Vogue Living Australia: Diane Bergeron's home

From Vogue Living Australia's September/October issue: Melbourne interior designer Diane Bergeron's home. Notice the use of black and white and bold patterns in each room? Love her use of luxurious fabric on the walls- something I've always wanted to try but didn't know how to carry out. The last photo is of her inspiration board.

By the way, the same issue features the home of another talented Australian, Anna Spiro, of the fabulous blog which most of you probably know, Absolutely Beautiful Things. I'm sure her home photos will be posted far & near, so I won't post them again here, but do take a look- gorgeous!

Beautiful windows: a visual treat

After a move, followed by couple of weeks of no internet service, I'm so happy to be up and running again. Wow, who knew that it would take so long to get internet service at our new flat? (Just one of the differences in the way things work in London...)

Today, just a little visual delight. I love looking at gorgeous windows and the way sunlight coming into a room transforms everything! (from top: James Tse photography; Ina Garten's NYC home via Things that Inspire; skona hem; Elle Decor June 2009, via Rosenow floral design; unknown; unknown)

It's interesting that (in my opinion) one thing that gives away an American interior as opposed to a European interior is the windows. As soon as I see photos of certain types of windows, I immediately can tell that it's European (or even old-world South American). For some reason, American homes don't seem to ever use the same window sizes and shapes, which just gives a different look.
These look quintessentially American to me (as well as the windows in the very top photograph of this post), with their three-across rectangle pane design (I'm sure there's an official name for it but I don't know what it is.) photo from Southern Accents

While these look unmistakeably French:

Marie Claire Maison

French Vogue Helena Christiansen's gorgeous boheme loft

French Vogue featured an article on Helena Christiansen's loft in New York. To me the photographs are like one big inspiration board! Love the bohemian, collected feel to her furniture and sentimental objects. This is definitely one of my favorite interiors I've seen lately.

Click on the photos for a more detailed, larger view. (photographs by Carole Sabas for The Selby)

Stylist Yvonne Baker

I learned of Dutch stylist Yvonne Baker from a favorite blog, Head Over Heels. I don't know whether it's the styling or the fact that the actual structure of the house in the top few photos is so appealing, but I love the look of it and the selective, sparse furnishings. (all photos from Yvonne Baker's website.)

Delightful home of Marina Coriasco

I have been loving these photos of stylist Marina Coriasco's home, shown in Elle Interior (Norway) in December 2008. About that living room- I never have thought I could live in a loft-like open area, because unless you are a sparse decorator, it might tend to look messy. But here, I think she's achieved a good division of the space, with the areas being well-defined, yet everything blends visually without chaos. It looks livable to me.

The details in the bedroom are also lovely. I only wish there were more of these so we could further explore her home. These are taken by the talented photographer, Birgitta Wolfgang Drejer.

Sunlit spaces

The past few autumn days here in London have been heavenly: crisp and cool with brilliant blue skies. It would be a shame to sit inside on days like this unless you have a room in your house that lets the sunlight stream in. Like these. (photos from Domino, Cote Sud)

Feminine decor

I'm going through a phase where I swoon over rooms that are decidedly feminine. I think this was brought on because I'm trying to figure out how to infuse some feminine charm into my own rooms- kind of tricky when my husband's style, which is cool in itself, leans toward the heavier side with accents of steel accessories and darker-colored 40s and 50s retro relics. Softly-colored walls, elegant drapes, sparkling chandeliers and French antiques are calming and pretty and make me feel at home. Maybe an antique French chair with curved lines, a crystal vase kept filled with flowers- something to bring lightness in- could work to counterbalance? It's a challenge. I don't want to fill the space with pink and frills, but there must be a way to add some ladylike charm? (photos: top- designer Suzanne Kasler; Southern Accents; Oct. 2008 House Beautiful; Domino)

Kitchen love

I never tire of looking at kitchens: Floor to ceiling cabinets (or "cupboards", as I was corrected in saying); open shelving; windows; huge rough-hewn chopping blocks; gleaming tile or bright colorful wallpaper; wooden countertops or marble surfaces- I love it all. To me, kitchens inspire creativity in the way we cook and eat, as well as provide a backdrop for the place where your family and friends spend a lot of time, since that's where crowds tend to gather.

I happen to have lucked out in our new London flat- the kitchen is roomy (by my standards) and has loads of cabinets and a fantastic stove range. But the best feature is the windowed french doors looking out onto surrounding neighbor's gardens! My next task is to find the right chairs for my little wooden dining table so we can have a real dinner party. (images from Domino, House Beautiful, Bolig Liv and Country Home)