Scattered Blacks and Whites

Thanks, Habitually Chic. Really, I thank you.

Roman and Williams, you can do no wrong.

A room inside a room - how creative is that?

Why does this work?

• Textures galore! Even the flooring, though it isn't so much a tangible texture as it is visual.
• Complete cohesiveness in their style of furnishings. Rustic, yet tailored.
• A room inside a room. Did I already mention how insanely creative that is? It seems so comfy as well.
• The white isn't a dull, lifeless white. There is a tint of cream in it, allowing it to remain white but dance in the light with different hues. 

Craigslist Lovin'

Despite my somewhat abusive relationship with Craigslist (notably called Tedslist, as in Ted Bundy, by my brother) I can't stop searching it's unorganized pages full of usually ugly items and always misspelled words. My latest fiasco has been in the pages of CL Worldwide, where I peek through the doors of available rooms in London and Paris and South Africa. Feel free to leave comments telling me how stupid I am, but not until you look at this:

 If I were living here I'd probably add a few rugs to ground the furnishings into place and create spaces that look intentionally separated rather than their current sparse feel, but I'll let it slide this time.

Yeah right. Good luck trying to sell a room with that pathetic view...

I love the quirkiness of this apartment and the character that is visible everywhere you look. What I've discovered is that the items with character generally don't cost much more, but they are more difficult to find. Creating a home that is uniquely you takes a lot of time and even more patience but the end result will be something you will love far longer than some run of the mill furnishing. For as long as I remember my mom has told me that you can't finish your home in one weekend. My parents have lived in their home for nine years now and it's still a work in progress (my dad loves that, don't you dad). But that search for the right piece and the patience of waiting for an item to go on sale has resulted in a beautiful home that so many visitors admire. Stick it out people. Wait for the charming armchair like the one above to finally grace your presence, keep searching for the perfect mirror for above your fireplace. And for heaven sakes, if you learn nothing from this and the past post, let your character ooze into every corner of your home. Including your floors. (those floors!)

Final Rose of the Night

Editors Note: I apologize if this post brings back tender emotions for any of you. I also apologize if you lose any respect for me and the fact that I watch this show. Diligently.

I know I was supposed to be focusing on the fact that Brad let Shawntel go just a few days after she told him she loved him this season of The Bachelor, but during their long walk through the Gansevoort Hotel in New York City I kept pausing, rewinding, and taking snapshots on my computer screen. Why?

Those floors! Do you see them? Whoever designed this hotel thought the plans all the way through at an early stage. Floors often become a last minute thought in a space that result in the most budget-friendly option, but think of how far less exciting this lobby would be without the chevron pattern on the flooring.  In fact, after watching this scene (over and over and over again) I hopped back onto AutoCAD and redid part of the design for one of my school projects to add a little spice. While some of the other features in this lobby are a little tasteless in my opinion, those floors stand well on their own. How timeless! How innovative! Bravo expensive Gansevoort budget, bravo.