apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

That light fixture and blue velvet lounge chair in the first picture are SO beautiful, I want!

I love the color palette in the third picture, the layers of different shades of the same value blue on the wheat or stone colored sofa perfect.

I don't care for box style shelves I think they would grow tired as the little cubed shelves from West Elm have.

I do like the picture frame shelf idea, especially the one posted earlier today.

I know it's not the point of this post, but I love the set-up in the first photo. I don't know if it's a combination living/dining room or just a really luxurious dining room, but either way, it's so comfy and would be great for entertaining.

This is a great idea, and these rooms are wonderful to study.

Gorgeous living room!

I'm looking for a box shelf to go above a simple box bench in my entryway. Do you guys have any resources for these things? Are they all custom?

Someone please tell me where to get that tiered chandelier. Or is that a Fortuny?

Top photo is nice and the boxes are a fun way to punch up a room that has an awful lot of seriousness about it, with its restrained tones. Agree with LoriSF that it will look dated in a few years but so long as it isn't a major investment to purchase and mount, I say go for it.

Heavy shelves above a bed are just asking for trouble.

I like box shelves, but the use of box shelves in that first pic is wasting so much space. I have tons of books so I would have rather seen those niches filled with built-ins.

I love the box shelves too.

Question:
I enjoy the arrangement from the Living home office. What a wonderful idea!! My only issue is all my furniture is dark (versus white) - black/brown in fact. Any ideas on what colour I can paint the walls (and please don't say white..I was hoping for some colour lol).

My thoughts on box shelves:
I think box shelves are an easy and interesting way to add a focal point to a room. The only issue is most box shelves aren't built to hold heavy loads (i.e. too many books) but I think using them sparingly looks great! I use them in my entry way.

My usage of box shelves:
I live in a small studio apartment and don't have room for a thin table. I'm lucky if I can get my jacket off without hitting the walls. My solution? Small box shelves!! There's place for my keys, my work security pass, mail and even my gloves during winter all without looking ragged and unorganized. :) They're great little solution and bring lots of interest to my tiny entranceway. My friends always comment on what a great little area it is :)

alissan,
i don't know what your tastes are, but a really pale pink would look nice with black/brown. you could add a few white accents here and there to make it more crisp....

That first room looks like a trendy luxe bathroom without the bath fixtures.