I am huge fan of Scandinavian design and love to blog about it, but usually it is against a back drop of white painted floors, airy oversized windows and charming architecture details - so I was especially happy to come across this manly and mod loft in Stockholm! Clean lines and clever built-outs make this space warm, inviting yet still so cool. The palette of black, rich moss green, browns and crisp white gives a wonderful graphic contrast. And the result is a tough, industrial and super stylish home that makes the most of every inch!

I love how the poured concrete ledge extends to act as a media unit, a reading nook, and a fireplace hearth all in one.

A few antique pieces and quirky accessories warm up the minimal and ultra efficient kitchen.

The addition of these floating wood shelves is just perfect - a brilliant way to transform a narrow window and add natural texture to the otherwise slick bath.

Building out a nook around the bed offers storage and creates a space that is cozy and private.

Now I love Scandi interiors even more . . .  guess its time to make a visit to Sweden! 

{images via}

Daily Detail: A Manly Bedroom Haven

Today I am so inspired by this minimal yet vintage inspired bedroom. It's actually a hotel in NYC, but it is so refined and classic, I think it would make a fantastic bedroom at home too. The industrial style sconces provide soft reading light while leaving the small bedside tables free, which is a great trick for a small bedroom. I also love how the gallery wall is aligned from the top - it's so unexpected and gives a bit of architectural structure to the space. Lastly, I think the muted color palette of the room is so soothing and beautiful. It was so clever to add a bit of color of in the dusty peach and red wine matting of the art!  

Another similar room at the NoMad, I also love the subtle texture of the stamped leather headboard.

{via}

Happy Birthday, Honey!

It's my wonderful husband's birthday today! He is always so supportive and encouraging of me and my work as a designer and blogger. He even purchased my domain name, AllisonEgan.com, without telling me long before we were engaged - just to be sure I could start my online design business! I can't imagine life without him and in his honor I wanted to share a few manly spaces I think he would love. 

Honey, you are the best - thank you for everything + Happy Birthday!  

He also deserves major points for letting me make all design related decisions in our home and using it as a design laboratory sometimes too! I am one lucky girl! {Images via}

{P.S. - this Guinness + Dark Chocolate Cake is just for you - two of your very favorite things! I love you! via}

House Tour: School House Charm

I discovered photographer Roland Bello through a gorgeous spread he took for Gourmet magazine and was struck by the beauty of his interiors work as well. I am in love with this unique home he shot - it has such a wonderful rustic feel and so much vintage school house charm. It's just so fall! I love how the spaces feel silent somehow and really peaceful - maybe like a classroom after all the kids have gone home for the day! 

I also love the use of a mainly black, white and brown color palette! 

Any details which catch your eye?

{via}

Manly Sophistication

Sometimes people think any designed interior is automatically girly - I beg to differ! Some of the best and most sophisticated designs are plenty masculine and a bit tough too. It's often a big challenge as a designer to create a room that both male and female clients love. The key is the layering of materials! All of these beautiful spaces rely on many varying tones of metals, woods, leathers, and fabrics - all in neutral tones - to bring the interior together. All of these rooms also share interesting collections of objects, art, and vintage pieces to add even more texture. 

 See guys - you don't be afraid of interior design - gorgeous style can be truly unisex! 

{Images via 1 / 2 / 3 / 4}

Dreamy Interior of the Day: The Manly Lounge

I am totally crazy for this masculine lounge area by Diego Ladino. It is refined and manly but also so beautiful and a bit quirky! 

Why Does it Work?

1) A great combo of materials and finishes: natural wood, heathered wool fabric, glossy black lampshades, marble

2) Lots of symmetry! {See my previous post on the art of pairing} 

3) Rich but refined colors! Cool neutrals, grays and black with a little bit of red in the cactus pot and the stack of books.

{Image via Desire to Inspire}