House Beautiful June 2013

The June issue of House Beautiful was a little bland and not very memorable either way.  If I were you and not a subscriber, 

I wouldn't go rush out and buy a copy.

I liked the animal theme on wallpapers.  I liked how it illustrated the repetition of any motif is effective and can be soothing.

I love Scalamandre and they proved how good they are by making me want ( is that octopus or a squid?) on my walls.

Apparently, instinctively humans like repetition in most things including routine and even in landscapes.  Anything new back in the cave days meant disaster so it plays into this primal need.

One cow or one giraffe would have looked odd but in a repeating pattern, it now seems perfectly doable.

I suppose one can take inspiration from anything. 

If you do match your dining area to your porcelain, then make sure they are never in the dishwasher.

I like segments when a decorator deconstruct a room and shows their "recipe" for a room. I must add that this month the iPad issues have come in a different format and it doesn't translate as well into photos as well as the print issue.

I do like Michael S Smith.  He seems to decorate in a way that is livable and not just for showrooms.

This is where you can see the different format and 

the screen gets cut off so please bear with me.

If I had my way, I would even have a slipper sofa.

I like that you are not predetermining space. I like slipper chairs especially when entertaining and flirting.  You can always ask someone to scoot over and share a chair!

The paint colors for a garden doesn't apply to me at all but I put it out there for those of you that might be interested.

I have total fountain envy. 

This is what London does to you...

Personally, I think pure white plates are a better base palette for jazzing up a table with glasses and other accouterments.

However, black does punctuate a space and give some yang energy.

But I don't feel hugely inspired.

Next time I do a dinner party, I will show you my china.

So on to the editorials.

This is a very soothing and complete vignette. 

Has a light source, books, flowers in a vase, inanimate objects sourced from both art and nature.

The chartreuse below is marmite of colors no?

As one of my friends says, chartreuse is so Nicole Kidman Oscars dress 1997. I dare not ask if that is good or bad.

The colors in this editorial are all obliquely matched it seems. 

Lots of secondary colors of a distinct shade brought together.

I need to ask Heidi of Adelaide Villa her opinion of 

the color scheme of this bedroom.

Am I being harsh when I think just go totally monochromatic with a strong black and white statement. But diffused slowly from the bed centerpiece it looks like you are a decorating chicken?  Bwok bwok!

I adore everything about the pool and the house/cabana.

I love the modern door frames next to all the wood.

This house has no wow factor but I feel like it is the type of house that in-laws have if that makes any sense at all.

I don't mind a subway tile and neither do they by the looks of it.

Maybe it is my time in New York but part of me feels like 

I am in the loo. Sorry.

You could read in this bath by resting the book on your knees 

that will never get wet.

Blogger alert.

Lily Pulitzer's daughter's house below that has already been featured in many blogs.

I gotta give her kudos for her use and mix of fabrics.

She hasn't read my blog post about scattered throws obviously.

Not wholly convinced by her fabric on the chairs, a bit heavy for the climate.  It looks like it belongs in the dining room of a suburban British accountant.

This kitchen below is a bit busy and personally I don't find myself having a restorative tea on the kitchen bench.

I do love a glossy finish to a deep color for a library.

I would love one but my builder said he would never paint anything gloss finish again as it is the so tough to finish well!

It is interesting that only this one room makes a statement

 but the rest of the house is a clean hue.

The bath and kitchen of the month were similar in that if I bought a house with them in it, I would  be on the cusp of whether or not to redecorate them...

Nice enough and classic but somehow needs just that 

little bit of sprucing.

But I would definitely keep all the fridges and other appliances.

Hope you enjoyed browsing through the June issue!