Interior Design Sense

I have gotten a few reader requests lately having to do with televisions and how to decorate around them and make them less of an eye-sore. There are all sorts of ideas below – hide it within built-in shelving, wallpaper the wall behind it (or paint it black), place it on top of a hot pink credenza as a distraction, hang art around it (like I did)…..and at the end of the post is an example of what NOT TO DO.

Lonny
Living Etc.
Style At Home
Homes & Gardens
Hus & Hem
William Abranowicz

Time for this week’s reader request: “My name is Gisela Diaz and I’m a Spanish girl living in Portugal. Recently I bought a antique bathtub. I been looking for that for more than ten years, and finally I got it. I would like to ask you for some inspiration to restore it and to install it.” I went through my stash of bathroom photos and found some featuring antique bathtubs – mainly clawfoot – to show Gisela the placement/colours/taps and whatever else she may need to figure out. I am completely jealous. I have wanted a clawfoot tub for a long time. Actually, I’d settle for any tub that is large enough to take a bath in (and have adequate water coverage). Last time I took a bath I was probably 8 years old. In all the homes I have rented/bought I have never had a decent tub. I think it’s about time I get one….

Hus & Hem
Lonny
Marie Claire Italy
Elle Decor
Shootspaces
Light Locations
Living Etc.
Homes & Gardens

I hear fairly often from readers that they don’t know what to do with window treatments for bay windows. I frankly hate bay windows unless they come with a gorgeous century old Victorian house. Otherwise they are typically 80s non-decscript nightmares. I received a request for each of these scenarios recently:

“Just closed on a new house, and though we will not be renovating for some time (while hubby finishes his Masters) a certain level of charm is required )) We have a total of 4 bay windows (minto makes ugly bay windows, just a side note) that begin about a foot below the ceiling, not always centered on the wall and DON’T take up the whole wall. in my mind they look too deep, too low and very very awkward. I was wondering if you have any pictures of fresh, clean and not too too spare ways of decorating these. I find many people either go overboard with curtains or go very sparse with just blinds. I am hoping to have roll up blinds for privacy, but can’t decide on what to do for the charm factor ” – Nat

“Could you give any ideas on how to dress a bay window in a living room of a period/Edwardian house? I have been searching for it for a while but I am finding difficult to find anything…. ideally something not to heavy looking, so that the living room does not look any smaller.” – Susana

I went through my stash of living rooms photos (thousands) and found the following that included bay windows. Now, some of these window treatments are a little odd or impratical, and some I don’t really like, but it’s all I had. I am a fan of either sheers like the first photo, or wooden blinds with curtains at each edge similar to the James Merrell photo. Hope this helps ladies!!

Living Etc.
Mlinaric, Henry & Zervudachi
Shoot Factory
Light Locations
Kwinter & Co.
Guido Barbagelata
Oak Management
Light Locations
James Merrell
Markham Roberts Inc.
Lonny
Homes & Gardens

Just browsing the website of UK magazine Living Etc in search of some inspirational living rooms (they always feature some great galleries of room designs).

Thought I would share a few finds…

This reader request comes from Melinda: “My partner and I are renovating our 130 year old semi in Sydney, he wants carpet on the stairs (because apparently I ‘clunk’… which to be perfectly honest I do) and I want to stain the original timber. I’m thinking a stair runner may be the perfect compromise. I would be very much appreciative if you could dig into your amazing picture resources for stair runners.” Here are some photos of inspirational stair runners for you Melinda, the first being my absolute favourite EVAH. (A bunch more are after the jump).

Bill Kingston

Frank Roop	Amanda Martocchio
Lucyina Moodie	Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles
Country Living	Kwinter & Company
House Beautiful	New York Spaces Magazine
Living Etc.	Steven Gambrel
House & Home	Design*Sponge

We received this request via email last month from Eileen: (and I finally found some time to scour my photo stash)

“I’ve always lived in older homes with wood floors, but I recently purchased an 80′s tract house with wall-to-wall carpet. The carpet has to be replaced now, but it’s going to be a few years before I can afford to put in wood. Can you pull together some photos of inspiring living rooms with carpet? Is there such a thing?“  I have selected some photos of living rooms with wall-to-wall carpet (and if it’s not wall-to-wall, pretend it is) to help give Eileen some ideas. I’d suggest a very neutral (cream or very light grey) berber or a sisal-type carpet (but not a rough sisal) and then layer some fun area rugs on top (kilims and cowhide are my favs). Being the owner of a plethora of cats, carpet is my worst enemy. So might I suggest something a little zany. If your subfloor is plywood and is in decent shape, how about sanding it smooth and then painting it in the meantime? I’ve seen this a few times and think it looks great considering the inexpensive material. (If you don’t believe me check out this post by Erin of Design Crisis).

Kohler
Eric Roth
Eric Roth
Jackson Aaron
Robert Kaner
MHZ
Eve Robinson
Mabley Handler
Veranda
Rachael Smith
Point Click Home
Apartment Therapy
Janet Lohman
House Beautiful
House Beautiful
Architectural Digest
design*sponge
Chicago Home + Garden
Todd Romano
Living Etc.

MHZ                             Steven Gambrel

I immediately fell for this chic ensemble when I spotted it on Franki’s blog. I could really relate to it because as much as I love black, I do need that pop of color!  My favorite part are the Chuck Taylors…so chic with tights and a mini, yet so practical for walking all over a city!

This Living, Etc. bedroom via Mimi and Meg really exemplifies the casual elegance of the woman’s outfit.  I love the fur throw tossed on the bed and the pop of striped fuchsia pillows, acting as the “scarf” of the room.

Continuing on from Lia’s request from yesterday, here are some small girly kitchens and bedrooms.

Penny Wincer	Sköna hem
james Merrell	Lajos Geenen

Gary’s Loft(s)
Darren Chung
Marie Claire Maison
Gridley + Graves
Living Etc.

Apartment Therapy	Sunset
Martha Stewart	Gaby Zimmerman

Sköna hem
Country Living
Family Living
Marie Claire Maison
Living Etc.