Studio Ilse Or Else

Friends, it was a looooong weekend. We hosted a garage sale, ripped out our upper kitchen cabinets, attended a friend's awesome housewarming party, and just didn't get enough sleep. I kind of want to crawl back under the covers, and stop fighting the urge to rest my weary eyes. But no! I shall prevail against the dastardly Monday doldrums by bombarding you will a zillion pictures by brilliant design firm, Studio Ilse. Studio Ilse provides its clients with what they call emotional design, or "expressive design that communicates to us on a primal level and addresses our human needs." That sounds pretty good, right? Do you think they can address my need for sleep?

I suppose I could curl up on that hot pink Togo couch and take a nap, but I think I'd rather prop the old peepers up with toothpicks a la Tom and Jerry and take a tour of this fab office on London Road.

Let's see: hot pink couch (check), Klein Blue credenza painted to match Klein Blue walls and Klein Blue carpet (super check), anatomical charts (check), funky Chris LaBrooy felt chandelier (check), and a vintage typewriter?! Check plus.

Let's see what else Ilse can come up with:

How about the uber gorgeous Aesop storefront that goes a little something like 19th century apothecary meets 1920s industrial? I covet the restrained color palette (no contrasting trim!), and judicious use of furnishings. The spaces are all tone, texture, and badass lighting. I want every single pendant, floor, and desk lamp, featured in these pictures. Oh, and I'll take the staircase, too. We'll just cut out a wee hole in the roof for an observatory deck. Hopefully it won't rain anytime soon. Like, ever.

I likewise love this delicious show home designed for Rosa Morrison. Windows, walls and floors, oh my! And it's nice to see something that looks modern yet comfortable for a change. I don't think I would hate sitting on that couch or any of the chairs. Also, the more black walls I see, the more convinced I am that I should paint my kitchen and dining room black... It just looks so scrumptious with white and wood. Quick poll: is black already passe? Because it won't be fun to paint over it. At all.

Decidedly not passe Studio Ilse takes on a range of decor projects, including hotels and spas. I love this dreamy hotel in Stockholm:

Crazy chair alert! How good are these??? Would you feel all tiny in these giant chairs? (Or maybe that's just my Napoleon complex talking.) I kind of think their scale recalls those hooded Louis chairs popularized by Kelly Wearstler, but the lack of ornament makes them so much more livable. I'll take six, please (but I'm passing on the artichoke lamp... don't hate me, ok?).

Some more hotel shots:

Gold bar, golden pendant bulbs, tufted sofa banquette, and gorgeous natural lighting. What more could you ask for in a hotel? That's right: nothing.

Except for maybe this kitchen...

Those colors are breaking my heart. The carrera marble counters would break my bank. But I'm inspired by the golden hardware. Gold could peacefully coexisit with stainless appliances, right? Yes, I think so.

A gorgeous resort in Kranzbach (wherever that is...):

I've never been a big fan of those bubble pendants until now. That arrangement is hubba bubblalicious to the max! And how unChristmasy is the red room framed by jaw dropping spring green curtains? I love how Isle mixes one quirky element -- like scale, color, or texture -- into an otherwise restrained space. It feels homey, but still interesting.

Some more red fabulousness for you:

The reception area of advertising firm, Mother, is pretty close to perfection. But where's my People magazine?

Aptly named design company, Gorgeous, isn't too shabby itself.

Red, wood and white. Classic. Slick and funky pod chair next to weird painting of boobies. Genius.

Last pic of the day comes from medical research charity, Wellcome Trust.

I wish I could snatch that floor lamp right out of the picture frame. And I have the sudden compulsion to cover everything in Abominable Snowman fur. PETA, do you have a problem with that?

That's it for today. I'm going to clean up my dusty kitchen and try to get it back into a reasonably functional state. I'll try to post pics of the progress later this week, along with screenshots of Hunny Bunny's mindblowingly ridiculous Google Sketch of the kitchen to come (cross your fingers and hope for the best).

You Make Life Worth Living, Etc.

Wow, it has been quite a week here!  Between meeting Sanders, an illicit yacht party and my trip to Albuquerque, I'm just plum tuckered out.  So, what do you get out of this?  Why, my favorite thing to show you after a vaca:  select scans from my inflight reading material.  Yesterday's inbound trip kept me filled with colorful glee vis-a-vis the fine pages of Living etc.  Ici:

The stairwell in a Montauk Island Beach home.

Yes, yes, that blue is not nearly exciting as the shades we've been drooling over this week, but get a load of this close-up:

Pool Pushers, photograph by Anthony Goicolea

A perfect portrait for a beach home or for my dining room, whateves.  Have I ever mentioned how much I like swimming?  AND staged photography?  I really, really love staged photography.  I want to marry it.

If you execute an art heist at this Long Island home and find yourself a little weary from throwing bricks and climbing in windows, you can take a nap here:

See how that ceiling-mounted wallpaper lovingly rocks you to sleep and whisks away all your worries about pesky little things like:  "impending prison sentences" and "failing polygraphs"

Yep, no need to worry, I'm sure the federal guards will let you decorate your cell just like this:

Are you dudes getting the full effect of that high-gloss white vinyl headboard? Dreamy, right?  It's eerily similar to the one I plan to make for my own bedroom.  I will invite you all over to drool over it once it is completed.  Through bullet-proof glass, of course.  I saw how you were eyeing the paintings in the first photo.

Speaking of paintings, I'll let you have these (take them!  get them away!) but I'll be keeping the mirror, thankyouverymuch:

What do we think of a red bathroom?  How do you envision the shower in this joint?  Is it tile?  Red tile?  I just don't even know.  Help me out here.

Also in this issue were a couple more scan-worthy visions from other homes:

STICKER WALL!!!  It's like a car covered in bumper stickers, only not stupid and annoying.

and finally:

A nice place for me to rest over the weekend.  Schew, I'm oh so sleepy after all this hard work Erin and I have done on your behalf this week, I feel like I really do deserve this entire room all to myself.  For free.

The Future's So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades

As promised, today I am presenting Sanders the Paint Guru's picks for the hottest upcoming trends in color, and when I say "color," I mean COLOR. If the gray days of fall are getting you down, then this palette is sure to jump start your morning. When I asked Sanders what the most popular colors for next year would be, he immediately said "electric blue, bright orange, acid green, red, yellow." As usual, Sanders was on the money. Check out what the October issue of Elle Decor UK said would be the "Hot Trend For Homes":

Versus the color palette Sanders put together during our interview:

I told you that Sanders was good! If you ever had a crush on Roy G Biv in school, then these rooms are for you. Witness the power of dramatic paint to completely transform a space. (All photos courtesy of Domino)

Don't you feel more cheerful, well rested and motivated, already? Maybe you won't even need that extra cup of coffee. Perhaps you should start a new exercise routine... Who's up for climbing Mount Everest???! Ok, let's take it one step at a time, shall we?

Since I've asked for help from you dear readers at least twice, you probably all know by now that I have a red dining room and kitchen, and I've been worrying that maybe it's a twee bit overblown. Perhaps instead of taking it down a notch, instead I should pump it up with a steroid injection of brighter, orangier, funkier, red:

(Photo courtesy of Living Etc.)

Or maybe, like Karly, you've been craving some sunshine in your space. Why not go for a zany shade of yellow on the walls?

(Photo via A Mad Tea Party With Alis, who also has some great posts on color)

I love the super bright funkadelic yellow paired with dark dark trim and subdued, weathered floors. Shall we just say that the dead fish on the table adds to the rustic charm? Yes, we shall. Those chairs are pretty boss, too.

For those of you who love color but want something a little more sober, why not a bold, cobalt blue?

(Photo via Living Etc)

It's much more unexpected than the usual aqua tinged walls, but still restful enough to catch some much needed Zzzzzz's at night. A silver leafed ceiling could be a magical complement (and gold is always fab).

Or perhaps you prefer to just scramble the whole color palette together and have a delicious rainbow omelette?

This whole house decorated by M. Design Interiors is a madcap acid trip fantasyland, and I really want to live there. The sleek furnishings and square lines have an awesome 70's vibe, so perhaps we should throw a hip blogger's disco party? I think I'd have to ditch the tulips, though.

If you're not into all out color, maybe just a peep of bright paint would do the trick.

I love the use of primary shades in this super white space, courtesy once again of the fabulous M. Design Interiors.

Ok, I know that lots of you out there love color, but would prefer to confine it to accessories and furnishings for a splash of bright something something against a neutral background without the commitment of paint. Here are some renter friendly solutions that will still give your pad some punch.

(Photo credits for each row, left to right: Living Etc, Living Etc. Domino, Living Etc. Terramia, Andrew Suvalsky. Living Etc, Domino)

Why not reupholster a vintage couch or chair in a shockingly bright fabric to create a substantial focal point in your otherwise neutral room? Or you could always do some super mod pillows for a cheap and easy burst of color (bonus points for resourcefulness if you can sew your own). Also, I kind of want a lime green clawfoot tub now... If only I had a bathroom big enough for one!

Anyone want a cush headboard fit for a princess in a color that won't make your prince cringe?

(Photo via M. Design Interiors)

Yeah, baby, I can dig it. Now how about a red green combo that's miles away from Christmas?

(Flux Interiors)

That is one delicious lampshade, and I love the repeat of the color on the window frames. Is that an Ikea couch? If not, they have a very similar version that comes with a zillion different slipcovers, so you can redecorate annually without breaking the bank. I am voting for new pillows though. How about a row of Obama heads instead of Mao and Marx? Yes we can.

If you already have great bones, highlight them.

(Photo via A Mad Tea Party With Alis)

A burst of sunny yellow makes this old school stunner look fresh, clean and modern. How much do you love the charcoal piping? Fabulous.

Even bold color can be subtly softened by its surroundings.

(via If the Lampshade Fits)

Purpley gray walls set this versatile tomato red couch afire, but an otherwise subdued color palette keeps things cool and sophisticated.

If you're feeling more daring, go for the gold:

(Photo via Living Etc)

I really hate barstools, but at least these are camoflaged by a similarly hued tangerine kitchen bar with matching countertops. I love the harmony with the orangey wooden floors, as well as the contrast with the blue mirrored glass in the background.

And last but not least, some gorgeous shades of green and blue that are fresh but not overwhelming:

If you've never checked out the Brooklyn home of Fawn Galli, go there now. Her house is a gorgeous reminder that color is fun and doesn't have to be opressive or vulgar. And she has a giant deer sculpture. My hero.

That's it for this Sanders-inspired roundup of ultra ultra brights. What do you think? Could you live with these acid hues, or are you planning to stick to neutral basics? Tell us all about it.