“One only has one chance to make a first impression”

Well this foyer sure makes a statement… loud and clear.

source: Julia Rothman’s Daydream wallpaper for Hygge & West 

Brag factor on the mantle: Vintage Greek bust, Anglepoise 1227 lamp, Seletti skull.

“Without black, no color has any depth. But if you mix black with everything, suddenly there’s shadow – no, not just shadow, but fullness. You’ve got to be willing to mix black into your palette if you want to create something that’s real.” – Amy Grant

The gorgeous appartment of Australian designer Chelsea Hing & partner Nik Epifanidis, an architecture photographer, is a showcase of beautiful vintage finds set on a magic black baskdrop.

Brag factor: Panthella table lamp by Verner Panton, Chef portrait on wall – ‘Le Chef De L’Hotel Chatham’ by William Orpen.

Brag factor: Vanity by Frank Cadogan Cowper, Altered antique plates sourced from Beat Up Creations via Etsy & Third Drawer Down, Ventana mirror in by Jonathan Adler, Joker bowl in gold by B&B Italia, Bespoke console custom designed by CHDC, Rosy Angelis floor lamp by Flos.

Brag factor: Vintage Gaetano Sciolari 1970′s chandelier, Fat Fat ottoman by Patricia Urquiola for B&B Italia, Strata sofa by King Furniture, Navy chevron throw by Jonathan Adler, Vitsoe shelving by Dieter Rams, Untitled photographs on wall by Nik Epifanidis.

source: The Design Files

Have you ever been starstruck? The term usually applies to movie stars of singers, but I vote for it to apply to interior decors too. Case in point, this massive loft with its exquisite and intricate floors in the dining room, its floating bedroom canopy, and its free standing bath. #gashing

source: Elle Decor Espana

Hi, Gabrielle from Savvy Home here again!  Personally, I have always found dining rooms to be tricky. First, because the way furniture is displayed in a dining room often feels a bit weird: everything grouped around in the center, all the pieces around the same height, often empty walls. Second, well who  has enough space and entertains often enough to justify a dining room?

This is why I love the idea of a library dining room: elegant enough to host lively dinner parties, but multifunctional enough to be used for other purposes: children’s homework, meetings at home or even an occasional home office if you have a lap top you can easily put away. I feel as though Nate Berkus really achieved this dual-purpose room beautifully in his Manhattan duplex, don’t you?

1. Bookcases are not only useful if you own a lot of books, they also add some height to the room.

2. Whoever says bookcases also says art lamps. They just add so much flair and sophistication.

3. Choose a bookcase that has doors on the lower part and drawers to store away cutlery and fine china.

4. A table with drawers is also extremely efficient: each guest’s place setting in its place, ready to be pulled out.

5.Display books, fresh flowers and other artifacts when the table is not used for entertaining but make sure they all have a place to be put away quickly.

6. The chairs don’t need to be neatly stowed underneath the table. Display them around the room as needed.

7. Art, especially when oversized or stacked one above the other is great to balance the room’s high bookcases.

8. Doors can be useful to block out noise coming from the rest of the house when you need to concentrate on work.

9. Try a textured wallpaper, such as grasscloth, to further soundproof the room and make it feel more intimate.

10. With all the books and the grasscloth, you don’t even need a rug. The room is busy enough as it is!

Have you tried this double-purpose room at home? Do you like it?

See you next week!

Gabrielle | Savvy Home

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