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1.07.2011

Can I Work There?

Is one of your new years resolutions to become more organized?  What better way to start by revamping your home office or study to keep better organized but also create a space that is so cool you can't wait to work in it!  It just so happens that I'm very excited about a recent opportunity to turn a client's under used living room into a beautiful and functional study.   The project is exciting  to me for many different reasons.  First, the new study will be the first room you see when you walk into the house so we definitely want to make a great first impression.  Second, the space will not only accommodate home office functions but will include space for entertaining and reading...I'm thinking cozy wing chair to curl up to read a book and a beautiful table and chairs for playing cards!  And lastly, I will design the built in cabinetry, wainscoting, and a coffered ceiling!  Wish me luck...still waiting for my client to sign on the dotted line!

While preparing for the first client meeting, I found some wonderful inspirational pictures of studies that I wanted to share.  Enjoy!

Here's a more traditional look with the stained wood cabinetry and trim.  I like how the designer balances the dark wood with the light drapery treatments, wall color and rug.  The light fixture makes a great focal point.  Most great rooms vary shapes.  Adding curves to rooms (in this case to the bookcases) makes it more interesting because most rooms and furniture are either squares or rectangles.

Veranda Ph Credit Thomas Loof
 A more transitional look that is very peaceful with the monochromatic color scheme.

Veranda Charlotte Moss
An all black study with pops of red with lots of glass and natural light.  Wonder what the room is like at nighttime.  Another great light fixture as a focal point and a more contemporary interpretation of a coffered ceiling.

Elle Decor Mark Cunningham
 Great to have a seating area if you meet with clients at your home or just a great place to read with your significant other.  Interesting how they filled the fireplace with wood for decoration.

Elle Decor Malcolm James Kutner

Another seating area with a larger table which can be used for card playing, an intimate dinner, or for after dinner drinks and a cigar!

Elle Decor Madeline Stuart

This room is so light and airy with the all the white.  If you don't need files at your fingertips, it's so nice to have a writing desk in front of the shelving.  Looks like another great light fixture and more curves at the top of the shelves.  Also loving the herringbone wood floors.

Elle Decor Lee Mindel




This is the look my client is interested in...warm, inviting, and masculine!  I like how the oversized mirror reflects the light.
Elle Decor Kerry Joyce

This one has a lighter more feminine feel.  I'm liking the medium stained wood with the crisp blue fabrics.  They went with a shade that filters light versus one for privacy which lightens up the room too.
Elle Decor Jeffrey Bilhuber


 This study could be found in downtown Annapolis 150 years ago but looks great today too!  The curved hepplewhite desk is fantastic.  This room is edited, clean lines, not fussy...a modern feel.

Elle Decor Hugh Newell Jacobsen

Galleries of pictures and art look great in studies.

Elle Decor Jane Scott and Philip Hodges

From one of my favorite designers Darryl Carter.  He makes furniture look "sculptural".  Love the curved desk.  Check out my very first blog post to learn more him...Darryl Carter.



Great campaign desk...
Elle Decor Carlos Aparicio
Great chalky grey stain.  And coffered ceilings.

Elle Decor Jennie Abbott

Very elegant.  I assume the ottoman is for the picture only to show off the cabinetry behind it.

Southern Living Matthew Gleason


A very rich room with great accent lighting.  The layered rug look has been around awhile and I'm still liking it.

House Beautiful Alessandra Branca

Why not paint the cabinetry a fun color?  More great accent lights.

House Beautiful Ashley Whittaker
I like how Barry Dixon placed the loveseat in front of the desk.  Great accessories too.  Doors with glass is a must for a study!

House Beautiful Barry Dixon

Again, I like the light drapery treatments, rug, and ottoman fabric against the dark wood trim.  The accents of light blue are great too.

House Beautiful Markham Roberts
One of my favorites...great light fixture, oversized coffered ceiling, and the room is traditional but current!

House Beautiful Ty Larkins
Thanks for stopping by and contact me if you need help transforming your home!


1.01.2011

Bathroom Inspiration Pictures plus 2011 Resolutions

OK...I have to admit this post is a bit more self serving than most because for the first time ever I've written down my resolutions and I hope by sharing them with you will make me more accountable for fulfilling them.  So here it goes...

2011 Resolutions:
  • Be a better listener and don't give advice until asked for it
  • Go out with "the girls" more
  • Be more patient with my children
  • Drink more water and eat less carbs
  • Give my husband more kisses
  • Finish projects around the house which include starting a vegetable garden on our second story deck
  • Buy things I only truly love and not because of a small price tag
  • Organize and simplify
  • Serve my clients to the best of my ability by being creative, finding the best options, and working hard
  • Add more interesting content to my blog
Feel free to leave your resolutions in the comment section below if you feel like sharing.

Here are the most visited posts of 2010...

3.   Mantels
2.   Paris...What Strikes?
1.   My Bathroom Renovation

Since there was a lot of interest in my bathroom renovation post (including a comment by Eddie Ross, formerly with House Beautiful and Martha Stewart Living) plus I know many of you are planning bathroom renovations this year, I wanted to share my favorite bathroom inspiration pictures that I discovered over the past year.  Enjoy them...

One day we hope to add an outdoor shower to your house.  Currently we rinse off the kids and dog with a garden hose after a swim in the creek.  How nice to be able to rinse off in an outdoor shower!



Even though the style of the following bathrooms vary...modern, coastal, traditional, I feel they all share something.  Their design and architectural details are complex but the final result was of one of both beauty and simplicity.

I really like the horizontal wood paneling, zinc counter top, industrial light fixture, and the striped stain treatment on the wood floors.  The open vanity takes up less visual space so opens up the room plus allows for the use of cool baskets.

House Beautiful
I like how the vertical tiles make the ceiling seem higher then it is.  The stained wood cabinet is a great contrast against the grey tile in the shower and floor.


This bathroom made the list because of the blue accent tile used to define the sink and niche areas.


Traditional but fresh...love the dark floors against the white tub and cabinets.  The cafe curtains let in light but provide privacy.  They maximized the use of mirrors which reflects light and mounted the accent lights right on the mirrors.  


The open selves in this bathroom look great...just be sure you don't mind keeping it tidy.



 The yellow and grey floral window treatments definitely make this bathroom great.  Sarah Richardson from Sarah's House designed this bathroom.  Her show is one of my favorites so add it to your DVR now!


Great use of accent tile in the tub by Carolyn Espley.



Just gorgeous with the combination of the soft window treatment, different size tiles on the walls, and metal accents.

House of Turquoise blog


I really like the contrast of the dark tile and floors against the white trim and tub.

House Beautiful
Stan Dixon

The painted wood paneled wall and stairs leading to the copper tub are so unique.

Elle Decor

Wallpaper has been popular for a few years now and I'm loving it in this bathroom.  The wallpaper is not the only thing you see and it blends so nicely with the rest of the bathroom.  Great light fixture over the tub too.

Canadian House and Home
Jennifer Worts

Very european with the use of furniture and an antique rug.  

Canadian House and Home
Jill Kantelburg

Great light fixtures and love the mix of the grey vanity material with the warm wood floor.  Just realized the color grey with wood is a common theme for me.

Canadian House and Home
Jill Kantelberg
Another one be Sarah Richardson.  Her use of tile is great including the use of little black accent tiles on the floor.


The decorative geometric pattern of the tile looks fantastic against the wood tub!

Canadian House and Home
3rd Uncle Design

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to contact me if you need help with your design needs!












12.24.2010

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year

Coco + Kelley









































It's hard to believe the year is almost over!  For me, it'll be one to remember...I started my blog which turned out to be much more fun then I ever expected and it's all been due to you all!  Over the last 4 months I have loved getting post ideas, beautiful pictures of your homes and of course the positive feedback I've received along the way!  Whenever I started to wonder why I'm working so hard on this blog thing, I would run into someone or get an email or comment from a reader who seemed to really like what I'm doing and it would make it all worthwhile again.  From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for your support!!!


In 2011, look for some new things from Pretty Inspirational...new posts, services and a site redesign!

We'll be enjoying a quiet night at home on New Years but just in case you're planning a fancy soiree or a causal open house enjoy the pictures below from my favorite blogs and magazines for some New Years celebration inspiration!


Design Sponge

Canadian House and Home

Canadian House and Home

Canadian House and Home

Martha Stewart

Our Nautical Bar
Coastal Living

Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart
Martha Stewart

New Year Playing Cards
Real Simple
Signing off until 2011!