Hosting a party is a true stimulus for the progress of your long forgotten DIY projects. That’s what happened to me last week, as you might have noticed with the lack of posts. Hosting my mother-in-law birthday pushed me to finally take out those paints, masking tape, sewing machine and what not. Everybody wanted to see “the interior designer”‘s house. All of those in the industry know, that the real ID-er house looks more like a mess or a bunch of unfinished projects rather than the picture perfect dream come true.
Anyways, I decided to reveal a few TLC projects that were both wallet-friendly and actually quite fun to do. Although I redid these side tables quite a while ago, I just never had a chance to take a good picture of them. So here we go.
BEFORE: I got these pieces on the brink of being thrown away in rather miserable condition. I really liked the solid frame and the fact that they are not completely the same. 
AFTER: Half of the quarter of black high-gloss paint did wonders. 
<images via me>
The spring collection of Restoration Hardware is really fresh and inspiring. For a while I lost RH from my view as their blue-brown color palette got, let’s be honest, jaded. I’m so glad to see them revived and back on my top list. Aged woods, natural linens and jutes, intellectual collectibles and TRUNKS…lots of trunks! What else a girl need for a pleasant summery weekend. My mind has already moved in with all these goodies into that French Old Mill House in the Town of Plaisance from the May AD issue. Stop by if you ever in the area:)
<images via www.restorationhardware.com>
I’m always excited to see places that house contemporary interior in a historic building. What a great designer challenge. How do you show appreciation for the space heritage and create funky atmosphere without period touch? And especially if the historic building faces nothing less than Arc de Triomph in Paris.
Well, Prospect Design have solved this dilemma quite successfully.
I absolutely amazed by the ceiling of the main dining area. The abstract collage of the classical moldings so accurately translates the concept. With the right touches of glitz and glamor (look and the reflective pendant balls and gilded suede frames of the mirrors…yum!) the place scream PARIS.
The night club on the bottom floor continues the same sleek modern design although too neon-y for my taste. I found a few pictures in a “normal” lighting.
You see what I’m talking about? Neon Rainbow (on the pic below) just killing it, don’t you agree? 
<images via www.prospect-design.com>
Living in a rental creates a lot of design challenges. Basically, you are stuck with the white walls, beige carpet and no architectural interest whatsoever. And even though our manager was kind enough to let me paint whatever I want, after tackling the living room the idea of repainting the whole apartment back to the lovely “Swiss white” doesn’t seems as exciting anymore. And I just happen to love bold dark colors, so I’m afraid I might need more than one coat of white when we move out.
And my husband, being genius as usual, suggested it to be my “Designer Challenge”. Literary white room. And while I don’t mind white rooms in certain cases, the problem is that’s the bedroom, the room that should be sumptuous and intimate.
I decided to start searching for bedrooms that can inspire.
to be continued…
<images via www.decorpad.com>
Am I the only one at ahhh with Gerard Butler’s New York Loft. I’m even ready to forgive him the Bounty Hunter. (Seriously, Gerry, don’t sell yourself cheap). But this apartment, if you can call it that, is definitely worthy of the King Leonidas. And may be it’s not completely my cup of tea design wise, I can appreciate the quality “aged” work that so often goes sour Disneyland.
So we are talking about 3,300-square-foot loft in Chelsea, Manhattan located on 6 and 7 floors. the actor worked with architect Alexander Gorlin and film designer Elvis Restaino for years to complete the masterpiece, and for me the time was well spent as the place looks like it’s been there forever.
According to AD, the loft boasts, “13-foot-tall mahogany doors; a ceiling and wall frescos; plaster walls chipped and mottled with age; massive columns supporting limestone lions; crystal chandeliers casting spidery shadows,” and plenty of furnishings from New York décor mecca ABC Carpet & Home.
<images via here and here>
