In a galaxy far, far away, before I had children and cats, I used to have a white sofa and I followed a blue/turquoise and white colour scheme. Now I can but smile at the uncomfortable lifestyle of people with white sofas – they clearly don’t sit on them much! Although each of the rooms below has something that appeals to me, for once I will focus on their flaws (sour grapes, anyone?).
Very long white sofas are perfect for placing all your guests in a row to admire the view. From casalibrary.comIf you can get them to turn their backs on the view, you might even have a conversation. From casavogue.globo.comMaybe don’t paint your walls and shelves the exact shame shade as your sofa, or you may find it becomes invisible. From crismatec.comPerfect symmetry at a distance – for those strained family conversations. From Elle Decor.You can get away with anything when you have a window and a view like that. From iping.comNo words! Just, wow, just the place to feel cosy when you are on your own. From onekindesign.com
I’ve always been fascinated by interior design from different countries. In an ideal world, I’d want a house or two on each continent, decorated in the traditional style. Is that cultural appropriation? Well, I certainly would feel more at home in any of these environments, rather than that same bland magnolia or silver decor that I so often see in houses for sale on Rightmove.
Indian-inspired interior from Architects’ Diary.Moroccan blue and white will always undo me, from Pinterest.Not sure where in the world this is, but it seems faintly Sri Lankan to me. From sacred-dwelling on Tumblr.Chinese bedroom you can order from 3D Export, apparently.The minimalism of Japanese traditional homes, from pufikhomes.com.Dining room in Bahia, from planete-deco.fr seems fairly simple, traditional.But then there is also the prospect of modern Brazilian decor, especially against that backdrop. Studio Arhtur Casas, from archdaily.com
When life and all those around you give you the blues, you can respond with a similar but much more cheerful shade of aqua. Turquoise is a mood lifter for me, hopefully for you too!
You can go the full turquoise paint treatment, as in this room via Architectural Digest.Or a mere accent of the colour on your tiny balcony, as shown in Designrulz.comIt looks fresh and fun combined with red in a child’s room. From Pinterest.Or quite classical with white sofas. From Impressive Interior Design.This reading corner would keep me cool on the warmest of days.But it’s at its best when you combine with a seascape. From Southern Studio.So that it melts into the view, as in this house on the Turks and Caicos. From House of Turquoise.
You might be tempted to read outdoors in this weather, but whether you are afraid of overheating, or don’t want to be come a target for insects, here are some alternatives to reading in the garden.
Everything close to hand with super-comfortable seating. From Decoist.
For the more dreamy amongst you, an indoor hammock is a solution. From Remodelista.Window seats are always popular, especially with such generous windows. From My Domaine.The reading nook in the well-stocked library is always a refuge. From Tumblr.Another home library with comfortable seating, from Pinterest.Messy but atmospheric, this chateau library from Pinterest.And if you really can’t stay away from the beautiful outdoors, here is a veranda reading nook, from housely.com
Now that Christmas is over, our thoughts naturally turn to partying with friends at a chalet high up in the mountains after a great day of skiing. Well, mine do anyway, if I had all the time and money in the world. Of course, my kind of partying involves a cosy fire, great views, delicious food and pleasant discussions about books, art, music and theatre.
Having had a stove in our house in France, I can vouch it is a wonderful way to warm up the room. No fireplace is complete without a pet, of course. From Home Building and Renovating magazine.Ah, even better with a cat… From Bill’s TN Paradise.A more minimalist Scandinavian feel to this one, from songbirdblog.comGreat Christmas atmosphere at this property in Northern Ireland, from Property Pal.This picture seems to have been taken in summer, which is just wrong. Tom Cruise’s former property in Colorado, from Adelto.co.ukAh, this one allows everyone to sit around the fire! French chalet from Design Mag.The typical wood-heavy chalet look in Megeve, from Chalet Chatel.We can’t see the fireplace in this picture, but I’m sure it matches the view. Chalet in Zermatt, from Luxury Ski Chalets.
I believe in separating your working and sleeping space, but I’ve heard of plenty of writers and readers who feel at their most comfortable (or most inspired) in their bedrooms. And what about if you have no other space for writing? So here are some elegant solutions to this quandary. Which don’t involve lying propped up on cushions in bed (although that is perfect for reading).
The elegant townie, from Decoist.comThe occasional scribbler, from The Design Chaser.The teenage artist, from You Tube.The one designed by the interior designer, from Gravity Home.The one designed by your mother, from Decoist.The professional writer (or the writer on holiday), from Architecture Art Designs.
Today is a bit of liquorice all-sorts, with interiors which inspire me… to write, of course! Or at the very least, read and review.
Airy living room from My Domaine.Bedroom study with a view, from Decoist. Looks slightly hotel-like, but I could live with it.Office and reading nook in one, from Daily Dream Decor.Home library with obligatory ladder, from Sparks Direct.The study part of Farnsworth House by Mies van der Rohe: perhaps too open-plan and exposed for most tastes, but oh, the view! From Farnsworth House website.
We’ve thrilled and trilled at the attractions of a dark, comforting home library, but there are many lighter, airy-fairyer ones which are just as beautiful.
Who doesn’t want a double-height room to fill with books? From Architecture Art Designs.The perfect combination of cosiness and light, from freshome.comFireplace? Check! Comfy armchair? Check? Lots of wood? Check? But the huge window, transparent landing and minimal curtains make all the difference in this play on a gentleman’s library. From Architecture Art Designs.White feels a little too stark with books, but it certainly makes it all look clean and tidy. From Decoist.The perfect living/dining room needs a lot of room for books. After all, they make an excellent topic for conversation. From kemprot.comA nice compromise between darker libraries and an airy feel – plus, bonus points for the curving staircase. Plenty of room for us to move in with our books, don’t you think?
Can anybody spot what is lacking in most of our homes to allow us to reproduce such magnificence? That’s right: double height ceilings.
I’m not quite sure I ever understood Silent Sunday, so I won’t claim to be part of that, but here are some more pictures of inspiring home libraries, all of from that wonderful website Decoist. I do like white shelves!
I might worry about sun damage to the books in this one, though.