Reader request - purple

Today's reader request comes from Kate: "I'm moving to Florence, Italy in January (so exciting!) and the apartment we are renting is partially furnished. In the living area there are -- gulp -- two purple velvet armchairs and a purple sofa. They are in great shape and high quality pieces, I just never thought I'd be living with so much purple! I've read enough design blogs to know there has got to be a design solution to tame and balance the colors." My 2 cents = embrace the purple! I wouldn't try to tame the purple because why not have fun with it (plus I think it could easily look like you're trying to hard to make the purple disappear). If you're allowed to paint I'd either paint the walls (or at least the main wall) the same purple as the furniture or a lighter, lavendar shade. (If you can't paint then I'd get a huge canvas and a couple cans of purple paint and do some funky simple art). Dark charcoal walls, purple velvet drapes would be hot. Accessorize with purple, and black and white geometric patterns. Below are some photos I found of living rooms with purpley sofas/chairs, and then a few photos where bold coloured furniture matches wall colour. (If you have ideas for Kate please drop a comment!)

Home & Decor
Sköna hem
Alex Papachristidis
Steven Gambrel
Shoot Factory
Côté Maison
Designers Guild
heyhome
Andrea Garuti

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Reader request - a modern dilemma

Today's reader request comes from Hillary: "I've recently been gifted a Corbusier chaise lounge. (I know, right?) It's fantastic, but I'm really having a hard time incorporating it into my existing surroundings. My partner and I have been living together for about 6 months now and because we're in India (not my native place) and I moved here two years ago with only a backpack and he's living on his own for the first time after college, we have no other furniture. Well, not none. We have Indian mattresses spread on the floor covered with pretty fabrics for seating, and an old door (surrounded by more mattresses) for a dining table. How can I start to meld these two seemingly polar-opposite styles? I think what will help is that soon I am inheriting an old chair and pouf from my boss that I can reupholster and paint black. Do you know of any good examples of successfully combining something so high-modern with a surrounding that is so... not high-modern?" Talk about a SWEET gift! (The first photo below is of the chaise Hillary is referring to). What I really love seeing in spaces is a mix of different styles because it's unexpected, interesting and quirky. So perhaps most people would not think to pair a Corbusier chaise lounge with Indian mattresses, but WORK IT GIRL! I would do something like this: Pick up a couple small sheepskin rugs (faux if possible) and throw one on the mattresses and one on the chaise. Stick a pile of Indian covered pillows next to the chaise, then add some simple modern side tables on either side of the mattresses (Kartell Componibili storage units would be cute). Something along those lines, where the Indian/ethnic and modern items are blended together. Based on that idea, below are some photos of spaces that made me think of your dilemma, where I can see both that chaise and Indian mattresses/fabrics working. (Hillary, do send us photos when you think you've got it figured out - we'd love to see what you come up with.)

InsideHomePage
Living Etc.
The Selby
Sköna hem
Bolig Magasinet
Jordi Canosa
Mail Online
Lonny

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Reader request - stone fireplace

Today's reader request comes from Jennifer: "I am in need of some help with my large stone fire place! Our fire place is the focal point of a fairly large room. It is freestanding and it is field stone that has been painted white. The room has rough wood beams and trim that has also been painted white (by previous owners). I am trying to put the room together. I'd like to see some images of furnishings in rooms that have large stone fireplaces. (I am trying to figure out what kind of furniture will go best with it.)" Below is a mix of all sorts of stone fireplaces because I could not find enough with field stone and I figured why not take this opportunity to showcase all kinds of stone. IMHO, if it's painted white I think you can pretty much go with anything. I vote for mid-century modern (see the Lili Abir Regen photo below), or a casual rustic vibe (like the Cdn H&H photo). Whatever you choose Jennifer, you're lucky that you have a fireplace. I had one in my last house and sooooo miss it.

Aidlin Darling Design	Joe Schmelzer
Jonny Valiant	Eric Piasecki
House of Pictures	Jordi Canosa
Jennifer Worts	Emily Summers
Canadian House & Home	Francesco Bittichesu

Lili Abir Regen
Agnes Bourne

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Reader request - pendant light

Today's reader request comes from Sandy: "Now I have the following "problem": I'm about to move into my first own flat and am searching desperately for an (affordable) ceiling but modern lamp. The furniture is at the moment made from pine in the natural color but I will eventually glaze it white and add some stylish accessories so that it will turn into french style with some modern pieces (side table, chairs, lamps). So the lamps should be modern (60ies), unfortunately I have only found verner panton to be likable and out of production or affordability. Do you have some pics or ideas of studio flats with ceiling lights, which are modern, that you could share?" Sandy's request is a tad specific, so I searched through my photo stash and found some photos of some pendants that I think look fantastic, and many of which could either be DIY projects or purchased fairly inexpensively, and aren't necessarily 60s era (why limit yourself?). I really do think if there is a really tight budget that this is a PERFECT opportunity for a DIY. For example, check Ikea as they always have the best lighting - but maybe think outside the box a bit in that case so your choice is not the same as a zillion other people with the same light fixture. Tomorrow I will be posting a reader's home where she created a pendant light out of several Ikea fixtures wired together. Or perhaps check out your local thrift store for a lampshade, where you can rip off the fabric and just have the "cage" hanging. (I have done that recently to a lampshade I bought for a few bucks at Habitat for Humanity, and plan to hang it on one side of my sofa). Or there is this gorgeous DIY light project that Grace blogged yesterday:

I'd also suggest checking out Etsy because I am always on the hunt for funky lighting and they have TONS of handmade light fixtures at great prices. But first, some inspiration for you Sandy, that I think will give you lots of ideas for your dilemma.

Hus & Hem	Rachael Smith
design*sponge	design*sponge
Susanna Zacke	Simon Brown
design*sponge	Hus & Hem
Mad og Bolig	Schappacher White

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Oksana needs your help

We received a request for help recently from Oksana: "I'm struggling in decorating living area in my townhouse. Basically, my living room is a loft type/open space with the kitchen area at the end. I have a sofa (contemporary) and would like to buy a chair (or chairs) or something else that will provide more seating space, look interesting, and feel comfortable. I'd appreciate any ideas and suggestions." Photos of Oksana's space are below, and my suggestions are after the jump.

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