In The Navy (Suite)

I'm awaiting the arrival of 2 sofas, a wing back chair, ottomans and a small hill of cushions I've ordered in yummy coordinated Warwick fabrics; a bold combination of navy blue geometric patterned and floral. Bold because I'm usually the safe cream dream girl.

Am considering the decor to revolve around them.

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A flirtation with dark blue walls leaves me thinking the sofas might disappear into them, but an accent colour like the lime green below might make all the difference. The black and white stripe adds a French je ne sais quoi, non?

Blue pattern on pattern. Like. Like very much.

Okay these might be grey walls and not blue, but the patterned sofa truly stands out especially when paired with white accents. The tasteful artwork is always a necessity, but the dead stuffed owl just lifts the whole scheme, doesn't it?

Blue gloss lion heads certainly suggest "I'm an exciting individual with good taste".

All photos from White & Wander blog, except for pattern on pattern photo from ChiChi & Luxe blog

Country Monkey, City Monkey

Usually I make a face like a two-year old threatened with cabbage when I hear the words "Country" and "Style" used consecutively. Tragic images of 'quaint' from the 80s haunt me, the kind with rustic (read:new with bad faux paint job) signs that say "Home is Where the Heart Is", wooden barnyard animal attached. And a putrid floral pattern or nineteen thrown in to complete the look.

* Yech *

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Then I stumble upon this beauty by designer John Loecke and his partner, and my Country world is rocked. This 1840 Federal-style converted schoolhouse they've christened "Monkey House" is located in New York's Catskills (wherrzzat?).

Comments on inspiration from the article in Country Living, written by Sara Bliss:

"The overall design was meant to harken to the classic interiors found in the English country house of a century ago--rooms filled with antiques, sculptural furniture pieces, and botanical patterns and prints on the walls. John and Jason reinterpreted the look, however, by introducing some decidedly offbeat pieces, including silver scallop sconces, giraffe print pillows, and a tropical-inspired chandelier."

On the use of patterns according to John:

"The trick to combining many patterns in a room is to choose a common color scheme. A variety of bold patterns won't clash when linked by a limited palette." To avoid overwhelming the space, John advises using no more than two large-scale prints and keeping other patterns geometric."

Photos are by Lucas Allen, article by Sara Bliss

Things I Liked Today

Recent -random- images from VTinteriors blog I'm just drawn to. Thanks, Viera!

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Colour... olive, powder blue and cranberry in the same room. Bold.

Understated pattern with adorable child.

Cheese and macaroons in the same sitting. Bold AND delicious.

Chinois in outstanding colour combo.

I Saw I Smiled

To make a crappy day brighter 

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I didn't know what to blog about, 

so here are some random images that made me smile.

If you've been following my blog you know I love all things Catherine Martin. These are the 4 covers of the Collector's Edition Vogue Living Australia she edited several months ago. The issue was simply lovely cover to cover, and between cover to cover. 

Image via Studio Pip and Co

Pretty anyone-can-do. Image via ish&chi, though I think the original image may be from Decor8. 

Black&Spiro interior that takes a weird alcove and makes it better. I found the image on VT Interiors Library

I like porcelain. And heads with things sprouting from 'em. "Behind Quiet Veils of The Blue Willow" 2001 by Red Weldon Sandlin. Picture: Newark Museum via NYTimes

Colours I Can

Note to self about achievable colour schemes for my new living room. Wood floors - check. Neutral sofa - check, which is surprisingly unboring when paired with neutral rugs. Green sideboard - oooh. Muted but not boring.

Another way to do it is to colour coordinate with your cat. This little black and white cutie's purpose in life is to pose with greek keys. Mine is grey so something like the above might be called for. Added bonus - cat hair camouflage.

I believe the top two images are from the soon-to-be-no-more Domino mag. Cat images are from The Paris Apartment, a plethora of inspirational (yet achievable) interiors.

Fearless Michelle

Woman of the moment, Michelle Obama is a woman for women. An incredible package of grace, accomplishment, supermum ability, sense of humour, and -oh yeah- she just happens to be married to the leader of the free world. I'll talk about the least of her superpowers - her fearless colour sense and how it translates to equally refreshing interiors.

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Inauguration day lemongrass with green

Her outfit from the Kids Ball the night before the inauguration. There was a wide belt cinching the lemongrass cardi in at the waist, over a tourquiose skirt.

Patterned, from her appearance on The View, embodied in Kelly Wearstler's style

Michelle Obama images from etonline.com and abc news.

All interior images from Domino mag.