Clutter and the Creative Mind

<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/e2/02/55/e20255111063a1b9e792231121db60c5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="533" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/e2/02/55/e20255111063a1b9e792231121db60c5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />There is a <a href="https://medium.com/busy-building-things/c6e7b9b5bc1f" target="_blank">fascinating piece here </a>on the connection between a cluttered desk and a creative mind. If an empty desk is the sign of an empty mind, as Mr. Einstein hints at above, then no one will ever accuse me of having an empty mind. I've always been the kind of person who needs to see things to be reminded of them. I'm terrible at list making - I try but fail over and over again. So, it's only in seeing a thing that I'm reminded of it. I'm like that with things in the fridge as well - if I can't see it, it doesn't exist and rots. So, does my general state of clutter mean I'm just cluttered (and clearly forgetful), or does it allow for more creativity? <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://americanart.si.edu/images/1966/1966.106_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://americanart.si.edu/images/1966/1966.106_1a.jpg" width="425" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.americanart.si.edu/collections/search/artwork/?id=17004" target="_blank">Corner of the Studio</a> by Henry Lee Mcfee (1932)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Unfortunately, I'm not "romantically" cluttered as portrayed above in the McFee painting. I've never had the knack of attaining a "pretty" disheveled look. The stuff of the work desk is just always there. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/ae/93/31/ae933148c9a362ac65866629cf5df9e1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/ae/93/31/ae933148c9a362ac65866629cf5df9e1.jpg" width="503" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Jay Fielden's (eic Town & Country) totally gorge home office in Connecticut has lots of stuff, but isn't cluttered at all. Of course, he has a separate office in the city, but still - where's the paperclips, pencils and cords! (<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2013/02/07/greathomesanddestinations/20130207-LOCATION.html?ref=greathomesanddestinations&_r=0#6" target="_blank">photo</a> by Trevor Tondro for NYT)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZiLYyI-JgUebX-KVODGBsSVh-YD_CqwIW5PCsWjryjfEjKrybjXfvw31SM24GsfKsDKbLs4ugrDYLcbpCbu-lf5Kr0Q87uYmcXg5icuRGhaxfZBxPT11I3jClbfGALPzFKBTtkjB_NeZz/s640/MM+Before.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZiLYyI-JgUebX-KVODGBsSVh-YD_CqwIW5PCsWjryjfEjKrybjXfvw31SM24GsfKsDKbLs4ugrDYLcbpCbu-lf5Kr0Q87uYmcXg5icuRGhaxfZBxPT11I3jClbfGALPzFKBTtkjB_NeZz/s1600/MM+Before.jpeg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Above and below are two versions of Mary McDonald's office. Glam and chic of course - but is work happening here? My home office has the same sloped ceiling - which is a total pain because standard height book shelves are too tall for the side walls which are about 4'6" high. One end of my office has the door, the other end is the single window (there is a sky light). I couldn't put the desk across the space as Mary has it because of the window glare and also because I'm pretty sure I'd knock things off the back of the desk if it weren't pushed up against a wall. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyUNzRwpj3-FGHGVUTQBk9hCAPmStFF7vMOAecajsavz-xmwgETmVwwym5UGz-o2c7OKB74YtWf1xB7ZnCJK68y6JgeNbrmFmmm7hJJZ1l1WhCT10v2hHNZ7Jz9fAJ6kkeapsME54B2ZTX/s640/MM+Now.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyUNzRwpj3-FGHGVUTQBk9hCAPmStFF7vMOAecajsavz-xmwgETmVwwym5UGz-o2c7OKB74YtWf1xB7ZnCJK68y6JgeNbrmFmmm7hJJZ1l1WhCT10v2hHNZ7Jz9fAJ6kkeapsME54B2ZTX/s1600/MM+Now.jpeg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In the article, they ultimately say that clutter begets creativity - as cluttered people are more likely to choose "off the beaten path" type solutions - but isn't great for productivity. I'd have to agree with this - I can let things go for a while - but when I really need to buckle down, I have to clear the decks. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://parisapartment.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/p3016274.jpg?w=490&h=788" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://parisapartment.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/p3016274.jpg?w=490&h=788" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Could you work here? This from Claudia at<a href="https://parisapartment.wordpress.com/2012/03/10/brand-new-day/" target="_blank"> The Paris Apartment</a> blog. This is in her apartment and I think it's not how things usually are - she had gotten in a huge shipment from Paris and was sorting and photographing things. It's certainly eye-catching and I imagine some people would be very invigorated by all the beautiful prints and patterns - but I suspect I am not one of them. This is the pretty, romantic cluttered look I wish I could master though!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.meredith.com/content/dam/bhg/Images/2011/03/101632751.jpg.rendition.largest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://images.meredith.com/content/dam/bhg/Images/2011/03/101632751.jpg.rendition.largest.jpg" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've always been drawn to this image. It's organized, but feels actually like a space one might get some work done in.  It's been blogged to death - but even the BHG site (to which all roads lead) doesn't give credit to the designer or homeowner. So, if anyone knows, please let me know and I'll add it in. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/9b/f0/c8/9bf0c88964369335dc3bf21d250f0a9b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/9b/f0/c8/9bf0c88964369335dc3bf21d250f0a9b.jpg" width="448" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Atlanta designer Barbara Westbrook's office was featured in Atlanta Homes in 2012. This really is my dream office (sans cat). Read more <a href="http://www.atlantahomesmag.com/article/balanced-beauty#" target="_blank">here</a>. While technically not a home office, it is in a house and retains the feel of a more personal space than the traditional office. Love the simplicity of palette, the baskets and how organized it all is!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwdeD1eoYUJSLspQu82J1__bp_VJ-_of2-i2NdqUn6vZ66ZZyXYmPO5qicOtLlA8ESzv_2VwCdZkyY9p9OMWVx6UnUQYkA6Ewj2KBB3DCfg5bMjWUeJhT3zWKD0j9JwBKVFGufiXUlWUE/s1600/Office+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwdeD1eoYUJSLspQu82J1__bp_VJ-_of2-i2NdqUn6vZ66ZZyXYmPO5qicOtLlA8ESzv_2VwCdZkyY9p9OMWVx6UnUQYkA6Ewj2KBB3DCfg5bMjWUeJhT3zWKD0j9JwBKVFGufiXUlWUE/s640/Office+.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">This is my "Dream House" home office design. In my dream world, I would also have a larger commercial space and this would be my at home work space - where I could entertain clients and go over plans. Trying to capture the clean look!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Meanwhile, I deal with this... As you can see, I can even bear to share a wide shot. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8oOvDIPjloE12Fp98ZrTE5ribMzEIqo_NwTt9qDkn30xL_eM0xPutPiJVAuL8Af_88Up0IHpMHM8xyyHf3glUEZgeV4xdP8lprZnNni0Q-85LvCDi6d_4PlBCxsuSbBA6wNRW1ZP8C0I/s1600/office.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8oOvDIPjloE12Fp98ZrTE5ribMzEIqo_NwTt9qDkn30xL_eM0xPutPiJVAuL8Af_88Up0IHpMHM8xyyHf3glUEZgeV4xdP8lprZnNni0Q-85LvCDi6d_4PlBCxsuSbBA6wNRW1ZP8C0I/s640/office.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I have to get some organizing done... </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">How do you like to keep your office - cluttered or clear?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-VhjcBKIkLRDvqR-TY08c1oIx7Nj8bhVC4LDlm4DxfJVZRnEsSc5mrHJwrEywm5HV9wZTAgfaKo54eOg5ejR_oNi2N1AOqt2u8qyTiK6FgSigw8aYqsZtuAU2rHnhYzPiogdk9mYWeMg/s1600/Linda+sig2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-VhjcBKIkLRDvqR-TY08c1oIx7Nj8bhVC4LDlm4DxfJVZRnEsSc5mrHJwrEywm5HV9wZTAgfaKo54eOg5ejR_oNi2N1AOqt2u8qyTiK6FgSigw8aYqsZtuAU2rHnhYzPiogdk9mYWeMg/s1600/Linda+sig2.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">If you'd like help decorating your dream space - <a href="mailto:linda.m.merrill@gmail.com" target="_blank">contact me</a>!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>

Clutter and the Creative Mind

There is a fascinating piece here on the connection between a cluttered desk and a creative mind. If an empty desk is the sign of an empty m...

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Hot Pic: Italianate Surprise in New Orleans

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/b8/c7/d0/b8c7d01180f2e2beb9c97ee16adc75f7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/b8/c7/d0/b8c7d01180f2e2beb9c97ee16adc75f7.jpg" /></a></div><br />This week's Hot on Pinterest image is a beautiful dining area surrounded by steel framed windows. So romantic looking!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/gM/VER-NEW-ORLEANS-ST-CHARLES-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" src="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/gM/VER-NEW-ORLEANS-ST-CHARLES-01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />This beautiful room is part of a spread in this month's Veranda of a New Orleans Italianate mansion, circa 1884. Similar to the <a href="http://chameleon-interiors.blogspot.com/2013/09/real-estate-colonial-surprise.html" target="_blank">19th century house near me</a> that I featured here a couple of weeks ago, this house exterior belies what's going on inside.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/gu/VER-NEW-ORLEANS-HOME-ANN-HOLDEN-r0YQwM-06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/gu/VER-NEW-ORLEANS-HOME-ANN-HOLDEN-r0YQwM-06.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/xD/VER-NEW-ORLEANS-HOME-ANN-HOLDEN-C38h4s-07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/xD/VER-NEW-ORLEANS-HOME-ANN-HOLDEN-C38h4s-07.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/jf/VER-NEW-ORLEANS-HOME-ANN-HOLDEN-CJY38V-08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/jf/VER-NEW-ORLEANS-HOME-ANN-HOLDEN-CJY38V-08.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/P3/VER-NEW-ORLEANS-HOME-ANN-HOLDEN-10-xl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/P3/VER-NEW-ORLEANS-HOME-ANN-HOLDEN-10-xl.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/7e/VER-NEW-ORLEANS-HISTORIC-HOME.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/7e/VER-NEW-ORLEANS-HISTORIC-HOME.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/H5/VER-NEW-ORLEANS-HOME-ANN-HOLDEN-lqeGyr-04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/H5/VER-NEW-ORLEANS-HOME-ANN-HOLDEN-lqeGyr-04.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/kc/VER-NEW-ORLEANS-HOME-ANN-HOLDEN-GxDaA1-05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/kc/VER-NEW-ORLEANS-HOME-ANN-HOLDEN-GxDaA1-05.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/Wl/VER-NEW-ORLEANS-HOME-ANN-HOLDEN-02-xl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/Wl/VER-NEW-ORLEANS-HOME-ANN-HOLDEN-02-xl.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/PD/VER-NEW-ORLEANS-HOME-ANN-HOLDEN-11-xl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.veranda.com/cm/veranda/images/PD/VER-NEW-ORLEANS-HOME-ANN-HOLDEN-11-xl.jpg" /></a></div><br />Designer Ann Holden and architect William Sonner. Photos by Paul Costello for <a href="http://www.veranda.com/room-decorating/historic-new-orleans-house#slide-1" target="_blank">Veranda</a>. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmugTVQUftrILILe1aBPgUjywhcItxXrTfsaL9t3hm2J7c7QOsg-atRrkfUYq-9XL2fWGmgDz0P9XVxvgu9q06bm53maOekoLnkRS_Rt8_wouG96usRSvNUNlMLCK_x7rRwubogOGFhUI/s1600/Linda+sig2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmugTVQUftrILILe1aBPgUjywhcItxXrTfsaL9t3hm2J7c7QOsg-atRrkfUYq-9XL2fWGmgDz0P9XVxvgu9q06bm53maOekoLnkRS_Rt8_wouG96usRSvNUNlMLCK_x7rRwubogOGFhUI/s1600/Linda+sig2.jpg" /></a></div>If you'd like help with your dream house - <a href="mailto:linda.m.merrill@gmail.com" target="_blank">contact me</a>!<br /><br /><br />

Hot Pic: Italianate Surprise in New Orleans

This week's Hot on Pinterest image is a beautiful dining area surrounded by steel framed windows. So romantic looking! This beautiful ro...

Read more »

Hot on Pinterest: Gorgeous Stripey Bathroom

<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/b0/bd/01/b0bd01aa1ffa0166e0eea2600c72905b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/b0/bd/01/b0bd01aa1ffa0166e0eea2600c72905b.jpg" /></a></div><br />If you're on Pinterest frequently, you undoubtedly have noticed that certain images just hit the zeitgeist and show up over and over again on your wall through re-pinning by those you follow. (don't get me started on the yummy desserts that are always there!) Anyway, one of my true bug-a-boos is the posting and pinning of photos out of context with no attribution to the designer, architect, homeowner, location or anything. I'm probably guilty myself - it's so easy to just hit repin.<br /><br />This week, this amazing striped bathroom kept hitting my wall - it's so amazingly eye catching and not at all in my own design wheel house. But it's visually striking for all the right reasons and not overpowering or campy - though it could easily go that way. We always say that a small bathroom is a great place to go bold - but I've seen bathrooms that end up looking like cheap carnival fun houses because the striping went wrong. I think what works here is the clean lines of everything else and the subtle color palette. While it's stripes, there isn't an enormous contrast between the colors. I also love the antique sconces paired with the muted but modern brass chandelier reflected in the mirror. I kind of wish the faucet fixtures were also a muted brass a well, but hey, who am I to contradict... wait - who designed this???<br /><br />For all the pins and repins that I saw this week, there is no attribution for the image. Doesn't anyone care?? Shouldn't we? The original pin seems to have come from a blog which had a post on stripes in interiors. But the blogger did no due diligence - no attributions, nothing. So annoying. And some very big and popular blogs are guilty of doing this all the time.<br /><br />Anyway, the blog where the pins I saw link to was a dead end. So I did a Google Image search by dragging the photo into the search and voila -<a href="https://www.google.com/search?tbs=sbi:AMhZZivXor_1Nf-1P9R27OlZit4B3AozbdGRhVZdQojMMuCGxgsQ0_1evygSI7ieEtrpC7VgbkJsQXIrcpoZfiwUTitLJxgA6F7cOR4V7MWpasQ-KdPcRKLy71m9QtbzuMoFHb2L-yKKBZFTD56qVjO5OJnaBkPewHKrK8OSWZKBALCXrWLkfQw2di9xeJANSwyIEGYmbO5TLTCXaYO-0kOT7-BcP41AHU9myZHzA5ZWGKz1G4VtQ1Id_1GBDf5hgZdVdfI0gEet-Mj1THVQxPJ3qrblqK1Q4ubmV7axPluG7biEjtQYl1_14ADsiJlxgJkIU57ztG1Qihia0hQv8DhCkPKu2rgxU11TRVrZRNVbR3pVR7ruzuCzW-HI_1cdfRy_15eQQTKDGMaiVlrIhPiAQoem1Ais-Q5ORfD5Z2Kz2RJyfM7pqCQGfukLch5ePEQHUbz-xGZ59SAl7DpMss5fJelP3OcCWaV1xJyUzxmV2x5IvSNSxv0gMRvtYTiLNJl8o_1L99pA7CIsWQlIeoOiWAgiuypcmVOKSy_118hQAbFw6rQUafL5ORVS3YPs2TwYVrWAJjKBKPRo-COolOWwh1SC4vnKUP5inzJHvaKDnmE2j5Kv-LKv9m4qPeJchLUtknnbFTCRpF5FhquybjZf34qlOrSt8Ri3MQDDKYtB2Lo7M-PeX-ADIhEPzjjEaEhGQlK1smfVXi21ajzrT76x1yiumiD53gLZj1Uj8NlCuWFz8IYnBRb8G9aLmJHvmINTvFKJLlJrxoXpHiHsI1T0cWwCw_1sxrsq14HNKJc-QzGL3cg5p8OimTOVkVC6QegBkZ_1HzQwVHxYKunXSqoyQg1nyMgU2fG6BoVWK_1mnSWBJj2mvtk1TPKavVqFY1ga2XT2PbGCxsWPwO54ILcS1ntRQXPM_1v3BmtxUF-XTpU8nya7jkemswa8KcOhJb9v-wQV1cdbip10L7J0dvr6SbW-j6LfHrZLt80R-VE7prlKTPuV7jrwL5Jm8YJuUhEjrGd1P35EAOR1suOMRYnhemeTfzW_1pbVlj0Irh9n5CUjtwAlTLB0Pn7dTjQfv0sUqN15Qvnf_14kWMVH_1QNGJa4t05hvY9Sqts0GqCVx0mQQZakvVN3gq2Jpw-uetsB65O8NkArXT1cjAoZ2iIJ2X-ct4zm2TFUhUfLdxMZyG-8vh5J4DIsnhgCheoQEks6Og58XgN7-BUdAtUTVYwNZDRlIpF_1v97w5D_1wgB3skSxt5I_11-CaT5Ay1FDKM3ecqQoNnNl6Eh4ndMUYtTJWyb6Ztt6wvkl1Ak-qLzl0V4hIDg&bih=942&biw=1680" target="_blank"> instant answers</a>. (really people, it takes a second!).  All of this gorgeousness is the work of French architect and interior designer <a href="http://www.deniot.com/" target="_blank">Jean Louis Deniot</a>.<br /><br />Le sigh, as they say.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.elledecor.com/cm/elledecor/images/Ih/13-ELLE-Decor-Jean-Louis-Deniot-Home-0912-xln.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://www.elledecor.com/cm/elledecor/images/Ih/13-ELLE-Decor-Jean-Louis-Deniot-Home-0912-xln.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(all Elle Decor watermarked photos by Simon Upton)</span></div><br />The reflected wall was featured in <a href="http://www.elledecor.com/design-decorate/interiors/jean-louis-deniot-paris-apartment" target="_blank">Elle Decor </a>in 2012. The whole apartment - which is Msr. Deniot's own Paris flat - has been blogged and written about a lot. Very easy to find and drool over.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.elledecor.com/cm/elledecor/images/LK/00-ELLE-Decor-Jean-Louis-Deniot-Home-0912-tqO5wo-lgn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="348" src="http://www.elledecor.com/cm/elledecor/images/LK/00-ELLE-Decor-Jean-Louis-Deniot-Home-0912-tqO5wo-lgn.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.elledecor.com/cm/elledecor/images/vI/06-ELLE-Decor-Jean-Louis-Deniot-Home-0912-lgn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.elledecor.com/cm/elledecor/images/vI/06-ELLE-Decor-Jean-Louis-Deniot-Home-0912-lgn.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.elledecor.com/cm/elledecor/images/ZF/04-ELLE-Decor-Jean-Louis-Deniot-Home-0912-lgn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.elledecor.com/cm/elledecor/images/ZF/04-ELLE-Decor-Jean-Louis-Deniot-Home-0912-lgn.jpg" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.elledecor.com/cm/elledecor/images/N1/10-ELLE-Decor-Jean-Louis-Deniot-Home-0912-lgn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.elledecor.com/cm/elledecor/images/N1/10-ELLE-Decor-Jean-Louis-Deniot-Home-0912-lgn.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.elledecor.com/cm/elledecor/images/kv/01-ELLE-Decor-Jean-Louis-Deniot-Home-0912-lgn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://www.elledecor.com/cm/elledecor/images/kv/01-ELLE-Decor-Jean-Louis-Deniot-Home-0912-lgn.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>And the dishy designer himself, near his home in the 7th arrondissement. <br /><br />So, back to the original image which was not part of the Elle Decor spread...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/b0/bd/01/b0bd01aa1ffa0166e0eea2600c72905b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/b0/bd/01/b0bd01aa1ffa0166e0eea2600c72905b.jpg" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Deniot shows many photos of his apartment on his <a href="http://www.deniot.com/" target="_blank">website</a> under the Paris - Lille project under Achievements/Interior Architecture. The website<a href="http://afflante.com/27780-parisian-apartment-of-decorator-jean-louis-deniot/#ixzz2JjVL7CUT" target="_blank"> Afflante</a> seems to have been the source that disseminated individual images from Deniot's portfolio to many blogs world wide. Deniot's website doesn't allow "copying" of images unless they are gotten by screen grab. The Afflante images are beautiful quality - so to me they don't look like screen grabs. But I haven't been able to find an original source (another magazine for instance) for these. Dead end, as it seems. I'd like to give the photographer credit, but Deniot doesn't credit one either. Oh well. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Anyway, back to the work - just exquisite - you don't see anything like this work - this perfect combination of modern and antique, the glorious combinations of materials and muted colors - from any American designer that I'm aware of. </div>

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