Blogging...Small Space Inspiration from House Beautiful

The other day, a friend mentioned a theory we’ve blogged on AT: we tend to gravitate towards the things we grew up with. Our dad had an antique store when we were little, loved mixing patterns and styles, adored 30s movies and designs by Halston and John Kloss. Which may explain why we’re more comfortable around Hollywood Regency than Mid-Century Modern and why we spent yesterday dissecting this bungalow designed and occupied by Mary McGee, featured on the House Beautiful website. Here are a few of the pictures we obsessed over...

[Images House Beautiful]

For more, and McGee’s tips on making this look work in a small space, including how to mix styles, check out House Beautiful

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Comments (9)

Last photo with all that white on the deck - how would they ever keep that clean looking? I have to wipe down my patio furniture at least every couple of days and even friends who don't live in the city get tree stuff and pollen on the outside furniture. Maybe it was just for the photo shoot or only for special parties?

posted by Gallivant on April 14th 2008 at 12:46pm
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Actually I wish there was an "edit comment" button as I re-thought this and I think it is like "if you have to ask how much it costs you can't afford it" and that would be everything in that magazine probably.

posted by Gallivant on April 14th 2008 at 12:55pm
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You know, Gallivant, I totally understand! But, I bet you could jury-rig this so that you could have it be pretty and white for parties and things, and then just be ordinary (and durable) the rest of the time. I think those benches are covered with white slipcovers and pads. The pillows can come and go, and the chair is probably hard resin, or something. Give it a scrub with oxyclean and a scrub brush, set out a few votives, and you're set!

posted by artnerd on April 14th 2008 at 5:51pm
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Mary McGee was on the cover of Domino magazine a few years ago. I saved the edition and have copied so many of her ideas. She actually mixes a fair bit of low (ikea) with her highs, those outdoor benches smack of ballard designs...

posted by oliviadc on April 14th 2008 at 6:02pm
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I absolutely LOVE their website, they have the most amazing photo library and the ones you've posted here are simply gorgeous.

Karen

posted by Alkemie on April 14th 2008 at 8:34pm
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I was going to say it looks very "domino"...someone else commented on the site before: zebra rug; wingback chairs; lucite tables.....! I guess it started with Mary.

posted by juliaonhamilton on April 15th 2008 at 6:13am
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Though I HATE the lucite Louis XIV chairs (the trend really has come and gone), I must say I absolutely love this woman's eye. I want her to adopt me.

posted by DesignGod on April 15th 2008 at 6:26am
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to me that looks crowded (except for the bedroom) and ... fake. i can't imagine having a couple people over & sipping red wine in that living room. that's pretty much my idea of what a 'before' pic would look like.

posted by loislane on April 15th 2008 at 9:45am
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I have to agree with 'loislane' - this is so crowded looking. I'd go crazy with that much useless decoration around me.

posted by Kris on April 15th 2008 at 10:25am
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