Design Inspiration

 "Life in the 21st century means taking the best of history 

and making it work for you." Miles Redd

I may have mentioned here that our new house is mid-century modern. From the pictures you can see that the former owners really embraced that look. It wasn't retro to them, though, it was just home for fifty years.

Our new house: from the real estate listing

Going into my design plan, I knew that trying to re-create that look just wouldn't work. For sure, there were elements that I wanted to preserve. But incorporating our things and our way of life meant something different. 

What I did want was to capture the whole gamut of 20th century design: from Hollywood Regency to Palm Beach to the brassy '80s. I wanted our version of mid-century modern to be more Alfred Hitchcock than Mad Men. And I wanted it to feel worldly, with references to other places.

One Kings Lane

I love the way neutrals are done in this room. Yet, with lots of pops of color. The credenza has some bamboo; it looks like grass cloth on the walls; and of course the peacock chair. 

Old Brand New Blog

I'm totally crazy-obsessed with rugs. Plushy, tribal patterned red & blue rugs. Rugs that may have been carried on the back of a camel.

Arkpad

This kitchen looks like something from somewhere else. I love the contrast of the sleek cabinetry with the rough-hewn counter stools. The veins in the backsplash. The perfectly compact triangle of fridge-stove-sink. And, the wood paneling and art to the left in the background.

via

Most of our house is painted white like these walls, and the first level has the Danish blonde wood floors. But I really like this image because of the interesting plate wall display and the well-stocked bar cart with fat lamp.

Hepburn Interiors

Luckily enough, mid-century modern is popular so finding a sputnik chandelier should be easier than deciding where I want to put one.

Somewhere I hope to add a splash of citron and a bold geometric pattern like on this chair. And isn't the art to die for?? If only I knew where the image came from.

We are mostly unpacked. My plan is to recycle the cardboard boxes on the day after Christmas (Boxing Day, get it?!) and have ALL boxes out of our house by the time we make the first mortgage payment on February 1st. It's good to have goals.

The sounds of the season are definitely on repeat in our new house. And, I swear it has snowed every single day since we moved in. Great, now that we are a stone's throw from everywhere we need to go! 

Today I'm wearing an outfit inspired by the one below. I'll try to remember to Instagram it. I like that "winter white" can extend my wardrobe through the entire year and a bubble necklace can fancy up a 90s flannel.

Style Within Reach

Anyhoo, come back tomorrow! I hope to have some photos of our house up for the 12 Days of Christmas Tour of Homes linky party!