A New Year

With 2011 just around the corner, Architectural Digest's January issue has brought the New Year in with so much promise. Unfortunately these aren't the greatest quality scans, but hopefully these few beautiful images from their latest issue bring you inspiration for the year ahead!


It appears to me that Architectural Digest's outlook is slightly less traditional and instead more relaxed or "lived-in". Looking forward to seeing what else they have in store...

All images scanned from Architectural Digest, January 2011.

I first discovered Mansour Modern's exquisite area rugs in Architectural Digest and was even more impressed once I visited their website. Despite the old design school phrase that "the ceiling is the fifth wall", I love it when interest is placed on the floor. It's like a blank canvas begging for art - the weaver's type.

Mansour Modern offers such original, bold patterns with Mediterranean, eco-friendly and tribal influences that I envision entire rooms with just the glimpse of an 8x10' rug. Although the thought of dishing out a small fortune for an area rug sometimes leaves people feeling queasy, I think that if it's approached as a piece of art (not to mention, you can pull a colour scheme from it, anchor furniture in a room and add warmth), those feelings may subside. If your husband or significant other still needs convincing, throw in the "investment" and "family heirloom" words. Or bake them some palmiers.

Leap Year

Over the weekend, I saw the movie "Leap Year" with Amy Adams. Such a cute, romantic movie if you're in the mood for something light...

Anna (a home stager...very appropriate) sets out to Ireland with plans to propose to her long-time boyfriend on Leap Day; an old tradition from centuries ago. Of course, plans get mixed up, cute guys appear out of nowhere and romance ensues. I won't give the rest away..

As usual, I was keeping my eye on the interiors of these rustic "homes" in Ireland. Granted, these are movie sets, so I thought I'd look out for some of the real thing. The Architectural Digest kind of "real thing". Here are a few (links attached) from my search...

Granted, these aren't the typical suburban homes that surely fill Irish neighbourhoods beyond these green pastures and rugged cliffs. But apart from their luxurious appeal, I love the general simplicity of their architecture. Bright white stucco paired with jagged stonework, all set against a backdrop of rolling hills and water. It seems as though the home is less of a place for opulence, and more of a place to enjoy the land. Indeed, a philosophy for more than just minimalists.

And it was all yellow.

Love the song (like, REALLY love the song), often like the colour - but only in small doses. Recently I was flipping through a magazine and realized how versatile yellow is. I'm often scared of it because it can feel juvenile, overpowering or make me crave french fries, a quarter-pounder and a coke (please).


These photos, however, show yellow in a new light! (I'm loving the common pairing of gray and yellow lately.) I almost feel like you can't help but be happy when you're around yellow (too much?). From bright tropical yellow to pale butter cream, it really is just a little ray of sunshine!

Yes, I searched high and low for these photos, meaning Martha Stewart, Oprah, Veranda, Architectural Digest, and even ETSY.

A Night at the Movies

There are few things I love more than curling up and watching a great movie. I have to say, Architectural Digest completely outdid themselves with the gorgeous home theaters they recently published. These are far from the rows of La-Z-Boys and big screens that adorn many a suburban home. These spaces are exceptional in their own right, but then as a home theater; well that's just amazing.

Wouldn't this outdoor projector be incredible on a warm summer night? Most popular house on the street, I'm sure.

All photos from Architectural Digest.