Nature Inspired Modern Spaces

Happy Monday and a warm welcome to Joanna, a writer for Design Shuffle, a premier online portal for interior designers to share their work and for design enthusiasts to enjoy. Take it away, Joanna...

Luckily, I spend my days writing about and collecting images of the most beautiful interiors to share with blog readers like you. Thanks to Stephanie Bradshaw for letting me share a few of my favorite "nature inspired modern spaces". I hope they inspire some interior design ideas of your own!

With a reputation for being cold and severe, modern decor has gotten a bad rap. The following rooms show how bringing natural elements indoors can make any space welcoming and warm. With earthy colors, layered textures and warm surfaces, these rooms invite you to have a seat and stay awhile.

Talk about bringing the outdoors inside; this living room features an enormous forest mural. The solid mossy green sofa and Flokati rug add to the nature inspired feel.

Love, love, love the tree print on the bedding! The black and white contrast plays nicely off the natural wood tones. The three little birdies are too cute.

The living room design ideas are abundant in this inspiration. The pink tree art creates an unexpected focal point in this natural hued living room. Layers of texture (grass cloth on walls, linen covered sofas, wicker accents, smooth wood floors) add interest to the room's subdued colors.

A beach house opens its windows wide to the beauty of the outdoors. No matter whether it is cold and wintery or warm and summery, the owners are sure to enjoy the view.

Crisp white and chocolate brown create a natural color palette for this room's star attraction; the outdoor view. The room is so open above the work areas that I wouldn't even mind doing the dishes in this space.

I've run across this dining room light fixture before, but really like it in this space.

Looking for nature-inspired bathroom designs? Warm honey wood floors give this spa-like space a nice foundation for all of its natural surfaces from the stone soaking tub to the vessel sink.

This stunning lodge style is an updated modern version of rustic woodsy dÈcor. The dining chairs with their curvy backs are a particular favorite.  Earth tones give this modern living space a relaxed feel. The color palette reminds me of a crisp fall day walking through fallen leaves. Does it give you any nature inspired decorating ideas?

Images 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

Interior Inspiration - C is for...

CHANDELIERS!  
While this popular lighting option is quite practical, yes (and often the focal point of any space), it also allows you to make just about any statement you choose.  Whether you fancy feathers or can't get enough of our beloved brights, there's sure to be an option just for you and your space.  There is no better finishing touch to any room or party than the lighting itself.  It sets the tone for the design and the mood as well.  Do you prefer one big statement piece or perhaps a grouping of smaller fixtures?  Whether rustic, vintage, classic or glam, each of these perfectly complete the spaces which they adorn.

There are so many lighting options out there and selecting the perfect one is a matter of personal preference.  Here at the studio, we love all of these and fortunately don't have to choose just one (remember we decorate for a living).  I think however, I am still secretly coveting this one for my apartment dining room...

* Images 1-3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

NEW SERIES - Interior Inspiration - A is for...

A new year means a NEW SERIES on the blog and I have to admit I am pretty excited about this one.  Last week I was having a temporary design block, so I started making an A-Z list of the interior trends I am loving at the moment.  Just that exercise in and of itself got me out of my funk and I am happy to report I am back in the saddle, crazy for A.R.T!

Now I realize this word is quite subjective.  What one sees as art versus another can be tricky.  So I am going to keep this simple. Whether you like your paintings big or small, in a group or all alone on a wall (I sounded a little like Dr. Suess there for a moment), to me they are always the cherry on top of any interior and bring so much life to a space.  Sculptures and photographs are some of my favorites to include in this category.  Here are just a few statement pieces and/or collections that have me wanting to redecorate every room in my house...

White walls and large scale imagery are the focal point to these gorgeous spaces.  Using a mirror to reflect art on the opposite wall is another great design trick to make your small space seem larger.  I love the round mirror reflecting the photograph and architecture from across the room.

Color my world with a large scale painting that simply rocks. Hands down.

Abstract or realistic? Bold, dramatic, dewy or dreamy?

Looking for something a little outside the box?  These spheres are a fun and creative alternative adding texture and dimension to their respective spaces.

Collections big and small, white or bright, vintage, modern, traditional or edgy.  What speaks to you?

This post could go on and on with images of ART I LOVE.  I am always pouring over the pages of books and magazines inspired by art in fashion, travel, photography, events and interiors.  Want to peek at a little more of my design inspiration?  If you're anything like me, your walls are always evolving...

Images 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. 6, 7, 8, 9-11

Feathered Fun in NYC!

On Monday of this week I treated my design team (minus one intern-we missed you Kelsey) to a quick trip to New York City for a day of inspiration, an amazing Italian lunch (here) and of course a little holiday shopping.  If you read my 2011 Holiday Gift Guide you may have noticed I had one of these beauties (#7) on my list and am still dying for an off white one to go in the dining room of my apartment. Upon my arrival in the city, I received a surprise phone call telling me that my new friend, Kim from Authentic Africa, would be in the area "in 20 minutes" and was willing to give me a peek at her current inventory.  I couldn't have been more delighted and literally ended up meeting her in Manhattan within minutes of the call.  She rolled up in her white van, pretty plumes in hand, and I couldn't resist this colorful photo op to boot!

What is a juju hat you ask?  Here's a little HISTORY of the "Cameroon Juju Hat" for those of you that are not familiar with this designer's delight.  

Unfortunately, I didn't take one home this week (although the quality of these brightly colored pieces was incredible in person) and at this point I doubt one is going to find its way under my tree this Christmas. I have, however, asked "Santa" to place my name on the wait list for an off white one come early 2012!  

Fingers crossed,

stephanie