A technique to inspire when you just can't figure out a room

Sometimes you look at a room and you just draw a blank - nothing about it inspires you or strikes a cord, everything you try just makes it look over decorated or outdated. Well, (and I know this technique is nothing new), how about taking a cue from the celebs or people in your life who've always inspired you? You know that person - they always look put together and just make you think - "I want to look like that, I want to emulate what he/she does." Instead of transcribing that to your appearance, transcribe it to your room's appearance.

Like Amy's fun but still elegant style? Like the colors of her apparel and makeup? Like her quirk and intelligence? It might take a little practice, but if you put together the elements of a room while keeping these characteristics in mind - you'll soon get the hang of emulating someone's style and presence via fabrics, furniture arrangements, art, and more!

Here are some samples I've put together



I took Amy's casual elegance - mixed with a little bohemian, and her love of jewel tones, and found rooms that speak to that appeal.
top right -House to Home, bottom left & right - House Beautiful



Interior designer Marlaina Teich took inspiration from Tina Fey's feature in Harper's Bazzar to create this stunning red bedroom - I love the fireplace front! She loved the way Tina popped off the gray background in her red dress.


Here's another board I created with Michelle Obama's fashion-forward, elegant persona in mind.
top left, bottom center - House Beautiful

Favorite images from my favorite blogs

I haven't written up a favorite images post in awhile so I thought I might today. Enjoy the eye candy!

I love that soap in the "milk" scent. A bar might cost you $7, but it lasts me a whole year!


These images were all shot by the wonderful photographer, Lara Rossignol - and from her wonderful blog, Piewacket.


Poppytalk features many "real artist studios," which I love. It is inspiring for me to see how other artists work. It's also nice to know that real studios don't look like perfect magazine offices!
via Poppytalk



Love that blue chest of drawers!
via Rdekko

Gorgeous French-style bedrooms

oh la la! These bedrooms are super dreamy. Which one is your fav?

Sort of bohemian gypsy style

artsy?

a la Marie Antoinette?

contemporary?

young and bohemian?

open plan?

vintage?

modern (with an amazing river right outside your window/door!)

country?

a little more urban?

modern retro?

via Marie Claire Maison

House tours from Domino

As part of my ongoing series of posts honoring our late friend Domino, I now bestow upon you some lovely house tours we all came to look forward to every month. *sigh* Enjoy.

Mary McDonald's "Tom Jones rock" inspired kitchen. I like the typography plates.


Kathryn Ireland's rustic style home. I love the humble bathroom, and the console in the kitchen with the dishes stowed underneath.



Actress Julianne Moore's stab at interior decorating. I like some of the choices she made - not all my style, but still pretty. I like the piece of drift wood on the radiator.


A rebuilt green home in New Orleans.


Domino style director Dara's lovely white bedroom.









I love Amanda Peet's down-to-earth, bohemian home. It's so ethereal and filled with interesting, meaningful objects. I also love that you can tell that she had a hand in it. She didn't just hire some designer to come in and make it look like a movie star's home.

Beautiful bohemian style

I've always been intrigued by bohemian style because I've never lived my life that way, and the unknown always holds a certain allure. For me it's order, to-do lists, and check boxes. Not that one way is right or wrong, but finding a balance between living spontaneously and living on a schedule is something I've been striving for. These caravans are chock full of inspiration to help get the feeling at home.

















I love the chair and the striped bedspread


























Love this bedding

Images via
Les-verindes and Jean Bayol