Category: Design & Travel

Paris, France

Few places inspire images of romance, class, and beauty like the great city of Paris, France.

Few places inspire images of romance, class, and beauty like the great city of Paris, France.   Think aged buildings, gold, painted ceilings, a wealth of antiques, and an attitude of gracious living.  Parisians have turned everyday living into an art form.

 

 

 

 

Designer Betty Burgess created this room, inspired by her clients’ years living in France.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This gorgeous hand-painted ceiling graces the ceiling of a private dining room in Paris.

 

Adding details that evoke thoughts of Paris takes only a bit of imagination.  Look for prints, accessories, and antiques to evoke emotions and thoughts of Paris.

Framed print of Notre Dame gargoyle
Antique French chair
18th century French mirror

The Adirondacks

The Adirondack Mountain region of New York is a visually stunning landscape of mountain peaks, vast forests, lakes and waterfalls, and soaring blue skies.

The Adirondack Mountain region of New York is a visually stunning landscape of mountain peaks, vast forests, lakes and waterfalls, and soaring blue skies.  It’s no wonder the area attracts so many tourists to its millions of acres of natural beauty.  Many aspects of the Adirondacks translate well into interior design.

Natural, organic materials form the basis for design inspired by a wild place like the Adirondacks.  You don’t have to live in a post and beam home to borrow the beauty of the look for your own rooms.  No ceiling beams in your home?  They can be installed and either stained or painted by a professional decorative artist to match existing wood or look like any type of wood you might prefer.

Wooden beams don’t need to be confined to the ceiling.  Reclaimed wood beams make furniture that is rustic, beautiful, and green.  A nice complement to this look is an accessory reminiscent of old tin roof or barn tiles.

The extensive forests of the Adirondacks can also provide inspiration.  Luxurious wall coverings evoking wood patterns or leaves as well as paintings or prints can easily reflect the botanical influence of the Adirondacks.

Murano, Italy

Murano, Italy has become synonymous with exquisite glass work. Few home accessories can rival the beautiful artistry of a Murano glass piece.

Murano, Italy has become synonymous with exquisite glass work.  Few home accessories can rival the beautiful artistry of a Murano glass piece.  What may surprise you, however, is the number of ways to exhibit one of these works of art in your home and how individual examples of Murano glass seem, at their heart, to contain traces of the lovely part of the world where they originate.

A vase such as this, available in different colors and styles, is an accent piece that can be a unique addition to almost any decor.

                    

Murano’s glass artisans are true artists, and their work takes many forms.  A collection of delicate, colorful goblets clearly show the skill and artistry involved in these handmade works of art.

                                

The forms Murano glass can take are limitless, and the creativity of the artists who work with it is just as boundless.  If you are looking for a stunning piece of art, exploring the work of Italian glass blowers is an excellent place to start.


Finally, for a truly stunning impact nothing compares to the graceful elegance of a Murano chandelier.

     

Italy’s Amalfi Coast

When I look at images of Italy’s beautiful Amalfi Coast, the first thing to strike me is the color.

When I look at images of Italy’s beautiful Amalfi Coast, the first thing to strike me is the color.  The soft pastels of buildings clinging to steep hills, the deep azure of Mediterranean waters, vibrant gardens and lemon groves, all with a backdrop of stunning mountains and clear skies.  How could anyone resist translating these riches for the eyes into delicious design elements?