Spaces that wow Part I

Good morning...hope all of you out there in blogland are off to a wonderful day! Ever seen a space that just took your breath away? Made you gasp? Made you weak at the knees? Knocked your socks off? Today is a day to talk about those types of spaces. What do you think makes a room or space to give this kind of reaction?  I think there are multiple things that have to be happening...lighting is so important, accessories can be a major focal point. Maybe there will be an enormous window or a major piece of art,a funky colored sofa or chair, or an object that has impact and drama. Flooring and wall treatments are equally important or sometimes lack of. 
For me, as you will see by the pictures I have selected, there are many featuring water. What is more alluring and seductive than water? I mean the backdrop of water, whether its the ocean, a pond or a pool is just so dramatic and beautiful...not to  mention soothing. So many of the spaces I have chosen include those with water. I have always been drawn to the water and am comforted by it. Not all of these rooms are highly ornamented. I don't know that I would want every one of the rooms in  my own home to make such a statement. It is much more powerful to have one or two rooms that "wow".
 But I think its wonderful to have one or two spaces within a home that can have that effect, that kind of room that draws a reaction from others when they walk in. For me,  the water, whether it be the ocean, a lake, a pool or any body of water beckoning beyond gets major bonus points towards becoming an "it" room....... What are your thoughts? Would love to know! Hey, if you are going to dream....dream big! So here's to dreaming...............

Does entering a home get any more fantasy like than this? Hum...I don't think so!

This is heaven for me, a pool, the crystal clear ocean, a white house....wow!

A fusion of styles, modern meets old world.....electric! Interior-Design.net

I think seeing this incredible home bowling alley qualifies as a "wow" room! Rinfret

A stunning front to back ocean front foyer, doesn't need any furniture to make a huge impact!

Picture perfect "droolworthy" loggia......R.Stern

Something about this intimate dining space that I love, think its the lacquered very dark navy bookshelves, Keith Irvine

How about this Montana dining room with a wall that opens to enjoy the mountain vistas, Locati 

Not exactly a room but a setup in front of a beach house....I could hang there all night long!

Fabulous outdoor setting with sunken fire pit....quite luxurious! Kiwi

If forced to, I think I could manage getting dressed in this closet every morning..R.Stern

This is always going to be a "wow" kitchen for me! Jack Arnold

This is the kind of room that makes a big impact, such a majestic looking bedroom,Bill Eubanks

This entire space just knocks my socks off! Tucker and Marks

This fabulous monochromatic room is the perfect palette for this incredible backdrop of the sea

Does it get better?  I doubt it.....love the entire setup..a fantasy for sure, Kiwi

Whats better than an authentic Chateau kitchen gleaming with copper pots! Chateau Chenonceau

OK, I wouldnt' want my own bedroom to look like this but lets all agree this is a "wow" room

What is it about all white next to the sea? The result is pure perfection......

If I had a covered porch like this, I swear I would live there year round......absolutely gorgeous!

I could see having my family dinners out here overlooking the ocean, not a bad set up!

Gorgeous elegantly casual outdoor settings like this always blow me away, Rinfret

This was the outdoor wedding setting at my nephews wedding in Mexico..it was a "wow"!

Talk about a space that makes you weak at the knees...this could make me agoraphobic for life!

Again that darn ocean does it every time! Another "wow" room

I am sleepy just looking at this picture.....cool breeze, comfy linens, a great book, need I say more?

The ocean that becomes one with this house is just magic

This is about as "wow" of a bathroom as you can get, Arch Digest

Love this loggia flanking the pool and the bay beyond....

Hypnotic Hawaiian house at sunset

High above the ocean.....breathtaking and mythical  setting!

With a room and view this beautiful...you don't need much else, Bacco

Always loved this oceanfront bedroom...dreamy!

This is really about as luxurious as it gets, Tucker and Marks

This foyer has the "wow" factor, Tucker and Marks

Between the view and the chandelier...it might be hard to concentrate on the food!

This is pretty incredible...the desert almost looks too pretty to be real!

Love a long pool, so striking, especially at night all illuminated as shown here

Give me an outdoor pavilion like this and I don't even need a house, H.Backen

Love the feeling of this monochromatic outdoor space, so elegant and functional 

Magnificence in this grand living room at the French home of Timothy Corrigan

This is pretty much the ultimate in a closet.....I mean you could have an entire family living here!

And speaking of ultimate....how about the ultimate spot for a backyard dinner party?

And........ the ultimate Napa Valley Dining Room? H. Backen

So do you have a favorite? There are many different styles represented above....and so many beautiful spaces each extraordinary  in their own unique way. Would love to know what makes a room or space one worth remembering to you. Don't worry....if you enjoyed this and would like still to see more, there will be a round II in a week or so! Have an enchanting day!

Things I am loving Thursdays.........

Happy Thursday!! I want to follow up on a story I had told you about, about the couple who are both battling late stages of cancer while trying to parent a young baby. They recently appeared on the Today show...here is the clip if you are interested. It is an unimaginable story. They also had started a blog well before this happened...click here to visit their blog. To see the Today show clip click:
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/42450455#42450455
As I am looking into completing the baths for the new house, I have been looking at a lot of bath related items. Pedestal sinks, lighting, wallpaper and bath accessories....so much to choose from! I think in my own head, I am at times overwhelmed by my project so just knowing I can "wrap up" a room, even if its"just" a bathroom, feels like a feather in my cap. So, this post starts with bath related items and moves onto some fun things..because its important to keep a fine balance between the things we have to do and things we like to do! Would love to know if there is anything you are loving this week too!

PEDESTAL SINKS. For a few of the smaller baths..I am going with old fashioned pedestal sinks, first because I love the look and secondly they don't look as cumbersome as some of the vanity cabinets do. There are many gorgeous pedestal sinks out there...I am going for a more classic look and below are some of the ones I am considering...do you like the look?

FUN ACCESSORIES FROM WORLD IMPORTS AND DANA GIBSON. I remember years ago when we moved to our new house, I discovered Worlds Away. They are a neat company that had really "cool" for lack of a better word, things filled with all kinds of  hip offerings. They had great mirrors, little tables, cache pots, trays,etc....just fun interesting looking objects. So I recently re-discovered them and they look better than ever. Then, this really fun take on a ginger jar caught my eye in a magazine and I looked up the source and it was Dana Gibson who has a great little site filled with all kinds of lovely colorful accessories and tidbits. Love the Worlds Away mirrors with antique mirror below and am determined to use them in at least one bathroom.  Below are a few goodies that they are currently marketing.....what do you think? Have a fave?

All above from Dana Gibson

All below from Worlds Away

WALLPAPER. Yes, have found even more great wallpaper! What can I say its a bona fide addiction..cannot help myself! I am glad that for two bathrooms I was smart enough to order  them right when I saw two Scalamandre papers I loved, this way its a non issue...case closed. But I still have many other spaces to concentrate on, it was just a drop in the bucket. However, progress is progress. Here are a few interesting patterns from York wallcoverings...I have to admit I wasn't really familiar with York but saw something interesting in a magazine which led me to find them online which led to more paper crushes which led to adding them to my inspiration folder which led to this post...whew! So here they are a few of my latest wallpaper crushes......

Love grays and creams together and of course love the gray/blue background

How could I not include this...in honor of Teddy and a shoutout to all canines!

Love this for a small home office...fun and crisp but elegant...

This is so old world and beautiful

I love this gray/blue color, pretty for a bedroom wall

They even do murals!

Dramatic, bold and fabulous for a small jewel of a powder room

Just love the colors here.....and am a peacock fanatic

These colors are so beautiful around sunset.....love it with green

PIER ONE BARGAINS (who knew!) OK I must admit I am not a snob but always thought of Pier One as a basket, mood beads and incense depot for hippies (I admit I was off base). I haven't been into a Pier One since I threw my husband a surprise backyard party about 14 years ago and last minute frantically ran around looking for citronella candles....only to be led to Pier one. In my manic state I ran in, got them-mission accomplished, not to return again. I never thought of it as a store that had anything for me. While waiting for my son to finish at an appt. the other day, there was a Pier One next door, so I figured I would pop in. Much to my surprise, I found some goodies for a friends birthday whose style so epitomizes what I found. I was so excited with what I came up with...and everything was so reasonable! The first four pictures are all part of her gift..I wrapped it all up in a colorful basket and it included two cookbooks (that she had been wanting) and a bunch of fun utensils, then got a couple of little goodies for myself (of course) Needless to say her gift was a huge mega hit! (and the bonus is she invited me to her cookbook party next month, where a group of girls will get together to try out a few different recipes together from the book,  imagine- little old me responsible for that divine inspiration!

Got her 8 of these appetizer/salad plates...perfect for outdoor entertaining

This adorable colorful apron...how fun!

Matching placemats

And these fun coasters!

Then I found this gorgeous tray....so unexpected in a place like Pier one....I want my whole dining room to look like this..lol! I mean does this look like its from Pier One? Not.

How could I pass this up? Is this the cutest thing ever? For condiments, got one for her, one for me, of course.

Another cute condiment serving piece

Then for outdoors, how pretty and different is this grouping, the seat cushions, the umbrella and then add a punch of yellow with the pillows..fun!

OK, OK...I know I got a little carried away but we all know we love the thrill of a bargain- then when its something pretty..its doubly sweet! Great looking stuff...who knew!

A SERIOUSLY GRAND PARTY. In my next life, I want to be a party planner extraordinaire.I can see it now "The Enchanted Party". I like it!  I am so fascinated by parties, party planning, flowers, locations, table settings, linens, all of the glorious crowning touches that are the hallmarks of an elegant party. I am as impressed by an elegant backyard bbq as I am a dreamy seaside chic wedding.....its all in the details and that is what fascinates me so! Ever since I discovered Tara Guerard's work in one of my many Southern Accents' back copies...I have been captivated. She and her talented team are based in Charleston and New York. I have also decided what when my sons get married, she  is the one who will plan my his wedding.  I have it all planned out!!  I love her eye and  interpretation and think she is so unbelievably talented. This post does not do justice to her work and her amazing website so please click here to see some seriously gorgeous affairs..... For now here is a little taste of what the folks over at Tara Guerard Soiree's are capable of doing...needless to say, they sure know how to throw a party! 

So that's what I am loving this week..thankfully not a shortage of beautiful things in this world, always something glorious to discover. Afterall, isn't it when you are dreaming that you become most inspired? I know that's the case with me! Would love to know if something above caught your eye or there is something you are loving this week. Hope you have an enchanted day!