Olatz Schnabel’s color saturated bedroom has found it’s way into my inspiration files.  I haven’t stopped looking at it, since I saw it the September issue of House Beautiful.

{image via la dolce vita}

A mix of design elements including ornate furnishings, art and colors in luscious raspberries, turquoise with a touch of purple, come together so cohesively I just want to curl up and  read a book in this room. How glamorous would that be?

Sometimes all you need are the contrast of subtle textures, warm neutrals and bold graphic art to make a room perfect. Oh, and fabulous built-in shelves for books help too!

But look at the difference a warm wash of cocoa paint brings to this  den. Isn’t it lovely?

{images via atlanta homes and lifestyles and courtney giles interiors}

I’m not sure which I like better, but when a room has good bones  and there’s time and thought put into the palette it’s hard to make a mistake.

Which version of the room do you prefer?

Lately I’ve been looking at a lot of offices and studios. Today, I’m inspired by the charming modern/traditional mix of Milly designer, Michelle Smith’s NYC showroom.

Clean and serene but with pops of color and pattern, I just can’t get enough. I thought I’d through these picks just for more fun and color.

{images via traditional home}

I love a little color to reinvigorate a gloomy Wednesday!

Nothing makes me happier than beautiful  outdoor spaces. Especially the Brooklyn backyard garden of J. Crew’s Jenna Lyons. I adore outdoor rooms and I just pulled this image for my personal design files.

{image via door sixteen and livingetc}

Personal green space can be a cherished retreat in urban environments. I love that it isn’t over done with furniture and is really about the communication between the home’s architecture, the landscape and the garden. I feel the  soothing effects of her garden retreat just looking at it.

After yesterday’s presentation (which was awesome), I’m still in the mood for color. So here you go, Miles Redd and de Gourney! I can’t think of a better combination! My heart SWOONS over small tricked out spaces.

Redd is a genius when it comes to intriguing color combination and stunning details (umm… hello,  nailhead trim and leather doors. I love you). I’m quite in awe of this brilliant dark emerald and chocolate Manhattan  hallway and foyer.

{images via house beautiful}

And how can you not love that the wood chevron floor has been stained to enhance the geometry? What an impact it has on such a small area.

Everything got pleasantly quiet when I stumbled across  this beautiful room from designer Tracy Reese’s home.

We’ve been looking at global influences at work recently and I love the bold mix of colors,  patterns, textures and accents in Reese’s home. Clearly, she uses the same philosophy at home as she does when design clothes. My  only wish I could speak on the spatial layout as well as the compelling decor. But, my goodness, what you see here is stunning isn’t it?

Click here to see more images of Tracy Reese’s home.

Can we talk for a sec? I’m sitting writing this wondering why I do not subscribe to a physical copy of Atlanta Homes and Lifestyle. I’m wondering because when I saw this room I squealed with delight and decided the website  is not enough for me.

{image via atlanta homes and lifestyle}

Designed by Melanie Turner of Turner Davis Interiors, It has everything to make a room perfect, a wonderful seating arrangement, pops of color against a neutral but interesting backdrop, play on scale and a horse! Okay, the last one may only interest me, but it works in this space. Perfectly…

I can’t lie, I still wish it was the weekend or that another long one was coming up soon. That’s why I was drawn to this outdoor room. It’s another pick from A French Country Home.

Couldn’t you just imagine laying out in this space? It has me daydreaming about my own little piece of heaven, in that cabana tucked away from the rest of the world.

Funny enough, I chose this room before I knew that the Domino archives are back online at brides.com. It’s former Domino editor in chief Deborah Needleman’s  loft apartment. It is perfect for two reasons: It’s pretty and functional for a family of 4 and the way the image is taken, it shows a successful  (partial) space plan for loft living.

{images via nymag.com}

Living zones have been created to use the space wisely and a mix of  and high and low items were used for the decor.  And the monochromatic greige palette is to die for. Mostly I love and chose this room because of the design plan; it’s perfect for entertaining as well as everyday living. Don’t you just want to sit in this room and read a book?

Sometimes I forget to talk about the practicalities of the design process when I put up these gorgeous inspiration images. Planning out a space must be done first before the pretty decorative stuff.  After that step is done, then comes the fun. And while no one can possibly love textiles, furniture and finishes more than me,  at work  we would do a great disservice to a client if I didn’t take the time to organize and plan. It’s the main reason I don’t leave home without a tape measure and sketchbook. But don’t think that you have to have a ton of loft space, have a successful home design. Small spaces need the same amount of planning love and often give the most beautiful moments when finished.

I adore looking at home office spaces and seeing how people work. That’s why I chose this office/study as today’s perfect room.

{image via living etc}

It’s beautifully moody with it’s dark bookshelves (millwork in designspeak) but lightened up by bringing in a graphic rug, a delicate chair and a vintage-style chandelier. Also I love the contrast between those elements and the antique desk tucked beneath the window. Mixing decorative elements is a wonderful to have a room tell a story. Isn’t it Perfect?