Architecturally Interesting: Wainscoting

I was reminded of my huge crush on wainscoting a few days ago, when a friend sent me a link of a house she had viewed. Foyer envy? I have it.

You see, I didn't see the oppressive oak paneling, nor did I acknowledge the dated brass chandelier or dark red carpet, because all I could see was this:

Traditional Staircase design by San Francisco Architect FGY Architects

Bright and inviting, traditional, yet current - the above image proves that wainscoting doesn't have to be old fashioned or fuddy duddy.

There's something about the crisp detailing that adds impact to a space, and creates a finished aesthetic - in addition to drawing the eye up.

Originally used as insulation and a way of protecting walls from damp, the architectural element has existed for centuries. Wainscoting is mostly decorative now, and is a great way to add dimension to any space.

Here are more of my favourite examples:

Modern Living Room design by Nashville Interior Designer Beckwith Interiors

Contemporary Home Office design by Los Angeles Photographer Erika Bierman Photography

Traditional Kids design by Chicago Architect SPACE Architects + Planners

Contemporary Dining Room design by Austin Architect Tim Cuppett Architects

Traditional Bedroom design by Cincinnati Interior Designer Karen Spiritoso Home Designs By Karen

via Homestork

via Homestork

Traditional Hall design by Austin Architect Tim Cuppett Architects

Add a dose of strong colour - either on or above the wainscot, and a more modern look is achieved.

Traditional Staircase design by Austin Architect Tim Cuppett Architects

Contemporary Dining Room design by Dallas Interior Designer Beth Dotolo, RID, ASID

via Apartment Therapy

Surprisingly, wainscoting is relatively simple and inexpensive to add to walls. So if you're inspired and would like to add a bit of architectural interest to one of your rooms, this tutorial is a great place to start.

Winter White Rooms

Waking up in London this morning, one could be forgiven for thinking it was Narnia, thanks to the steady snowfall and wintery blanket it created overnight.

Despite my many years in London, I remain an island girl at heart, and the novelty of snow has never quite worn off.

Peering out of the window behind my bed this morning, I was met with the view of swirling flakes and a distinct feeling of being trapped in a snow globe - understandable, given that I was still half asleep. Within seconds though, I was in the lounge, torso hanging out of our large sash window snapping photos, much to the dismay of my boyfriend.

Inspired by this ethereal environment, I began to imagine the setting as a living room, and then a bedroom, and soon my thoughts snowballed (see what I did there?) into this very post.

Here is a compilation of some of my favourite white spaces, as well as tips to keep in mind when creating a winter wonderland room of your own.

1. Mix your whites. Pairing cool bright whites with warm beige shades creates variation, and prevents the space feeling flat.

via Lonny

via Busy Being Fabulous

2. Add a little black for contrast and depth.

via Apartment Therapy

via Obsessions of a Dangerous Mind

via Lonny

3. Touches of texture in the form of baskets, wood grain, or fur lend a huge hand in warming up the space.

via Heart Home

via House to Home

via 0509 Ravenous

 Here's what I would do, if we lived in a budget free world:

Tripod Floor Lamp, West Elm £182.26. Lampert Tufted Sofa, Jonathon Adler £2,195. Meurice Chandelier, YLiving $894.30. Dalton Coffee Table, Arhaus $799. RAR Rocker, Haus £275.60. Shag Pouf, Calypso St. Barth $425. Cow Hide Rug, Toast £265. Tarnby Rug, Ikea, £80

Casual Traditional

I mentioned here last week that a freelance project I had been working on had been put on hold due to lack of planning consent. After some consideration, I thought I would share a snippet of that project here with you.

My client knew exactly the look he liked, and after a couple weeks of correspondence and a site visit, I coined his style "casual traditional" (which was also the title of the initial concept/mood board I sent to him).

I like to think of this style as Traditional: After a Few Cosmopolitans. For instance, think moulding and chair rails, with the added twist of modern touches, mismatched chairs or perhaps an african juju hat. It's grown up and sophisticated - yet comfortable with an unexpected touch of whimsy...a relaxed traditional.

Here are a few examples.

via unknown

via unknown

via FifiCheek

via Lonny

As for my client's lounge, my proposal ended up looking like this:

 Fingers crossed we can resume the project in the near future...

Here's to the New Year

Well...that was fast. One minute I was feasting on nutritious meals of Belgian chocolate and prosecco, and the next I was back at work eating soup for lunch and wondering if I was imagining that extra bulge in my midsection.

Christmas and New Year went by ridiculously fast, and I have to admit - it was nice to take a breather and not focus on anything.

Last year I went home to the Bahamas - boyfriend in tow, where we spent 3 weeks island hopping, drinking rum on the beach, and even managed to squeeze in a weekend in Miami.

This year however, we stayed in the UK and spent some time with my boyfriend's family in Stamford, a lovely market town just an hour away from London via Kings Cross.

We in traded pig swimming excursions for wellie clad* long country walks, and evenings in the pub drinking hot mulled cider.

Despite my love of meat, (venison, lamb, beef - you name it) I'm a sucker for for farm animals, so a long walk through Stamford and Burghley Park (on the one day it didn't rain!) was probably the highlight of my holiday.

The flooded meadows in Stamford Town

Burghley Park

Burghley Park

Burghley Park

Burghley Park

Burghley Park

Burghley House

Since we've returned to London and began settling back into a routine (ie. eating balanced meals that don't solely consist of the holy trinity - cheese/wine/chocolate), I've started to think about some goals for this year, which I decided to share here in hopes that it would encourage me to pull my finger out and make it happen.

In addition to continuing to write this blog which I look forward to every weekend, I really want to focus on two things:

Firstly I would like to get a freelance project going (and share here of course). Due to lack of planning consent, my last project was put on hold and I'm seriously starting to get that itchy, creatively stifled feeling.

The other focus for me this year is the Etsy shop.

My goal is to introduce a more items to the shop, which I have already began working towards. I'm hoping to list a 2013 calendar in the next few days and today you get to have the first peek!

 

 

 

So here's to 2013 - hoping that it will be a great one...and any feedback regarding the calendar would be greatly appreciated!

*[Note to self: standing in a cold deep puddle is not the best way to discover that your wellies have a hole.]