News from the Positively Giddy Department: in two short months, Amy Meier will begin designing a new room in our house. Between now and then, I’ll share the inspiration and research I gather as input in a new series, “Dreaming of Drawing Room . . .{insert fascinating topic here}”.
The large double doors of our front entrance open into a space that was once an entry hall flanked by parlors. Without the walls dividing the rooms, we’re left with a horizontal expanse the width of the house, both sides of which sport a fireplace facing a window seat.
Currently, we send the nieces and nephews in there to run amok. The floor is littered with puzzle pieces, rocking horses and piles of books. A whole lot of décor love is in order, and thankfully Amy will begin designing right after the holidays.
Between now and then, you’ll find my drawing room musings right here. Amy’s patience regarding my habit of banging about the web collecting objets trouvés is infinite. She casts a keen eye on everything, translates my madwoman ramblings into designs that work, and comes to the table with a million ideas to unify the room. Without her design chops, the rooms wouldn’t look nearly as cohesive and lovely as they do.
Expect posts on window nooks, mirrors and chandeliers, bar ware, accessories, art and armchairs. Today, though, let’s talk inspiration.
This space is icing on the cake in terms of square footage, and I’d like to ice it a bit more than our everyday living areas, while still imbuing it with plenty of character. I’m looking forward to curling up in the window seat with my laptop and a cup of coffee. Cocktail hours will find a new home there, and not a moment too soon; because our kitchen is open to the dining and living areas, as of now our guests strain to hear each other over the range hood’s roar while I cook.
A mix feels right. I’m leaning towards one of chandeliers, mirrors and leather, leavened with select sleek pieces like our Saarinen tulip table. (Really, that table shouldn’t be used for coloring. I ought to cover it with butcher’s paper.)
In my mind, the room might contain elements from all the inspiration pictures below. Imagine the Plaza’s Palm Court, The Standard’s Boom Boom Room, The Jane Hotel’s Back Room, and a fusty old library having a small, tasteful grandchild. A generally quiet child prone to the occasional eccentric outburst.
What could be more fun than collecting inspiration and obsessively researching accessories? Watching Amy sculpt the input into a living, breathing room.
Is it January yet?
P.S. Are you reading Amy’s blog? Keep up with her thrifting escapades, custom furniture designs, and stunning before-and-afters here.
P.P.S. And are we friends on Facebook and Twitter yet?
The Back Room bar at The Jane Hotel, via NYT
Layers and Swathes (There’s no staircase, but this is the perfect mixture of glitz and wood.)
Via I Suwannee
The Boom Boom Room bar at The Standard Hotel, via The Style Caster
The Palm Court at The Plaza Hotel [photo credit]
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh what fun we will have! I am just counting down the days till we can dive into it
Wonderful inspiration images! You have an incredible sense of what you like and an thirst for research that is unrivaled.
Can’t wait to get started!
Best,
Amy
Each one of those images is so inspiring! I can’t wait to see the final room.
Thanks for stopping by Katy (and for the link back!) and glad you found a little inspiration here.
Jeez, just hearing about your open space made my jaw drop. Living in about 350 sq. ft. makes it easy to forget that people have homes. With multiple rooms. I can’t wait to see the process and how the renovation turns out!
Believe it or not, the Mr. and I moved from a 500 sq ft Manhattan studio straight to this place in the sticks – so I’m no stranger to small spaces! Truth: if you live in a bigger place it leaves less time to come up with fabulous outfits like yours.