{two lovely things: open shelves & elegant black}

. . . while lately have been favouring wallpapered cabinets, {especially in romantic spring florals}, had forgotten how classically beautiful shades of onyx and midnight can be for showcasing stacks of beautiful books and antiques, or a collection of everyday dishware and fine china, and adore how strikingly lovely the palest pink of the roses and stacks of gold-rimmed teacups look against such a background . . .

{p.s.} more black shelving


{images: 1 - patrick cline for lonny; 2 - high gloss}

{storage inspiration: on display}

. . . and while we're on the subject of storage inspiration, have completely fallen for the wonderfully simple idea of using a metal rail meant for the kitchen, for belts and midnight blue velvet clutches, debossed leather handbags, and even a pair of favourite shoes . . .

{image: photography by annaleena of hem}

{storage inspiration: on display}

. . . if the glass-front cabinet in the living room were not filled with books, old photographs and love letters tied with ribbon, it would be filled with shoes, shoes, shoes -- only there would not be room for his things as here, and of course, everything would be heels . . .

{p.s.} more shoe storage here

{image: vtwonen via interiors porn}

{storage inspiration: on display}

. . . one of my very favourite things is to catch pretty glimpses of personal affects -- perfume collections and sequined clutches, bouquets and bangles, and most of all, glittery necklaces artfully displayed . . .

{images: s.r. grambrel via simply smitten; flybutter on flickr via sacramento street}

{artful arrangements}

. . . whether a perfect mix of white mattes and black frames intermingled with ever-elegant gold for a stunning display, or a glittering pavé bow ensconced between whispers of champagne-coloured silk, the artful arrangement of beautiful things never fail to inspire . . .


{images: skinny mommy; the vamoose}

{storage inspiration: on display}

"There is no formula for glamour. It combines shimmer and charisma. It's elusive but you know it when you see it."

- Mary McDonald, from Mary McDonald Interiors

. . . if you have been reading for a while, you will know about a love for placing beautiful things on display at home -- from perfume collections to elegant peeptoes, some things are far too lovely to stow away, and now, with the holidays fast and happily approaching, wardrobes are overflowing with ruffles and sequins and quite adore the idea of displaying shimmery cocktail dresses and alluring evening gowns on a clothing rack {another wonderful example here}, or in a perfectly stylish corner, set up, charmingly, with scarves and hatboxes, like a favourite shop . . .

{images & quote via belle maison one & two}

{storage inspiration: pretty jewelry display}

. . . isn't this the most loveliest way to display pretty gold necklaces and delicate silver earrings?

. . . have bits & pieces laying about on nearly every surface around the house -- a pair of glamorous & very sparkly earrings for cocktail parties on the bureau, a strand of pearls here and a pair of diamond studs there -- and would be so wonderful to keep things a little more organized, {especially on those mad-dash mornings}, while also turning favourite pieces from those we love into perfectly beautiful works of art . . .

{images: both via style at home, second also pottery barn}

{storage inspiration: perfume display}

. . . beautiful shimmery bottles on night tables and marble vanities, in leather handbags and hallway consoles . . . have amassed a rather impressive collection of perfume and have always adored the notion of pretty things on display, so completely fell in love with the idea of displaying pretty toiletries in slimline shelving originally intended for plates -- such a wonderfully brilliant and perfectly lovely idea . . .

{images: scan by t.i.g., livingetc december 2009}

{happy september + the countryside}

. . . there's something about the crisp early morning breezes of September that always reminds me of the countryside and although am always a little wistful to see summer's end, Autumn has its own particular loveliness . . .














{images: 1, 2 - record the day; 3 - country living via vt interiors; 4 - pale & interesting; 5 - elle decor via the city sage; 6 - martha stewart via martha moments; 7 - photography by james waddell for domino magazine november 2008; 8 - flickr; 9 - design fragment; 9 - bliss; 10 - mikael dubois via weekend host; 11 - photography by mark scott via four walls and a roof; 12 - simon brown via desire to inspire; 13 - ffffound!; 14 - design lovely; 1 - 3: thank you, felicity!}

{inspiration: shoes for display}

Came across this charming apartment on a garden square in Bayswater, London that uses antique display cases for shoes and have always loved this storage solution.

It reminded me of an earlier post of a place {below} that used beautiful library storage as a sophisticated display case for shoes and clutches that were simply too pretty to hide away . . .

{see also:}
> random inspiration

> another great shoe storage solution

{images: 1 - apartment living by Caroline Clifton-Mogg, photography by Winfried Heinze; 2 - tearsheet from a back issue of livingetc. originally posted on February 27, 2008}