{Home} Trending vs. Timeless

26 Tuesday Jun 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Antiques, Decorating, Designer

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I’ve lived long enough to realize that trends change with each decade. This information gives me a healthy perspective when making design decisions. But still, along comes some fabulous trend and I can’t resist, even when deep down I’m sure in 10 years I’ll be asking myself, what was I thinking?

before…a “look” from the 70’s {I’m embarrassed to say, the pattern on the drapes and walls once adorned one of our first sofas. Our adult children saw a picture of the room with that particular sofa a few years ago and said, that can’t be our sofa!} I don’t think we had it very long, we were tired of it after a few years.

My home is mostly traditional but personal tastes in color and appointments come into play and I’m a huge fan of decorating with what you love and what brings you comfort and joy. I largely ignore the designers that dismiss some of my favorite accessories and or color selections as being “so last year”.

House Beautiful ~ remember the trend towards chintz, it’s back and I must say I’ve seen some beautiful, modern day versions. I believe my chintz days are over but beautiful floral patterns still stop me in my tracks.

Then there are those rooms you’ll come upon that were designed several decades before and you are immediately smitten, you cannot believe the rooms/house were decorated that long ago.

Alessandra Branca ~ the Asian influence, calming neutrals and touches of red create a timeless look.

Better Homes & Gardens ~ stone floors, classic urns with boxwood, and the trumeau mirror create a timeless look, don’t you agree?

Bunny Williams ~ Elle Decor

I wonder if we will one day say, this room (above) would be timeless if it weren’t for the sea grass/sisal rug. I love the look, but you know how this can go.

Charles Faudree ~ CF is a favorite designer of mine. I realize his rooms may be too busy for some, but they hold great appeal for me and I am always referring to his books for inspiration for my own home.

Today, I thought it would be fun to share a few of the rooms we all remember and a few that I believe may go down as timeless, classic and as all-time favorites!

Charlotte Moss ~ this image is from one of my all-time favorite books, “Winter House”

…more images from Winter House

Charlotte Moss

Some of the trends that have been declared by a few designers or shelter magazine contributers as “over” for this decade are oil rubbed bronze hardware (guilty as charged, I have it in my master bathroom and converted most of the interior door knobs to it in early 2001). I still like it but confess, it hasn’t worn as well as I’d like. Stainless steel appliances, sorry, I still love my Viking stove. Granite [really?]… how can granite be dated, it’s been around before man! Vessel sinks in bathrooms. I confess, I’ve admired them for others but due to space restrictions have felt they would take up too much space in our two bathrooms. These are but a few of the items I’ve read about and trust me when I say, I take features on this topic with a grain of salt.

Dan Carithers ~ another favorite whose timeless rooms always thrill me.

John Saladino ~ when the idea for timeless design first popped into my mind, John Saladino is who I thought of; in my view his work epitomizes “timeless”.

The ever timeless and classic Phoebe Howard

Isn’t blue and white the very meaning of classic? Image via Splendid Sass

Anyway, do you feel you are living with a trend that may be on it’s way out, at least as far as you’re concerned? Or, do you go forward with confidence that if you love it, you can live with it and be happy?! Me too!

Ken Gemes Interiors

House and Garden ~ Whitney Fairchild (above/below)

So tell me your thoughts, are you more apt to follow your heart where design is concerned, or follow the trends? I love hearing from you.

xo,

Karen

{Home} Shabby chic, rustic white…by any name, charming

10 Tuesday Apr 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Collections & Accessories, Designer

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shabby chic

Alert: I got a little chatty today…if you’re pressed for time you may want to read this when you have a few minutes. I apologize for an inconvenience this may cause. 🙂

According to Wikipedia the term Shabby Chic was coined by The World of Interiors magazine in the 1980s and became extremely popular in the US in the ’90s. But when I hear the term I immediately think of Rachel Ashwell.

When Rachel Ashwell first hit the market with her popular Shabby Chic look I was intrigued. I didn’t visit one of her stores until the late ‘90s but she opened her first store in 1989 and wrote her first book in 1996. It was a trend I didn’t embrace for my own home, but I truly admired and liked some of her fabrics, and saw more than a few beautifully furnished homes using that style of design. I viewed some of her recent work online and on her blog and I believe she’s stayed true to her original style but I noticed some upgrades on some of her furnishings, including some lovely antiques. As a huge fan of antique furniture, I really like that detail. (Source of images below: Rachel Ashwell ~ Shabby Chic)

For a few years when I would hear the term shabby chic and I thought tired and trendy. But I confess I’ve come full circle in my thinking about the look. While I still am not ready to convert, I certainly have an admiration for the style when I see it done well in blog land or in a shelter magazine.

I recently read a post on the topic by Kifus of Inspired Interiors. She featured images from a Swedish magazine by the name of Skonahem that was titled shabby chic. While I can’t read Swedish, the images were mostly wonderful and the rooms seemed inviting and country-cozy. (source of images below: Skonahem via Inspired Interiors)

Once I started looking online (which can devour hours of time in the blink of an eye) I found HGTV had done some extensive posts on the shabby chic look. There are some very pretty rooms when you follow the various links to English country/shabby chic and Beach/shabby chic. (Images below via: HGTV blog)

Another favorite blog site is Glenda of The Paper Mulberry. Her recent post titled, “Rustic White”, contained images of rustic textures, mostly white, “breezy” and relaxed rooms. I love the idea of a simple cottage with my favorite things and little else. It holds the appeal of less is more and an uncluttered life. (Source of images below: The Paper Mulberry)

I’m personally not ready for the dramatic change but its fun to view these beautiful rooms and dream a little dream about a cottage in the Cottswold’s with hubby, my dogs and bare essentials designed in this style. What do you think, too stark, too spare? Let’s talk.

By the way…I stumbled upon a new site that is so much fun to visit each new post Heather Bullard Lifestyle Blog Besides being a contributing Editor to County Living Magazine she has started her own on-line magazine called Souvenir Magazine. You will get some great ideas for decor, dining, and DIY projects, and much more!

Below are a few images from the most recent issue:

{Garden, Home} Symmetry

31 Tuesday Jan 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Designer, Gardens, Trends

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symmetry

I waffle on the topic of symmetry because I see great examples of both symmetrical and asymmetrical gardens, furniture layouts, kitchen cupboard arrangements and accessories. I guess most of the time I’m most comfortable with symmetry, but there’s always an exception.

via

This (above) garden vista is symmetrical for the most part. The astilbe on the left and pittisporum shurb on the right are pretty and asymmetrical. The posts on the gate invite you into the formal garden space, so pretty.

Designer, Mary McDonald (via Veranda Magazine) says,

“I always like to pair very symmetrical elements with something that’s asymmetrical, because the symmetry cleans up the asymmetrical parts and keeps them from getting too crazy….You always want to make sure when you’re putting together a tablescape for a vignette that’s symmetrical…that you have groups of all different heights, because that creates an artistic sense of release.”

via

The above dining room is more symmetrical then not and so attractive with the matching candle holders on the buffet, the matching windows and window treatment with matching chairs in front are a nice back drop to the table adornments.

This is such a restful image…the simplicity and understated look of white fireplace, white chairs and throw and then the large, dark stained coffee table. Very nice.

Such a pretty library, one I would enjoy spending time in!

That makes sense to me. So today I’m posting beautiful examples of both. In the world of design there seems to be good argument for both asymmetrical features and symmetrical. No matter what your preference, there is attractive support for both.

Amy Meier Design

I love the matching lantern-style lights on each post over the bar…there are some positive asymmetrical features in the kitchen as well and it all works beautifully.

Atlanta Homes Magazine

Don’t you love the pair of arched cabinets at the end of the room? The beams in the kitchen and the credenza style cabinetry on the left side topped with shutters are such a wow factor for me.

Symmetry in the garden is always impressive when your speaking of a formal garden…the “juxtaposition” and “axis” conversation must have been lengthy in this garden.

Phoebe Howard Design

The above room is one of my favorite examples of a study in the beauty of asymmetrical design.

via decorpad

Love the matching towel bars in this bathroom.

A beautiful example of asymmetrical accessorizing.

Suzanne Kasler Design

Now this is commitment to {above} symmetry.

How do you feel about this topic? Do you need symmetry when decorating your home? Do you mix it up? I’d love to hear your ideas and thoughts on this topic.

{Home} 27 rooms

26 Thursday Jan 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Antiques, Collections & Accessories, Decorating, Designer, Trends

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27 favorites

It’s my birthday tomorrow and I knew I wanted to celebrate with you! I thought I’d post some of my favorite rooms (accumulated from my favorite blog sites, which accumulated them from their favorite blog sites, no doubt).

Barclay Butera

source unknown

I would post the number of rooms that correlate with my age but I’m afraid your (and my) computer would crash from the size and number of picture files so…since my birthday is on the 27^th of this month, I’ll show you 27 of my favorite rooms.

source unknown

Randy Boyd

Cote de Texas

Some of the images have appeared in earlier posts because I love the room(s) so much but that’s okay, right? It’s my birthday and I can be repetitive.

source unknown

Sorry, many of these images have been in my files since before my awareness of the importance of providing credit and links.

Southern Accents

In the spirit of 27 Dresses (did you see that movie?), and my birthday on the 27^th day of January I hope you enjoy.

Kristen Panitch

Jill Brinson

griege

House Beautiful {Slim Paley}

French Kissed

for the love of a house

SMW adventures of tartanscot

Badgley via Elle Decor

Douglas Friedman

Randy Boyd via Romantic Homes

Birch & Lily

adventures of tartanscot

Traditional Home

via

Thanks for making this a very fun birthday. I appreciate each and every reader, comment-leaver or not. 🙂

I’m visiting Sherry at No Minimalist Here, stop by.

{Home} Adieu Pierre Deux

03 Thursday Nov 2011

Posted by Karen B. in Decorating, Designer, Misc

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French design, Pierre Deux

This past June, Pierre Deux filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy; 22 Pierre Deux stores will ultimately close although some stores remain open to sell all remaining items in the store.

The brand has long been the go-to purveyor of French country style in the States. From their patterned duffel bag to the classic French provincial printed fabrics for chair cushions, lamp shades, desk accessories, upholstered furniture and wallpaper, they have given us a glimpse of life (as we imagine it) in the South of France. I was always drawn to their pewter frames and tableware, even though the cost was sometimes a little excessive in my opinion, but it was always the best of quality and beautiful in its simplicity.

A History of Pierre Deux

In 1967, a shop opened in Greenwich Village in New York City that would soon bring the beauty of French Country decor to America. The shop was opened by two men: Pierre Le Vec, an American of French background, and Pierre Moulin, a native Frenchman. Their passion for French art de vivre and the French country way of life drove them to establish Pierre Deux as a name synonymous with French Country décor in America.

Their antique furniture imported from the provinces sold well, but the curtains, pillows and fabrics they used to accent the furniture sold spectacularly. The business evolved to include décor for every room in the house. With guidance from our President and Creative Director, Hedwige Cointreau de Bouteville, and her husband, André Cointreau, the President of Le Cordon Bleu, America has rediscovered that the French Country style is a centuries-old one that is perfectly suited to adding warmth, charm and sophistication; the perfect complement to the American home.

It would appear you can still buy their wallpaper and fabrics from a variety of vendors that sell it. I’m not sure if they will continue to produce the line of these items, it sounds like they are financially upside down, but it would be nice if one could still get the timeless provincial fabrics.

But with fierce competition in the market place via sources like eBay (for French antiques and decorative accessories), lots of online sources like Etsy, and a host of independent business people selling authentic French accents via their blog site, the end may have been inevitable.

If you’ve never had the good fortune to visit My French Country Home blog site, do so, I guarantee you will enjoy the stories shared by Sharon Santoni of her life in Normandy on a farm with her family. In addition she has a Brocante where you can purchase wonderful French items, such as these wonderful candelabras, antique confit jars, a French door bell, and the occasional novelty, an agricultural prize plaque.

~or~

French Garden House, a site that has new and old French items.

~or~

Griege is another wonderful blog site with the added benefit of shopping for beautiful French design just a click away.

That said, I will miss them (Pierre Duex). Not because I purchased so much from them, I truly thought so many items were overpriced for what they were, but because there was always something appealing about their stores. They did a wonderful job with the décor of each store. Once they closed the Orange County store, I only had opportunity to shop when visiting Carmel, California. The store in Carmel, before it moved to a much larger site, had a little French garden area where they sold an outdoor furniture line (I don’t believe it was their brand, but it was charming and suited a cottage garden). I never drove into Los Angeles to shop the store located there.

So, I’ll miss you Pierre Deux and think fondly of your style when your name comes up. Au revoir, dear friend.

{Thank you, Linda, for requesting this post, it was fun!}

I’m joining Sherry at No Minimalist Here for her Open House Party. Be sure to stop by.

{Home} It’s a man’s world

13 Thursday Oct 2011

Posted by Karen B. in Antiques, Collections & Accessories, Decorating, Designer, Fall Entertaining and Decorations, Family

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Ralph Lauren, tailored

I am often drawn to what some would call masculine lines of design, cars are one example. As a teenager I was into cars, I assume it was my generation and growing up in Southern California. My high school parking lot was filled with cars such as the ’57 Chevy and Pontiac GTO. Nothing as cool as the cars above!

Ralph Lauren Brookfield collection

In fashion the “preppy” trend captured my comfort zone and I’ve dressed in fairly tailored clothing ever since. (Am I beginning to sound dull or overly masculine?) I am definitely girly in lots of ways, but where design is concerned I truly love fairly tailored lines. This hasn’t always been the case. There was a time in the 80’s when cabbage rose chintz and even pink walls were the look, but after raising 2 sons and living with a guy’s guy husband, I’ve made the transition.

Pamela Pierce

After I was married I noticed that I leaned towards a more “gentleman’s club” style decor. I like English country style and even though that style (at one time) included flowery chintz fabrics, it was the warm oak paneling and barley twist legs of a table that captured my attention. On my first trip to England we frequented pubs and cafes that were the very epitome of what I would call a masculine-looking design style.

via House to Home

via Elle Decor

via New Victorian Ruralist (Natasha Louise King)

A few years back I purchased an antique pair of antlers that, for me, add to the warm, English decor that I love. I’ve noticed an increased use of antlers in beautifully designed rooms, and while I know and understand the reason some people find it disgusting to display dead animal parts of any kind (for the record, I couldn’t hunt a furry creature if my survival depended on it), I must say I think it’s a nice accent!

via Traditional Home

via Elle Decor

via For the Love of a House

Ralph Lauren seems to capture the ideal “masculine” look with his rooms and lifestyle accessories. Maybe it’s a look that some would identify as an upper crust, blue-blood, tailored, thoroughbred, East coast vibe. In any event, I’m in Southern California and I’m on board with the look.

Ralph Lauren Brookfield collection

I’ve linked up with No Minimalist Here today, visit her site, it’s wonderful

What are your go-to styles for life? Is it a “man’s world” or are we just letting them think it is!

{Garden Home and Party} Fall installment #2

29 Thursday Sep 2011

Posted by Karen B. in Collections & Accessories, Designer, Fall Entertaining and Decorations, Food

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fall

By now, hopefully you’ve invited fall into your home and heart! You’ve gotten into the spirit of the season and maybe grudgingly admitted that the fresh, crisp air invigorates you.

via Ralph Lauren

Maybe you’ve started a good book and have plans for many cozy weekends relaxing in front of the fire with said book.

via Under Spanish Moss

Maybe you’ve decided to spend your fall season in Europe…me too! {I wish}.

Maybe a trip to Napa Valley, California is in the cards. What a beautiful time of the year to head up there. If you go, email me and I’ll send you some information on some of my favorite wineries and shopping.

Maybe you’re taking long walks down a country lane…boy, do I ever wish our “lane” looked like this!

Whatever fall has in store for you, I wish you all of the seasons best and I hope you are enjoying this time, a favorite of mine!

{Garden, Home and Party} Exciting news…an engagement

20 Tuesday Sep 2011

Posted by Karen B. in Designer, Entertaining, Family, Flowers, Party Planning, Personal Information, Traditions, Trends

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weddings

Friends and readers (one in the same) will know that hubby and I have 2 sons…one is happily married and living with his lovely wife, and my very first granddaughter, in Austin. Son #2 just proposed and she said “yes”! We’re thrilled for many reasons, not the least of which is we love this girl and believe she and Son #2 are a good match. Reason number 2, at least for me, is we get to be a part of planning a wedding! Weddings encompass all manner of great things where HOME is concerned and can cross over into GARDEN and certainly PARTY.

via 100 Layer Cake

As I was typing those very words one of my favorite quotes from one of my all-time favorite movies came to mind. Father of the Bride, 1991, staring Steve Martin and Diane Keaton, when George Banks (Steve Martin’s character) says,

“I used to think a wedding was a simple affair. Boy and girl meet, they fall in love, he buys a ring, she buys a dress, they say I do. I was wrong. That’s getting married. A wedding is an entirely different proposition.

I know. I’ve just been through one. Not my own, my daughter’s. Annie Banks Mackenzie. That’s her married name: Mackenzie. You fathers will understand. You have a little girl. An adorable little girl who looks up to you and adores you in a way you could never have imagined. I remember how her little hand used to fit inside mine. Then comes the day when she wants to get her ears pierced, and wants you to drop her off a block before the movie theater. From that moment on you’re in a constant panic. You worry about her meeting the wrong kind of guy, the kind of guy who only wants one thing, and you know exactly what that one thing is, because it’s the same thing you wanted when you were their age. Then, you stop worrying about her meeting the wrong guy, and you worry about her meeting the right guy. That’s the greatest fear of all, because, then you lose her. It was just six months ago that that happened here. Just six months ago, that the storm broke.”

There are so many options for planning and inspiration, from the ring to the reception, the world wide web now hosts blog sites that feature amazing ideas for every tiny detail of the big event. As I perused sites that came recommended, my head began swimming. I was overwhelmed with beautiful images of every imaginable event and all the trimmings that are tied to a wedding, no matter how small and simple.

Snippet & Ink is such a fun blog site where any upcoming bride, or groom for that matter, can find real wedding photos as well as Inspiration Boards created by Snippet & Ink’s author, Kathryn.

In fact, when Son #1 got married bride-to-be choose a seaside location and desired a “family only” wedding. At first I was slightly disappointed because I had hoped to share the day with close friends but in the end, this tiny 11 person wedding was so beautiful and intimate I was happy our DIL had wished for it. We later hosted a reception for dear friends and enjoyed celebrating the marriage a couple of months later.

My point, although you may be wondering at this point if I have one, is that the wedding of Son #1 and now DIL, took nearly as much planning as a larger version would have. You still plan for invitations, flowers, food, table settings, music, photographer and all the icing that goes on wedding cakes and receptions.

Above images: (left) Style me Pretty; (right) 100 Layer Cake

So, we’re off to begin what I believe will be a bonding experience for me with my future DIL #2. I’ll keep you posted. We are hosting an engagement party at our home and shopping invitations has begun.

via tiny prints (sample)

via Style me Pretty

{Home}Another cottage to love by Bill Ingram Architect

03 Wednesday Aug 2011

Posted by Karen B. in Architects & Builders, Decorating, Designer

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Architect, Bill Ingram, cottages

Having just returned from Austin I thought I’d post this story I’ve been working on featuring the Birmingham architect, Bill Ingram. I hope to have some exciting new things to ramble on about Texas, and family.

This story began with the July/August issue of House Beautiful and morphed into features about the talented Bill Ingram, Architect from 3 different magazines…

I’ve grown to love House Beautiful magazine again. Unbeknownst to the magazine, we had a falling out several years ago when they seemed to lose their way and were publishing images of homes that held no appeal for me.

The July/August issue is one of my favorites. It’s their annual small spaces issue. It is such a testament of good design to see what so many talented designers can do with limited square footage. I live in 1,725 square feet of space and am always open to new ideas for storage and décor and have been inspired by some of the small homes.

I’ve chatted about my love of cottages before. The attraction may be a direct result of my living in a small home but there is something so cozy about small spaces that live large. For more about my love of cottages and their features visit HERE, HERE and HERE.

But it was definitely thunder bolt city (do you remember that line from Four Weddings and a Funeral?) when a 12-page spread on a 1,400 square foot cottage in Mountain Brook village, Birmingham, Alabama caught my eye. The interior design is by talented architect, Bill Ingram.

How stylish is this, cool car and talented architect.

I love the knot garden in lieu of lawn in the front yard of this perfect cottage.

Not to start with a bathroom, but this is a particularly well-designed bath and I’m in the midst of remodeling our guest bathroom so I’ve got bathroom design on the brain.

This small kitchen has been designed to flow beautifully into the living room. Well designed small spaces utilize every available inch of the house and this cottage works really well…it lives large.

Each room in the House Beautiful issue featured clever use of the small space and provided me with inspiration for my own cottage.

So I began to do a bit of reading about him and got lost in Google finding additional features in Southern Accents and Country Living magazines.

In addition I found this quote on his philosophy:

“My philosophy is: When you see something perfect, buy it. If you don’t have a place for it, you’re going to have to force yourself. You’ll wind up with a house full of things you love.” -Bill Ingram

Sound advice and when I haven’t followed something along those lines I’ve often wondered why I bought the item, does that ever happen to you?

If you visit Bill Ingram Architect take the time to read his view on lifestyle. It’s no wonder his design appeals to so many, he speaks of simplicity “papers the senses, does not overload”. Aren’t we all seeking that peace? He believes in the marriage of lovely old things with a restrained “modern”. Juxtaposition, its what intrigues us in design when we happen upon it.

One of his houses located on Lake Martin was featured some time ago in Southern Accents {sadly this magazine is no longer published}.

This house isn’t quite a small as his Mountain Brook house but it isn’t huge and I love the open feel to the great room and kitchen. High ceilings do an amazing job of giving the space an open, airy feel.

Love the chandelier and the chairs.

Lunch on the veranda? Yes, please.

After finding these images I continued to search and discovered a cottage in Alabama that Bill Ingram and designer, Betsy Brown had a hand in. The article is featured in the 2007 Country Living magazine (another one bites the dust. :-() Maybe it was the Christmas decorations but I loved the charm of this home as well. So many cottages, so little time.

And lest you think Bill Ingram is king of cottage design, here are some of his other designs from his website…

A Bill Ingram Colonial Revival

Bill Ingram - English Style

Designer: Ellen O’Neill

24 Friday Jun 2011

Posted by Karen B. in Decorating, Designer

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Ellen O'Neill

Does this ever happen to you? You see a home featured in a magazine and it immediately appeals to you. You just know you’d enjoy living in a space designed just like it. Okay, maybe you wouldn’t want to live in the geographical area the home is located in, but you feel a kindred spirit with the designer because the home holds such appeal for you.

That happens to me all the time and while the ‘favorite homes’ file is thick, the feeling is the same. The furnishings, accessories and details in the design are just the way you like them. This happened to me (again) with Ellen O’ Neill, one of interior design’s Leading Style Makers, leading lady at New York’s St. Regis Hotel, and the woman behind Ralph Lauren. House Beautiful featured her Bridgehampton, NY country house and later did a piece on her studio apartment located in Gramercy Park, NY last year and it was love at first site.

Ellen O’Neill’s country house was featured a couple of years ago by House Beautiful. The charming home is located in Bridghampton, New York features a country red and white decor and exudes such an inviting atmosphere. One can rent the home HERE. ln her interview with Christine Pittel Ms. O’Neill explained that the red and white theme resulted in an old metal factory table with peeling red paint she found at a Paris flea market. She built the color theme around that. The designer believes that things that are weather-worn give a room character. It’s that philosophy that resonates with anyone that delights in flea market finds and antiques.

Her interview by Carol Prisant was entertaining and made her sound so well grounded. I know, I’m beginning to sound like one of the celebrity fans that feel like they are “friends” with their favorite celebrity. Guilty as charged, sometimes.

A doggie makes such a nice decorator item!

The faded stripes on the sofa only add to the charm of this space. This is a getaway house so it shouldn’t be too perfect.

All photos for the Bridgehampton house by John Kernick for House Beautiful

The toile and striped fabrics are inspired. Ms. O’Neill said she likes it to feel comfortable, not too precious for use!

Above images are “country mouse” abode, below are “city mouse”…

Ellen O’Neill told HB (Carol Prisant) that when she bought she was ready for a single room studio. She had purchased a home in the country and felt she only needed a small space in town. When she saw the ad that read, “One room with balcony overlooking Gramercy Park, fireplace, outstanding views, key to park,” she was sold. For those of you who didn’t know this (moi), Gramercy Park has its own private park, very much like the private parks in London. {Remember the scene in Notting Hill when Julia Roberts jumps the fence of a private park, with the reluctant Hugh Grant?} The area, built in 1830, is described as possibly the most gorgeous square in New York. One of my favorite parts of the interview with Prisant was when Ms. O’Neill explained that in preparation for the move to the studio apartment she weeded and pared down her inventory of belongings…she said that she lasted about 4 days in her new studio with her minimalist approach. She explained, “I felt so naket, it was almost like I didn’t have clothes on. I really needed my paper and things.” I totally relate, must have my stuff!

All photos for O’Neill’s studio apartment by Thomas Loof for House beautiful.

Ms. O’Neill says that her studio has actually slept 5 using some blow up beds. “There’s so much space that I can have a cat and dog living with me, and relatives staying over”.

This quote was one of the reasons I felt sure I’d like this designer, “I like a sense of humanity in a home. I’ve tried not to like stuff, but face it… I just like stuff.”