10 Beautiful Rooms

No particular theme this week, just a collection of 10 Beautiful Rooms to set you up for the day. The first two are from a new hotel in Philadelphia called the Lokal, which was decorated by my current favourites the Jersey Ie Cream Co, who have featured on these pages before.

I love this rich blue that they have used for the kitchen island and also the windows. I have been trying to persuade a client to paint the window frames and skirting boards dark and she wasn’t convinced. I think this picture should do the talking for me.

Talking of blue kitchen islands, this one belongs a house in San Francisco that recently sold via Sothebys. The blue, white and marble feels modern rather than cliched and I love the open cupboards on the island. One day, if I ever replace my Ikea island with one that is made from wood I might do this.

More dark window frames in this house from the locations agency The Shoot Factory. I love that the RSJ supporting beam has been left uncovered and painted dark as well. It helps to zone the space. This bathroom belongs to the same house. Not necessarily one we can copy as it’s huge but I love the vintage touches of ladder, furniture and old anatomy poster. You don’t have to have a massive room to make a cool space but thinking about the small details can make all the difference.

Similar colours for this kitchen below which is all white with wood and a few black accents. It’s classic and timeless and always works. Remember my failsafe mantra Something new, something old, something black and something gold. Admittedly I can’t see the metallic in this room but it’s a kitchen, there are bound to be some.

This kitchen below is also very plain, this time in black and white but the chopping boards bring a hint of warmth to it. I love the dark outside wall too which links the two spaces so well.

Moving from blue to green in this kitchen via JJLocations which is full of plants. The Mad Husband thinks we have reached peak house plant. I have mentioned before how he keeps giving the fiddle leaf fig the side eye and ever so slightly crossly brushing past it when he goes to the garden but, despite his best efforts, it seems to be flourishing although it’s not quite as impressive as this handsome beast.

Finally, Ellen de Generes is a brilliant interior designer who has gained a reputation for doing fabulous houses and selling them. She written a book on it too. This is one of her houses which is currently for sale via Sothebys – take the full tour via the link in the images.

It’s all rather muted and soft and lovely and I particularly love this mix of modern stainless steel with rustic wooden cupboards in the kitchen. Although I have a feeling this might be the guest kitchen, or the garden kitchen or, at any rate, not the main one which is bigger but, to my mind, less lovely.

And, this week, a bonus – her verandah, deck, terrace, loggia  – call it what you will. It’s officially British Summer Time and I, for one, would spend a happy summer lounging here drinking, coffee and rosé depending on the time of day. Anyone want to come and sit with me?