Pretty as a Picture

So I have this cool app on my iPhone called, appropriately, Palettes, that lets you take a photo and turn it into a color palette. Because you know how you read a magazine and (I’ve been guilty of this, I’m sure) it’s like, “get your inspiration from nature,” and you’re like, um… so my apartment should look like a blade of grass? The reason this app is so awesome is that it sees all those colors that you don’t even notice—so when I took this snap of the Statue of Liberty on a boat ride over the weekend, it caught all those greys and peaches and dusty blues that I might have overlooked. Neat, huh? (-Moe)

Mirror, Warhol Vanity Mirror, $219, Ballard Designs. Couch, English Roll Arm Upholstered Loveseat, $2,345, Restoration Hardware. Pillow, Wildflower Embroidered Double Boudoir Pillow, $75, Pine Cone Hill. Ottoman, Wooden Dhurrie Upholstered Ottoman, $549, Wisteria. Rug, American Home Rug Company Beach Collection Boardwalk Stripes Black Rug, $129.60 for 2’6″x8, RugsUSA. Floor, Loft Walnut Laminate Flooring, Pergo. Lamp, Bruno Double-Arm Adjustable Floor Lamp, $242, Rejuvenation.

Salty!

Repeated trips to the beach, hawwwt days and nights and a general can’t-ignore-the-weather-no-matter-what type summer was the inspiration for this SBOTW (as the past few have been)!  Instead of designing a room with obvious nautical style, this dining area contains little hints of it, in the cage pendants and the “Salty” print.  Bright colors scream summer though, and so should you—it might be the only way to beat the heat!  (-Laur)

Modern Farm Dining Table, $599, West Elm

Solvar Dining Chairs, $49,99 each, Ikea

Stockholm Figur Rug, $399, Ikea

Frame Lights, from $185, Iacoli & McCallister

Ribba Frame, $24.99, Ikea

“Salty” print by Michelle Vaughan, $200, 20×200

Note the easy shopping!  Ikea continues to be a fantastic source for affordable basic pieces.

Grand Old Flag

Happy holiday weekend! Can you guess what this SB’s theme is? (Here’s a hint: it’s the same as last year.) Yup, I can’t resist my red, white and blue, especially when it comes in sailor stripe form. (-Moe)

Berkshire Oak laminate flooring, Pergo. Rugby Stripe Rug, $149 for 4×6-foot, Ethan Allen. Hawthorne Sofa in Doss, $1,299 as show, Room & Board. Jasper Johns “Three Flags” print, $235 as shown, Art.com. Orange and Natural Double Concentric pillows, $178 each, and Navy Positano Asterisk pillow, $68, Jonathan Adler.

Surf’s Up

Imagine—a cool breeze, the sound of the ocean, a lovely, serene, cool space.  That is what I’ve had think of, again and again, during this week of oppressive, ridiculous heat!  This Swatchbook of the Week was inspired by what I’ve been imagining while trying to make it though.  How I long for the days of my parents’ house and central air. Or, a breezy spot on the seashore.  Along with the Aculpulco chair, which was featured a few weeks ago, I love this amazing rug from InMod.  The wave motif reminds me of the fantastic graphics in Ponyo, the Japanese animated film that has contributed to more than a few vivid dreams these past few weeks. (-Laur)

Aculpulco Chair in Sky Blue, $490, Innit Designs

Ocean Area Rug, $635, InMod

Fillsta Pendant, $29.99, Ikea

Martini Table, $149, Offi

Colorful Wobble Glass (from set of 4), $40, MoMA

Liberty of London Frame, $9.99, Target

Bellawood Natural Maple Flooring, $5.40 per Square Foot, Lumber Liquidators

Casual Chic

I keep seeing vivid zigzag rugs paired with antiquey furniture (most recently in the pages of Lonny, which I would move in to right now, if that were possible!). It’s a fun way to make pieces that could seem old-fashioned or fussy look eclectic, instead—the decor equivalent of spending an hour putting together the perfect outfit, then answering a compliment with, “oh, this old thing?” (-Moe)

Bruno Double-Arm Lamp, $242, Rejuvenation. Louis chair in Tara/Ink, $899, Room & Board. Milliken Black & White Collection Vibe Techno Black Rug, $165 for 5’4×7’8, RugsUSA. Pressed Butterfly Decoupage Tray Set, $1,950, John Derian. Bone Side Table, $199, West Elm. Fuchsia Onion Vase, $29.95, Z Gallerie. Hickory Auburn Spice laminate flooring, Armstrong. Focal Point Grand Tuscan Frieze, $39.99, Home Depot.

Beachy Keen

Ahhh, 88 degrees and humid.  Being in NYC, the only real relief from oppressive heat is lock yourself indoors with the AC blasting, or a quick subway ride to the good ole beach.  Not one to sit inside on a pretty day, option two has been my solution of choice.  I’m proud to say that I’ve already been to the beach twice, and its not even officially summer!  This Swatchbook of the Week is inspired by my first trip to Coney Island this summer.  It was a special, impromptu trip, and hopefully the start of many more seaside adventures. (-Laur)

Overdyed Low Table, $750, Diesel Moroso

Bayside Apartment Sofa, $1499, Crate and Barrel

Bellawood Natural Australian Cypress Wood Flooring, $4.49/sq. foot, Lumber Liquidators

Dip Dye Pillow Cover, $24, West Elm

Collection 2 Pillow, $88, Sharon Spain

Java Ikat Pillow, $90, Koko

Safavieh Tibetan Collection Rug in Chrome, from $478, Rugs USA

Globe Lamp, $299, West Elm

“The Beach” print by Dale Edwin Murray, $31.20, Society 6

Surfing Photos by Jeff Divine book, $40, Jayson Home & Garden

Crystal Votive, from $38, Anthropologie

Pyrite Cluster, $38, Anthropologie

Warm Modernism

I despise the notion that a contemporary interior need be cold and minimal. That misconception fueled the Swatchbook of the Week–as did another misconception, that high style comes at a high price. This living room option proves that it’s possible to achieve a cozy, modern interior — even on a tight budget. Opt for a terracotta or rusty red to establish a cozy vibe. Wood elements add further warmth, especially when paired with a sleek modern sofa. When on a tight budget, turn to stores like CB2, Ikea and West Elm for large pieces, then hunt for affordable accessories through Overstock, Amazon or the sale section of your favorite sites. (-Allie)

Parlour Sofa, $999, CB2

Lux Leather Butterfly Chair, $248, Urban Outfitters

Kulla Floor Lamp, $89.99, Ikea

Natural Tree Stump Side Table, $199, West Elm

Clyde Collection rug, $789, High Fashion Home

Wallace Mirror, $390, Bellacor

Pink Pearl

I just visited a girlfriend’s apartment who had the color just the way I would want it—if I didn’t have a husband to contend with. Warm grey, soft pink; totally girly and still grown-up. Hence, this week’s palette. (-Moe)

Seaside Pine laminate Flooring, Pergo. Focal Point Grand Tuscan Frieze, $39.99, Home Depot. Surya Seventeen Flirty Collection FLT4 Coral Rug, from $50, Rugsusa.com. Blake Lounge Chairs, $699, Crate & Barrel. Criss Cross Stripes Gray Rectangular throw Pillows, $59.95, pillowdecor.com. Wall color, Nimbus, Benjamin Moore.

So Fresh and So Clean

This Swatchbook of the Week was inspired by a visit to BKLYN Designs, a yearly exhibition of furniture and home-accessories designers, all based in my beloved home borough of Brooklyn.  I was totally inspired by so much of what I saw,  but was blown away by one company in particular.  Grow House Grow specializes in two of my favorite things in this world—hand printed wallpaper, AND storytelling!  Naturalist, their latest collection, focuses on individuals that have contributed to science, and understanding the world around us.  Ms. Ward (the pattern shown here) is based on Mary Ward, who’s love and obsession with the microscope and insects lead her to write a series of books on the subjects.  I love that this wallpaper can not only make a room LOOK unique and interesting, but can inspire a conversation on an extraordinary woman that most people know nothing about.

In most homes, bathrooms are a separate entity, and in a decorating sense, fail to connect to the rest of the house. Don’t be afraid to bring in furniture and accessories meant for other rooms.  Doing so will only make your WC more comfortable and unique.  This bubble-like chandelier is meant for a kitchen, but I say, bring it in.  Why not?!   Mixing things up will only give your bathroom, and your home in general lots of personality.  Kind of like Brooklynites!  (-Laur)

Ms. Ward Wallpaper in Milkweed, $180 per roll, Grow House Grow!

Iron Works Historic Tub, $3134, Kohler

Gooseneck Tub Filler, $231.30, Elizabethan Classics

Firefly Pendant Lamp (2 shown), $199 each, CB2

Turquoise Chair (Comes in set of 2), $250, Etsy

5×7′ Sprayed Lace Rug, $68, Urban Outfitters

Brooklyn’s Finest Screen Print, $27, Ork Posters!

18×24″ Providence Frame in Black, $30.98, All Posters

Sun Dreaming

It’s raining outside right now here in Seattle (shocker) and so I’m daydreaming of sipping a margarita on a sun-filled back deck. That, alone, inspired this week’s Swatchbook. Enjoy the sun (or thoughts of such)! (-Allie)

Diamond indoor/outdoor rug (3×5), $84, Dash & Albert

Igloo Chair, $149, CB2

Tahiti Stool, $29.95, CB2

Shallow Oval Tray, $19.95, Crate & Barrel