Having received no education in matters of design, it takes me a while to see a pattern emerge out of collecting images. Maybe that's how trends work. You see something enough times to get used to it, then to lust after it. I found myself craving a vivid green chair like a pregnant woman craves pickles and now I notice them everywhere in magazines and blogs. How many greens chair did I not notice as they entered my subconscious until the moment of revelation. Same with yellow jeans, and now, same disease with blue couches. The picture below is probably my favorite room of the year and I posted about it as early as November of 2007.
At the time I did not understand why I liked this room (from Living Inc.) so much or what elements made it so successful in my eyes. It's only now that I notice the flower pattern on white surface as well as the white floor, two latent- but recent- obsessions of mine.
But it took this images taken by James Merrell of Lulu Guinness's home.
And today's Domino Magazine (which I loved) featured the wild interior of British designer Matthew Williamson. I couldn't find the picture online and my camera broke in the middle of this so this is quite a terrible picture but my point is:
Do you see what i see? It's all there: white floor, blue couch, glass table, vintage/exotic textiles and tapestry. Bright touches of pink and orange.
So what I need to be perfectly happy then would be this Karlstad couch in Korndal blue from Ikea.
paired it with this thingy (sorry it's Sunday, and it's Southern California) found in the beautiful blog My Notting Hill.
add a tapestry pouf or a pillow from Frederique Morrell's collection.
I'll add to this post little by little, because now I've been online for an hour and the family needs me, or wants me, for the life of me I can't fathom why. Boy this is a discombobulated post.
see ya!
FUN post! Colourful! Lively! Spirited!
Posted by: Fifi Flowers | August 17, 2008 at 05:53 PM
Corine, You could say something like" the kids colored all over my couch and now i need to buy this blue one!! yes it amazing how something can be on your mind and then you see it everywhere- I believe design fairies invade the talently gifted such as you in the wee hours of the night!
Posted by: nadia | August 17, 2008 at 06:09 PM
Great Color!
Posted by: Rachel Mallon | August 17, 2008 at 09:46 PM
I love discovering trends in my own folders...it's like a total revelation! lol
Posted by: Muralimanohar | August 17, 2008 at 10:18 PM
so nicely you put it, "lust after it".
Posted by: anrosh | August 18, 2008 at 05:57 AM
It's a good trend, I like the bright colour and exotic patterns. The top room is amazing. I like the blue couches too, but not something I would personally buy, I would be afraid that I might get tired of it. I enjoyed this post!
Posted by: bronwyn | August 18, 2008 at 10:05 AM
thank you for instilling in me a new appreiciation for my blue couch....I was just thinking of ways to recover it last night...I may hold off for a bit now.
Posted by: mrs. french | August 18, 2008 at 03:30 PM
mmmmm - love this post. gives me new appreciation for my blue sofa as well !
Posted by: leslie | August 18, 2008 at 06:34 PM
ah. All those colors. So clear and crisp and vibrant. They know their job well!
Get the couch. Paint your floor, you'll be really happy.
Posted by: Linda @ Lime in the Coconut | August 19, 2008 at 07:45 AM
Do you know who made the wonderful carpet (white with poppy like flowers) in the first picture from Living Etc?
Posted by: Lisa-Marie | August 19, 2008 at 10:46 AM
i think you've put it together perfectly! love the fresh feel of it all!
Posted by: Bonbon Oiseau | August 19, 2008 at 03:04 PM
I mull over photos much the same way trying to determine why I am attracted to it and what elements are key.
P.S. Love the tapestry pouf!!
Posted by: Sabina | August 19, 2008 at 03:51 PM
You got it goin'on!!!! Do this room filled with these great ideas for yourself this year!
Posted by: visual vamp | August 19, 2008 at 08:51 PM
I am loving the whole blue couch. I really like the little butterfly stool. It is gorgeous. Have a nice weekend! Daisy~
Posted by: Daisy | August 23, 2008 at 05:44 AM
I luvvvv Frederique Morrell. And I love this post. Good eye ;)
Posted by: alis | August 26, 2008 at 01:30 AM
Thanks for posting, I had already come across the first picture in apartmenttherapy and just love it! Could you let us know the issue number of living etc. or whose living room this is? I cannot seem to find on the Living Etc. website and as I adore the rug and need to decorate my new apartment I would like to know where to get the rug. Thank you I appreciate your help and your wonderful taste!
Posted by: Y. H. | September 13, 2011 at 10:07 AM