Inspired by Cynthia Frank

.01 Abstract painting | .02 Regent demilune table | .03 Orange chair | .04 Horn accent table | .05 Casa Bello Sofa | .06 White floor lamp | .07 Rope coffee table | .08 Seagrass table |.09 Grey velvet pillow

I know, I know....I took a very long break from the blog - But let me say this: When one steps away from the internet for a bit and focuses on business, one gets a whole lot accomplished and finds new sources of inspiration!  One also ends up swooning over other people's homes and contemplating selling everything you own and starting over!

One such home is that of Elle Decor contributing editor, Cynthia Frank!  I've loved Cynthia's style for a while now and didn't even realize it - turns out photographer Claiborne Swanson Frank consulted Cynthia, her mother-in-law, while decorating her lovely New York apartment (blogged about here).  Now I'm being a little exaggerated when I say I now want to sell everything I own and start over - I just really love this home.  Those vintage plaster lamps made me sigh and the black and white marble floor! This inspired me to add a little bit more color to my home for summer and was the overall style inspiration for my "Girl on a Budget" project (which I share more on later) - think lots of white and pops of color!

I put together a Cynthia inspired board above with some great pieces from Horchow (they're having an incredible sale right now), West Elm and Etsy.  That rope coffee table has my name written all over it!   Granny chic, what?

Where do you get decor inspiration from?

A Cozy Corner

The animal activist inside me is screaming "No!" — but regardless, I'm absolutely in love with sheepskin.  I mean just look at this cozy little corner featured in the September issue of Elle Decor.  Designer Gwynn Griffith must want winter house guests because why else would she publish such an inviting retreat?  The shearling covered barrel chair would be the perfect place to cozy up with my pooch and read a good book.  And don't even get me started on the John Dickinson plaster table.... I love anything with an animal paw or hoof.  Is anyone else excited for the dropping temps or am I getting ahead of myself? 

Farrow and Ball Studio Green Paint | Etsy Vintage Oil Painting | Jayson Home and Garden Leopard Pillow | Vintage Scandanavian Style Rattan Barrel Chair | Oly Studio Ari Side Table | Ikea Ludde Sheepskin Rug

Photography: William Waldron for Elle Decor, scanned and edited by Kristin Kerr

White Out

To paint or not to paint, that is the question and currently my new home dilemma.  I moved into my apartment almost a month ago and I'm starting to think I could live there until I'm ready to buy a place. When I signed the lease one of the first questions I asked was if I was allowed to paint the current white walls (seen here). The owner said yes, as long as I repaint them white when I move out....what a hassle, right? Who wants to live with white walls...Not I! Or so I thought until I saw this gorgeous home designed by Ted Tuttle.

He used Benjamin Moore’s Super White on all the walls and trim and it looks incredible. This particular shade of white, he believes, has a lot of depth and is “still as rich at night as it is in the morning.” So what's a girl to do? Do I keep the white walls and add depth and interest with things I can take with me when I move or paint and have it repainted when I move out? That whole temporary 'I'm-not-going-to-change-a-thing-for-the-next-three-years' thing drives me nuts but so does the thought of having to pay someone to paint twice. What do you think? I'm torn!

Photographs by John Granen for Elle Decor July 2011

Inspired By | Jeffrey Alan Marks

Yesterday I posted about Jeffrey Alan Mark's Kitchen...today I bring you the rest of his cozy Santa Monica Canyon home. With his own particular style of tailored, casual elegance, Marks has created a stunning retreat – one that epitomizes cozy California chic!  

1. Striped Rug | 2. Desk | 3. Turquoise Lamp | 4. Bench | 5. Cheese Dome | 6. Locker Cage

photos: simon upton for elle decor june 2010

Outdoor Dining

One of my favorite things about Chicago is when warm weather finally returns, the restaurant tables overflow onto the sidewalks and people dine outdoors at all hours of the day.  As a city dweller, it is such a luxury to have my parents live just 30 minutes - I love nothing more that spending a sunny Sunday afternoon in my parent's backyard eating burgers and corn on the cob (I'm a simple girl).  While my parent's backyard is lovely, I can't help but think about the meals I'd eat if this rustic retreat was mine.  Simple, sunny and serene I love the patina of the concrete table paired with worn-in Klismo chairs.  I would say that I’m envious, except that I’m a tried-and-true city girl...maybe one day I'll have a change of heart.
image: grey crawford for elle decor

Bigger is Better

My name is Kristin and I’m a design bookaholic.  There's nothing like stacks and stacks of books perched on a coffee table just waiting to be read.  The Borders liquidation sale has left me with five new design books and the feeling that my forty-two inch ottoman just isn’t big enough to accommodate my addiction.   The coffee table above would be nice – it’s six feet of Albrizzi floating coffee table goodness.  I'm pretty sure a table that size would take up my entire living room but a girl can dream, right? Where do you store your books? 

image: William Waldron for Elle Decor

Classical Collaboration: Miles Redd & Gil Schafer (Part II)

I was beyond thrilled to open up the November issue of Elle Decor and see the gorgeous Millbrook, New York home I wrote about in July.  While I think it's true that the images speak for themselves, It was great to read architect Gil Schafer and decorator Miles Redd's back story on this classic country house in upstate New York.