Still Crushing Hard

on Suzanne Kasler. I know I'm not alone in this, since loving her is as unique as saying I think George Clooney is the bee's knees. But, I am what I am, and what I know is that her rooms make me want to crawl right in to that photo. A friend lent me her copy of "Inspired Interiors" and after I promised not to let anything spill on it, I've been pouring through the pages.

What makes me love her is the restraint with colors and how conscious every decision of her's is -- It really feels like every piece is there for a reason, while still being traditional and warm and refined. None of that "don't you want to curl up on this 2x4 and watch a movie" thing, because I'm convinced people really don't LIVE in some of those rooms we see in the contemporary magazines. I'm all for layered rooms (it's usually what I live and breathe by), but the restraint that Kasler has is like a big sigh of "ahhhhh".

Those stairs just make me want to cry, they are so gorgeous.

Seriously. Beautiful. Kitchen.

I've got a thing for bookcases and these are the design equivalent of the aforementioned George Clooney on Oscar Night (Sans Italian girl with the armband tattoo)

I mean really, that sofa and seating area combined with the bed is out of this world.

*All photos courtesy of Inspired Interiors, Suzanne Kasler, (c) 2009

Romo, where have you been all my life?

I'm married to grass cloth. And happily I might add. It's always my go to wallpaper for any room of the house that needs texture or a little color. But, I may have to have a little side fling with Romo Wallpapers. They are gorgeous and just the right amount of pattern to make an impact but not overwhelm the room.

Grass cloth meet Romo. I think you two can live happily ever after together in one house. A little suburban and a little city. A marriage made in heaven.

You can check out the entire wallpaper and fabric collection on their website.

Here are a couple of my favorites.

Mimas - I love this pattern. So fun and hip yet so timeless. The colors are amazing too.

Caruso - A great modern take on a traditional stripe. Looks incredible applied horizontally as well. Go ahead, break out of the box.

Kiku - So glamorous. A nice modern floral. It would be amazing in any room. Especially a bedroom. Yes, please.

Kenzan - This is the one that tempted me to cheat on my first love of grass cloth. The perfect understated statement.

Marenka - This one reminds me of Hollywood and my dearly departed grandma, mom-mom. She would have done her Los Angeles breakfast room in this floral. A little California glam and East Coast tradition rolled into one.

What do you think? Do any of these tempt you to try a fun pattern? I'd love to know.

Hope you're having a good week.