Inspired by Art: Sophisticated Rural

The massive online auction site invaluable.com is a great source for design inspiration.  A room inspired by a piece of their artwork is an excited idea.  I love to design but I especially love a creative challenge: I chose a piece I loved from their site and created a space around it.  Oh happy day!  

Sophisticated Rural by rebecca-iverson 

I chose a beautiful oil painting entitled Karouev/Dan Farm (auctioned October 21st here).  I had a difficult time choosing a favorite work of art because, let me tell you, there are so many.  I didn't choose this particular piece because it was expensive.  The starting bid is only $70 but what do I care, it's gorgeous and makes me happy to look at it.  Also, I knew it would be the starting point for one gorgeous room.  

The first element I chose to go along with my painting is the rug.  I love that the geometric design mimics the roof-lines in the painting.  I also like the high contrast and almost quilt-like design.  The painting pre-determined that the space would involve contemporary country design elements and this rug looks a bit like a quilt.  I believe a simple blue sofa is perfect on this rug and in this space.

I next envisioned grass-cloth wallpaper that would cover the bottom portion of the wall divided by a chair rail.  Above the chair rail would be painted a soft gray-blue that would be a continuation of sky from the painting.  I love the combination of the earthy and warm grass-cloth and the soft airy blue above.  Just like the painting.  

The curtain fabric is a soft tonal silk check.  I like the traditional country pattern for this space but the silk fabric is a sophisticated juxtaposition to the textural grass cloth.  Also, the soft colors help the pattern keep out of competition with the rug.  

I brought in a touch of green with the beautiful lamps.  I wanted a hit of green but not too much.  

The Chippendale chairs would face the couch and they reinforce the natural and casual theme but keep it up to date with their strong line.  Because the grass-cloth has multiple shades of brown I was able to use a few different wood tones:  The chairs and the side tables are different wood tones but they are both in the grass-cloth and the painting.  

To finish off the space, a white branchy chandelier would hang over an ottoman or coffee table.  I like that it is light in effect and wouldn't compete with the other elements, but it is still a strong statement.

I hope you love this painting and the room it inspired as much as I do! There are so many paintings over on Invaluable.com's site available here. There are literally hundreds of fantastic pieces ranging greatly in price. Let me know what you think and be sure to go bid on this painting if you are interested.

Inspiration: Understated Christmas Decorating

habituallychic

I think understated and simple Christmas decor appeals to me more than any other.  Why?  Because it seems to symbolize Christmas better than any other style:  nature provides the best and most beautiful atmosphere.  Luxury doesn't make Christmas special.  Look around and see what can be done with the least amount of money but ultimate impact.  Candles, greenery, flowers and just a bit of sparkle are all you need to convey warmth.  Just like the best gifts, the best rooms are creative and thoughtful.

ppebble

hiphostess


splendidsass
This is a more "wow" space than most of the others I have included but the individual seasonal elements are natural, like the pine cones in the tree and fresh green wreath and centerpiece.  It's all very easy to duplicate.

roomtoinspire


homeinteriors


stockholm-vitt

These pictures of the interior of a farmhouse in Red Hook NY, from an old Country Living
magazine article, are some of my  favorite examples of rustic simplicity with a French
country vibe.  I think it is lovely.

None of these spaces look very "decorated" but just like a fabulous outfit, they leave a strong impression of style.  Use what you have and create something special yourself.  If your home is pretty to begin with, why not just play it up in a subtle way?  

Day 28  I am so thankful that my friends want to include me when they are planning their own special events.  Today I get to go to the site that will be the center of celebration for a 1st birthday party!  I am honored that my opinion matters to those I care about.

O Pioneers! : From Barns to Boots

via amazon

My summer reading was pretty much dominated by Willa Cather novels.  I read Death Comes for the Archbishop (1927), and O Pioneer (1913).   Choosing Cather for my summer reading was not cerebral, rather, aesthetic:  I liked the barn on the cover.  Kidding (sort of ).  I read My Antonia (1918) years ago and really liked Cather's style.  The ways in which she develops her characters is intriguing to me.  Even her villains stir our sympathy in the midst of their horrific acts.  How does she do it?  She just knows.  She strikes me as a precursor to Cormac McCarthy but her scenes of violence are seen behind foggy glass instead of magnification--glaringly vivid and stark.
Cather's portrayal of the hardships of pioneer life is less than romantic, but there is something lovely in the strength and stubborn hardiness of the Scandinavian and Russian settlers.  The barren land is converted by the alfalfa crop and Alexandra Bergson's single minded determination.  Her one dream is that her younger brother might be educated and reap the benefits of her family's commitment to the land.  I won't spoil the rest for you...but I will share with you a few inspiring images.

Who doesn't love a barn?  

webshots.com

  via sillyblog626
Perhaps the Bergson homestead before they struck it rich?  No...still too charming.

via house to home

This is what her nouveau riche house would look like if I had been her designer!

via niagra novice

Or even better.

I can't tell you how much I love this converted barn space.  

via classic french homes

Carl Lindstrum would have never left if Alexandra's bedroom had looked like this.

via zsazaabellagio

via imgur

Pioneer Inspired Fashion

Marc Jacob's take on Pioneer Chic 
  
via examiner
Alexandra would wear this to "make a call" on her selfish brothers and their equally squally wives.  



via examiner
I like to think of Maria Tovesky wearing this little ensemble to milk the cows.

Rodarte

via vintage clothing

And this one?  Heck, I'd wear it to the next quilting bee.

KORS Michael Kors Lena ankle boot
I really do want these.


Orla Kiely dress
...And this.

O you daughters of the West!/O you young and elder daughters!/ O you mothers and you wives!/Never must you be divided, in our ranks you move united,/Pioneers!/O pioneers!

_Walt Whitman

Read it.  You won't be disappointed.

White Christmas

Fresh white complements the fresh green.

I am dreaming of a white Christmas, but here in the desert it isn't likely.  At least I know that the inside of my house can be merry and white!  Here are a few examples of beautiful ways to decorate for a white Christmas.  I also love the fact that if you have a predominantly white interior, any color scheme will work: from multi-colored and fun, traditional red and white, natural greens to sparkly metallic.  Take a look at the spaces that inspire me.

The soaring windows are highlighted by the swags of greenery. Tiffany blue taper candles? Yes!

Same house as above: White, creamy yellow and tiffany blue. Not traditional Christmas colors--love.

I am always looking for cute ideas for my cloches.

I just love this idea, and I want to try to make them!

Trophies with mini trees! It couldn't be simpler or prettier.

Christmas doesn't have to include fancy, elaborate decorations--this room is country beautiful.

LOVE this!

Natural greens and lovely white are welcoming and classic.

The sweetest little Christmas cabinet display.

Pretty and subtle reminder of the season.

via digsdigs
I think I might do this next year!

An all white bedroom is dreamy, especially at Christmas with the cute stockings.

Gorgeous entryway display.

How cute is this? Talk about easy.

via digsdigs

Minimal and Festive.

I had to stop myself!  There are so many beautiful, light interiors at Christmas; and many wonderful projects too.  I will post my own Christmas decorations soon!

For The Love of White

"For me, people are color, flowers are color, food is color, and all of this is my canvas."~

 Rosy Strazzeri-Fridman

Ah, white.  I have and always will be in love with white.  I am not alone in my infatuation.  Many people see how magical white is.  Just like a snowy white landscape, expansive and glorious. Nothing is prettier than a white interior.  It is perfect for any style home: from traditional historic, or simple country to modern contemporary. Although it is beautiful, white interiors can be tricky; that is why some people are afraid to decorate their own homes in white.  Each piece in a room takes on more importance when everything is white: the architecture is more noticeable, and the light plays freely from edge to corner.  Mirror and glass sparkle more in a white space and your home becomes your canvas.

simple country kitchen

Classic white Nantucket style kitchen

Traditional and timeless. Invest in a white kitchen, and you won't regret it!

decorpad

Fabulous, contemporary white kitchen.

The beauty of the materials and view can be the stars in an all white room like this.

This is what I would dream of seeing first thing in the morning.

This room will go out of style when? Oh, that's right...never!

the advantage of an all white or neutral space is that even a little color makes an impact.

via

This is the sweetest little sleepy corner!

An accessable white bathroom. Not over the top, but lovely.

Need proof that white works in any style of home? Here is a cabin in Montana, done in white.

crushculdesac

gorgeous, simple, expensive, white

sketch42

Transitionally decorated living room, mainly white with neutral contrast

White isn't just for pretty rooms in magazines.  I live with white in my own home and find that it isn't difficult, even with children (and a husband).  Slipcovers and duvets are genius, and like I always say, if it is dirty I want to know about it! White never bores me, and I have decorating ADD.  The more you read about others who live in white spaces, the more it is obvious that white is just right.