All about the color...purple...

This is one of my all time favorite designs by New Orleans designer Hal Williamson in House Beautiful and I studied these pictures when I got my issue.  I had never thought about the color purple much before this article, but, he uses these muted tones so well that I fell in love with the color.  I would especially love to use Martha Stewart's 'Shantung' (for Sherwin Williams) if its still available.  I remember I went out and got samples of this color while I was still in design school and used it in a project.  I love the style of furniture in this house as well as the colors.  

Do you love it or not?  Would you use these muted purple/lavender tones in your home or for a client's house?

Benjamin Moore's 'Driftscape Tan' which reads lavender
Such a gorgeous mix of furniture and materials

You can just spy the iconic Beverly Hills wallpaper
in the kitchen of large banana leaves

Silky curtains and a photo of Ella Fitzgerald in the parlor
Walls are 'Grisaille' by Martha Stewart, another
muted lavender

Martha Stewart's 'Shantung' for Sherwin Williams
Silkscreen of Mahalia Jackson by New Orleans artist
Richard Thomas
Toile  'Louisiana Purchase'

(Article here)

(interior design by Hal Williamson)

(images by John Kernick)

Oh the lucky people who get to live here - 

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I won!!...

I was so excited tonight when I got home and was going through my blogroll and checked Katie Denham's blog, Katiedid - to find out I won a beautiful book - 'Stealing Magnolias' - I am beyond thrilled and can't wait to get it in the mail!! In honor of the book I thought I would post photos of Southern design at its best by one of my all time faves, Hal Williamson - his work is simply stunning! Thank you to Katie and Glitterati for the chance to win this book - Visit Katie's lovely blog here.

Here is the book...can't wait to get this...

A magnolia and gorgeous chair...

One of the pictures that started it for me...the purple walls - 'Shantung' by Martha Stewart for Sherwin Williams...I actually got a swatch shortly after House Beautiful ran this story, and it is stunning...but, for me, the chairs, the painting, the crystals, the candlelight, every detail in this room is so beautifully photographed. And look at that fabric on those chairs!

The living room...I love this shot looking out to the hall where there is a photograph of a room...it almost looks like you are looking into another room on the other side of the hallway...and the purple walls...

The soothing blue bedroom...you can't see in this picture, but the silk curtains are monogrammed on pelmets...the shades, the silk cover - the little table between the windows...

The shabby blue chest, the silk sofa, pillows and the drum stool- and notice that little zebra rug!

Well, the green walls, curtain fabrics, pink rug, pink fabrics, white chandelier and the antiques - and maps! I love maps so this whole house just seemed to 'speak' to me as it is not a style of design I would have done. 

That's what I love about design - so many styles, so many different ways to look at things and be creative in individual ways.  There is no definite way to design a room or space - the designer's interpretation is so unique and that's what I love.

Kudos to the photographer for this portfolio - I think it is one of the reasons I find it so compelling.

Do you like this style of design? Would you have done this in a similar way? Or is it not your cup of tea?

I hope you are all having a great week! Thank you for visiting me, I so appreciate your support. We are getting ready for MORE snow here on the East Coast - brace yourselves!!!

(Interior Designer - Hal Williamson)

(Original Images for House Beautiful by John Kernick)

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Melissa Rufty of MMR Interiors...

I first saw Melissa Rufty's (of MMR Interiors) work in House Beautiful and was reminded of her work again on Courtney Barnes'  Style Court blog.  So, when I visited her website, I was blown away. Her work is so sophisticated, fresh and stylish and yet, so comfortable and livable. The living room above reminds me of one of my favorite designers who also happens to practice in New Orleans, Hal Williamson.

Where to begin - the settee, table, yellow curtains, zebra pillows or the paintings?

This fabric is delicious and the black and white pillows are an unusual color choice...

Whoa! what a treat it would be to just wash your hands in here!!

I love the sublimely sophisticated tones and fabrics here...

Another favorite...love the blue color and zebra print chair...

Beautiful mix of colors and patterns...

This room is gorgeous - the blue sofa is perfect as the focal point, with the yellow draperies and punctuation of reds and metal textures...

For more beauty and inspiration, go here - enjoy! All her rooms seem to have a touch of the exotic and global influence which makes them so interesting. I would love to have her do my whole house! Do you have a favorite room? Do you like Melissa's mix of fabrics, colors and textures?

(images courtesy mmrinteriors.com)

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Divine design...

The maps, the green, the ikat print on the chairs, the rug, the chandelier, the curtains, the matchstick blinds, the settee, table and little metal chair...the maps...is this room divine or what?? It is perfection...thank you Hal Williamson for this beautiful room in New Orleans...one of my all time faves from House Beautiful a year or so ago...*sigh*

(original image by John Kernick)
Interior Design by Hal Williamson

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