Masculine Appeal

A "Notting Hill townhouse." It sounds pretty nice already, doesn't it? Well, this home, featured in Elle Decor, doesn't disappoint. It's quite masculine with some glamorous touches. I've always been intrigued by curved sofas, I love bold art and I'm more than a little smitten with the tailored garden. Let's have a look:

Photos from here. 

Mountain High

I'm afraid we will not have a white Christmas this year. We've had a few flurries but the snow has melted quickly. No matter -- I'm going to daydream about this Montana ski lodge, featured in Elle Decor. I love the clean lines, soothing colors and hints of lodge style in the stone fireplace and wood beams. Maybe thinking of this place will calm me down as I do some last-minute Christmas shopping and prep the house for our holiday party tomorrow. Here's hoping!

Photos from here. 

Swank Digs

Hillary Swank strikes me as an actress with maturity who really has it together. And seeing her Manhattan apartment makes me believe it even more. It's so calm and sophisticated, no?

Photos from here via here. 

Personal Luxury

Checking out this fantastic London flat, featured on Elle Decor, got me thinking about luxury and how personal it is. What are the things -- practical or decidedly not -- that you can't live without? For me, it's lots of white, color, natural light and clean lines. It's glam accents and cozy touches. And it's inspiring artwork and photographs of people and places I love. 

Photos from here. 

Light Bright

One of my favorite things about autumn is the incredible light that comes about this time of year. And I can only imagine how dazzling the light would be in this forty-ninth-floor home in  New York City, featured in Elle Decor. I also love the modern touches, from the clean concrete and white walls to the streamlined furniture. And how cool is that Bob Dylan photograph?

Photos from here. 

Slowdown

I'm feeling a bit under the weather, so this weekend I'm hoping to take it easy. I'd like to sleep in and laze around. Maybe I'll start a new book or watch a few movies. Napping may also feature prominently in the plans.

I'd love to slow down in a place like this Nantucket home, featured in Elle Decor. It feels so soothing and restful, and I like how it has a beachy vibe that's also contemporary.

Have a great weekend!

Photos from here. 

Naturally Beautiful

I've been a fan of Kerri Russell ever since her Felicity days. (Wasn't that such a great show?) Her style, both onscreen and off, has always seemed to be rooted in natural beauty. So I'm not surprised to see the same aesthetic in her gorgeous Brooklyn home, featured in Elle Decor. What a calm, cozy and sophisticated space!

Photos from here. 

Wow Factor

When I saw hairstylist Sally Hershberger's Manhattan penthouse on Elle Decor, I was struck with how cool the place is. It's graphic and striking and just ... wow. Here, have a look.

Photos from here.

The Best of Both

My sister and I have very disparate style preferences. She prefers things that are comfortable, natural and slightly country while I tend toward modern shapes, graphic patterns and rich colors.

However, I think this amazing house -- a "modern country home" featured on Elle Decor -- would suit each of us. The relaxed feel, mix of textures and all that natural light would have us both feeling right at home. It's gorgeous!

Photos from here.

Easy and Breezy

I've long dreamed about having a beach house. I have visions about walking by the ocean, exploring towns and simply relaxing in a lovely house with the windows open to let in breezes and the sound of the sea.

Actress Meg Ryan's home on Martha's Vineyard, featured in Elle Decor, could be just the setting for this daydream. Clean-lined furniture, worn woods and lots of white -- it's all so lovely.

Photos from here.

Rise and Shine

I had a very hard time getting going on the workweek today. My mind and body wanted to rush back home and spend the day at a slower pace.

I think this room from Elle Decor would be the perfect place to do exactly that. I can just picture myself spreading out the newspaper at that table, then reclining on those thick cushions to read a magazine or a book, with the pup curled up at my knees. All the while -- and this is a key detail -- sunshine would stream in through those glorious windows.

Not a bad way to spend a day, huh?

Photo from here.