inspiration – State of Design

Leanne Ford Revisited

June 9, 2017 Stephanie ShamLeave a comment

It’s finally Friday and you deserve a treat. A treat for the eyes – eye candy, if you will.

Leanne Ford strikes just the right balance between industrial-cool (through her use of concrete and metal) and natural warmth (through her use of warm, natural wood). Interior and exterior spaces can very easily look too cold once too many industrial elements are introduced; however, Leanne Ford always manages to create welcoming spaces full of warmth and character, which almost give off a soft glow with the help of some natural daylight.

The pictures below were not all taken from one residence but are in fact a collection of images that I feel best demonstrate the aforesaid balance/equilibrium she manages to achieve.

Click here for more Leanne Ford goodness.

“Pop and Colour”

Need a pick-me-up to catapult you into your weekend? Step right on through to this spunky, vivacious California bungalow… I think it’ll do just the trick…

May 19, 2017May 21, 2017 Stephanie Sham2 Comments

When a good friend tells you that your blog has been featuring too many minimalist spaces as of late and requests for more “pop and colour”, you gladly oblige. So here you go, Alice, I hope this is enough pop and colour for you! 🙂

This spunky, vivacious 1930s California bungalow belongs to clothing stylist and blogger Joan Schubert.

How fun is that flamingo painting? The splash of pink paired with a thin gold/brass frame adds just the right amount of glamour to this otherwise very white room. Pops of colour are incorporated through smaller decorative items such as the pink lamp, orange Celine handbag, and multicoloured books and vases.

Having a neutral backdrop is a clever and practical way of designing a space as it means that if you ever get bored and want to switch things up, the bones of the room can remain neutral while you dress up the space through adding and subtracting the smaller decorative items.

The owner didn’t just stop at the walls and furniture – even the blinds are made of a colourful, bold print. There’s a fine line between harmonious and unruly when it comes to colour and the owner manages to strike the right balance by keeping to a few key colours: orange, green, yellow and blue (and pink in some other rooms).

The colourway is maintained in the kitchen, from the pink upholstered chairs to the orange-toned wooden cabinets.

Possibly my favourite shot of this home – what a gorgeous vignette. This bedroom ticks the right boxes for me, from the graphic, geometric wallpaper, to the palm print pillows (which are a little ubiquitous these days) and potted palm leaves, to the simple headboard (the clean lines, natural linen and neutral colours of the headboard help to ground and balance out the bold colours and prints seen on the wallpaper, pillows and bedspread).

This bathroom is a perfect demonstration of how a colourful painting can completely elevate the feel of a room – without it, the bathroom would just be a standard, neutral bathroom (and a bit lifeless, to be completely honest); the unexpected splash of colour transforms the bathroom into a fun, vibrant and youthful space. It’s a real mood-lifter.

Tribal, geometric and tropical – I don’t know about you but this eclectic dining room evokes an adventurous energy and makes me look forward to my next holiday!

Design by Laura Neuman of Pepperjack Interiors. Photo credit to Michelle Drewes.

Refined Sophistication by Studio Piet Boon

“Founded in 1983 by Dutch designer Piet Boon (1958), the Studio Piet Boon philosophy is based on a balance between functionality, aesthetics and individuality.”

May 15, 2017May 15, 2017 Stephanie ShamLeave a comment

Headquartered in the Netherlands, Studio Piet Boon is all about refined sophistication.

This urban residence in Amsterdam has a certain hotel-like sensibility, with its minimal lines and natural stone materials. Perhaps it’s due to the lack of personal belongings in the shots but it’s hard to imagine anyone actually living here long-term. The apartment feels more like a luxury vacation rental than anything else. Nonetheless, the architectural feel of the apartment is undeniably a treat for the eyes.

The all-white walls allow natural daylight to take centre stage without detracting from elegant architectural pieces such as the scaled-up kitchen island constructed out of large slabs of natural stone.

The crystal drop pendant light infuses a touch of femininity and glamour to the bright and minimal bedroom.

The levels of concrete leading up to the bathtub create a striking spa-like effect in the bathroom.

More Studio Piet Boon here.

Clean Lines by Griffiths Design Studio

“Simplicity, style and elegance is the signature of the most successful design ideas.”

May 9, 2017 Stephanie Sham1 Comment

Australian interior design is having a moment in my book (and on my blog, clearly). Griffiths Design Studio, led by Gillianne Griffiths, is based in Melbourne, Australia, and was founded with the philosophy that “simplicity, style and elegance is the signature of the most successful design ideas.”.

This apartment in Toorak, Melbourne, evokes a deep sense of calm and serenity with its clean lines and simple monochrome palette.

Highlight: the charcoal coffered wall.

Highlight: the whimsical but structured light fixture.

Black and white perfection.

Visual interest is created by mixing varying tones of grey within the same room.

Whoever said neutrals couldn’t be cozy was very wrong. A chunky knitted throw does the trick.

Clean lines keep the space looking airy and fresh.

Check out more of their projects on their official website.

Understated Luxury by Studio Tate

The penthouse exudes understated luxury in its finest details, from the carefully selected marble, to the intricately designed ceiling strapping and custom cabinetry.

May 3, 2017 Stephanie ShamLeave a comment

Melbourne-based interior architecture studio, Studio Tate, designed this minimal but luxe penthouse for an empty-nester couple. The couple favours monochrome interiors, so a predominantly black and white colour palette was selected. The penthouse exudes understated luxury in its finest details, from the carefully selected marble, to the intricately designed ceiling strapping and custom cabinetry.

Bold splashes of colour (such as the bright teal couch, chartreuse velvet armchairs and colourful artwork) prevent the space from being too monochrome and add visual interest. Areas that would benefit more from the calming effect of a neutral palette were kept neutral, such as the bedroom and bathroom.

Some of my favourite elements are the ceiling strapping, the mid-century modern furniture pieces, the clean lines, the glamorous touches of gold and brass, the pendant light over the dining table* and the statement-making marble selection.

*See my post on Douglas and Bec for a great selection of similar pendant lights.

More understated luxury to feast your eyes on, on Studio Tate’s website.

Breezy Bohemian in Pacific Palisades

May 1, 2017May 1, 2017 Stephanie ShamLeave a comment

This breathtaking Spanish Colonial house in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, was designed by Katherine Carter, London-born Californian transplant now residing at Venice Beach, LA.

Katherine lives by the philosophy that, “A well-designed interior and exterior should embody exceptional design that is timeless, unique, charming, luxurious, functional, comfortable, and most importantly speaks the client’s language.”

This house is the epitome of easy, breezy, Bohemian interior design. The white walls allow the Californian sunshine to flood the space, the wooden beams and window frames lend a raw, rustic feel reminiscent of the colonial era and the textured soft furnishings inject Bohemian coziness to the space. The house is the perfect example of how the fiddle leaf fig plant can make a whole room come together while bringing a bit of the outside in. The beautifully curated rug selection also provides the perfect finishing touch to each room.

Fun fact: this house belongs to reality TV star and fashion/makeup guru, Lauren Conrad.

Caramel leather, rattan and warm wooden tones infuse a sense of warmth, coziness and down-to-earth vibe to the space.

The white-on-white-on-white room is broken up through the clever use of texture. White honeycomb floor tiles add visual interest and provide a nice textural contrast against the white subway tiles on the wall.

That gold geometric pendant light adds a touch of modernity to the otherwise traditional entryway (and there’s that cheeky fiddle leaf fig peeking in again!).

Those wishbone chairs with rattan upholstery are the perfect Bohemian accompaniment to this casual dining space.

For more Bohemian gorgeousness, click on through to Katherine Carter’s website.

Hecker Guthrie

Do kitchens get any fresher than this? I think not. The kitchen equivalent of freshly washed, crisp linen sheets.

April 29, 2017April 29, 2017 Stephanie ShamLeave a comment

I’m about to share with you one of the freshest, brightest and most revitalising kitchens I’ve ever laid eyes on. Allow me to introduce you to Hecker Guthrie, an interior design studio based in Melbourne, Australia, led by Paul Hecker and Hamish Guthrie. The Australian design aesthetic is one that I often admire – free and easy, modern, youthful and always with a touch of that carefree Australian vibe.

Toorak Residence

What is your preferred kitchen style? Would you like to spend your lazy Sunday mornings in this Toorak Residence kitchen?

Kate La Vie’s Enviable Apartment

April 25, 2017April 25, 2017 Stephanie ShamLeave a comment

If you’re familiar with the beauty blogosphere and YouTube world, you’ve probably heard of, or follow, Kate La Vie. I, myself, have been following her blog and YouTube channel for years. What stands out the most to me about Kate is her impeccable interiors style and DIY talent. She has a gift for styling knick knacks and decorative items around the home. Her Parisian flare permeates her beautiful apartment in Glasgow, Scotland, and the Bohemian touches lend a casual, free-spirited balance to the space.

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Highlights: West Elm Monroe sofa, marble fireplace, raw hardwood floors, bright white walls.

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Highlights: Moroccan-inspired pouf, mid-century modern pink armchair, cushion covered with eyes (!), eyes print, cacti… okay, pretty much everything!

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How adorable is that baby cacti arrangement?! Kate DIY’d the mini planters herself. Genius!

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Herringbone floorboards (tick!), subway tiles (tick!), “marble” (but not actually real marble) fireplace (tick!), selection of cacti (tick!), tribal-looking bohemian mirror (tick!). Tick, tick, tick!!

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Which print is your favourite? For me, the palm trees win, hands down. Close second: the polka dots & pink marble hybrid print (oh, and let’s not forget the ocean waves print!).

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Beautiful brass touches everywhere ❤

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This gorgeous marble and brass bar cart is from Oliver Bonas.

Now into the kitchen…

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That mint green SMEG is everything. This kitchen was completely DIY’d and designed by Kate herself. The backsplash constructed with herringbone tiles is so unique and really stands out. The brass theme continues with the tap.

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Now into the bathroom…

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…and lastly, the bedroom:

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Brownie points if you noticed the change in headboard and the flooring. I personally much prefer the latter picture (with the new herringbone wood floors and (non-existent) headboard); warmer, fresher, less feminine and more modern. The warm wooden floors help to ground the space, whereas previously, the room appeared to be “floating” due to the combination of white walls and white floors.

I’ll leave you with Kate’s video of her apartment tour. Enjoy!