Monthly Archives: February 2012

Clothing Racks for All to See {Fresh Start Monday}

Posted on February 27, 2012 | 2 Comments

Isn’t life so much easier when you can see those daily choices side by side, all at once, in beautiful light, and arranged with style? What flavor tea this morning? what color lipstick? what to wear today? Rustic, industrial, vintage and nature-inspired garment racks are just the ticket for that last question. Out in the open, they provide a beautiful display for your favorite pieces, or things to try on for an evening out. With an antique, full-length floor mirror right there, it’s a gorgeous way to get dressed. Need more closet space? There you have it. Style, form and function, what a perfect combination to start the week!

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Posted in closet ideas, clothing rack, garment rack, it's a visual thing, rustic interiors, vintage design

Tagged antique mirrors, closets, clothing storage, design mix, eclectic interiors, rustic

Inspired Vintage Modern (VM) Interiors

Posted on February 23, 2012 | 3 Comments

I’m hoping these gorgeous VM interiors will stir your creativity, motivate you to re-arrange the dining room, or inspire you to get started on that space you’ve been meaning to paint. Maybe you’ll see a DIY project, or get the urge to spend the day hunting for vintage treasures (check out bellepatine.com if you do!). Wishing you a weekend full of design inspiration and motivation!

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Posted in architectural elements, dining room, living room, office studio, rustic interiors

Tagged antiques, design mix, eclectic interiors, mid-century modern, neutral palette, vintage modern

Soft Chairs, Creature Comfort (Fresh Start Monday}

Posted on February 20, 2012 | 1 Comment

Isn’t it impossible to resist softly covered chairs that let you tuck your feet up and really get comfortable? Be it a frayed old thing with the stuffing spilling out, an overstuffed armchair covered in washed-out linen, or a blue mid-century number with a shag footstool, it’s for me if its got a history and a style of its own, and I can enjoy tea and a book (or a beer and my laptop) in it without my feet touching the floor. Wishing you a week sprinkled, or doused, with quality time in a comfy chair!

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Posted in chairs, eclectic interiors, seating design

Tagged chairs, design mix, eclectic interiors, mohair, upholstered seating, vintage modern

A Place in Madrid

Posted on February 16, 2012 | 5 Comments

Imagine having a get-away in Spain. It’s about 750 square feet, just big enough to live well (not too much to clean!). You designed it with a vintage modern vibe, lots of antiques and jots of beautiful textiles, color and pattern against a clean background. You’ve created an inspired entry with a curved copper rod and puddling drapes. The bathroom is so nice. All is set within ancient timber ceilings and old shuttered windows. A perfect place to enjoy after a day of sight-seeing and museum-hopping. Go ahead, enjoy the trip! You’ll be back by the time you finish reading this post. Have a great weekend!

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Posted in Madrid Spain, studio apartment, timber beamed ceilings, vintage modern

Tagged antiques, design mix, eclectic interiors, toile de Jouy, vintage modern, wood

A Step Up {Fresh Start Monday}

Posted on February 13, 2012 | Leave a comment

Staircases do more than just get you up and down! They allow movement through space, give depth and elevation, and by virtue of their negative space, create nooks for kitchens, bookshelves, lounging and storage. They are infinitely shapable, and adaptable to function and taste. Think of some of the wonderful places a staircase has deposited you. If you were designing a new home, what type of rise would you choose? These beautiful, textural stairways are meant to inspire you to do some “dream home” visioning this week. Enjoy!

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Posted in architectural elements, staircase, staircases, stairs

Tagged design mix, metal, stairways, stone, wood

Romantic Reds {Color Inspiration}

Posted on February 10, 2012 | 4 Comments

Today is grey and chilly in the mountains, a reminder that winter is far from over. Cold winds call for warm colors, and with Valentine’s Day upon us, I think splashes of red will do the trick. In shades of ripe cherries, rusty metal and burgundy wine, red enlivens our senses and woos our hearts. May you be inspired to put some love into your life with romantic red.

Images via: Anthropologie, Emel, Design is Mine, Pinterest, Designamour, High Street Market, Parson Sees, We Heart It

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Posted in color inspiration, colorful, design mix, eclectic interiors, fashion, red, uncategorized

Tagged color, color inspiration, design mix, eclectic interiors, fashion, holiday design, red, rustic, Valentine's Day

Black Ceilings, Bright Living

Posted on February 8, 2012 | Leave a comment

My first thought when presented with the idea of a ceiling in black was the possibility of the feeling of darkness descending. Au contraire! These stunning rooms are as bright as can be; the black contrast adds depth to the room without diminishing the light. The first three photos are of the gorgeous home of Paula Leen. It seems the light is bouncing off the black ceiling, making the room even brighter. What a gorgeous surprise!

Inspiration and photos from emmas designblogg (3), Ashe + Leandro, Remodelista (2), Dwellers Without Decorators.

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Posted in black ceilings, eclectic interiors, scandanavian design

Tagged design mix, eclectic interiors, neutral palette, vintage modern

Eric Goode’s Eclectic Loft {Fresh Start Monday}

Posted on February 6, 2012 | 2 Comments

I’ve been seeing photos of this taxidermied lion all over our favorite design blogs and every time I see it I crave more. Finally, I found the source. Eric Goode is a restaurateur, hotelier (Bowery Hotel NYC), artist, filmmaker and conservationist. His NYC loft is a spectacular mix of nature, art, light, and vintage modern, mid-century, rustic and industrial style. I absolutely love the vintage taxidermy. [It should be noted that all the taxidermy Eric has collected fell to natural causes and he is "strongly opposed to the idea of killing animals", as am I.] Take Eric’s lead and add something daring and uniquely “you” to your space this week!

Grabbed this from homedit

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Posted in design in nature, design mix, eclectic interiors, Eric Goode, New York loft

Tagged design mix, eclectic interiors, mid-century modern, vintage modern

Industrial Revolution

Posted on February 3, 2012 | Leave a comment

First of all, huge “congratulations” to Christy Ann, winner of our very first giveaway and proud recipient of that gorgeous gilt sconce. And massive “thanks” to everyone who participated – we’ll do another giveaway soon!

Now on to your Friday fix. Industrial designs are a major source of inspiration in belle patine’s world. A repurposed piece from an old factory, mill, or workshop can add a twist of funkiness to the vintage modern mix. Check out these great industrial pieces – each one really makes the room, in my opinion. Oh, and the items in the last two photos – the vintage medical stool, the rolltop desk and the industrial shelving - are available in my online shop!