{Freedom Friday} Billy Baldwin, Designer

{check out those lacquered walls}

"The best decoration in the world is a roomful of  books." ~ Billy Baldwin

source: life.com and architecturaldigest.com

Living in 600 Square Feet

Following yesterday's post...I kept thinking of those blue, lacquered walls, and I had to find more...and so, I found this "jewel box", and it belongs to designer, Todd Alexander Romano. His New York abode is gorgeous. Romano, who is a fan of Billy Baldwin, followed Baldwin's design beliefs. Baldwin was a master for mixing different elements and believed design should be free of clutter. He also believed that  function should define form and was not afraid of bold color. Romano took this and translated it to 600 square feet of magnificence. 

"Good Design is about editing.You can live very well in one room."~ Todd Alexander Romano

  

source: architecturaldigest.com

Check Out These Walls

This masterpiece is a Miles Redd creation, AND we're not surprised. These wonderfully, inspiring walls are lacquered walls in Farrow & Ball's Hague Blue. Redd claims this is "a great way to do a moody color because of the way it reflects light. It doesn't look dark so much as rich." I completely agree.



source: housebeautiful.com

Freedom Friday...Live Freely ...Live Inspired.

There isn't a person anywhere who isn't capable of doing more than he thinks he can. ~ Henry Ford

Before

After

 

source:candice olsen hgtv.com 

2011 Beauty Trends

What do you guys think? Are these trends doable?

source: refinery29.com

Willey Design LLC - New York

I love the different textures and elements used in this space...from the graphic wallpaper, whimsical lighting, and contrasting area rug, it looks amazing.

This space is less dramatic than the previous, yet its sophistication is apparent. I love the clean lines echoed in the furniture and in the modern art displayed in the space. And, I love the small element of whimsy with the use a silver stool.

This is another great example of incorporating many different elements and textures to create an inviting space. As seen in the first two pics, I love the added dimension created by using wallpaper (?) on the ceiling.

This is a great bedroom...because it is not too feminine and not too masculine. The clean lines are well balanced with the use of round lamps, geometric drapes, and the soft lines of the headboard.

source: willeydesign.com

Fashion Spring 2011

What woman doesn't love fashion and quivers at the sight of new creations?

sources: stylist, squiddo, mamasarollingstone

{Magnificent Monday par deux} Decorating With Stick On Wallpaper

source: realsimple

{Magnificent Monday} Stick On Wallpaper

Stick-On Wallpaper sounds like a great idea. And, Urban Outfitters offers rolls for a bit under $80...you can't beat that. It is inexpensive so that one can give it a try, and if it doesn't work, one can simply peel it off. Does anyone know of another company who is also offering stick-on wallpaper?

source: urbanoutfitter.com

Freedom Friday....Live Freely ...Live Inspired

Simple, modern, streamline design with the perfect amount of "lipstick"...in the sense of mirrored elements. Yummy!

 

 

source: House Beautiful

Peter Fallico

What do you guys think?

source: houseandhome.com

Dreaming Of An Office Make-Over

And my dreams have conjured an office that looks something like this. I've been talking about an office make over for about a year now... but I have to stick to priorities, which means the kitchen must come first. I hope to possibly make a couple of upgrades to my kitchen and have the hardwood floors in my living room refinished...AND, have crown molding and base molding installed as well. So, it looks like the office will need to wait. But in the meantime, it sure is fun looking at beautiful images such as this one via Lonny Magazine.

source: the way we are blog via Lonny magazine.

{Magnificent Monday} It's Been A While Since...

...I posted anything regarding good and healthy food, so here it is:

Winter Vegetable Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 Turkish or 1/2 California bay leaf
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large carrot, thinly sliced
• 1 celery rib, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1/2 pound sweet potato, peeled and cubed (1/2 inch)
• 1/2 pound Yukon Gold or boiling potatoes, peeled and cubed (1/2 inch)
• 2 cups reduced-sodium vegetable or chicken broth
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1/2 cup frozen peas
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill

Preparation:

Cook onion with bay leaf and 1/2 teaspoon salt in oil in a 4- to 5-quart heavy pot over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add carrot and celery and cook, stirring, until softened, about 3 minutes.

Stir in tomato paste and cook, stirring, 1 minute, then add sweet potato, Yukon Golds, broth, water, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Simmer, covered, until vegetables are tender, about 20 minutes. Discard bay leaf. Purée 1 cup soup in a blender (use caution when blending hot liquids) and return to pot. Bring to a simmer, then stir in peas and dill and cook until peas are heated through, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

source: epicurious.com

Freedom Friday...Live Freely...Live Inspired.

A great example of  modern, streamline design. I especially love the way the colors are illuminated by the abundance of natural light. Spain really knows how to do it right. 

source: micasarevista.com

Modern Sophistication

Designed by Brendan Kwinter-Schwartz. This home is a great example of how to incorporate texture and light to create a uniquely modern and chic space. His design is beyond gorgeous and beyond sophisticated. I truly love it. I am now a fan which is why I had to share this space when I saw it on For the Love of Gold blog.

source: for the love of gold via images from Brendan Kwinter-Schwartz

Celebrity Homes

{New York}

{Los Angeles}

{Toluca Lake, Ca.}

{Malibu}

I think we all secretly...or not so secretly...enjoy looking at how celebrities live and where they live. These homes are beautiful examples of where the few slumber. My favorite are the California homes. However, I love the look and feel of a New York space. These spaces seem to exude a modern, classic design that began in the early 1900s with the ingenuity of the steel skeleton. And, we have to appreciate American ingenuity.

Source: New York Daily News

Via House Beautiful...Four Things I Would Do.

1. Add white accents to a room saturated with color.

2. Add a stool covered in an animal print. It is a great touch of whimsy in an otherwise formal room.

3. Beautify every space...no matter how small. 

4.Add a great piece of art to a well balanced,symmetrically decorated room...and throw in a ladder leading to a fantasy balcony.Why not?

Happy New Year to Everyone!