It is incredible to see a tiny 430 square foot apartment transformed into an oasis of modern bliss. This turn of the century Swedish flat in Linnaeus Town, Sweden is exactly that. The space looks open and airy (and quite practical, considering the size!)
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Everything's designed. Not necessarily with aesthetics in mind, but with sort of intent: safety, strength, affordability, etc. There are some objects out there, though, that didn't set out to win over the design set but wound up doing it anyway. Here's my pick for five "un-designer" objects that appeal to the designer in me: More

Name: Rebecca Proctor, Andrew Wightman and baby Wren
Location: Bude, Cornwall, UK
Size: 780 square feet
Years lived in: 4 years; Owned

Moving to the Cornish countryside from London four years ago, Andrew and Rebecca embraced a major design challenge. "We knew that we wanted to create a home that would feel cosy but not cluttered. Moving to the countryside was all about living a simple life and we wanted the house to reflect that."

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I like white, I really do. But lately, I've been suffering from achromatic overload. Too much white is leaving me cold, and I'm craving more contrast with my lightness these days… More

"I never told you I'd love you all my life." A friend sent me this clip yesterday for its warm, sweet, off-beat charm, but I couldn't help but love the raw apartment and decor that serves as the backdrop behind the scene. From Pierrot le Fou by Jean Luc Godard, Anna Karina sings to Jean Paul Belmondo while he sits, smoking, in bed. English lyrics are below. This is Paris, 1965.

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Name: Rachel Doriss, Design Director at Pollack; husband Joel Hamilton, daughter Coco
Location: Bed Stuy, Brooklyn, New York
Size: 700 square feet
Years lived in: 3 years, rented

It's a life stitched together from memory, and bits of fabric vintage and new, in a home furnished with gifts from friends and pieces passed down through time, all threaded through and rich with meaning. "Sentimental value" has never been richer. Pretty, please, with a little Coco on top.

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Easy, elegant and open, these examples from our House Tours exemplify the look of Simple Chic. Well proportioned and thoughtfully arranged, these rooms show that keeping clutter to a minimum by knowing what to store and what to display makes all the difference in a home. Keeping to a relatively minimalist look doesn't have to feel cold or uncomfortable. In fact, displaying personal items keeps a home interesting and intimate. A reduced amount of clutter allows for special pieces to stand out and take center stage. More

Of all our style categories, "Simple Chic" may be the most difficult to peg. It's defined almost by the negative space, the absence in an uncluttered room, rather than the things that are there. It's exactly those stylistic things, however, that can play a pivotal role in creating a calm, soothing atmosphere, something that's suited especially well for young child. These rooms run the gamut in terms of specific pieces included, but they are all, indisputably, simple and chic. More

When I saw Lindsey Bond's modern day Birmingham cottage featured in House Beautiful, I fell in love. A mix of various shades of white with small pops of color, it's a nice example of calm decor. She's created a live/work nook that provides a surface to write a letter without taking up too much space. More

When it comes to interiors, we all have our weaknesses, and good lighting is mine (okay, one of mine). Carefully applied, the right lighting can elevate any space, making it seem bigger, more welcoming, cleaner, more modern, more expensive — you name it, good lighting can probably do it. Similarly, poorly planned lighting can often let down an otherwise beautiful room. More