Loft Design-Kelly Hoppen

We love, love modern designs at Inside Avenue. We especially like modern designs that are organic, warm and livable. In our opinion, no one does it better than Kelly Hoppen, an internationally well-known designer from the UK.

Here is a sample of her work from the latest issue of Metropolitan Magazine , using our favorite color scheme, black and white.

A wonderful color combination (note the yellow chair).



How about this for a dining room? Check out the cool chandelier, and again, the use of yellow as an accent color...



This is what makes Kelly Hoppen so good, the creative mixing of furniture style...



How about this for a modern bathroom?



If you like Kelly Hoppen's work, check out her design books at Amazon. They are a great source of inspirations. She also designed a furniture collection for Century Furniture, China for Wedgewood and a bedding line for Sferra.

Loft Decorating

The trend toward loft living is increasing. We see more lofts being built than ever. Traditionally, lofts were conversions from old factory and warehouses. Recently, however, more builders are building loft-style developments throughout the country from coast to coast.

Lofts are cool, but they are difficult to decorate. Here is a sample of a great loft design from Metropolitan Home Magazine.

Notice the clever use of all neutral colors....


We love the use of yellow as punctuation. Very clever...



See the use of hallway as a functional space...



The kitchen warms up with accessories...


Here are a few lessons we've learned from looking at these photos:

1)Make use of awkward spaces by using built-in bookcases and desks.

2)Use neutral colors if that is your thing, but pump it up with splashes of colors.

3)Use accessories to warm up the space.

4)Don't stick to one type of furniture. Mix it up.

Christmas in Sweden

: : hello from Sweden! I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas! "God fortsättning", Swedish expression for " I wish you a continuing good Christmas"....that's what you say when you run into someone while you're out shopping at all the sales.

I meant to put up a quick post about me spending Christmas in Sweden, and that the blog would be on hold for a few days. But things got too rushed in the end....instead I'm posting this photo taken of the harbor by my Grandmother's [Farmors'] house on Christmas Eve. We were sad to not have any snow, but happy to at least have sunshine...this picture could just as well have been taken on a warm summer day.

I'll be back at the beginning of next week with a report from Sweden and pics of my design finds here. God fortsättning!