I find relaxation very stressful. I am at my happiest when constantly engaged. (I have nerve-wracking memories of childhood vacations spent laying on the beach and thinking, "Why is my family making me lay on this beach and get sunburned? There are places to go, things to see! The world is spinning on without me!") What I want most out of a space is to be inspired, so I prefer to surround myself with color and glamour and items of age. More

Don't get me wrong, I don't have a scrap of pink or purple in my own house. And my walls haven't seen floral since my childhood in the 80s. There is something appealing however about taking a left turn from your usual decor and embracing the opposite once in awhile. We all get in ruts, and it's nice to branch out.

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Being in nature, to me, is one of the most calming, rewarding things. Who wouldn't want to bring some of that joy and mystery into their home with nature-inspired furniture, art and other elements? But beyond just items that are inspired by nature, I'm really into lately how designers interpret nature: artists who experiment with color in landscape photos and furniture designers who incorporate natural materials and motifs in new and exciting ways. More

Just a few days ago, I was having a conversation with some co-workers about all the great black upholstery fabrics in the new collections. For the past few years, it's been difficult to find top-quality interior fabrics in that really black black. But it seems that black is having a moment, in upholstery, hard finishes and furniture alike. More

Queen, for a day. From Lady Stark to dragon-rearing silver-haired beauties, bawdy dames and ladies in waiting, the women of Westeros and beyond the Wall are no Disney Princesses. They're strong, exotic, armored and sexy. Who wouldn't love a room where any of these women would feel at home, plotting their next move and making those silly kings feel like they wear the crowns in the family? More

Mantels are the perfect place to showcase artwork, mirrors, and accessories. The display on mine is always changing, because there are just so many variations that can work. More

I've dreamed of owning a blue velvet sofa for about as long as I can remember. But as a self-professed neat freak with a white fluffy dog — I have a feeling it would end badly. So its only leather couches for me, but it doesn't mean a girl can't dream! This is my version of my dream living room, based entirely around my blue velvet sofa. More

To me, there's nothing more classy than a clean-lined gray velvet sofa. But let's face it, my style never has been (nor ever will be) 100% elegant. I need a bit of fun, funk, and color in my life.
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My design style is usually punctuated with color, however lately I have wanted to it all strip away and live in a house filled entirely with black and white furnishings.

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