Design crew

Got a problem? Need some help? Just standing there shaking your head? Don't know what to do? You're not alone. Send us a link to photos of your design quandary and let the Desire to Inspire design crew help you .... that's you lot ... the readers! Kristin needs your help this week. She's a woman with strong ideas on a mission. I know you'll love giving your 2 cents worth :)

I just moved from a small one-bedroom apartment in Manhattan to a 3 bedroom house in Denver.  Luckily, my mom is selling her house and I was also to take some furniture with me.  My design dilemma comes to us in the shape of an awkward living room.  The living room is long and narrow.  The entry from the front door is smack in the middle and located on the walls on either side of the entrance are long radiators (i.e. no furniture along one of the two longest walls in the room.)  The other long wall is closed with the exception of the entryway into the dining room (about 12 ft wide).  The two shorter walls have a fireplace and staircases (one upstairs and one to basement), respectively.  What a challenge! 

I have decided to create two seating areas separated by the entryway.  However, in order to help the room flow, I would like to tie them together (using the existing furniture I have from Manhattan and from my mom - I'm on a budget) by using a navy/lilac color palette.  I have the basics - a neutral/ivory sofa, a navy sofa (a very dark ink color), a brown leather chair, a marble top coffee table with a walnut base and disparate wooden side tables. 

I discovered a local upholsterer who is selling two British cane chairs.  She will reupholster them in any fabric I choose (the frame finish can also be customized).  They will be located next to the navy sofa (the ivory sofa, leather chair and marble top table comprise the other seating area in the room).  As everything in the room is solid, I would like to introduce a lilac print.  I'm looking for a grayish-lilac or khaki-lilac, something neutral to play against the navy.

To tie it all together, I eventually want to buy two matching area rugs and to use throw pillows, throw blankets, curtains etc to help spread the color palette throughout the room.  Does anyone have any navy/lilac inspiration for me?  Also, can anyone recommend an affordable lilac fabric for the chairs?  I've been told that lilac is not a popular color by every single fabric store in Denver (including the Design Center!)

And here is what she has to work with.

  

  

  

   

Reader request - patterned sofas

We received this reader request some time ago from Charly: I am considering a new sofa that is covered with a crazy printed fabric.  It is totally amazing but also quite intimidating for me in my small rental apartment that I am just beginning to decorate. Before I take the plunge, I am trying to find images of printed couches to help me decide if I can make it work.  Do you have any images of sofas and couches with colorful and/or busy prints on them for inspiration? Since it's been so long Charly has likely already chosen her sofa but I was curious to see what photos I could find in my stash of patterned sofas, as they certainly are not everyone's first choice for such a substantial piece of furniture. But why not - you only live once!

Elle Decor
Hus & Hem
Todd Alexander Romano
Hus & Hem
At Home Interior Design
design*sponge

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Honeymoon

It's my niece's wedding tomorrow. I thought I'd give her a virtual honeymoon. Of course I went to Welcome Beyond to find the perfect boutique hotel. How about Ratua Private Island? Seriously sexy. Seriously simple. Seriously the perfect spot for the perfect honeymoon. Congratulations Jane and Chris! You'll just need to pack some swimmers, sarong and maybe a t-shirt?

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Maggie's Seattle apartment

Maggie (of the blog Maggie Rose) wrote us wanting to share her home with our readers. What makes her submission extra special is that she just did what I really wish I had the balls to do. She is leaving her day job in order to pursue what she is really passionate about - interior design. Here's the scoop from Maggie:
My boyfriend, kitty and I live in a 1907 house turned into apartments and live in the upstairs two-bedroom unit. We've been renting this place for about a year and a half. It's located in the beautiful Queen Anne neighborhood of Seattle, just north of downtown. Many of the pieces in our home are hand-me-downs and budget finds, but I've brought natural elements into each of the spaces along with pretty textiles and some old-fashioned DIY to make it feel like our home. So if you live in the Seattle area and need some decorating help, give talented Maggie a shout!

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A bedroom makeover

This inspiring bedroom makeover comes from French blogger Vincent Layerle...
One of my friends asked me if I could do something with his really old-fashioned bedroom... and of course, I have said YES ! It was a real pleasure for me to try to make this room something special for him. A place where he could sleep peacefully, enjoy watching his favorites movies or just work easier than he did when his Mac was on a tea table (yes, it was exactly like that before I came)... He also wanted more storage units... Yes this friend was very hard to please!

So I have pulled my socks up and I have first built a complete bed... It looks like a platform covered by a parquet floor bleached in a scandinavian way... and he has now a huge drawer to put in all his stuffs... (around 6*6 ft)... To make it cozier I have installed two wool curtains,... He has told me when he closes them, he feels exactly like he was in a boat cabin... and he really likes boats... so a good point for me !
For the bedhead, I have just used 3 Lack tabletops from Ikea. The wallpaper has been found on the french website Elitis. There is an amazing Ikea floor lamp too, just beside the bench storage that I have built like a big boy. 'How' you will ask me (or not... but I will still tell you...) : 6 wood planks covered with an old piece of fabric (found on a deck chair)... Yes it's really easy and yes I am the king of recycling...
The small console-desk has been created using an Ikea Expedit bookshelf...
Finally, the fabulous checked cushions have been created by my dear friend 'Mademoiselle Dimanche', a french fabric designer that I love so much ! (here is her website ... sure you will love too !)

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