Wednesday, April 16, 2008

~ The Pretty Room ~

Nothing beats a pretty room to make my heart skip a beat and feel suddenly at home.
There are all sorts of "pretty" rooms, from simple to sophisticated, but by my definition they all have tranquil pastel palettes that soothe the eye and the soul! Soft pinks and blues and lavender, complemented with lots of white, can't help but make a room look oh-so-pretty.
Curvy furniture in feminine colours looks pretty and nurturing, and lots of softly-textured pillows in magical fabrics are inviting and enveloping. Small elements like a bouquet of flowers, a "curlicue" sconce, a delicate lamp, or a canvas of floral wallpaper are often the only flourishes needed to soften and make a simple room go from plain to pretty.
The photos shown are some pretty rooms I've found in the last few months and saved to a "Pretty" folder for a rainy day. I wanted to post more photos, but just didn't have time to go back and dig out even more images from all the country magazines I love (that are often the cat's pyjamas of romantic pretty!).
All the rooms shown have elements I find pretty, some more subtle than others. They share soft colours, feminine motifs, pretty (sometimes country or elegantly curvy) furniture, bouquets of lovely flowers, and a certain feminine je ne sais quoi. They all make me want to redecorate for spring!
What do you find especially pretty? A certain colour? A certain flower? A particular style of furniture? A romantic pattern?
Sometimes I think I want a genteel, slightly worldly and academic house, but then I see these exquisite, relaxed, pretty rooms and I just want to forget sound and sensible and go wild with curvy, romantic, pastel loveliness!
Luckily that look can be mimicked in many rooms by bringing in some flowers, adding some pretty pillows or bringing in a few candles and a new pastel accessory or two for spring. We just bought a celedon green glass vase for our living room, at an art sale, and it's eye-catchingly pretty for spring! Happy Dreaming!
All photos Domino, except for mint green bedroom (10th photo) and elegant lavender living room (2nd photo) from Traditional Home. First photo is from Country Home.

15 comments:

  1. These are all so pretty!

    I find a really soft lavender colour to be very soothing. On the walls or bedding, it's just a lovely shade. It's even nicer when the fresh lilacs are in season to add to the whole look.

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  2. That's just it...it all looks wonderful to me and I know that you brought in a variety of styles and color. I think I like the first bedroom best, but what is really interesting is that I keep going back to those curtains in the second photo. There's something about the fabric and curve in that valance that is very pleasing.

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  3. Hello from Sweden! First time I visit your beautiful blog!! A lot of inspiration. Saw in your profile that you are an engineer - me too!

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  4. For me it's the fabric that makes the room. Whether it is on a chair, sofa, pillow or window treatments. Fabric choices can lead the room to where ever you want it to go.

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  5. Oooh I love your blog. You Canadians have such taste and flair. I too am building a house in Australia and have joined blogland for inspiration. I know just what you mean about your heart skipping a beat'! Best Wishes, A-M

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  6. A couple of those bedroom pictures made me want a vacation and never again answer the phone. Nice.

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  7. Yes, I love pretty rooms...and that principle guides me in decorating my own home. I admire and appreciate many styles, but I always seem to go back to pretty!

    Love all your photos!
    Linda
    xoxo

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  8. So many beautiful pics! I especially liked the first one best.
    I am a swedish woman living in Singapore you are more than welcome to visit me... Now I´m gonna look around some more in your blog.

    Take care

    Gunilla in Singapore

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  9. some of these pictures are my favorites, but the pink living room is one of my all time favorites!! I love that room!

    and your husband is adorable!!!

    Joni

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  10. Hi there. Brand new blogger here, and I came across your site. I am in awe of every picture you post. It took me forever just to get through the first page! Thanks for sharing...I'll be back to lurk! Chris

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  11. Wow!!! i really enjoyed browsing your site and i do love everything you posted.

    It feels am on the dreamland.

    Many thanks for sharing your inspiration that I might use them soon. To be exactly in 3 weeks as am moving to a new bought crib.

    Unfortunately, in swedish, but u can browse too eh? §:-)

    ENjoy ur monday!
    //chie

    Pls check this link:
    http://richiesliv.blogspot.com

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  12. You have posted some gorgeous rooms! Looks like you have lots of fun projects ahead of you!

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  13. Thanks a lot for this great post. i like this room interior.
    - Home Theater Seating

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  14. This is the precise weblog for anybody who needs to seek out out about this topic. You notice so much its almost arduous to argue with you. You positively put a brand new spin on a subject that's been written about for years. Nice stuff, simply nice!

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  15. Awesome work.Just wanted to drop a comment and say I am new to your blog and really like what I am reading.Thanks for the share

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