Every time I look at this well-appointed settee, I want to go and buy a ballgown. Something in duchess satin worn with an understated but sparkly diamond necklace. Or maybe the one at the bottom of this post. Is this bolster pillow not the most exquisite? That damask in the background is almost identical in colour and pattern to my ensuite wallpaper, a subtle platinum with everything else in ivory and white. So I should dress up and sit in my bathroom? It does have a chair and a chandelier, it is a party prep room perhaps. Funny how design can conjure up associations, make you rise to the occasion. This is the best part of design. It can make you feel good. Glamorous. Every time you walk in the room.
If I was a purist, the rest of my home would be all tonal, shades of ivory. Like this home so perfectly executed by Canadian designer Julie Charbonneau, sometimes wish I could personally handle a monochromatic palette on a daily basis. To do so would mean excluding all my favorite colours and truthfully I would miss them and could never leave any of them behind. When I have done this look for clients I found I didn't want to leave their house upon project completion which is a big clue right there where my second personality resides (my husband would say I am selling myself short, there is at least 10 personalities going at any given time). It has a soothing countenance that I find elegant and orderly if that makes sense. My eye keeps going to the book collections, today all in ivory, last post showing a red collection in the Charlotte Moss townhouse den.
We all know mixing shades of ivory with white in a bathroom is truly a classic and timeless palette. It just never gets old does it? If you do this look and are aiming for ballgown glamour, upgrade your fixtures to polished nickel. The subdued palette loves a bit of sparkle. White towels, not ivory. I love how Charbonneau has hung the framed prints right over the window frame. 
A sink cantilevered over a mirror.............creative glamour. These photos are from our stylish and hip Canadian design magazine House & Home. We have some incredible Canadian design talent that I will share over the next few weeks. Next week will be "Not so mellow.......Yellow" as I heard the daffodils are peeking out early this spring and it makes me feel positively perky on this grey and rainy day.
Just a bit of glamour for your weekend. Let me rephrase that........a huge bit of glamour.Alexander McQueen ~ Paris Fashion week Fall 2010.
Top photo from Traditional Home/2nd, 3rd and 4th photo show room design by Juile Charbonneau~ Canadian House & Home/Bottom Photo from Harper's Bazaar.
Like you, I have more than one personality. {no need for all of you to agree!} I love this monochromatic look. When I look through all my inspiration files, that's the one I mostly clip and save. Gorgeous. Restfull. And calming. Why I am recovering the Red chair in my living room with Linen. Only to redo it in Red in a few years, I'm sure.Lovely post.
ReplyDeleteenchanting post! I do adore all those images, especially the bookcases with all those ivory books. so restful and beautiful - a look I yearn for but can rarely create for myself.
ReplyDeleteI love this post! You have summed me up to a tee! My husband has said I would need 4 homes or more to have everything I love. I adore the fresh white palette, but I don't think I could live without color. Still, I could be tempted ...
ReplyDeleteOh that dress <3 Alexander McQueen is such an amazing designer, thanks for the glamour!
ReplyDeleteAll of these photos put me in such a comforting place. I love the white & ivory tones. It's beautiful Sande!
ReplyDeletexo Noel
Love love a cream and white pallette. I have used that color scheme in my guest room with the palest of blue ceiling. That room is just so restful to me. I think that is what our guest rooms become an alter-ego of our master bedrooms. I would love to meet all ten of your personalities. I am sure they are as equally, lovely and elegant as the one that wrote this post, Happy Thursday, Kathysue
ReplyDeleteYummy I could definitely live with these non colours I find them mentally soothing...
ReplyDeleteSande I'm like you in the sense I would love to try to live in such a monochromatic setting. They are simply gorgeous. But I'm afraid that I too would miss my favorite hues and pops of color. If we all were wonderfully wealthy we could own several homes & then we'd never have to decide. We'd just say, "one of each please".
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post and never sell yourself short. Your too amazing. x
White and ivory with a touch of gold is my favorite color combination. I dream of having my very own room in this pallet but something tells me it is a long time away since I have many pets. :-) It is such a beautiful post!Exquisite choice of pictures!
ReplyDeleteModern elegance, the bathroom is my favorite. Alexander McQueen was a genius designer.
ReplyDeleteOoo those built-in bookcases are what I was thinking of, must save that pic. The bathroom is gorgeous...save that too :).
ReplyDeletexoxo
I absolutely love it all! Such style and grace! Great designer! ~lulu
ReplyDeleteHow weird, I've just finished my post on how much I love all white and cream interiors yet couldn't quite live without some quirkiness and colour...Those photos are stunning, really beautiful. Have a lovely weekend. C x PS: I've now become a follower to your beautiful blog :-)
ReplyDeleteLove those creamy whites. So calming-and when you want a pop of color-so easy!
ReplyDeleteDue to wind, rain and a little snow- not one mile logged this week so far!!! Hopefully a few by Sunday!
I remember seeing those photos long ago and dreaming of that house! I love that bathroom with the gorgeous lead-glass cabinet door. Heaven...
ReplyDeleteHave a marvelous weekend mon amie,
xx
That bathroom has so many unique touches. The cabinet is beautiful and the sink mounted over the mirror is outstanding! I'm glad I stumbled upon your blog. Your banner is very fun! Love it!
ReplyDeleteLOVE that first settee (that whole house is gorgeous). The colours, the Greek key. So beautiful.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful weekend!
Great work. I love the muted colors.
ReplyDeleteCheck at our blog! And comment please, we love comments :)
http://ivyandhaley.blogspot.com
Ivy
Just love how you think of fashion and home design together. Both truly have such power in affecting our psyche. Restful and glamorous perfection ! Have a beautiful weekend !!
ReplyDeleteWhat a refreshing and clean-cut home! I can't wait till I can design my own home, for I would love it to resemble the freshness of these rooms.
ReplyDeleteKisses,
Stephanie
Graceful perfection. I'm so pleased subtle hasn't lots it outlets in a sea of Ed Hardy-like garbage everywhere. I must confess if I hear one more person say bling I may scream.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite classic designer is always Ralph Rucci. This post reminds me so much of his creamy white block in his Spring collection.
it really would be lovely to have a tonal home like that, but i have so much stuff i don't think i could do it in reality. there's something very serene and elegant about it.
ReplyDeletexoxo alison
Stunning Sande! Just stunning! I think this post is most dreamy and the Alexander McQueen, amazing. You never cease to amaze me with the grace, elegance, and style that every single post contains. Obviously the authors personality is shining through! Every time I read a post of yours I am never dissapointed, in fact I always leave speachless! Thank you for bringing such beauty and elegance into my life!!
ReplyDeletexoxo
Judith~
Sande, I agree with the 10 personality thing with decor and artistic fun. I adore colors also but I have this same appreciate for luxury and pure neutrals as well --if only we could have additional free rooms for the heart to play! ;) take care, Jenn
ReplyDeleteClassic understated glam - how wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI agree that life has to contain more than one single style. How boring it would be to be stuck on one track. It is the variety that adds the spice.
Thanks for a lovely post (as usual).
xCharlotta