The Search for an Asian inspired Blue and White Rug

1. Today I have been doing a little online shopping for a client- trying to find an Asian rug with shades of blue and white in it. These were my four favorites of the day.
2.

I thought Asian and blue would be easier to find together than they were. Anyone seen any that you can add?
3.

What do you think? Have a favorite?- I numbered them for an easy vote. The headboard is tufted upholstered blue- bedding is yet to be selected- so I can make things come together there. We are using these cool stools from Wisteria.

4.

Is More More?

I was intrigued by this month's House Beautiful Kitchen of the Month. I wanted to know what you thought. It is a French look with quite a formal feel and a lot of blue and white.

Clearly no expense was spared. What I want to know is- is it just too much? Is it over-decorated? The mouldings, the tile, the ceiling, the sink, the leaded glass...

Is there any restraint shown? The tile work on the double refrigerators...

Not one scene on the tile- but many...

OK- here I'll say it's beautiful- wouldn't change a thing.

This is a good shot above that shows what I mean about the mouldings and tile work and leaded glass. When there is so much going on- it is hard for the eye to know where to go. I feel like a beautiful room is a journey. The eye is drawn to the focal point- and there is then a nice rhythm around the room. I feel like there are multiple focal points here.

I am liking the butcher block!

What do you think? Anyone love it? Wish it were theirs? Anyone agree with me that the tile work and moldings needed to exercise the less is more approach? What do you think?

The Blue Kitchen

Are you considering a blue kitchen? This post is all about adding blue to your kitchen space. Where do you add the color? Above it is the backsplash and fabrics. (also note the sconces above the windows in the photo above- I really like those.- and the beadboard ceiling.)

To go blue on the cabinets themselves- make sure you really are a fan of blue. Have you loved blue for more than three years? Or are you simply liking blue because of recent marketing and styles?

Just the paint is a great place to put blue if you fall into the "I like to follow the fads" category.

Another backsplash in blue..

This is a nice high end kitchen- but can be a great idea for those of you trying to update an out of date kitchen. Remove doors- beadboard the backs- and paint!

Here you find the trendy blue and green- but only in the accessories.

I like the ceiling and floors in the fun and funky kitchen above.

For the Tuscan blue look - check out this kitchen- it is a piece of art. Don't go trying this at home if you are not really an artist. I feel like I need to include that disclaimer as if this is some extreme sport program. You really could hurt your kitchen. :)

Have a favorite? I love the tiles in the fifth photo.

Photos from House Beautiful.

Krypton

Hello,

Your blog came up on a search I did for Sherwin Williams Krypton (your August 6, 2009 post). We’re looking for a paint color for our home and are considering this as one of the colors. Have you used this paint? We’re looking for a gray/silver paint with a bluish tint (or just gray/silver)- we like Krypton (also considering SW Samovar Silver) but we’re worried it will be too blue. Any thoughts?

Thanks so much.

Abby

Hi Abby,

Have I used this paint color before? Yes- and I really like it. Know this though- paint looks different in every room- in every home- with different flooring- different lighting- different accent colors- etc. There is no substitute for the "sample quart." I found the photo above online- and thought it looked more green than the time that I used it before. :)

Good-Luck with your project!

Christine

Wallpaper Wednesday

Today's Wallpaper Wednesday is from Coastal Living- June 2010. I thought this was a terrific before and after. They added not only wallpaper- but a window- and painted their wood mouldings white.

I love the large scale print on the paper. The window adds so much- don't you think? In bedrooms, you see this sometimes, a window, a large break, another window. The architect probably intended for that to be the headboard location.

What do you think?