Mad Men Style; Mid-Century Modern Interiors Today

I don't know about you, but I have always felt that I was born in the wrong era.  

Being a baby boomer, I've always loved the 1940s and 1950s.  I guess

 my parents' glamour had something to do with it.   

As a little girl I'd eagerly watch my Mom don her wig, tailored dresses 

(that she'd sewn herself), and carefully apply her hip cool makeup.

I longed for the days when I could do the same.

I loved Swing and Crooner music way before it was 'cool to do so'.  

So when the HBO series Mad Men first aired, you can imagine my joy! 

Although the treatment of women as second class citizens clashes 

with my libertarian ideals,

 the drama of rat pack fashion, modern interiors and martinis just makes me swoon. 

  I will admit to Don Draper having the same affect on me, though I digress.

Today,  I have selected some interiors that hearkens to the Mad Men era. 

Mid Century modern with  a current modern 2013 twist.  

Drama in jewel tones.

The current IKAT print and muted tones make you want to purrrr.

Wood paneling hearkens to the past.

There is nothing in this snap shot that doesn't make me want to live here. 

 The humongous chandelier is just so vavavoom glamorous!

Mod rug and vibrant colors keep this look current and fresh.

 A dramatic chandelier - hung low - creates moody vibe.

Turquoise, clean lined vinyl sofa  and spark setting - simple yet alluring.

Gorgeous focal point, with  unusual overhead lighting.   

Makes you want to peek beneath!

You'd  think Dean Martin will crawl out of the wood work, both in the snaps shot above and below.

Spin some  Crooner LP's (did I say LP's?) and mix some  martinis in a  chill setting.

  The Saarison table, in white, pops against the peacock blue walls.
Fresh photography teases the eye upward.

Simplicity at its' best.  

Clean lined with hip lighting - today's styling with yesterday's  look.

Retro look  but with current  print and chandelier.  

  Rugs add punch.  Crisp and classic.

Enjoy!

20 Inspiring home office ideas and looks | Idea Interiors

Which one of us doesn't want an inspirational home off space to work or even play in?

 

Here is a great link on how to create the ideal work space
8 tips on how to create an organized and productive home office.

In the meantime here are 20 inspirational home offices with tips on why they work and how you can re-create them in your home!

Elegant desk spaces make for terrific meetings with potential clients or existing ones!
Above the deep dark coloured walls allow the brass bookshelves to take center stage.
The bookshelves also create the anchor between which to place the plexi-glass desk.
An elegant rug also does its' work by pulling it all together.

A creative soul inspires a desk that is sassy and unique to express themselves.
This exotic space with its' grasscloth wallpaper and African masks evokes a feeling of travel, even if you've got a 9-5 job to get to!
 Perfect setting for a masculine look.

A beautiful surface, very clean lined, without any drawers or storage is ideal for the person who doesn't have a lot of paper work, perhaps just 

some electronic correspondence.  The artwork gallery is a testament to the fact that an office can be unique, functional and yet artistic! 
For more information on how to create a gallery wall  visit last month's entry How to create a gallery wall with frames.

I love this look - pops of tangerine and a cowhide rug against pine floors. 

The bright light and solid white of the furniture, desk and shelves gives this room an air of efficiency and order.

This is a prime example that every inch of your home should be used to the max.  

This tight space is put to great use and sleek enough that it makes a terrific little office.  

The glass shelves and glass slab, which serves as the desk surface make the space 

appear as if it's floating on air.

These two home office feature shelving and book cases that are 

used in a non-traditional ways.  

The cubes that look like they're teeter-tottering - 

reminiscent to me of  Montreal's Expo 67 Habitat project. 

The bookshelf cubes also create perfect stages for lovely vignettes.

 

 

One of my favorite things is a mood board. 

 Here it is created with chicken wire stapled into a second hand frame. 

 Clothes pins are used to attach the photos to the wire

 A modern Eames styled chair is  juxtaposed against the classic pine table.

Below, the bulletin board blends into the wall by using the same wallpaper pattern!

 

Need to work in a duo?  

This dynamic desk and candy apple red chairs are sure to inspire your best work!

Who doesn't need a wall-to-wall desk? 

 Inexpensively created with a slab of melamine,  it is workable on any budget.  

The charcoal wallpaper creates a dramatic backdrop, which ties in with the

 classic filing cabinets, tucked away for extra storage.

The sheepskin throw creates just the right amount of warmth and surprise.

A long rectangular dining table can create an ample office desk. 

Here a number of people can work in one area, or even have a meeting.

The director like chairs are easily folded away too!

 

 

I know you're going to say, "fingerprints"!  (oh well!)

Couldn't resist this sexy office space with its' ghost chair,

 modern lamp and black and white classic look.


Below one more sleek version in  'old hollywood' style.
Wonder if any of you took notice that both of these home office spaces
 could easily double as makeup tables in the boudoir!

 

A white, shabby chic look for any budget, easily recreated with vintage finds.

This creative idea just inspires awe!
Got a classic desk remnant in an attic or salvaged one from Goodwill?  

Place a piece of glass above the desk onto see-saw legs directly above it.
This instantly creates a unique look, uses the  drawer space  and
allows for collectibles to be in full view just below your work surface!
 Genius!

The wraparound desk does not have to be dull.

In fact here it is a punch of colour added by the  trellis inspired wallpaper -
 it'll make any space feel like it's summer all year long!
 Ideal for long wintry climes, like here in Canada.

This is a dream work space - for crafting, sewing, or home projects of any kind!
The narrow drawers are ideal for craft papers, or snips of fabric.
Shelving still allows for additional storage -
especially if you corral the smaller
bric-a-brac into coordinating storage boxes.


Enjoy!

How to create a gallery wall with frames | Idea Interiors

If you're like the average person, you are probably stumped by this one.
The magazines make it look so easy, the designers have a knack for it, even

 the boutiques and hotels have a way of placing frames just right.

I have plenty of  frames with gaping  holes behind them, luckily I am the only one who knows they are there!

I did some digging and found some useful tools for you all to use and abuse, so that your walls do not look like they've been riddled by machine gunfire!  

I put together some terrific links to tools sources that can help you layout your frames 
Pottery Barn,    Another Reason to Smile,    Ann Beck Photography. 
Sapphire rain design guide,     Picture Wall Company - frames & templates

Visit Grady Bug Designs where you can source templates to help you with the daunting task.  I must admit there are more configurations for wall

 art that can be imagined, so here are some terrific images to inspire you to take action, and put up those frames as expertly as the pros do!

An interesting collection of prints are just as bold as this striped settee!

Above and below, the benches act like an anchor to the picture frames which would unmistakably float if they stopped at the height they are 

currently placed.  Beautiful vignettes in both of these settings.

Above, a mix of artwork, photos and sketches. I like the idea of the frames going above the door's threshold, 

drawing the eye up and through the doorway.

This is a favorite - empty frames.  Notice how they are thick and ornate, so that they take up a good chunk of the empty space and make a bold statement. 

Even if they are empty. they say,  I'm here!

These white frames have space between them that is consistent, even if not aligned to each other.

An interesting set of keys is included in the mix, mixing it up a little.  I find this a fascinating way to display mementos,
  perhaps baby's shoes, a piece of memorabilia too tiny to display elsewhere.  If combined with a meaningful photo has even more of a pull.

An unusual way to display artwork above, allowing for empty space to also make its own statement.

Artwork does not have to be forsaken in the kitchen either!

Sleek rails make for an easy way to prop photos by leaning them against the wall.  This takes the thinking out of aligning each frame, and also
 indulges you  to change your mind whenever you feel like it. You can re group these images easily,
not worry about making the holes, and change it up to your hearts' content!

A great opportunity to use your 'home's real estate', the hallway often goes bare and without much flourish.
Here it has plenty of dazzle and drama, allowing the guest to linger while moving from one part of the house to another.
 It is an unencumbered space so it really does afford the gallery feel and look.

Note how low to the ground the lower railing is.  Use your space!

If you're like my sister, Rania, you want order in your home.  Some people just love symmetry and ofcourse what better way to show that
than in how you group your frames.  Great precision and care has to be taken in this case.  So give yourself plenty of time to set up,
 have all your tools handy, level, plugs, nails and screws and get to it.  Two heads are better than one, but make sure your
 partner is patient, because this is not a job for the faint of heart!

The only guest not wowed by this gallery as you see would be a cat!

Above a large map, divided into 6 equal parts, makes for an inexpensive piece of artwork and also brings the color blue to it's full potential.

The paneling here affords enough real estate for picture frames, and also does double duty by creating the alignment itself.

Nothing is more compelling than floor to ceiling galleries, here again the hallway or landing is easily transformed into an art gallery.
I love the composition - very little space between the photos but the alignment of them on the top and bottom.
 Still symmetrical but within it's borders affords some creativity for the playful personality, like mine!

I fell in love with this setup, bright candy apple red frames with black and white prints.  

Drama for hallway and also for the artwork.  

 Lighting sets the mood in the evenings and puts the focus on the images.

One of my absolute favorite images on the net is this one featuring the staircase.
Staircases are functional, but  this one does double duty.
 Here, it transports you upstairs in addition to providing up close and personal views
 of smaller images that might go unnoticed if placed too far away to approach.

Grab your hammer, nails and a friend and get to it!

Enjoy!