The Great Outdoors

Stunning landscape architecture from the firm of Page|Duke. I'm amazed with the attention to detail. However, my favorite takeaway from this portfolio may very well be the generous use of green. While I can keep my house plants relatively healthy and alive, my green thumb does not extend to the great outdoors. As much as I love beautiful flowers, the commitment it takes to produce copious, colorful blooms is more than I can squeeze into my schedule. So it is wonderful to see how much texture, variation of color, and design can be achieved with simple green plantings.

Be sure to visit Page|Duke for so much more verdant inspiration.

A Reader's Home Tour: MB's Spectacular Dallas Home

I love looking at beautiful interiors. I know that's no news to you and if you're reading this, you probably do too. Perfectly executed rooms that are expertly photographed make me positively tingle with glee and my blood pressure has been known to literally soar at the sight of these. Yet, perhaps, what I love even more is a beautiful real home. One that is decorated over time, layer by layer, with artifacts of a life well-lived. Welcome to just such a home. These gorgeous photos are of mb's house. Or, as I know her and some of you may as well, Marybeth. I love it when I see a comment left on Head Over Heels preceded by mb. I know it will be something insightful or funny or both, and always special.

Marybeth is a long-time reader and I knew she had some major style. She's a painter, wife of a hotelier, mother of some incredibly talented and equally beautiful daughters. So it really comes as no surprise that her home is a an amazing amalgamation of beautiful objects, expertly arranged, and so very livable and inviting. I was thrilled when Marybeth agreed to a home tour and have been ogling all the details since the photos started to arrive.

The architectural details alone are something outstanding...the plaster walls, pitched ceilings and beams, the saltillo tiles, and beautiful woodwork. However, it's the evidence of a well-travelled life that has me transfixed. The gorgeous blend of textiles and patinated finishes, a little chinoiserie alongside American and English antiques, and above all, the stunning art that make for a perfectly eclectic home. Yeah, I said it, eclectic. I think the word has become taboo in design circles, and yet that's what this home is. Thank you Marybeth for graciously sharing your gorgeous place. If I'm ever in Dallas, expect a knock on the door.

{all images generously provided by the lovely Marybeth}

Fancy Pants

{images via Coorengel and Calvagrac}

4 Things

Bookshelf + Light fixture + Blue chair + Pillow fringe.

I have to say, I'm crazy about the elaborate mechanism used to house the humble light bulb. Isn't it fabulous when the utilitarian is elevated to the sublime.

{image via Simon Watson, spotted on Desire To Inspire}

This is why you hire an architect.

In order to make use of every square inch of your 300 square foot, 1970s West Village studio. That's right, it's hard to imagine that this bright apartment is home to such a tiny footprint, but the credit must go to the architects, MESH Architectures, and the amazing creativity they used to carve out function from every available nook and cranny. I love the use of the reclaimed timber flooring which adds warmth to the mostly white interiors and I am crazy for all of the wonderful built-in storage. The owner, an art dealer, was particularly adamant that the kitchen remain functional, while taking up the least amount of space possible and not encroaching on the living area. I'd say they were successful and then some. While the elfin space is just that, a tiny alcove, it certainly does not scrimp on modern convenience and is brilliantly executed. (see more of the kitchen here)

Overall, a wonderful transformation to a space that many would not have given a second glance, much less have seen the possibilities and then acted on that vision to create a beautifully livable, stupendously functional home.

{images via MESH Architectures and Apartment Therapy}

Daily Pretty

Food for thought:

1) The fireplace surround.

2)The rug. Oh, the rug!

3)The table base. Check out those details.

{image via Trouvais of Bryan Ferry's London home, more at The WSJ}

Circa 1740s

Isn't that amazing?

{image via the lovely Trouvais, click to enlarge}

It's App-tastic

I told you I could go a lot crazy with this iPhone app. The Hipstamatic vintage toy camera produces such a beautiful, dreamy image it makes me want to photograph everything in my house. Somehow it makes all of my ho-hum rooms look all brand new and magical. Too bad hipstamatic vision isn't included in the $1.99 app price. ;0)

Happy Weekending!