I am horribly uncool and most of the time I live under a rock. Truth be told I barely know my Candice Olson from my Carson Kressley, so perhaps to you much cooler-than-me readers, this post will seem passe. Oh Phoebe Howard, who doesn’t love her and who hasn’t seen her work in home magazines, visited her site, and her blog, and her stores? Well…up until today, me, that’s who! I happily stumbled upon some pictures of her work tonight that caused my breath to draw in, heart to race, pupils to widen, and mouth to gape open! You know it’s good stuff when all that happens, right?
In case you too live under a rock, allow me to be the one to take you on a little festival for the eyes. The designs I like most use neutrals, symmetry, starburst mirrors, Jenny Lind furniture, bamboo blinds, and myriads of textures. Let’s begin, shall we? Oh, and since this is my blog you are going to get my running diatribe on each pic. Sorry, but you can’t turn me off! In fact, if I could, I would make this into one of those annoying VH1 Pop-up videos. See? I was cool at one time….with cable! Sheesh, when was that? 1996? Okay…enough.
This bedroom is crisp and lovely and we’ve seen tons of upholstered headboards around the blogosphere, but I am LOVING this upholstered footboard. Someone go make one now and show us, ‘mmmkay?
In this bathroom, the Venetian mirror and unexpected fun flooring make this room for me. Without them, it would be a bit boring.
I am totally in love with the colors here, not to mention the built in seating.
Diamonds, stripes, checks, and florals all work seamlessly here. Brilliant!
I like the idea of using the foot of the bed as an immediate sitting area. She seems to do that quite a bit and it works. An option to incorporate this look in a kids’ room would be the use of futon bunk beds. This would allow for the option of seating in a smaller space.
This pic below makes me want to place a bunch of throw pillows on my stairs…or perhaps have a room big enough that I can display an old non-functional staircase in!
Isn’t this bedroom dreamy? Again, notice the seating at the foot of the bed.
Her wall designs utilize a ton of botanical and bird prints framed uniformly. It makes for a very clean and fresh look.
Oh my goodness, isn’t this gorgeous? Again, this room is all about symmetry. I love the large painting of the ocean above the couch. I also love the mix of honeycomb, earth-toned tile with the blue striped rug.
Again, I know this is a store and those pillows are for sale, but how gorgeous is that bookcase? If only you could read a pillow… Hmmm, I wonder what Hubs would think if I replaced all of our books with throw pillows?
So crisp, clean, and beachy…
Do you see those giant mirrors flanking the sunburst mirror? Gorgeous!
This house reminds me of a house I consulted on down the street from us. I still heart dark wood.
I love this and I know why. I am a SUCKER for any beautiful room with amazing exposed beams. This open floor plan is just my style.
The blue subway tile in this kitchen is a fun surprise as are the walnut captain’s chair barstools. Both provide lovely contrast to the otherwise stark kitchen.
I don’t know if I had this photo in my bedroom inspiration file or not, but I should have. It would’ve fit right in!
When I saw this picture below, I laughed out loud at the genius in this design. It looks to me like a bed flanked by two end tables. I love it and I have never seen a bath placed between the sinks before!
Take away the toppers and just leave the panels, and perhaps use the toppers as a bedskirt, and this room is perfect. Again, I love the mix of texture!
Notice the wallpaper, curtains, dining room chairs, blinds, and barstools. The play of pattern and texture is genius. (How many times can I use the word texture in a post? I don’t know, but I’m going for the record here.)
For those of us with cozy kitchen spaces, I thought this humble looking island was cool. I like the openness in design…and texture. (Just kidding on that one.)
I love everything about this room below. The toile chairs, the paneled walls, the exposed beams, the wood fireplace, the neutral palette…everything!
This reminds me that I need to do board and batten immediately!
Be still my heart! Just look. I don’t need to break it down for you. Bliss. (As long as a spider didn’t come through that window and bite me, that is. Just keepin’ it real here.)
And these pillows were too beautiful not to show you a close-up. Oh, you’re looking at the mercury glass lamp, and the white hydrangeas, are you? Yes! Those are amazing too!
And I will conclude our eye candy tour with the picture below which reminds me of my mom’s house. She loves yellow and blue. I thought she might appreciate this one!
For more eye candy, you can click on Mrs. Howard’s site and find your own favorites!
So, do you have a favorite designer? Someone who makes your heart go all pitter patter? Share them with us! Come on, help us be one of the cool kids too!
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Julia @ Hooked on Houses says
She's definitely one of my favorites, and I especially love her bedrooms. That board-and-batten room is gorgeous, too!
shelly @ the familyblt says
Hi, I'm from the rock next door–nice to come out from under and meet ya 🙂 I hadn't heard of her either, but her stuff is lovely!
Amy {The Red Chair Blog} says
Ahhh–very soothing rooms and such great CHAIRS! But alas, not the right colors for a family that includes a black lab who loves to scratch her back on the furniture 🙂
Tammy@InStitches says
I'm like you, I need color ! But I love her designs, so sophisticated.
Jenny Beth says
soo beautiful, i love to use these photos for inspiration and tie in my favorite colors to make the rooom more "me" i have never heard of phoebe. will definately be checking her out.
Marianne@Songbird says
Oh gosh I am way deeper under a rock than you are. I didn't even know those other names you threw in there at the beginning of the post.
Lovely inspiration pics. But to be frankly honest, sometimes I would want to see what they (pro designers) would do to an ordinary house where people actually live. Because there wasn't a tv in sight in any of the pics, nor toys, newspapers or any sign of living human beings for that matter. And the rooms are gigantic, so much place for furniture! But still, it was eye candy that's for sure.
Paula says
You and I must live under neighboring rocks because I've not heard of her either. Thanks for the introduction. Now I'll go dry the drool from my keyboard! 🙂
Beth@The Stories of A2Z says
If you walk through my home you will see nothing but color. Vibrant color. I think that is what draws me to this. I love the welcomed change from my norm.
The Barnett Family says
Well, I guess I live under a rock too. Some of the photos did look familiar. I love neutral rooms in magazines and etc., but in "real" life, I use a lot of color. I can see why you heart her designs! Thanks for sharing!
Mrs. Potts says
Not enough color for my taste. Very beautiful though.
Sheree says
I love the room with the toile chairs! As for being under a rock, I don't think I know this designer, so thank you for sharing the images! 🙂
Beth@The Stories of A2Z says
You know what, I actually thought of you when I was looking at her stuff! And OF COURSE you would have two folders devoted to her! Who else are you hiding in those folders? I demand you release their names at once and help a poor girl out. It's dark and dreary under this rock….
Chris says
I have two folders devoted to Phoebe. I can't get enough of her designs. However, there were a couple that you posted that I haven't seen. Looks like I'm adding more! Oh, and welcome from underneath your rock. 🙂