Oversized bathroom mirror

My business partner has a penchant for large mirrors ( and I am not saying that I don't !) so we frequently include oversized mirrors in our designs for clients, on the floor and occasionally behind console tables.  We have not yet done this look which I love.  Obviously you would only do it if you had lovely shiny under sink plumbing (no plastic) and I am assuming the mirror is in two pieces with the lower part cut around the vanity.  I don't know, it could be once piece that is predrilled by the glazier ? . . .


Image: Oliveaux

Missing out

I have missed having the time to blog - no proper excuse really, I just seem to be over committed at the moment. Even more though I have missed out on reading blogs and all the inspiration out there. So I finally got the chance to click through a few new spots yesterday and am reinspired by images like the one below from Greige. I will find the time.

Image: Skona Hem via Greige

Scribble

Headsprung in the UK have some great innovative products with Scribble being one. I think a series would look great - especially in the offices of a business that works with typography or pens even. Also a good way of adding curves and movement to a boxy corridor or hallway.

Images: Headsprung

Step One

We are at the concept stage of planning to extend our home - we live in a bungalow, a very common house style here in Sydney. As the houses are old and the ceilings are high attention to detail is the key I think to getting stairs in that look good and fit with the older part of the house. So I am getting into photos now of panelling, balustrades, handrails and whatever you call the post at the end of the stairs . . .

Image: Tine K

Time to table scape

I always feel after Christmas is a great time to take a step back and look at your side tables and mantlepieces and re-evaluate what is there. Mine are covered in cards and lights and garlands at Christmas so once Jan 6 rolls round the house looks very bare when I have taken them all down. So I've been going through some cupboards, pulling out some prints that haven't been displayed for a while and earmarked others for framing. Then off to get a few flowers and I'll be back on track.

Images: Tom Scheerer via Glimpse of Style, Phoebe Howard via ABT, Notebook

A gift for a hallway

These aren't terribly exciting photos but - as you will probably know most of Georg Jensen's products are beautiful to look at and hold and these instruments are no different so you just need to imagine the real thing. I have been toying with the idea of trying to find an antique barometer for my hallway but I am into old and new together (my house is 100 years old) and think I have now settled on a triptych of a thermometer, hygrometer and barometer by Georg Jensen for the hallway's Christmas list.

Images: Georg Jensen

Stair styles

If we ever extend our house upwards and put in stairs I am definitely going to give lots of thought to the design of the stairs. A bit of panelling and detail makes a world of difference to the impact of a stairway. Especially in older houses a big blank triangular space along the side of the stairs can look really 'wrong' when a house has been renovated. Love this first hallway - very generous with three bannisters per step and deep detailing.

Images: Fric and Frac, Absolutely Beautiful Things, Living etc

Favourite rooms: Hallway

Welcoming + interesting + organised = my ideal hallway or entrance. The table and chair here are detailed attractively and otherwise all is simple and elegant. Looks like there is a bit of symmetry on the right with a second plant.

Image: Rod Mickley via Desire to Inspire

Perfect placement

While photo walls look like they are easy to copy or achieve - like most things there is a bit of a difference I feel between good and great. This is a stunning array of frames, mounts and photos. I also like the subtle squares in the wallpaper. Obviously not a house where anyone runs their hands along the walls though . . .

Image: Eric Cohler via Patricia Grey

Tall poppies

Playing with scale in interiors is interesting and can produce fabulous results. Too often we go out looking for an artwork that is the 'right' size for a space when, like in the picture below, you can achieve a great look with something oversized or unusually shaped. Its a hard thing to get right but I think it works here because the top lines up with the line of the beam and the bottom and the green cabinet are close to the line of the white panelling.

Image: Carrier and Co via Little Green Notebook

Liz Demos hallway

I think I have quite classic taste at heart as I am always drawn to images like this which some people may find overly traditional. This is the hallway in a home featured by Design Sponge. Liz Demos, the homeowner has a vintage shop in Savannah, Georgia. I love the shiny wood and the curve of the bow fronted hall stand. The mirror and the little chair add their own detail to an otherwise very simple hallway - which is how I like hallways to be - uncluttered and welcoming.

Image: via Design Sponge

Mirror Mirror

Jim Franco's photographs were posted by the Deco Detective a week or so ago and I had to pluck out this one. Love the idea that a coat rack can also serve as a picture rail and love the little mirror which is an idea I am going to copy as soon as I can find a similar little gem to hang on my hooks in my back hallway. It is a personal goal of mine to get better at checking my appearance before heading out the door (I don't always remember and then look at myself in horror as I pass a shop window). I'm thinking a little mirror like this is just the ticket.

Image: Jim Franco via Deco Detective

Still on the subject of landings

I could keep on going on stairs and landings from my stock of shots in the good old Folder of Ideas but I promise I will stop here for now. This rug is 'Cosmic Garden' designed by Easton Pearson for Designer Rugs - doesn't it just look fantastic with the dark wood ?

Image: Designer Rugs

Hall, stairs and landing

I really enjoy browsing through Nathan Egan's portfolio. Admittedly the New York based design duo (one half of which is Fiona Egan from Dublin ) work within some amazing properties, catering as they do for the high end of town, but there is a grounded nature to their choices which makes their spaces inviting and liveable in which can sometimes get lost in super luxe design.

These are just a selection of halls and landings that caught my eye. There is a lot more to take in on their website.

Images: Nathan Egan Interiors

Favourite houses: Amsterdam apartment

This beautiful apartment owned by fashion and interior stylist Peter Shaffrey was featured in the latest edition of Image Interiors magazine. There are so many things I like about it I had to include most of the photos here. The space in itself is fabulous - high ceilings and huge windows. My list of things to love about this apartment - dramatic hallway, the living room, sleek kitchen, the gorgeous art deco bedroom furniture. I also don't mind a bit of laboratory / vintage industrial in interiors - hence the close up of the little retort stand beside the bed. There is lots more to see on Peter Shaffreys website. His home page has an Oscar Wilde quote on it that I have always enjoyed:

"I have the simplest tastes. I am always satisfied with the best "

Images: Peter Shaffrey

Loving the Loveseat

I finally got to sit down and read some of my newer magazines this weekend and found a lot to enjoy and store here on Folder of Ideas. First up - via Inside Out, the fabulous Loveseat in black from Ercol. Ercol has released some of their popular classic furniture in black and they look great http://www.ercol.com/ . I have a bit of thing for nice benches and the Loveseat is so elegant it would grace any space. There is even a partly painted blue version for those still loving ombre.

Image: Ercol, Iconeye

Getting organised

We are all back to school now in Sydney and thoughts turn to where to hang school hats and all the paraphenalia that comes with the start of new schools and activities. I already have two long rows of the Leksvik hooks from IKEA in my back hallway but looking at this lovely image by Rachel Whiting I am tempted to squeeze in a third . . .

Images: Rachel Whiting via www.thedecodetective.blogspot.com and IKEA

Console tables

I am looking for a console table for my hallway and have collected the images below for inspiration. The brief is for a dark wood or black table with a bit of glamour and impact but not too big as my hallway is not super wide.

Images: Clockwise from bottom left - Louis console by John Reeves at Heals, Living etc, Desire to Inspire, Charlotte Crosland, Moissonier, London Wall console by Le Forge

Carina Sherlock Paris table

I love round tables and have many many images of beautiful round tables - old and new - in my 'folder of ideas' to share. This table by Carina Sherlock is quite compact (115cm) so ideal for a smaller room or (if you are lucky enough to have a great big entrance to your home) for a hallway that will accommodate a statement piece like this.

Image: Carina Sherlock

I am not sure if it is still available as on the current website http://www.carinasherlock.com.au/ it now only seems to be available in white - hopefully the black is not gone forever which would be a big pity if you ask me.

One step at a time

I thought this was an original way to create interest in this tunnel-like staircase. Great idea for a stairs from or to a rumpus room. I like the rope bannister also.

Source: not known