Elle Decor So Chic: Glamorous Lives, Stylish Spaces
The Fantasy: Could you ever relax in this swank seating area? What if you forgot to use a coaster?
The Reality: Inject an unexpected shot of color with a bold painting, then add toss pillows in the same juicy hues for continuity.
The Fantasy: A velvet and lucite chair? Maybe in my past life as a pin-up girl!
The Reality: Get saucy with window treatments. Stripes in a sunset palette look brilliant peeking from behind staid velvet curtains.
The Fantasy: I swear, that couch looks about a hundred feet long. Who has that kind of space?
The Reality: When you find light fixtures you love (a rare occurrence indeed!) use them as a repeating element. Sometimes more really is more!
The Fantasy: Sure, I'd use a fur rug. If I were the set designer for Dr. Zhivago!
The Reality: No matter what your style or budget, a big vase of leafy branches adds a welcome breath of life to any space.
The Fantasy: Even my English professors in college would be intimidated by this wall (100 points to anyone who can identify some of the authors quoted here!)
The Reality: Do incorporate meaningful books and phrases into your decor; maybe just tone it down a bit, mmmkay?
The Fantasy: I've been wondering if it's kosher to pair my gilt Rococo mirror with my ancient African artifacts, but the proof is in the pudding!
The Reality: A big, bold rug an easy and budget friendly way to inject pattern into a space. I love this one and this one from Ikea.
The Fantasy: Pink and purple are divine--if you're five and your panties say 'Tuesday' on them.
The Reality: Pink and purple really are divine--and what's wrong with Day of the Week panties?!
All images courtesy of Elle Decor So Chic: Glamorous Lives, Stylish Spaces
that lucite chair with the upholstered seat is pretty awesome! oh and i definitely agree that "toned down" writing as decor is the way to go.
Posted by: Down and Out Chic | August 05, 2009 at 07:36 AM
love how you've unpacked these images! xo.
e.
Posted by: erin | August 05, 2009 at 07:45 AM
Mother goose?
Posted by: Ashley Burton | August 05, 2009 at 08:00 AM
this book is def in my top 5, maybe top 3? i lerve it.
Posted by: my favorite and my best | August 05, 2009 at 08:34 AM
That looks like all someone's favourite poems/verses on a wall. I see Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison, nursery rhymes. What else? I'd live with that personal touch sooner than the banal 'Eat', 'Love', 'Sleep' injunctions that have been a recent fad.
Posted by: mise @ pretty far west | August 05, 2009 at 08:45 AM
I love the vibrant colors in these photos. The poetry on the walls is totally inspiring and beautiful.
Posted by: Katie Ward | August 05, 2009 at 08:52 AM
Do I spot a nursery rhyme upon that wall? Cat & the fiddle, anyone?
Posted by: Joanna | August 05, 2009 at 08:53 AM
Velvet & lucite chairs are the stars of my dirty illicit dreams...what?
Posted by: Waxy | August 05, 2009 at 09:08 AM
anne, such a fun post! your comments are the best,your sense of humor is always a welcome addition to my morning of blog surfing. :) the fur rug white space, i very much need that space. very muchly!
Posted by: robin pulsifer | August 05, 2009 at 09:11 AM
oh my goodness! absolutely divine rooms! pink and purple!
Posted by: caroline @ patagonia gifts | August 05, 2009 at 09:52 AM
your comments totally crack me up!! I'm not loving most of these spaces, though, and that's kind of my problem with Elle Decor all the time. They're always a little too "done up" for me. Too glitzy. I'm a much more laid back, rustic kind of gal.
Posted by: Kristin @ Contented Me | August 05, 2009 at 09:53 AM
There you go with those chandeliers again. Brilliant commentary!
Posted by: Heidi | August 05, 2009 at 09:55 AM
wow! I always buy our Elle Decor and I love it. must get this book, too :)
happy Thursday, xoxo
Posted by: Susan | August 05, 2009 at 12:34 PM
Isn't it amazing! I flip through whenever I am felling uninspired undoubtedly always see a color, style or piece that gets me going again!
Posted by: blair | August 05, 2009 at 08:14 PM
Over the top, but many beautiful elements and inspirations within each one. Love your observations, Anne!
Posted by: Shell Sherree | August 06, 2009 at 03:14 AM
that velvet and lucite chair deserves to star in many fantasies, along with the pink and purple. Thanks I will look for this book!
Posted by: Norine | August 06, 2009 at 08:14 AM
I love this post...so true that you can find a worthy tip for "regular" rooms within even the most fantastic rooms. GREAT post!
{ Lindsey }
http://greatfullday.blogspot.com
Posted by: lindsey | August 06, 2009 at 07:27 PM
Zora Neale Hurston!
Wait, I mean, I have no idea, I'm way too cool for school. What's a book?
Posted by: Joanna Von Liebling | August 07, 2009 at 10:34 AM
I've long loved Elle Decor for the very reasons a lot of people can't stand it - high-end fantasy living. A girl's gotta dream. (Or, as you did, take the ideas and make them real. )
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