Northern Light Design Work, Sneak Peek!

Yesterday was fun!!

I worked with a dear friend of mine, who happens to also be a photographer, as we photographed a Design Job I finished this past summer in North Miami Beach.

In the galley kitchen, I selected tumbled platinum hard ware with a ribbed texture, Calacata Oro Marble counters with a slight olive streak (for a top view, check out this image on the NLD Pinterest board) and long brick Thassos backsplash, set in a very light grey grout. 

Super pretty!!

Prior to the shoot, I picked up fresh flowers and other accessories. So much fun to be at the grocery store, selecting flowers for color and springing for those beautiful peonies, you normally would leave… I went for pops of color, as well as my trusted white hydrangeas! The design project itself is very calming and "non-color", it's all about the view!

… This image I took with my phone, as we were preparing to shoot the dining room properly. I just LOVE this Oly chandelier, not only does it look great straight on, but the shadows it casts on the ceiling are almost equally amazing!!

This is the other side of the dining room, also a cell phone shot. The art is my favorite here…

Not only are the colors muted, but the lacquered texture is amazing! Looks like water has been splashed on the painting itself, very cool :)

Stay tuned for more images on this project, I will share them with you soon!

Natasha

Images #1, #3 & #4 NHH for Northern Light Design, Image #2 by CHB Photography

It's raining..

I know, I know.. totally adorable!!
Today is a rainy day here in my part of the world, but that's ok. I have stuff to catch up on, dinner plans with special friends, and overall a productive weekend ahead.
What are you up to? Anything FUN??

Natasha

Image via Northern Light Blog on Pinterest

L'Wren Scott in Paris

Just came across this super chic apartment in Paris, and just had to share. It is owned by L'Wren Scott and has just been photographed by Francois Halard for Vogue. Not only is the light fantastic, but the mix of furniture and art is amazing. After studying the images I have two favorite spots!

The above table and sculpture with the contemporary art in the background, as well as the bedroom. Those deep raspberry red silk dupioni drapes are amazing, and pared with the Suzani on the bed... super cool!!

Heather (Habitually Chic) is on the ball as always, so if you would like to see the entire Paris Apartment, head over there. OR, stop by Vogue.

Natasha

Image via Vogue

Arabian Nights

Come on in....
Let's explore this wonderful space in Dubai together. The promise of the beauty that is to come is evident in the beautifully carved door jamb, the plasterwork and the wonderful lanterns! (Expect a modern place, not the typical ornate version!)

A large open courtyard greats you; there is a dining space.....

... and a tiny, tiny little lawn, probably the smallest I have ever seen! I can just envision sitting on the low Moroccan stools with your feet in the cool grass! Well aware that the climate makes it difficult to actually have a lawn in Dubai, I am just wondering out loud how to maintain it...
I mean, do you cut it with clippers, or....? Surely not a lawnmower :)

Wonderful, large terrace extends the living space, and with the daybeds covered, this could indeed be a very cool hangout space! LOVE the pops of orange, it seem to lend itself very well to the desert location!

Perfect way to make your indoor and out door space work together; carry the accent color with you "where ever you go", here the burnt orange has been brought inside.

Full shot of the living area. The black and white artwork on the walls are actually speakers, so surround sound is at it's best visually, don't you think??

Living in the shadow of the Burj Khalifa (worlds tallest building) does not seem too shabby to me, actualy, it's kind of cool :) !

This courtyard is so well designed with lounging and eating areas, with a little greenery to break up the stonework, fantastic lighting! If living in an apartment, what more can you really ask for??

Looks like a totally modern space to me with nods to both local architecture and design, as well as traditional plaster and wood work.

How cool is the dining table, the textured carvings are wonderful! Looks like the top is actually a re-purposed door... Either way, it highlights the Arabian / Moroccan "theme" that's going on in this space... the lanterns, the pipe, the urns, the desert colors.

How can I get to visit?

Natasha

All images by Gert Skaerlund Andersen via Bo Bedre

M is for...

... Mauritius!


Come and enjoy this house tour with me, it's a refreshingly calm vibe you get from this house!! The somewhat enclosed warp around porch, gives shade from the sun, while still feeling like you are outside.

As much as I love color, this vacation home is sooo nice, and really well thought through!!! Living in the tropics I know all to well what havoc sun, wind and saltwater can do to your home.... Using weather resistant outdoor furniture "inside", as above, is brilliant!! Look how nice it looks, and you don't even have to worry about color fading, saltwater, sandy feet etc. Even the dining chairs are, shhhh, plastic...

Here the views are what is in focus and the house is kept to a bare minimum of a structure. Polished concrete floors, natural wood beams, cane / rush covered ceilings and NO windows! (Reminds me of my trip to China..)

Hidden from sight are the rolled up hurricane shutters, bare window and door openings keep the air circulating, and if privacy is wanted, roll down the shades and the breeze still comes through!

When closing up the house, these bamboo roller curtains hook right off the wall, no fuss!














































Now, when I think of low maintenance, this kind of furniture is exactly what comes to mind! It can be very useful inside, as above,  or if you want, pull the loungers outside...

The accessories are kept to a minimum, and a simple wooden bowl is filled with a shriveled up palm remnant and a branch, a simple glass hurricane filled with sand, and another wooden vessel, and voila.

Eating here would be so wonderful! LOVE the red punch of color from the pitcher!! Notice the roll up shutters, bet you didn't notice them in the other images... ;)

I think these glasses are the only fancy thing about this whole house....

That little tiny bit of red from the pitcher has been carried through to the bedroom. The wood floors have been painted a soft beige, and the walls are muted. Notice how the hardboard and the frames compliment each other.

Imagine waking up to this view, or simply just sipping an afternoon drink here....

Catch your own dinner....

Wait, wait....
I want to come swimming as well!

I am currious to know if you like this house and the pale, earthy colors, or if you prefer the bright colors of this tropical house?

Have a wonderful day!

Natasha

Images via Vaart Nye Hem