Showing posts with label home library. Show all posts
Showing posts with label home library. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Clean and serene - a look at minimalist design

Minimalism is a popular concept that has been employed for many interior designers over the decades, including very famous ones like Jean-Michel Frank. Minimalism is a design concept inspired by famous artists such as Donald Judd, Carl Andre, Agnes Martin and Frank Stella and it has drawn its inspiration from cultural sources such as the simplicity of Japanese traditional home designs and Zen Philosophy.

I don't tend to feature minimalist spaces too often, because it's not a life style that I think I could live.  However, whenever I do a clean sweep of my apartment, which I just did this weekend, all of the bare surfaces and perfectly straightened books inspires me to try and keep it up.

The basics of minimalism is unadorned and essentials only. Of course, there is a fine line where minimalism crosses over into cold and institutional. If minimalism is something you'd like to dabble in, here are a few principles to help you attain the minimalist loft of your dreams: 

Minimalism is neutral

Think neutral and block colours. Pristine white, light grey, clean taupe, make sure to draw inspiration from fresh, clean colour palettes.



Minimalism is bare

Minimalism means adorning your loft, but still giving it room to breathe. A good place to start is with the walls. Keep them simple and clean. Windows should be free of complicated draperies. There are so many options to keep your space private yet exposed. Look at using blinds by Velux,  and maybe try playing with clean shutters and very light curtains.






Minimalism is personal

A touch of personality brings your minimalist loft to life. You have wooden crates in the cellar? Clean them up and stack them together to create side tables. Whether you get creative or opt for the creativity of others via home furnishing brands and stores, choose pieces that are streamlined and geometric, clean and straight, smooth and curved.



Minimalism is light

And not just in terms of colour. Minimalist living spaces play of the lightness of its pieces and surroundings. Furniture should be light and low, no bulk or bulge. Rooms should make the best of natural light, again with the use of things like Velux window blinds, and knowing how to play with reflective surfaces can add space to any room.


Minimalism is inspirational

Finally, in order to achieve your dream of minimalist loft, you will need to know where to look for inspiration:

• Start by doing your research. What pieces do you have in mind to help create the ideal minimalist look for your loft? What feel do you want? Get some ideas on Pinterest and get some light inspiration.

• After gathering ideas of what you want for your home, visit stores like Ikea and Dwell for a selection of minimalist furniture pieces.

 • For windows, look to brands such Velux for great ideas on what kind of windows, solar thermal installations and blinds you might want for your loft.

 • If you want exquisite lights and light fixtures, look to brands such as Artemide and Boffi, and websites such as keslighting.com.



*disclosure: This post in partnership with itzala.co.uk

Monday, April 9, 2012

Table inspiration and eye candy

Pretty uses for one of the most versatile pieces of furniture.
The most apparent use - for dining...highlighted here by a conversation-starting chandelier and a salon style wall.
If you're like me, you can never choose just one book to read. A table gives you the space to spread out.
My office desk is more like a table, because the surface space is so vital to my productivity.

1. House of Fifty 2. Traditional Home 3. & 4. Ryland Peters & Small

Thursday, March 29, 2012

When life gets hectic, it's the little things..

Phew...sorry for the neglect this week! I have a lot of major deadlines this week..my average bedtime the past two weeks has been 3 AM. Anyway, I figured I'd take time today to post some eye candy, not only to inspire you, but also to give me a much needed break from my current projects. Here are some little (and big) pleasures to indulge in if you can...

a peaceful soak

a meal enjoyed without TV and catching up with those you live with but don't necessary get to talk to everyday!


A beautiful place to read...

The piece you've had your eye on for ages and finally get to bring home


Little details that make life beautiful

What makes your life beautiful?

via 1. Mag 91, 2. Design Interior, 3. TradHome, 4. Adore Home, 5.  ?

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

A winter's day refuge: the home library

As the days get colder and gloomier, we naturally spend more time inside. Sometimes a rainy or snowy day is just the excuse you need to cozy up and spend the day with a new or well-loved book.

via House of Fifty

That's one comfy looking loveseat. I'm sure I could read there all afternoon.

via Little Green Notebook

Talk about book storage!

via Loft Life Mag

If I ever have the space, creating a little reading nook like this will be a top priority!

via Maree Homer

via Marie Claire Maison



Check out how they've even extended the bookcase on the sides. Definitely making the best use of space here.

via Poppytalk Handmade on Pinterest

via Apartment Therapy

I've been reading a lot lately that if you have "ugly" books, to cover them in plain white paper to create a nicer looking shelf. I don't know how I feel about this. Something about it to me seems too forced, but I've never seen it in person. Has anyone tried this?

via Ballard

dreamy

via Sweet Home Style

Squeeze the most out of an otherwise unusable wall space by running low shelf units along the bottom.

via Sweet Home Style

Do you have a dedicated home library, are your books spread out throughout the house, or have you carved out a space for books in another room?

Friday, October 28, 2011

Home office bliss

The home office is so important to me since I work from home. I think with more and more people working from home these days we'll be seeing even more great home office inspiration and solutions in mags and blogs.

Happy Friday!

a fab duo office

via Ballard Home

so pretty!  The white, the cube shelving - the window seat!!

via BHG

Tons of storage for inspiration!  My shelves are always overflowing, but sometimes I feel like the more storage space I have, the more likely I am to hoard more stuff...
via Ikea

Looks like an archivists dream right?

via Inc.com

A down-to-earth but still chic space.

via House of Fifty

via Ivy and Piper

Only problem with this one is that the gorgeous wall mural might have me daydreaming of tree houses all day

via Sweet Home Style


Which one do you like best?

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Design mashUp: an array of eye candy for every room in the home

Just a little pick me up to help you get through this afternoon:

fabulous, fabulous bathroom wall
apartment therapy

great wall color, gorgeous and simple wood bed, luxe mirror
via Home Sweet Home

an eclectic entryway
from our dearly departed Domino

Wouldn't you love to wake up in the morning and have a rack of the day's outfit options ready for you to choose from?
via Pinterest

garden blueprints hanging from a spring mantle
Knitting Iris on Flickr


Amazing home office/library set up
via Design Inspiration [SK]

via Schibsted Forlag

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Beautiful bedrooms with their own unique style

Look at enough home and decor mags, and you'll be able to draw up a template for a pretty "designer" bedroom, but to come up with something that's beautiful and truly "yours" is a bigger challenge. These bedrooms really give you a taste of the owner's personality...

Love this mix of eastern, Victorian, and industrial influences.
via Adore Home Mag


With it's yellow bed, green front fireplace, and slate-colored walls, you can imagine it's owner is decisive and confident.
2 images above via Alice in Designland


With wallpaper like this you can't be shy
via Country Living

...love the library in the bedroom...I'm guessing the person who lives here is a bit of a home body and like to curl up with a book

Modern but feminine.  I love this look ...
2 above via Home Sweet Home

Maybe a traveler who has a flair for the eclectic?
via Pinterest

What about your decorating style makes your home unique?

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Modern and eclectic Scandinavian homes

I love Scandinavian design sense so it's no surprise these two artsy dwellings caught my attention. Enjoy!

DREAM workspace! The book shelves, the art drawers - perfect.



I would have never imagined using a dolly as decor/furnishing but I like it here.

Get rid of the cow hide and I could spend days in this home library



via Allt i Hemmet