Chai modern

One of my little bros will soon be shacking-up with his lovely fiance in an open, modern, loft-type apartment. For some reason he thinks I might be able to help him come up with a decorating scheme. 

So, based on the preferences he indicated, I've taken a stab at some basics for creating a modern, warm, ethnic, eclectic, organic feel:

Livingroom





Key components:

• Neutral basics (walls white, dark grey or cream; low-slung sectional in grey or off-white soft fabric
• Square low coffee table (to accommodate casual dining while sitting on pillows)
• Natural fiber area rug (jute, seagrass, etc.)
• Focal point of bright yellow sideboard for media storage
• Lots of bright ikat and kilim print throw and floor pillows
  

Dining/Kitchen

Key components:

• Simple dark kitchen with bright yellow backsplash
• Round, dark, old-fashioned table
• Assorted modern chairs 

Bedroom

Key components:

• Warm neutral walls
• Low simple modern bed 
• Rustic bedside tables
• Warm, layered, textured bedding
  
  
  
  

Bathroom

Key Components:

• Warm neutral pallet of whites and creams
• Raw materials: seagrass, unbleached cotton, bamboo, wicker, wood
• Large, ornate silver mirror

Outside

Key Components:

• Lots of lush plants in rustic, assorted containers
• Low comfortable seating

Masculine minimal.

Love this image of the work of Susanna Zacke (via Desire to Inspire)

Hot-rolled steel.

The Delano table from Stylegarage: now available in "hot-rolled steel".

Just say that a couple of times and tell me it doesn't make you happy.


I also wouldn't kick the "Richard Shelf" (also available in hot-rolled steel) out of my bedroom... or living room...

Apparently I also love the Scottish.

Happened across these gorgeous pics today.

Source: Wilderness Cottages via Remodelista.

Just need to find a way in incorporate the beer bottle.

Digging through the archives of Desire to Inspire looking for good ways to incorporate mixed antiques into a more modern style for the bach pad, I came across the work of Pappas Miron:





I really like the simple and not-overly-butch-yet-masculine style they've captured.

My first victim.

So it looks like my good friend B may have bought into all my decor bravado and decided to let me give him a hand fixing up his new apartment. Of course the budget is slightly less than zero but that just makes it more fun. My goal is to give him a warm beautiful place he actually wants to spend time in. If I can accomplish that I'll be very happy.

I want to go for: warmth and masculinity to play off the light coloured walls; lots of art and books but avoiding clutter; working in his family antiques with a clean modern feel while creating a child-friendly space. It may take a while but I'm positively giddy with excitement at a chance to use my brain to do something beautiful.

Some inspirational pics to get us started:










So, what do you think B? Sound/look good?

A great source for bach pad pics is the blog Habitually Chic who's author is similarly helping a friend fix up his place.