With the idea of open concept still a very hot trend in our homes, it is important to have the open spaces relate to each other to create a connectivity. Normally, standing in one room allows you to see into all, or part of, another room or rooms. One of the ways to unite all of the spaces is through color. Obviously, you could paint all your walls in an open concept home the same color and call it 'connected', but let's look instead at the technique of subtly weaving color throughout. 

Bonesteel Trout Hall is a California design firm that consistently excels in their restrained interiors and the relationship of colors throughout the space. They are so good that sometimes you have to walk through the spaces several times to figure out why the house is so wonderfully appealing.

In this living room, the pillows and the striped rug have accents of blue. There is also a beautiful smoky chocolate that is used on the leather of the sofa and velvet sofa pillows.   

When you move into the adjoining kitchen, the cabinets are stained in almost the exact shade of the living rooms chocolaty brown accents and the blue gray is repeated on this oversized custom island. The heavy doses of white used on the walls, trim, wainscotting, and kitchen countertops is a unifying color that allows these deep rich colors to remain fresh and unmuddled.

Moving through to the dining room, the dark wood tones of the table, chairs and countertop are again repeated and the blue shows itself as gorgeous grasscloth wallpaper. And remember the stripe detail on the pillows in the living room?? Check out the detail on the curtains about 2/3 of the way down, peeking through the chairs. I know!!

I wonder where their beautiful color palette came from???

{all images via Bonesteel Trout Hall}

Have you seen this gorgeous living room that Lauren Liess just completed? I kind of feel like she's my designer doppleganger.

 The natural elements -- linen, seagrass, raw woods, and the gorgeous geeens are my happy place, but I also think there is another great technique Lauren utilizes and that's the feeling of 'breathing room'. The curtains are taken all the way up to the ceiling to not create any divisions in an already fairly busy comination of window styles. 

When you walk into this space, you face the fireplace. Instead of blocking that view with a sofa, she used a pair of open woven chairs that offer additional seating, but, allows an unobstructed view of the whole room. Sometimes, it isn't possible to apply this 'open concept' if your room functions differently {say, TV watching, the size of the room, or the location of a feature wall }. And sometimes, in design, we actually place a sofa, with a console behind it, to create a division in the space.      

But, in this instance, it is just the icing on the cake, the moss between my sidewalk, the creamer in my coffee..you get the picture...I love it!

To see more of Lauren's project visit her at Pure Style Home 

{all images by Helen Norman via Pure Style Home}

Well, it snowed all day yesterday and then we woke up to about 5" this morning and it's still coming down. It has completely covered the daffodils, the pansies and the bright spring green grass that has already been mowed several times. I can't wait to put this white stuff behind us and really truly embrace all of the green. But, until then, I will just stare at the most fantastic room that was just completed by Kim Lemmon of The Green Room Interiors {pretty appropriate name!}

 I just love the transformation that her living room went through. With very few original architectural details, Kim was able to infuse a bright, comfortable relaxed living room with 2 separate spaces.   

 I am dying to get my hands on this 'Lemon Tree' Schumacher fabric. Love, love, love it.

 Most of the rooms pieces are thrifted or upcycled and received a new paint job or new upholstery. And how about that gallery wall...

From the front door, looking into the room -- this just may be my favorite shot.

Love the horizontal striped curtain panels. 

 Fabulous. Just fabulous.

I spotted the screen printed designs of Swedish artist Lisa Bengtsson on Poppytalk and I went nuts for her newest collection that will debut in May. This playful design showcases 'Swedish summer meets Bohemian chic'. Lisa takes a magnifying glass into an overgrown garden and explores its life -- a life where fish, strawberries, deer and flowers overlap into a charming wonderland. 

The collection, which translated means "Keep the hat, here comes Miss Sun, Barefoot and Dear Mr Olsson" will only be available for a short time through Hemtex, a Scandinavian textile shop, in May. I will arm wrestle you for them if you get in my way (I have successfully defeated both of my teenagers in this competition...just saying)