Show & Tell: 10 Pretty Rooms to Peruse

Project 365, Day 224/365

Some days, you just want to look at pretty things, yeah? I know I do. One of my regular pastimes is bookmarking rooms that make me stop and stare, only to almost never go back and look at them ever again, unless by accident. So instead, I’m going to share the last 10 rooms I’ve bookmarked (on Instagram) so they don’t go into a digital folder to die and be forgotten. Come along with me as I admire some very well designed rooms:

Let’s start things off with this happy nugget (the daybed is pretty cute, too). If you read this post, you know how I feel about window seats, and while this isn’t built in necessarily, it’s a great way to get the vibe with a piece that’s movable/changeable if need be. I also think shades are underrated window treatments, as most often, we run to curtains for softness and texture, but sometimes, you just don’t need all that fabric.

I originally bookmarked this image because of the shade of green. It’s not one I see used often (cooler-toned greens are more “in” these days, likely because they are easier to use), but it’s done so well. The copper accents, orange-y wood side table and black accents really balance the yellow undertones of the wall (plus, I just love how it’s cloaked across the wall, baseboards, and moldings).

This is a similar palette, one I’ve shared numerous times before, as I’m clearly drawn to it. Without the hit of yellow, I think things could get a bit too dour. Lesson here: Like a squeeze of lemon juice over most recipes, yellow always works.

I’m very into fluted wood detailing, which is likely why I saved this. I also saved it as an example of the dark green painted baseboard butting up against the putty-colored cabinets. Sometimes, my brain blocks that those things can be done, and then I see them done, and I think “yeah, duh of course. What the heck else would you do?”

The tonality of the stone countertops with the inky blue cabinetry stopped me in my tracks. I LOVE this. I’m not too big on open shelving in place of closed storage (unless there’s already plenty), but materials pairing of the bottom portion of this photo is great.

I’m a huge fan of seeing books in their natural state. Not overly fussed with, not covered up, not color-coordinated. To each their own, I won’t judge. But there’s so much life to shelves that aren’t “styled” but rather just serving the purpose of holding books. Of course, it can’t be overlooked that these are all beautiful, leather-bound editions, and not just a bunch of junky YA paperbacks or romance novels, but the point still stands.

I have a running list of names of designers I’d love to hire one day to design my house if I didn’t do it for myself, and Jessica Helgerson has long hovered near the top. This space is a bit more traditional than I’m used to seeing from her, but it still has her warmth and comfort. It’s just easy, wholesome, welcoming. Everything I’d want in a dining space…and home.

I had absolutely no concept of the fact that these two spaces had the same wallpaper when I bookmarked them, weeks apart. This room, not by Jessica Helgerson but by Courtney Bishop, isn’t necessarily where I’d want to go to bed and wake up every morning, but I’d love to stay in here perhaps on the occasion. In a guest cottage, where I throw open the shades in the morning and I’m greeted by birds chirping and maybe a few little rabbits bobbing around. The funny thing is, is that I’d never pick out this wallpaper in a lineup as something I’d like, but when I see it in a space, I’m obviously into it. It’s like the frumpy dress you’re convinced would never look good on you, and then it’s transformed as soon as you settle it over your hips. Well dang…this is better than I thought, you think. Wonders never cease.

In an absolute 180 of the last two spaces is this gilded kitchen. I have no desires for a kitchen with an island wrapped in brass sheets necessarily, but I can sure enjoy looking at it, can’t I? I also really love the hand-glazed tile backsplash, which is the perfect way to make a dark, simple tile (like a black subway) really take on a new life as the light dances across it.

And finally, a colorful bedroom that doesn’t read overly colorful, which I think is a nice strategy for a bedroom. Interesting, yet still soft. Plus, it’s certainly overkill, but I’d never think to do a sconce *and* a lamp, and you know…I don’t hate it. Necessarily? Absolutely not. Interesting…possibly? Oh, and one more thing. I’m rarely drawn to simple rugs like this when I’m shopping. I always want something textural or patterned, but then I see this and I’m so drawn to it. Let this be a reminder that we don’t always know what we want, and we should let our inspirations be our guide if you’re feeling stuck or bored.

See you tomorrow, FOAS.