Realistic Design Cues From These Luxuriously Timeless Interior Designs

How is January shaping up for you? I have been seeing various memes with the message that it’s a month of Mondays, but it doesn’t really feel like that for me this year. I think of January as our hibernation month so anything we accomplish is a big deal. YOU COOKED DINNER TONIGHT? HOW INCREDIBLY BOLD OF YOU! The fact that I’m sharing a post today about REALISTIC DESIGN CUES from fantasy-level interiors? HOLY COW! I’M DOING THE IMPOSSIBLE WHILE IN HIBERNATION!

Fantasy Level Interiors Inspire Realistic Design Cues

We recently returned from a road trip to Arizona, where the mountains, vegetation, and landscape healed places in me that needed to heal. (And some of you readers will be thinking girl, that was God that did the healing, and you have to remember that I don’t separate spirituality from anything. What freedom there is when you truly see God arriving as your very life and reality.) I think it’s freedom of spirit that allows me to imagine the creative possibilities even when an inspiration design from a fantasy property cost a fortune.

Layer Prints & Patterns to Create Wonder

Even though this high end design (at top) from Studio Peregalli is something that could never be duplicated, notice the effect of using multiple prints and patterns on the walls. So many Americans think open concept floorplans are the most desirable, but there are experiences you simply cannot create within open plans. This foyer and dining room relationship is an example. First there’s the cool blue dramatic statement once inside, then there’s a warm softer embrace upon entering the dining room.

Don’t you love the experiential aspect of designing our interiors? If wallpaper isn’t your fav, layering textures on a wall can also be a way to engage the senses and create depth:

Psst. Yep, the above bedroom is an AI design and not an actual photo of a real room. While folks have plenty of mixed feelings about the influence of AI on the design world, you must admit that for inspiration purposes and discussions between client and designer, these artificial images can help even if they lack soul and are recognizably artificial.

Borrow Color Stories from Fantasy-Level Interiors

Are there design elements from the Élysée Palace you can apply to your rental in Ohio? OUI.

Maybe it’s the teal with gold combination that sings to you.

Or is seeing the gilded details with cool light grey marble stirring you?

Whatever the case may be, just begin to notice what you seem to respond to and also what repels you. The more you increase self-awareness, the easier it is to make decisions. Here’s the book these palatial images hail from:

PRESIDENTIAL RESIDENCES IN FRANCE by Adrien Goetz/Ambroise Tézenas

All photography by Ambroise Tézenas from Presidential Residences (Flammarion 2021).

It is a very rare treat to even be able to glimpse the interiors shared in this book. (Don’t expect to tour La Lanterne when you visit Versailles unless the president of France invites you to this weekend retreat in the countryside!)

Just look at the exquisite artistry of the painted mirror panels!!!

What realistic decorating move could possibly be inspired from this mirrored room at Versailles? Well…what is stopping you from stenciling a favorite quote or laurel wreath on a mirror or window? I have done this for years and never tire of it!

Curate Like Suzanne Kasler

If you haven’t ordered a copy of EDITED STYLE yet…oh, friends! It lives up to all the fuss even though the design is anything but fussy.

Buy Edited Style HERE.

I’m inspired to simply clear surfaces in my space and start fresh with an eye for restraint and courage to live only with the best of my belongings.

Why do I allow myself to become distracted by design rules that seem to be engraved in stone but actually may not apply to my particular needs and desires?

Can I display a favorite empty bowl or vase? Goodness, yes.

Can I slap a modern flat screen near the tub even in an impeccably designed high end bath just because it will elevate my everyday? Yes, m’am.

As far as a down to earth idea from the beautifully designed bedroom above? My takeaway is the subtle understatement of mixing a rainbow of whites with just a bit of contrasting grey.

Do you have builder-grade sheet mirrors in your bath? Have you considered a simple ply or MDF sheet cut with an arch or other shape to suggest a custom mirror?

Ultimate Fantasy Baths Vs. Realistic Designs

It hasn’t been too long since we were busy renovating our own bath DIY style, and it’s a high order no matter the design. Here are some ideas for ingredients for realistic designs:

So much of the work is hidden within walls, and making tile selections is pretty darn important since you’ll live with them for a very long time. But if you are starting from scratch, don’t shy away from fantasy bath inspiration.

Barbara Sallick to the Rescue

If you love a softened, traditional, tailored effect for the window, think about floor length drapes. I love mine, and I can even imagine being able to hide a not-so-lovely window with them if yours doesn’t look like this:

Another idea is to layer a mirror on top of a sheet mirror to get maximum reflective light bouncing around but also add interest.

Buy The Ultimate Bath HERE

(BTW, THE ULTIMATE BATH features luxuriously designed bathrooms from top architects and interior designers, including Nate Berkus, Ray Booth, Commune Designs, Drake/Anderson, Gil Schafer, Suzanne Kasler, Nickey Kehoe, McAlpine, Brigette Romanek, Miles Redd, and Summer Thornton.)

There are bath designs both understated and palatial to engage your senses and blow your mind as you discover the breadth of what’s possible. For example, maybe you don’t have a budget for walls of exotic marble…

But is a jib door like the one above to a closet or water closet a fun detail you might be able to add? I love these whimsical moments! And how about a powder room makeover you’re working on…

Can you imagine allowing yourself to go a little wild? What does it hurt to step outside your comfort zone and delight visitors to it?

I’m signing your permission slip to have at it. Powder rooms can be so boring, and they need not relate to the rest of your serene zen home.

Also don’t miss the inspiration flooring above. You could easily steal that tile pattern for your own project if it appeals.

Atmospheric Vision for Design

Stephen Sills has an artistic voice all his own and creates these amazing atmospheric, luxuriously timeless interiors.

Buy Stephen Sills: A Vision for Design HERE

But since you are not Stephen Sills, you can be educated by his work by stretching your imagination a bit wider. By giving yourself the freedom that he enjoys.

He starts with mood boards, and you can too.

You’re bound to have an aha moment or two from a book from a visionary this unique.

Taking Away Inspiration from Proper English Designs

British designer Emma Sims-Hilditch launched Sims Hilditch after a previous career in film production for Ridley Scott. What I appreciate about European designers and designs for European clients is how space (often at a premium) is addressed.

Buy The Evolution of Home: English Interiors for a New Era HERE

Quality and craftsmanship are a given in her designs, but I find it helpful to note from these fantasy-level rooms how things are laid out, how every inch is considered.

Another realistic design move to note is how the timeless designs don’t feel matchy or showroom-like. We Americans tend to not play or experiment with clashing colors or unexpected combinations of materials.

Yet such freedom and playfulness can yield a pleasing, livable, custom look that feels as though it evolved over time.

And I adore this idea of sconces at the bench in the boot room. You just know how cozy those lights are going to glow at night to greet you when you arrive or simply add sweet ambience in the evening if it’s also a laundry area.

Does the high end room above simply give you permission to fulfill your slightly formal yet still comfy symmetry dreams? BOOM.

Have space under the stairs? Sometimes those spaces become awful catchalls for storage or junk so that you never want to open the door. If you lack storage elsewhere, maybe you have no choice but to stash luggage and sports equipment in the nook. But if not, maybe you could dream up a custom space.

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A post shared by Emma Sims-Hilditch (@emma_sims_hilditch)

PARISIAN Taste & Getting Real

I hardly need to add commentary to this first idea. Gather all your framed favorites and plaster those powder bath walls.

Even if you’re feeling a little insecure about the dramatic effect, do what I do and say to yourself: how very evolved and Parisian of me!

Buy Parisian by Design: Interiors by David Jimenez HERE

One of the bonuses of PARISIAN BY DESIGN is the help it offers for choosing chic paint colors. And paint? Now that’s something we can all afford.

Also find inspiration for setting an elegant table and where to soak up the best design in Paris!

I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.

Peace to you right where you are.

-michele

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