Interior Design Sense

Buenos dias everyone! I am back from my too-short trip to Mexico, having arrived late last night. I had a blast as I always do in Puerto Vallarta (that was my third or fourth time there). I took lots of photos which I hope to share here and on Flickr and bought as much stuff as I could cram in my suitcase (which I will get photos of ASAP). Luckily I took today off work so I can get groceries, do some laundry, clean the house and hang out with my boyfriend who unfortunately did not accompany me on the trip. I don’t have time to get a regular post ready but I thought I’d show you some photos I took of a shop I found in the cool surf town of Sayulita.

This town was an hour bus ride from PV, and was worth the trip. We spent the day there and had a great time hanging out on the beach watching the surfers, shopping of course, and eating the best freaking burritos I’ve ever had. I uploaded a photo a couple days ago on Flickr of the floor in this shop (whose name I cannot remember) and it’s been such a hit that I thought I’d put it and some others here. I love painted floors and this floor has to be my new favourite, hands down. Frankly, everything about this shop was hip and funky which is relatively uncommon. (Pardon the quality of some of these photos – it was often easier to sneak them instead of trying to explain why I was taking them).

This Furniture Friday is dedicated to a very controversial piece of furniture…the skirted table!  It has even inspired a blog/radio show.  I like mine stream-lined with a graphic punch or done-up with dress-maker detailing! 

{Julie Neill}

{Above two photos, Palmer Weiss}

{photo from here}

{Beach Dwelling via Patricia Gray}

Pam Pierce via Cote de Texas

Ballard Party Table

Linen Table Skirts from Wisteria

I think the above three tables are the best options from the big stores.  There are also a few great tutorials on how to make your own out there in blog land… try here, here, or here.  If anyone decides to brave trying to make one yourself, please email me photos!

The last time we featured Douglas Friedman’s work a few comments popped up revealing that not only are his photographs gorgeous but he’s a looker too. (I think the word was hot.) Having googled for photos of Douglas I can now confirm the veracity of the comments but more importantly it’s obvious from these new shots that Mr Friedman is still one super talented snapper. Favourites? The minimalist white rooms that thanks to the wonderful lighting are warm and inviting. The man has a fabulous eye!

I was craving some photos of “pretty”, and when I came across the portfolio of designer Phoebe Howard, I immediately thought I scored some pretty. Her style is traditional but with some spaces featuring non-traditional bold colours, and some slightly modern touches to keep things up-to-date. So here’s a dose of pretty for ya.

I was scoping out the portfolio of architecture and interior design firm West Chin the other day to see if there were more photos I could showcase here that Jo hadn’t already done in her post back in June. I came across a swanky pad that I thought was worthy of it’s own post. This flat is modern but not too harsh, with funky bits here and there (including a couple sets of boobs and a pair of diaper chairs), and even some cute spaces for the kids (the parents must lock them in their rooms for fear of dirty hands on the furniture). FAB!

As I promised yesterday, here is another project by Priscilla Glover and Ivan Spaller of Urban Nature Inc., thanks to Tammy, their realtor. This time it’s a Victorian home built in 1890 that was moved from Marlin, Texas to the heart of Austin – which explains why Tammy calls it “extreme gingerbread”. The entire home was restored and updated in just over a year, maintaining much of the classical architecture while adding modern touches. I’m completely smitten with the exterior. Who cares what the inside looks like – I’d be sold on it while pulling up out front. (See more photos here and check out more of their work here).

On Saturday Jo WINKed photographer Ty Cole’s online gallery and today I’d like to showcase some of his architectural and interior photography. His photos are sharp and bright and he frames interesting elements so perfectly. (And I had to include that last photo – I am going to dream about those rough timber floors tonight…)

If you’d like to send us photos to include in next week’s “pets on furniture” post, please ensure your photos follow our basic rules: First, the pet must be on a piece of furniture. And said piece of furniture must be clearly visible in the photo, so it takes center stage rather than your pet. (Think of it more of a photo of a great piece of furniture…and your pet happens to be sitting on it). And second, the photo must be of decent quality. If it’s REALLY dark or fuzzy (from a camera phone) then it may not make the cut. Thanks! (Photos can be sent to desiretoinspirekim@hotmail.com and PLEASE don’t send me closeups of your pet!!!)

“Saw your blog today and thought I would send these along!“
- Brandon

“I wanted to submit this photo of my roommate’s dog Jackson. Our family room is very contemporary, but I love how he sits on the arm of the couch & seems so proper (when he is anything but proper, he’s very playful). Since modern/ contemporary spaces can sometimes be perceived as cold; Jackson and his toys are the perfect balance to the room. A few weeks ago this little white puppy (aka Butters) was added, and she contrasts the black couch. The only problem: I end up photographing these two, instead of studying for my finance tests.“
- Julianne

“This is Beckham. It must be so difficult to be such a big lovable dog around such tiny furniture. But he finds a way.“
- Mark

“I’d like to post the photo of my baby Oscar.  He loves to sit at the kitchen table when dinner is being served.  He never steal’s any food but he watches in awe.“
- Nicole

“This is Dylan (named for Bob), my rescued Maine coon, as he perches on my refurbished antique chair, which I purchased from the wonderful duo at Nightwood [nightwoodny.com] in Brooklyn. He is clearly saying, ‘Oh no! You caught me!’ (Well, actually he is cleaning up after eating.)“
- Mary Ellen

“We were all scratching our heads after seeing this. Where else does this little one get into when we are not at home. Walked in at the end of a work day, and my daughter finds my cat curled up in a bowl. on the stove!“
- ’sbeebe’

“Here’s another of Tottenham, at one of his favorite spots, our screened-in porch and on his favorite chair. Thank goodness for sunbrella.“
- Shannon

“Here are Princess Peach & Ollie posing for their snap!“
- Stephen

“Little did I know that my dog Reese and my chair would color coordinate! There have been times when I have looked all over the house to find her and never saw her curled up in this chair. She just blends right in. As you can see from the ‘patch’, Reese loved on this chair a little too much when she was a puppy!”
- Jenn

“I recently discovered this awesome blog via Kim Myles’s tweet! This is Thelonious, claiming this wicker love-seat all his own.“
- Sarah Forman

“Here’s our best buddy, Red the Cat, sitting on his new favorite accessory, the Snuggie. He didn’t care for the leather chair at all before the Snuggie was left on it (and we don’t mind it that way—this leather chair is also our new baby!). Now, wherever the snuggie is, that’s where Red sits.“
- Leslie

“Just wanted to share a picture of Rosie- caught lounging on my new sofa.“
- Kristi

“I am an architect and I live in Italy, near Milan. I send you some photos of : MAYA, my mother’s loved labrador, LE CORBUSIER (called “Corbu”, the white cat) & KLIMT (our neighbours’ cat, and Corbu’s friend), they stay in my studio all the time!“
- Barbara

“It’s Trasia, one of our tree cats in our sitting room. The armchair is her favorite place and it’s really hard when we want her to get out.“
- Ewa

Ekokook comes from  Faltazi design and is said to be the kitchen of the future. A lot of research stood at the basis of this design and led to a kitchen that respects all the standards of modern living combined with sustainability as well. This kitchen of the future is made out of two functional parts. The inferior one, somehow reminding one of a classic kitchen as we know it, includes a fridge, a dish washing machine,  “drawers” for plates and tableware and other spaces meant for storage. Beneath all these lies an intricate system of waste disposal, including five separate systems for five materials: glass, paper, cans, plastic and organic waste. The superior part features plenty of green shapes, some of them meant as storage bowls, other having technological utility (like absorbing the steam, for example). Check out the photos and the video for a better understanding. -via Inhabitat

When you crack open this chest, you’ll find something better than a pirate’s treasure – something hotter! ‘Malle a Feu’ by Atria is a hot fireplace design that disguises the traditional fireplace within a contemporary white trunk. The horizontally opening lid lifts to reveal a pair of fire slots, with a mirrored background to maximize the look of the flames. When you’re all warm and cozy, simply shut the lid and use the top to display your collection of framed photos, candles, vases or other accessories. This portable fireplace is ideal for small spaces and condos. It’s ventless, so there’s no installation required, and when you redecorate, this mobile fireplace goes wherever you envision it. In the bedroom, the bathroom, living room or den, Malle a Feu has its place in every home. Check out more hot fireplace design ideas at Atria.