The Maddie G Family Room 

I thought posting this pitiful image with a promise of “after” shots might hold me to finding an interim style to tide us over until we have more permanent decor in place.  Here are a few inspirational images I’ve found while searching online.

 Cottage and Vine

In the image from Cottage and Vine, I love the texture provided by the grasscloth.  I also really like the mix of elements from the natural basket to the white ceramic and the glass.  The shelves look well done but not overdone!

Tobi Fairley

I love the color in the back of these bookshelves and the use of family photos interspersed.  I know we are not supposed to overdo it with photos in the home….but I do love a photo to bring a personal touch into a space.

Sally Steponkus

In the room by Sally Steponkus above, I love that she actually used books to fill the shelves!  And, I love how many of the red bindings subtly coordinate with the chairs in the forground.

Jay Jeffers

More color in the background and careful editing.  Notice the way the books are stacked in the bottom left.  I like the creative placement of the books vs. just lining them up on the shelf.

Finally, for even more inspiration and some “Do’s and Don’ts” hop on over to Dwellers without Decorators who had bookshelf styling on her mind last week as well.

Stay tuned, I vow to do something with my bookshelves this week.

A few weeks back I spotted this photo on the DC by Design blog.  Jennifer was featuring the recent work of Sally Steponkus, a well known DC designer.  To see the full spread of the beautiful DC West End condo visit here.

Photograph by Angie Seckinger via DC by Design.

I instantly knew I had previously seen this console in print.  And, sure enough, here it is from the March/April 2009 issue of Home and Design magazine.  This time, the designer was  Leslie Rose of Jenkins Baer Associates in Baltimore.  And, the client lived in Arlington, Virginia and was a player for the Washington Capitals.

Photograph by Sharon Jaffee Dan for Home & Design.

The console table looks sleek and modern in each photo, and clicking on the links above will take you to more pictures of each of these fabulous homes.  Both Steponkus and Rose successfully delivered clean, hip, urban homes, while I’d imagine they are equally as functional and livable.  I’ll even admit that I loved the mirror in the second photo, and it now lives in my house.  It looks completely different in my eclectic dining room, hanging over a traditional Henredon buffet.

When I initially saw the black console last year, I knew I wanted to see more from Worlds Away.  I was pleased to learn that not only did I love many of their products, but they are also relatively affordable.

I met with my Worlds Away account representative a couple of weeks ago, and have just had the time to flip through my new 2010 catalog.  Below, I thought I would share a handful of my favorite pieces.  The company offers a wide variety of home items, from casegoods, mirrors and lighting all the way down to decorative trash cans!

Entertainment Console in Limed Oak

Reverse Antique Mirror Gold Leaf Chest

White Lacquer Trellis Mirror

Treillage Mirror

Antique Mirror Table

Wood Top and Golf Leaf Coffee Table

Waste Baskets

One of the things I really love about what I do is the exposure I get to so many fabulous lines of home furnishings, from all ends of the budgetary spectrum.  When I was meeting with the woman who represents this manufacturer, and several others, we were lamenting that sometimes too much information is crippling.  For our own homes, we are super cautious with what we buy, for fear we will find something we like better.

Do you ever feel this way as you read shelter magazines and design blogs?  The information is so helpful and inspirational but the bottom line is, decorate with what you love.  Use inspiration to create a home that is perfect for you and your family….not because it is the hottest item right now.

Sample Sale Alert

And, in other news, if you are in the DC area don’t forget that this weekend is the Sample Sale at the Washington DC Design Center.  Today it is open to the trade only.  But, the doors open tomorrow at 10 AM to the public.  You can find more information on the sale here.