article about 'The Rise Of The Personal'! Just how I always felt about decorating...
What has been analyzed for months in the blog world has reached now mainstream: UN- DECORATING is the new black
It looks pretty to me.


xx
Victoria





Image via designers guild.com
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Old and yet so now



What seems already so long ago - our winter break was spent in Woodstock, VT.
There is a wonderful place nearby: Billings Farm. It is a working museum farm, with livestock, gardens and a wonderful farmhouse museum, built for the farm manager and his family around the 1890's.
What was so interesting about the place is the fact that it was designed very forward thinking for the time, with central heating, with running warm and cold water, a airy basement and many of the luxuries of the time.


Walking through the rooms I felt they would easily satisfy residents today, give or take a few things. I was delighted to find beautiful wallpapers.


Just look at this place! It's wallpapers are absolutely now!




The bathroom, with a hand painted sink, very fancy!




Build-in china closet in the dining room.


 I love the pantry! Why don't they build houses today like this anymore?







Look at the incredible coffee storage and grinder!



I loved these rooms, the light and the thoughtful layout.
This is the dairy, they had the first mechanical butter maker in the country!


And transportation....


Enough land to go on a sleigh ride!


More then 120 years ago doesn't seem so old-fashioned at all! I was reminded of images I have seen only recently...




A happy weekend to you my friends!
xx
Victoria



Images above by V.Zlotkowski, Country Home magazine, Zoffany wallpaper and Tribal Home.
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