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How to Create Calm: Inspiration from Atlanta Bartlett's Serene Interiors

You can't help but feel at ease when you peer into the calm interiors of Atlanta Bartlett — stylist, author, and co-founder of Beach Studios. Whenever we're in need of laid back comfort, we turn to her soothing rooms for inspiration. Here's what we've gleaned from her serene spaces...

 
 

FIRST ROW

1 Bedside tables work best when kept clutter-free. A lamp for late night reading and fresh cut flowers to greet you in the morning are two of the best simple bedroom luxuries

2 Bathrooms don't have to have a traditional vanity set up. We like the way the she uses multiple mirrors in varying shapes to emphasize the room's height and to break up the white.

3 Living rooms are most inviting with comfortable, durable furniture and visual variety. The chair begs you to sit back and relax while the little vignettes on the mantel, side table, and console have add just enough interest to give your eyes a pleasing place to rest.

4 Natural materials enhance serenity in a bedroom. We like the calm created by the variety of wood, woven, and naturally colored wicker elements in this simple bedroom.

5 Luxury isn't always about high end fabrics and elaborate furnishings. The casually sheet-wrapped furniture and the bare surfaces create their own spare comfort.

SECOND ROW

6 White kitchens create a fresh atmosphere for food prep and entertaining. We love all the windows and ample amount of space in this simple kitchen.

7 Large spaces don't need to be packed with furniture. For most of us, this isn't a problem. When we do come across a spacious room though, we like when its airiness is emphasized rather than weighed down with too much heavy furniture.

8 Make use of the architecture. Pictures propped casually rather than hung on the beams of this cozy barn cottage fit the laid back comfort of the space.

9 Oversize mirrors visually expand a room, especially in a white room. We love the elegant ease of this room with its propped big mirror which adds to the room's casual glamour.

10 Working with a variety of textures and tones keeps an all white palette from being too chilly.

To learn more about Atlanta Bartlett or to order her books, visit her website.

To check out more inspiring interiors styled by Atlanta Bartlett and her husband, David Coote, visit Beach Studios.

(Images: Atlanta Bartlett)

Tags

bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, living room, inspiration, white, Atlanta Bartlett

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Comments (11)

please please please take thumbnails off your blog. I love your blog and am a long-time reader, but cant take it much longer.

posted by snowdrop on March 26th 2009 at 12:11pm
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i have to say, i agree with snowdrop. the thumbnails are a big turn-off.

posted by kristykreem on March 26th 2009 at 12:17pm
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oh, i love all of these...

posted by abigailbelle on March 26th 2009 at 12:48pm
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The thumbnails also drive me crazy, also these are not all in order with the captions.

posted by SoSue on March 26th 2009 at 12:48pm
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I also prefer scrolling - it's easier and faster than the thumbnails. Although, I think thumbnails are ok when the images are the same size/height - then the transition between images is not as jarring.

posted by apt11 on March 26th 2009 at 12:55pm
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Love the rooms but the chair in photo five looks like it's wearing a straitjacket!

posted by Madame Is on March 26th 2009 at 1:38pm
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I agree with apt11. The thumbnails wouldn't bee to bad if they were the images same size or the at least the thumbnails underneath didn't move every time I select a different.

For the images themselves, I really like the bedrooms in pictures 1 and 4 (looks like the captions are off for some). the dark wood colors with all of the white and light is really nice in 4 and there's just something about 1 that looks clean and comfy.

posted by tgfoo on March 26th 2009 at 1:42pm
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Everyone: as per the new commenting policy, please direct functionality issues and criticisms to the appropriate managing editor using this form.

posted by Aaron on March 26th 2009 at 2:01pm
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Too shabby chic for my taste, but I guess the rooms ARE calm.

posted by SherryBinNH on March 26th 2009 at 3:37pm
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All these spaces are so beautiful and make me think of a beach house which is my dream home minus the wicker!

posted by witchbaby on March 26th 2009 at 8:55pm
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yes, slightly too shabby... but much improved by just a few modern elements

posted by sunan on March 27th 2009 at 11:02pm
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