Marilyn Monroe in her Beverly Hills abode.

Elvis Presley sitting at his Memphis, Tennessee, mansion Graceland  on a 15′ sofa, in the 1960′s.

Even the celebrities among us share in the common thread of homemaking. Architectural Digest this month shared a peek into some famous folks private spaces. I found it interesting to see the styles of decor, and the element of privacy and comfort we all need from time to time. The colors and styles of midcentury design is present across the board, but each space is uniquely personalized to reflect the individual style of the homeowner. I enjoyed this peek into the private spaces of these very public figures, and their reflection on ‘home’.

Asian art picked up on worldwide travels is tacked to a wall of actor John Wayne’s living room in the San Fernando Valley.

Joan Crawford and her fourth and final husband, Pepsi-Cola CEO Alfred N. Steele, relax on the plastic-covered sofas of their 18-room New York City duplex penthouse in the 1950s.

Images sourced at Architectural Digest

A Dutch firm – MVRVD – was commissioned to create a spectacular home, full of whimsy, color, and style. The muse – a barcode. Yes, a barcode that is consistently found on products. So here is the garage – can you imagine what the entire house looks like? Click here to find out.

(Image credit here)

Admittedly, I’m not the best at DIY projects. I get impatient and stop measuring and then all the sudden there’s a pile of shredded fabric and dripping paint all over the room. Yet this smart dresser transformation from Elisabeth Dunker seems like it might be doable – even for me, yes?

Elisabeth created the dresser for an exhibition at Tjoloholm, but I love the idea of adapting it for a quirky kid’s space. The details are pretty simple – black acrylic paint on a white dresser, all free-hand (because after all, ants are just a series of circles and lines, right?). I’m tempted to give it a go and am racking my brain for a lonely piece of furniture hanging around. Wouldn’t it look equally fun on an entryway bench or bookcase?

Here’s to quirky DIY projects and the hands that create them! Great job, Elisabeth!

Image Credit: Fine Little Day

Defining how your furniture and decor work for you can make your small space can certainly make it feel big and comfy. This image is a great example of how to do just this. A chair doesn’t have to be just that. Think of it as a functional item – it’s a chair or a side table or a step stool or storage opportunity. It’s all about creating a comfortable vibe that works for you. Do you reimagine your furniture and decor in new ways?

(Images source)

I am a huge fan of displaying everyday objects in our living spaces. This creative, colorful and stunning presentation of colored pencils is Art. Organized in gradation of hue, the color blocking paired with the linear and repetitive nature of the material creates a unique and useful focal point for the room. Easy to make and install, and one less thing to store in the closet. An all around great idea.

Image sourced at Designspiration.

… mural your ceiling?

I posted a glorious chalkboard ceiling last month, but isn’t the idea paling in comparison to this Sistine Chapel-esque muraled room? It’s overwhelming, yes, but is the perfect hiding spot for an art lover with a penchant for painterly inspiration.

The rule? There is no rule. Stick your favorite inspired mural (or if you’re artsy, hand-paint it!) on the ceiling and fill in the blanks with all of your favorite goodies. The look is meant to be eclectic to avoid appearing dated or buttoned-up, so have some fun with mixing-and-matching periods, styles and textures.

What do you think – could you live in a busy room like this? I have an admitted aversion to visual clutter, but gosh, I’d love to peek in here for an afternoon visit!

Image Credit: Knight Frank via Design Attractor

Not only is it a smart concept – selling murals minus the waste – but the designs themselves are truly works of art. My two favorites are above and below, from the artist-inspired design “Palette” to a collector’s dream pattern “My Museum.” And the best news? U.S. based site iModerni offers a few of the collections for purchase here in the states.

Tell me, would you install wallpaper in your home if you didn’t have to deal with useless waste or seam-matching? I’d certainly take the plunge!

Image Credits: Wall & Deco

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(Images credit)

(Image via Contemporist)

…transform your fireplace into a colorful focal point?

I love when fireplaces act as the main event in a room – whether they’re innately tiled patterns or freestanding Scandinavian designs. But by far, my favorite technique for spotlighting a fireplace is a healthy jolt of color like the above example from Mr. & Mr. Of course, painting the fireplace alone makes for a fun statement, but by extending the color to the space above the fireplace (all the way to the ceiling!), the look is that much more commanding and powerful.

Surprisingly, you don’t even need a lot of bells and whistles to complete the look – simply add a few accessories to the mantle and forgo the traditional mirror or artwork above the fireplace. The result is an effortless, casual space filled to the brim with personality.

Happy painting!

Image Credit: Mr. & Mr.