Outdoor planters can really add impact to your landscaping or exterior.
Now I know not everyone has the space or budget for this many, but I love the repetition and graphic layout here. Keep in mind, if you're going to try something like this, best to keep the plants simple, otherwise things might get a tad busy...
Here's a roundup of some planters that have recently caught my eye:
The Pastoral 18" Planter from Crate & Barrel has a lovely, rustic feel to it. Finished with a green glaze, this clay planter would add nice colour to a deck or balcony.
Made out of textured resin, these Orinoco Bowls from Andrew Richard Designs have a Japanese feel to them. With their simple, clean lines, I think they'd look great filled with hot pink flowering plants. These come in different sizes — the largest is 40" by 15" (huge).
I think this Planterworx planter from Design Within Reach is cool — anything that gets better with age appeals to me! Made from steel, it patinas fairly quickly (about 3 to 9 months), developing its lovely rust finish.
This is the Re-Trouvé "vase", designed by Patricia Urquiola for Emu. The scroll-shaped metal pedestal base gives it a delicate yet quirky outline. It's an updated version of the vintage metal garden furniture we've seen so much of. I love an all-white planter (the container is made from enameled terracotta), and this one would certainly add character to your front door!
The Freeport Patio Planter from The Home Depot comes in a sleek white version, too. It has a double wall design and a sub-irrigation watering system. This means the plants are able to soak up water from the bottom of the planter as needed — a process that's easier on plants than being watered from above. A perfect planter for those (like me) who often over-water their plants!
See our Tropical-Inspired Outdoor Spaces for more patio ideas.
Photo credits:
1. Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles, photography by Mali Azima
2. Pastoral 18" Planter, Crate & Barrel
3. Orinoco Bowls, Andrew Richard Designs
4. Planterworx planter, Design Within Reach
5. Re-Trouvé Short Vase, Emu
6. Freeport Patio Planter, The Home Depot
This week's Great Designs blog takes us to Sydney, Australia, where designers and decorators Juliette Arent and Sarah-Jane Pyke work together to "emulate the inspiration of their clients." The two started their firm, Arent&Pyke, back in 2007, and in 2009 they won an Australian Interior Design Award for a contemporary apartment they worked on. After looking through their portfolio, I'm not sure which project I love most, but here are some of my faves:
Rich blues and crisp whites complement the scenery in this Balmoral Beach house galley kitchen. Recycled timber floors introduce warmth.
Classic cup pull hardware looks oh-so-right on these drawers and cupboards.
This simple but well-thought-out backyard has a fuss-free resort vibe. The patio's clean lines define the zones. Bruce Stafford Architects worked on this home, too.
In contrast with those bright spaces, this grand Randwick home features contemporary furnishings placed next to historical architecture. Some of the other rooms feature colourful paint choices, but I most favour the moody look of these fireplace hearths.
For more interiors from Down Under, visit arentpyke.com.
Photo credits:
Arent&Pyke
I admit, it's trendy, but I can't seem to get over damask wallpaper. I've tried to talk myself out of wallpapering an accent wall in my living room — knowing I might tire of the busy pattern — but I keep going back to my love of damask.
Here are some examples of the varying colours and pattern sizes:
And here are my top picks from Graham & Brown:
Large Damask Paintable Wallpaper (#17773)
Suzanne in Black & White (#18126)
Aztec in Gray (#30981)
Nothing too bright — I'm leaning toward a bold grey pattern.
What do you think? Are you over damask?
For more inspiration, see our Wallpapered Rooms photo gallery.
Photo credits:
1-2. House of Many Hues blog
3. Damask and Design blog
4. Graham & Brown
5. Graham & Brown
6. Graham & Brown
The beautiful interiors of this four-bedroom, 2,720-square-foot Greenwich Village condo is the handiwork of not one but three standout designers. The $7-million place is set in an historic, 1928 building designed by architect Emery Roth (who developed many landmark hotels and apartments in Manhattan in the 1920s and '30s), and has fresh, modern interiors by notable New Yorker Victorian Hagan. Most recently, Fawn Galli introduced her own whimsical aesthetic, but the whole place still looks cohesive and enviably gorgeous.
The heavy beamed ceiling has been painted white so it appears to float, rather than hang, overhead.
I don't know if the light fixtures are included in the asking price, but the one in the dining area is certainly worth keeping — it has a wicked texture and contrasts perfectly with the light and airy space.
The principal bedroom has a restful feeling with its calming, Cole & Son wallpaper. Clearly, the dog agrees.
How could you not enjoy having butterflies fluttering across your bedroom wall? The Nina Campbell Farfalla pattern is fantastic.
For more information on the house, contact Stribling Private Brokerage.
Photo credits:
1-3. Stribling Private Brokerage, photography by Emily Gilbert Photography
Lately I've forgotten about my love for rich jewel-tone walls and deep grasscloth wallpaper. Instead, I'm captivated by simple neutral interiors, curious furniture finds and striking artwork. (A phase? I'm not sure.) This week's Best of the Web blog highlights a few black-and-white interiors that inspired me this week, and an intriguing line of furniture. There's a bit of a floral kick at the end for those of you who need a bit more colour in your life — I haven't forgotten about it completely!
1. Katherine Yaphe of Oliver Yaphe posts photos of Danish artist Tenka Gammelgaard's contemporary home featured in Brazil's Casa Vogue. I especially love the large calligraphy brushes in the studio area.
2. Danielle de Lange of The Style Files looks inside photographer and interior designer Benedikte Ugland's industrial Swedish home.
3. Julie at Remodelista blogs about San Francisco-based designer Antonio Martins' home. Loving the rustic desk turned bathroom vanity.
4. Michelle of Ten June guest blogs for Centsational Girl about the many ways to incorporate the oh-so-popular floral look in your home, whether you prefer modern Marimekko prints or painterly pieces.
5. Harry of Moco Loco shares the "Triplets" — whimsical furniture designs by Steffen Schellenberger. Tweaking chair proportions changes its purpose from a seat into a coatrack, storage, shelf, etc. Creative!
What inspired you this week?
Photo credits:
1. Casa Vogue Brazil April 2012 issue, photography by Idha Lindhag, via Elle Sweden, Oliver Yaphe & Tant Johanna
2. Skona Hem, photography by Anna Kern, via The Style Files
3. California Home + Design, photography by Drew Kelly, via Remodelista
4. Layla Grace via Centsational Girl
5. Steffen Schellenberger via Moco Loco
Minimal, simple design and natural materials are all words I would use to describe Scandinavian design. Below are a few photos of gorgeous Nordic-inspired rooms from a blog I recently came across called My Scandinavian Home.
One of my favourite stores to visit for Scandinavian-inspired finds is Mjölk here in Toronto. They distribute furniture and handcrafted pieces from Scandinavian and Japanese designers. (The owners are so stylish we've featured their cottage in H&H and Online TV.) If you're in the Toronto area and have not yet been, I suggest you make a trip soon.
Here are a few pieces I love, all available through Mjölk:
Artek's Mademoiselle Lounge Chair.
Artek's X-Frame Glass Top Table.
Tomiyama Koichi Walnut Coffee Lamp.
Maruni's Nextmaruni Lounge Chair.
For more Scandinavian-inspired design, watch these TV tours.
Photo credits:
1. My Scandinavian Home
2a. My Scandinavian Home
2b. My Scandinavian Home
3. My Scandinavian Home
4. My Scandinavian Home
5. Artek
6. Artek
7. Mjölk
8. Maruni