girly bits embellishments: July 2013

How to Create a Sensual Home

A sensual home is one that is relaxing and comfortable. It is inviting, welcoming, with an air of sophistication and maturity. A sensual home is one where you feel as though you can manage to escape the daily grind of today’s hectic world.

This is such a wonderful example to showcase the vast power of colors in interior design. This composition is like a painting - every hue seems carefully chosen, every placement thoughtfully arranged.

My ongoing obsession with kitchens must have two crucial reasons: First, ever since I moved away from my parent's place I've lived in apartments with tiny kitchens or better said kitchenettes.

This room combines a vibrant and a more masculine look in one. At least this is what I think.

Sometimes we look with awe at fancy living rooms, swanky bedrooms, gleeful nurseries, colorful kitchens. But what about the hallway?

This room belongs to the home of Australian blogger Kirsty Davey. This room caught my eye because of its calming serenity and pureness. It is somehow simple yet totally refined.

With a remote location and plenty of lush greenery surrounding the building, this Montana house raises the bar when it comes to contemporary US living.

This mountain chalet is what we call tasteful luxury. Surrounded by beautiful mountains and showcasing inspiring raw finishes of stone and wood, the place is visually enticing, no matter what the standing point. Enjoy the virtual tour below for a glimpse of Whistler and its hidden architectural gems!

The colors, the patterns, the personal touches - this room tells the story of its owner. I imagine the owner to be a creative person with a healthy sense of humor.

Housing styles around the world are as varied as the countries they represent and in America there are a variety of iconic design styles that have made American homes so popular.

After several incomplete renovations, the Hawthorn project became a serious matter. ”The task was two fold, firstly to consolidate and reinstate the existing heritage parts and secondly to create a new architectural language that would transform the rear and become the soul of the new indoor and outdoor living areas.”

An overall elegant design characterizes this unusual family crib in Manhattan, New York.

Widawscy Studio Architecture recently completed this house in Zabrze, Poland for a modern family of four. The interior is dominated by white and gray tones contrasted by natural oak.

From a luxury penthouse living room to a cozy scandinavian corner, these living rooms span a variety of styles. Enjoy!

Replicate this regal indoor-outdoor oasis of color wheel inspiration by New York-based interior designer Tom Scheerer.

Replicate this traditional French bedroom with citrus accents and an architectural backdrop by New York decorator Bunny Williams.

Vancouver's Cypress Mountain is home to eight exclusive penthouses with panoramic views of the city skyline, English Bay and Gulf Islands. This 4400 square foot residence features soaring 16' ceilings, walls of glass, and custom finishes and features throughout.

Replicate the innovative color palette and layered look at the heart of this New York apartment by designer Fernando Santangelo.

Replicate the look of this Swedish sitting room with your own statement ceiling and nuanced neutral palette.

~Restoration Hardware 1920's Odeon Glass Fringe 3-Ring Chandelier: $1,595.00

http://www.restorationhardware.com/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod2111651&categoryId=search

The house is a beautiful old historical house, steps from the sand, and down the street from Waikiki beach…but millions of miles in terms of design!

Rugs. Love 'em. They add coziness to a room, texture, and are a great way to add texture and pattern (I am really not a fan of a plain, neutral colored rug - it becomes a focal point of boring).

No joke, color theory really works. When you're getting ready to paint any room we've got some great simple advice - follow the 60-30-10 color rule!

There are so many factors that go into designing a successful space - scale, finish, texture, color, pattern - all of which depend heavily on the design style that you're working with (modern, traditional, vintage...). I think one of the most challenging design styles to pull off is eclectic.

~Pottery Barn Seagrass Bar Stool: $279.00

http://www.potterybarn.com/products/seagrass-barstool-with-back/

A fusion of modern with old world charm, light and shade, minimalism with maximum impact. This Melbourne based design firm creates a modern glamour with a clean line and a luxe but less vibe. Perhaps a little more layered, a little less minimal. Beautiful, clean lined modern interiors that surprise the senses and embrace modern living to the max.

A stylish combination of traditional features and colorful contemporary design, this South Yarra renovation by architectural firm Techne packs a punch with personality, color and a killer art collection. It's a pared back modern living space that revels in the grand proportions of the old house.

Let these beautiful images clear your mind and stir your design. Scroll and drink deep, scroll and drink deep. Tumble turn and do it all over again.

Kitchen backsplash designs are as varied as the kitchens that accommodate them. From a minimalist neutral backsplash that spans from ceiling to floor to the tiniest tile mosaic applied above a dainty cooktop, these important design elements provide many decorating and functional possibilities. To prove our point, we've gathered 50+ unique backsplash ideas from around the web. Which is your favorite?