Author Archives: Nicole Balch

Image: Nuevo Estilo

Miriam Alia’s pink bedroom is more fit for a Bond girl than a princess. Arguably the sweetest color, pink goes glam with a mix of texture, line, and curve. Want to get the look? Start with a white upholstered bed, white walls and white bedding and then layer in the items below.



Images: (1) Chairish (2) Photos.com by Getty Images (3) Anthropologie (4) Wayfair (5) Pottery Barn (6) DWR (7) RugsUSA

1. A mid-century modern chandelier commands attention smack dab in the middle of the room.
2. Bond. James Bond. I mean, if you can’t get him in your bed, I suppose above will do.
3. More mid-century lighting, this time in a brand new version with a decidedly retro feel.
4. Pink (faux) fur is just plain fun.
5. A cozy fur blanket (faux again) adds texture and warmth to the bed.
6. Arne Jacobsen’s Swan Chair is a design classic.
7. The pink rug in the bedroom above looks like a wall-to-wall installation, but you can get the look with a large area rug instead.

What’s your favorite part of this look?

Image: Luxe Interiors + Design, via Dering Hall

Designer Peter Dunham created the inviting room above. The masculine lines of the sofa against the more feminine wallpaper is especially appealing, and the room looks comfortable and chic at the same time. If you’d like to achieve a similar look in your home, you can do so with the items below.



Images: (1) House of Hackney (2) Room & Board (3) 1-800-flowers (4) Room & Board(5) West Elm (6) Lulu & Georgia (7) Lulu & Georgia (8) Serena & Lily (9) Pottery Barn

1. Floral wallpaper in a blue and white palette is classic (and so very pretty).
2. Go bold with the color of the sofa for big impact! Isn’t that green fantastic?
3. An orchid on the table is a must. May you have better luck getting yours to reflower than I ever have.
4. A chair with exposed wooden arms in a simple, mid-century style keeps the look from getting too formal or fussy.
5. Choose a tall lamp with an organic feel to the base.
6. A bit of shine in the coffee table is glam, and glass keeps the piece from being too visually heavy.
7. A natural, neutral rug anchors the space.
8. The soft blue in this pillow plays nicely off of the wallpaper.
9. A little unexpected color and pattern is a nice thing to have in a throw pillow, wouldn’t you agree?

What’s your favorite part of the look?

Images: Target

There’s something so chic about serving a cocktail from a gorgeous bar cart. Even if you’re not much of a drinker, a bar cart could be an excellent addition to your home. Use one as a coffee/tea/cocoa station, or think outside of the beverage realm and repurpose a cart for something else entirely. Below are some of the best options out there!

Silver and Gold



Images: (1) Ballard Designs (2) Target (3) Wisteria (4) Crate & Barrel (5) Pottery Barn (6) CB2 (7) Horchow (8) Home Decorators Collection

Silver, gold, nickel, chrome, and brass; gilded bar carts bring glamor to a room.

Natural Materials



Images: (9) Serena & Lily (10) Ballard Designs (11) Ballard Designs (12) Serena & Lily

Wicker, rattan, and bamboo can lend a more laid back vibe. Perfect for a beach house, but at home in most any casual space.

Industrial



Images: (13) Clayton Gray Home (14) Restoration Hardware (15) World Market (16)West Elm (17) CB2 (18) Restoration Hardware

These industrial-inspired bar carts have a more masculine look that would still fit in with a variety of home decor styles. Can’t you just picture curling up in a worn leather club chair after fixing up a drink from one of them?

Which of the above bar carts would you want to add to your home?

Image: Serena & Lily

We all have odds and ends around the house that need storing, so why not do it stylishly? There are so many beautiful baskets, bins, and boxes out there to choose from, and below are some of the best options.



Images: (1) The Land of Nod (2) Serena & Lily (3) Anthropologie (4) Serena & Lily (5)The Container Store (6) Leif (7) IKEA (8) The Land of Nod (9) IKEA (10) Schoolhouse Electric (11) Serena & Lily

1. Hang these little iron drawers on the wall, or stack them on a desk or bookshelf.

2. These rolling carts look like a fantastic flea market find.

3. A charmingly rustic set of five. I imagine them in a bathroom, storing extra towels and necessities.

4. Such a fantastic shape!

5. Stripes make everything better, right?

6. The black basket is super chic, and the hot pink one is a brilliant shot of color.

7. Three stacking compartments in a cheery yellow hue would be great for holding jewelry, or other small items.

8. Paper suitcases are always such a fun storage option for toys and trinkets.

9. There are four sizes and four coordinating colors and patterns of these surprisingly sturdy cardboard boxes.

10. The little one is cute, and the larger size would make a great laundry basket.

11. Casual but structured, with a lovely two-tone design.

Which is your favorite stylish storage solution?

Image: This Old House, Photo by Jack Thompson

When dreaming about remodeling a kitchen, most people imagine that everything would be new. We might picture a gorgeous new counter on top of brand new cabinets, a faucet as beautiful as it is functional, and gleaming state-of-the-art appliances. Some though, dream of something a little different: a vintage stove. Whether incorporated into an existing kitchen or worked into a newly designed space, vintage stoves bring added character!

The white vintage stove above is also featured below, this time in a fun yellow.



Image: Country Living, Design: Keller + Keller

So fantastic, right? Here’s another great example, showcasing a much sought after O’Keefe & Merritt stove.



Image: Remodelista, Design: Antonio Martins

Vintage models in their original or restored state can be found readily online or at flea markets. They often come in lovely colors that could anchor an entire scheme, like this amazing green stove.



Image: Design Milk, The Kameon Otsea Residence, Design: Nicholas/Budd Architects

While lacking in the modern amenities that a new stove can offer, oftentimes these vintage options are still going strong and can be a joy to cook on. Plus the charm they bring to a home is hard to beat!

Would you ever consider a vintage stove for your home?

 

Image: Crate & Barrel 

Calacatta Nuvo is Caesarstone’s latest offering, bringing you the beauty of marble in an easier to care for material. The look has been popular for years now, but it is a timeless addition to a kitchen and it pairs well with a wide range of finishes and styles. Here are a few options to consider!

Modern Meets Rustic

Image: Caesarstone 

Images: (1) LEIF (2) LEIF (3) Heath Ceramics (4) Target (5) Crate & Barrel

The polish of a modern kitchen benefits from the rough quality of a few rustic pieces.

Colorful Accents

Image: Caesarstone

 

Images: (1) Crate & Barrel (2) Fireclay Tile (3) LEIF (4) IKEA (5) Heath Ceramics

The backdrop may be classic, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a little fun with the accessories! Colorful accents are an easy way to introduce your favorite palette and inject a bit of levity and charm.

Sleek Black

Image: Caesarstone

 

Images: (1) LEIF (2) Williams-Sonoma (3) West Elm (4) CB2 (5) IKEA

The nearly white look of Calacatta Nuvo is sharply contrasted against black and holds a nice graphic appeal.

Which design direction is your favorite?

Image: Milk Magazine, photography by Karel Balas

The office of Parisian couple Constance and Laurent is simple and luxe at the same time. The furniture’s clean lines and the architecture’s simplicity are complemented by a plush Moroccan rug, classic window treatments, and a bit of softness on the seat, courtesy of a sheepskin. You can create a similar look in your home with the items below.



Images: (1) Restoration Hardware (2) West Elm (3) Urban Outfitters (4) Schoolhouse Electric (5) CB2 (6) IKEA (7) West Elm

1. Curtains in a subdued gray color with just the right texture are quietly luxurious.


2. A new chair that brings to mind classic, mid-century design.


3. Keep magazines organized nearby for a quick break or a dose of inspiration.


4. The sleek lines of this lamp look great with the rest of the furniture.


5. Choose a roomy desktop with a drawer to give you plenty of space to spread out, and a place to stash all those pens and other little office necessities.


6. Pick up a sheepskin (real or faux) to lend a bit of softness to hard seats.


7. A colorful Moroccan rug brings in some interest without going too color or pattern-crazy.

Would you welcome an office like this into your home?