I mentioned yesterday that I’ve been searching the Interwebs for some design inspiration (although an unanticipated side effect of this is wanting to redo our recently “done” downstairs bathroom). During my searching I’ve come across some really cool designs.  Some of these pieces might be better suited to an ultra-modern art museum or avant-garde contemporary loft space, but they nonetheless provide inspiration for creating some similar looks in the everyday home.

How about this concrete vanity in the shape of an ammonite, which is the sea creature that when fossilized creates this unique design:

Or how about these table lamp-inspired wall lamps? These cute lights are expressed in silhouette form, featuring the shape of a shaded lamp atop a real shelf – perfect for placing your glasses or other reading accoutrements – all as a one-piece that’s mountable to your wall…

Lamps not your thing? How about having a rolling fireplace? This ultra modern fireplace can easily face any direction to turn any room into a comfy cocoon for the winter. Just roll it where you want some warmth:

Lastly, this is a more modern take on the wall boxes commonly found in most home decor stores. Instead of the traditional rectangular design, how about funking things up with asymmetrical storage?

Could you see any of these designs in your home?  I really love the sea-shell sink in the first photo, but would worry that this look could date very quickly (after all, we have the 80’s version of sea-shell sinks in blue cultured marble in one  of our upstairs bathrooms).  I could also see building a version of those asymmetrical boxes to install on our walls – but again, are they too cool for school?

Image sources:    sink  |  lamps  |  fireplace  |  boxes

If all goes according to plan, we should have family from the UK coming to stay for the Thanksgiving holiday.   Although it’s not on our list of renovation goals for 2010, we really need to make a start at getting at least one of our spare bedrooms more visitor friendly by November. 

 Until recently, the spare bedrooms have been empty shells… well, apart from a few boxes of junk that we’ve never sorted through since our move in 2009:

A couple of weeks ago, I worked up a inspiration moodboard for this room.

It involves repainting the walls a lovely duck-egg blue color, and bringing in some sumptuous chocolate furniture, with touches of turquoise and silver and contrasting red accessories.  I also talked about having a dark bedspread, but funking it up with some graphic black and white sheets and punchy pillows.  Throw in some modern sleek lined furniture and an architectural light, and we had an initial plan for transforming this blah space.

Well, phase 1 of the bedroom makeover is currently underway. We’ve yet to paint the walls – I think this will make the biggest transformation in the room.  When I return to the States at the end of this month, the search will be on for the perfect duck-egg hue (any suggestions?). We have moved some furniture in to the room, making it decidedly less storage-room and much more bedroom.

A brand new queen sized mattress and box springs has been topped with a simple black bedding set and a few cute pillows.  The bed is flanked by two glossy nightstands (that were bought on clearance, score!).  The generic drawer handles were replaced with some funky crystal topped ones, which I think tie in nicely with the brushed nickel finish of the lamps.  The black bedding is only temporary until I can find a more exciting set like one of these.  I do like the graphic pop of the black-and-white sheets and pillow that peek from behind the more subdued cover.

Opposite the bed, an Ikea Hopen dresser (another Craigslist bargain) is topped by three mirrors found at Target, which are great for bouncing light around the room.  The dresser is actually quite large and so has plenty of space for guests to place their foldable items (the door to the left of the dresser is a small walk-in closet).

A few small red accessories have been placed on the dresser, including the very first photo taken of Rick and I when we began dating (10 years ago – eek!).

So, we’re starting to make progress transforming this room in a more liveable space.  There are many things left to do in this room: paint the walls, lay some flooring, change the bedding, bring in some artwork and figure out some cool lighting.

Eventually, I’d like to think about installing a built-in bookcase in that wall where the roof line comes down (instead of that small door).  It might also be cool to install some window seats under those two windows.  That would add a little extra storage and create a nice relaxing space for our guests to chill with a book or to look out the window at the scenery.

I am still looking for design inspiration for this room.  Do you have perfect duck-egg blue paint on your walls?  How about a great architectural light fixture?  Have you built a fab window seat? Help a girl out here and spill the beans!

I’ve been spending a lot of time with my mum here in the UK. That means I have been going shopping.  A lot.  And after visiting every single shop within a 100-mile radius from her home in Chepstow, I am starting to get a feel for the current shopping trends.  One thing I’ve noticed is that black and white seems to be “in”. The ol’ monochrome is cool. Wicked. Sweet.  Bangin’.  Slammin’. Totally dizzy makin’.

A quick googley of black and white decor brought up many inspiration photos, like this one courtesy of Laura Ashley:

The great thing about black and white decor is that it is an easy way to make your home look sophisticated, elegant and let’s not forget dramatic. It is versatile and can be the backdrop to a variety of styles and accent colors. The stark contrast and sleek lines make the room seem more orderly and clean, not to mention giving it an modern edge.

If you’re concerned about making too bold a statement with solely black and white decor, try incorporating an accent color: a photo on the wall, a pillow case or a few small accessories.  Another design tip to bear in mind when using a monochrome scheme – only use one or two items that are both black AND white. Have some pieces be only one color to avoid making the room look too busy.

Check out some of these fab black and white finds:

1. Graham & Brown Deauville Linen Canvas Art ($119), 2. Salton table lamp ($159.99)  3. Normann Swing vases (from £15), 4. Sophia wallpaper in Charcoal ($74.99), 5. Asterisk clock by George Nelson ($300), 6. Alberto Mantilla salt & pepper shakers ($30), 7. Coach House leisure chair (£366), 8. Modern Dose flower mirror ($615).

Do you have a favorite? Personally, I love that floral mirror and the chair/footstool, but they are way beyond my budget.  What is it they say? Champagne taste on a beer budget. Yep, that’s me.

In addition to the master suite, we have three bedrooms upstairs.  Well, technically, at the moment we only have two spare bedrooms because one is in the process of being turned into a library (we eventually have plans to turn the attic into a guest suite).  When we have guests over to stay, we usually put them up in the guest room with the adjoining bathroom (this room has been dubbed the “Helen” room in honor of our first house guest, Prof. Helen Haste, last year).  However, this bedroom is no longer usable because of the air handler leak which damaged parts of the ceiling and floor of the Helen room (and not to mention completely trashed the bed!).

Since moving in last year, we haven’t really done much to the second spare bedroom (dubbed the “blood room” because of a dubious stain we uncovered when the carpet was removed). For the last year, it has remained largely in an empty state:

In preparation of sprucing up this room, I thought I’d whip up a little moodboard; some design inspiration if you will…

I’d like to paint the walls a lovely duck-egg blue, replacing the dark mocha color that we inherited in the room.  The duck-egg blue walls will be paired with rich chocolate furniture, and accents of turquoise and silver and a few contrasting pops of red.  I like the idea of having a muted black bedspread, but funking it up with some black and white sheets and some fun pillows.  I love the sleek design of the Hopen dresser from Ikea – it’s actually pretty large so offers plenty of storage space for the unmentionables.  Although this gorgeous leather turquoise chair is way out of budget, I think it is possible to find a similar, much cheaper alternative for this space.  I’m not 100% decided on the lighting for this room.  I really like the architectural lines of the Fillsta light from Ikea, but I am not sure I can quite picture it in the room. I like it, but do I love it?

I am excited to be getting to the fun design and decor aspect of our house makeover.  What aspects of this moodboard catch your eye?  How about that expensive turquoise chair? Are you liking or hating the blue/red color combo?