Home Tour - Amanda Brooks

One of my favourite bloggers and source of inspiration fashion and vintage style is 

Amanda Brooks of I Love Your Style.

So when I had the chance to peek inside her home, I couldn't resist ...

 

 

 

 

 

 

I like the combination of modern with a little bit luxe, little bit of pattern and texture.

Looks like a cool place to hang out!

images via garancedore

Beautiful Home - Monika Hibbs

Feeling inspired today by the beautiful home of Monika Hibbs of

 The Doctor's Closet blog and Bfrend.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Love all the details in this home but also that it is quite simple and just so welcoming.

all images via theglitterguide

Blogger Home : Sketch42

I can't do a series on blogger homes and not include the home of ever lovely Nicole at Sketch42. I love what Nicole has done to her New York apartment, she has such an amazing eye. Not to mention the fab pieces of furniture she seems to just find and to top it all off, she is one very talented artist. Pop over to Nicole's Etsy store where you can view and purchase her pieces.

Nicole's home has been featured on many a blog but I am super privileged to reveal some new images for this post that Nicole has just taken of her lovely abode.

What is your occupation?
Blogger Extraordinaire

How do you summarise your style?
Hmmm... I think I definitely gravitate toward glamour, but I love rooms that walk the line between feminine and masculine. I love a room with a little edge to it. Something a little raw that keeps the room interesting and not so one note. I am still looking for some of those unexpected pieces for my own living room.



Where did your passion for interiors come from?
I grew up with a very close relationship to my grandmother. She has an amazing house that you can see here. She took me to Europe for weeks at a time as a child, the opera, museums every weekend and taught me to paint. We are still really close and go shopping and antiquing together all the time!


A piece of Nicole's fab art

Where do you find your inspiration?
Definitely the blogs. I love reading about design on blogs because it's a conversation. It's not a one way gush fest from some editor to the reader. In terms of design inspiration. . . Kelly Wearstler, Miles Redd, Mary McDonald and Windor Smith are some of my favorites. All of their rooms are edgy, glam, gorgeous and unique.


So much to love here - the sofa, the cushions, coffee table, rug...

What was the best and worst thing about renovating your own place?
At first, I was all over the place. I like every style and every period. I was all over the place that I would constantly poll my friends on wallpapers, paint, fabric swatches and more. They all hated me. So I started the blog so that I could find people from around the world who share my passion! So the best part about designing my own place is that it lead me to create my own blog. The worst is now that it's done I want to completely redo it! I love the freedom of experimenting in my own space and now that it's almost done... well, I'm getting bored!


Your bedroom is divine Nicole, love love love

What are your favourite places to shop for the home?
I have so many... Definitely antique shops, ebay, M&J Trimming, Johnathon Adler, Tonic Home, Clayton Gray Home, WS Home, Plum Cushion, Plexi-Craft, Ikea... The list goes on.


Mirrored wall, great idea and very glam

What is your most treasured piece of furniture that you have ever bought, been given or found and why?
All of the most interesting things in the house are restored antiques. The console under the TV is from the antique dealer Mad4Milo.com. I went to his warehouse in Florida this year... It was AMAZING. The chair to the left of the console - lovingly dubbed the Ebay Chair. I bought it on ebay and the seller shipped it Greyhound to Penn Statio. Getting it home from Penn Station s nothing short of an adventure. I also have another chair and ottoman by Drexel Heritage that I found on Third Avenue. What a score indeed! So in general, my favorite things in the house are the things that didn't come from stores.

Everything works so well together

More great art and the famous ebay chair

What's your favourite room in the house and why?
It's actually the least popular in the blogosphere, probably because I never took great pictures of it and because junk collects in there, but the den is my favorite room to hang out in. I watch a TON of TV and this room is cosy, it's perfect for blogging while Real Housewives watching. That said, I love all the rooms in my house. I smile when I walk in the door. My kitchen makes me really, really happy... In my first apartment, I had a kitchen smaller than a closet. It was SO HARD to do anything in there, that I knew I needed a big kitchen with a big fridge and two ovens if I wanted to throw fun dinner parties and raise a family here.


*sigh*

What makes a house a home?
When I moved into this apartment, it was a construction site. I had no furniture and plastic coverings on all the doorways. Oh yea... and no kitchen. Oh and a 2 month old baby. Honestly maybe it's the sweat and tears and decisions that made this feel like home to me. I literally labored over every knob in this aprtment. I watched the paint dry. I think the fact that i was so involved helped me make the place so comfortable for me and my family. There is no place I'd rather be than sitting on my couch with my husband and daughter reading the paper and blogging on a Sunday afternoon.



Thanks Nicole, your house is looking fab and I'm so happy I could share it
xxx

images sketch42

Blogger Home : A Brooklyn Limstone In Progress

For my next blogger home, we are heading all the way over to the states. To Brooklyn to be precise to Adventures In Renovating A Brooklyn Limestone. Isn't the title of the blog just a dream *sigh*.

The lovely Ms Brooklyn Limestoner has opened up her home to show us and answer some delving questions into what it has taken her to get this beautiful home.

What is your occupation?
My 9-5 isn't very exciting, corporate job that pays the bills. I try to keep the other side of my brain happy with more creative pursuits like running a graphic design business (www.sonicstefdesign.com) and brooklynlimestone.com.

How would you summarise your style?
I love mixing old with new. Sometimes people get into a rut thinking that pieces have to be from the same period or style to match but putting the right kind of pieces that are at odds with each other really gives the space personality. I also love it when there is at least one item in the room that is unique and/or personal. Not only is it a good conversation piece but it also gives a visitor a little peek into the homeowners life.

I really love the kitchen, so beautiful. The cabinetry, lights, bench top and the blue stools all work so well together.

Where do you find your inspiration?
I don't really have a good answer for this - things just pop into my mind. I'm sure it has alot to do with being a devoted blog reader and soaking in a lot of what is shared on them. I love to travel so seeing the architecture and decor in other countries has a big influence on me as well.

So much to love about this bathroom, actually everything it's adorable

What's life like living in Brooklyn?
Obviously I think it's great. Aside from having Manhattan and all that it has to offer a stone's throw away, Brooklyn has a very distinct scene of it's own so I'm never bored. We have beautiful green spaces, architecture and tons of restaurants and stores. The neighbourhood I live in is more on the residential side so I get a more relaxed community to come home to without having to give up the rest. Of course there are downsides too but they are more than outweighed by the good.

Best and worst thing about renovating/decorating your own place?
The best about renovating is being able to have it the way I want it. I didn't have to deal with anyone else's idea of a good idea or style because I made all of the choices myself based on what I liked and how we lived. The worst is definitely paying for it along with having to deal with the aggravation of dealing with contractors, permits, etc.


This space works really well. Great idea for the desk top, it's a door that was stripped back now it's just waiting for a glass top. And the birdcage looks perfect in the corner.

What are your favourite places to shop for the home?
Even though I often don't have great luck with them, I just love second hand furniture. Notice I don't say antiques because I don't really care about the pedigree of an item - I just like older things. Much like my appreciation of older homes, I like the idea of pieces with history. On the flip side, I'm also a Target fan for accessories and little things. There is always something I want to bring home with me.

What is the most treasured piece of furniture you ever bought, were given or found and why?
Hmmm...I don't really tresure my furniture really. I like most everything I have but I don't have any emotional connection to it really. I guess the item I received as gifts like my ghost chair and my vintage dress form are the things that pop to mind.

I believe her name is Ethel, she's lovely!

What's your favourite room in your house and why?
Tough question. Maybe my bathroom? This is the first time I've lived in a house with more than one bathroom so it's still pretty novel. And having my own medicine cabinet is a dream!

Yet another gorgeous bathroom

What makes a house a home?

For me it's two things: a) those little things that tell a story about your life like photographs and books and diy items and b) a cohesive look that is soothing and makes you want to spend more time there.

Thank you Ms BL for sharing your home with us, it's beautiful xx

images brooklyn limestone

Blogger Home : Table Tonic

I am really enjoying my series of blogger homes, you get to "chat" with some really great people.

Which leads me to my next blogger home, the ever lovely and stylish Louise over at Table Tonic. Ok, so we're not a stranger to Table Tonic here but I had to include Louise's home in this series, not only because I love it but because she has a great Australian style.

What is your occupation?
Gosh. Blogger? Online Entrepreneur? Founder of Table Tonic?

Can you summarise your style?
How about I do it in 5 words - Ecclectic, Colourful, Ever-changing, Australian.

Where did you passion for interiors come from?
Without question, magazines. I have devoured US mags Elle Decor, Domino, House Beautiful etc for almost a decade. It's taken a long time for the Aussie "shelter" mag situation to "catch up" with the US, but I think we're there! I also think in everyone, it comes a point in your life when you suddenly want to start paying attention to where you live and your surroundings.

Ok, so this is a must for when I buy my next house and oh, find a husband! Seperate bathrooms! I must say I'm quite partial to the skylight in the bathrooms, gives it a luxury spa feel.

Great choice in tile in both bathrooms, love the tiles in shower at top, bit shimmery and the tile behind the basin and toilet is gorgeous

Where do you find your inspiration?
I think having an extensive graphic design background, being a magazine junkie and being a detailed-obsessed Virgo means I have a head crammed full of beautiful scenes, textures, memories and images collected over the years. From everywhere - foreign countries, classic movies, fashion designers...

One stylish little girls room

What is the best and and worst thing about renovating/decorating your own place?
Oooh good question! The best thing was definitely the whole creative process. And having my husband as the architect made it one big, very interesting, lesson! The worst? Time and money. It always takes longer and costs more than you think. ALWAYS.

What are your favourite places to shop for the home?
I love visiting out of town antique and brick-a-brack shops and bringing something home which will always remind you of that particular road trip. They seem to be a dying breed though, which is sad.

What is the most tresured piece of furniture you have ever bought, were given or found and why?

Our 3 teal blue vinyl and chrome 50's chairs, which I found in my office block, which was being renovated at the time. The building engineer said I could have them in exchange for a case of beer!

What's your favourite rooom in your house and why?
I would have to say, I am quite smitten with our kitchen. Lord knows, I spend enough time in it(!), but it is, without questions, the hub of the house - everything else is literally a stone's throw away, including my desk/computer, which beckons me, even whilst stirring a pot of soup on the stove. I guess I'm just really pleased with how it all turned out. I love the finishes, the giant bookcase, the pendant lights, the white corian sinks, everything!



Louise, I would spend all my time here too if I had this kitchen, I love it. It gives me a homely feeling, I can imagine having friends over, food and drink and kids running around playing. And I love the idea of having the bookcase there.

What makes a house a home?
Culture - Books and art. And treasured objects which posess sentimentality and meaning.

Ooh great lamp

Thanks for letting us into your family home Louise, it's been great xx

images table tonic

Blogger Home : Rebecca June

Welcome to the home of one lovely Rebecca June. Rebecca's blog was one of the first design blogs I ever started reading. Rebecca has a great eye and her style really appeals to me.

Let's take a sneak peak into her home.

What is your occupation?

Interior Designer


I love Rebecca's living room

How would you summarise your style?
Classic, Detailed, and a little Glam

Where did your passion for interiors come from?

It all started with my mother, but I just always remember having a passion for beautiful things and wanting to rearrange my room.

Where do you find your inspiration?
I think inspiration can come from anything. Seeing an object, a picture in a magazine or sometimes just needed solution to a problem can inspire you.


Lovely details in the bedroom


What is the best and worst thing thing about renovating/decorating your own place?
BEST - I finally can do exactly what I want without having to run it by anyone WORST - being in the business I am always seeing new things that I love and I cannot have it all!

Does your husband have a lot of input into the design of your place, or does he just let you go for it?

Well, in the beginning I would ask his opinion and want him to like everything. What I learned is that I have to stick with my gut and the hubs eventually comes around to liking everything. Sometimes he just can't picture something and therefore he thinks he won't like it. I often prove him wrong.


The den, this looks like a really comfortable space

What are your favourite places to shop for the home?
Flea markets, eBay, my mother's house, and my office


Rebecca did a great makeover of her closet, love it

What is your most treasured piece of furniture that you have ever bought, were given or found and why?
My most treasured piece of furniture has to be the 4 Kartell Ghost Chairs that my parents gave my husband and I for our wedding present. I LOVE them.


Your parents have fabulous taste Rebecca, this looks great and I love the cushions on the chairs

What makes a house a home?
The people and animals you share it with.


Too cute

Thanks for letting us into your home Rebecca, it has been alot of fun xx