Modern Mexican Interiors

Beautiful interiors are one of my greatest passions! While growing up in South Africa and then married to an architect and building contractor I was exposed to different kinds of architecture styles, interiors and gardens. We moved to the USA thirteen years ago and that is when I discovered and fell in love with the warm, rugged and stylish Santa Fe Style Homes. These homes with their romantic beauty originated from the Spanish and the Pueblo Style homes. Originally native materials were used in the construction.

I decided to share two lovely homes built and designed by a blogger friend of mine Ryannan Bryer and her husband Jim. Please visit her inspiring blog at http://sottoilmontevineyards.blogspot.com/2009/12/modern-mexican.html  

Ry and her husband built these homes in the Modern Mexican Style. All the rooms of the first home opened up into a central enclosed courtyard and they enjoyed dining outside most of the time.

Double adobe walls finished with hand troweled plaster tinted with pigments from Italy gave the walls a rich colorful texture.





























































The natural materials and colors used in the Pueblo and Santa Fe style homes create this desired feeling of harmony with ones surroundings and make the homes feel "at one" with nature.


The exterior colors of Ry and her husband's second house was done in bolder colors because they got tired of the traditional brown color used all over in Santa Fe.

Clean lines characterize this modern mexican home and the kitchen counter tops were made of concrete.
































A lovely idea of a stream of water coming out of the ceiling to fill the tub in the bathroom is unique but Ry said it wasn't too practical because water splashed everywhere...












































Terra cotta planters and a beautiful painting bought in Mexico add character to this intimate space













































































































































































































I hope you enjoyed and found much inspiration from these beautiful homes built by Ry and her husband!

All images taken by Ryannan Bryer and she can be contacted at RyBryerPhoto@gmail.com

Interior Of A Concierge Doctor's Office

Today I would like to share an interior design project I did for a concierge doctor's office. This is one of my most favorite projects I did and working with the client was such a joy! Many of you might not know what a concierge doctor's office is..... It is a personalized care practice where you pay the doctor a member fee which enables you to call on the doctor whenever you have a health concern. Patients can schedule an appointment the same day and won't have the long wait when they arrive for their appointment. Patients can take as much time as they need to ask questions and will receive complete answers from a skilled and compassionate physician who knows them well. Traditionally the family physician built a relationship with all patients based on time and trust and personalized care brings that kind of doctor/patient relationship to the forefront again. (Click on image to enlarge)

My client wanted the waiting area to be elegant with an aura of romance and glamour in the Mediterranean style.

The reception area with a waterfall I designed in the background.

While sitting on the sofa and waiting to see the doctor the patient looks at this beautiful trompe l'oeil mural of an Italian garden scene that leads his or her eye to the distant horizon.

All architecture work was done by my husband Arno.


All images taken by Brynn Bruijn

Fabrics: Lee Jofa - Mulberry Home

Fabrics are such an important part of interior spaces and we are surrounded by it almost all the time. Fabrics are probably the most versatile of all furnishings because it contributes color, pattern and texture to an interior space. I just love fabrics and always touch, feel and even smell fabrics. Fabrics are available in such a vast range of choices that it can become quite complex to choose the right fabric.

Because fabric is a composite of fibers and threads, the colors never appear flat and gives it the greatest potential of all man-made materials for achieving the most beautiful colors in nature. I personally believe that interior spaces should reflect a persons taste and personality with the guidance of an interior designer. Fabrics are usually chosen for its color and therefore no matter how beautiful a fabric's color and pattern looks or how luxurious it feels, it should appeal and be liked by the occupant.

I am sharing the following fabrics of Lee Jofa - Mulberry Home with you because of the rich colors and the sense of opulence they evoke.

I hope you enjoyed the pictures of all these gorgeous fabrics!

For more information on Lee Jofa's colletion of fabrics  http://www.leejofa.com/

All images by Lee Jofa

Lamu Style - Kenya

I was so impressed with the unique Lamu interior style that I decided to share with you some images of the rich, bright colors they use. As I mentioned before, Lamu is an island situated off the East African Coast close to the northern coast of Kenya to which it belongs. 

The style instills a sense of simplicity but is graceful and stylish. All the above mentioned images were taken at the dazzling rental homes of Lamu Retreats. The houses were inspired by Swahili architecture and have beautiful neru walls (made of cement and Indian pigment). The Swahili style originated from Arabia and Persia with a strong African influence. The homes are comfortably and tastefully furnished with Swahili style items.

For more information contact Jake da Motta at http://www.lamuretreats.com/index.htm

Lamu Style - Kenya

Only recently did I discover the beautiful Lamu style interiors and I got so excited when I saw the stunning environment, gorgeous homes with white plastered walls and colorful interiors that I wanted to share it with you!

Lamu is an island situated off the East African Coast close to the northern coast of Kenya to which it belongs. Lamu island can only be reached by boat but there is an airstrip on Manda island close by. Lamu is a Muslim community and welcomes all visitors. The community speaks Swahili which is a Bantu language spoken by the various ethnic groups that inhabit several large stretches of the Indian Ocean coastline.

Swahili architecture is a style of building along the eastern and southeastern coasts of Africa. The style originated from Arabia and Persia with a strong African influence. Architectural elements include arches, courtyards, a niche in the wall (mihrab), isolated women's quarters, towers and decorative elements on the buildings themselves. Swahili craftsmanship is of the highest quality and the dark wood furniture contrasts beautifully with the white plastered walls. The interior instills a sense of simplicity, yet graceful and stylish with neutral as well as rich, bright colors.

All the above images were taken at the beautiful luxurious rental homes Bembea and Jaha, located at the picturesque fishing village of Shela. The homes were built in traditional Swahili architectural style and are furnished with stylish but comfortable eclectic furnishings. The bedrooms are decorated with Lamu four poster beds, mosquito nets, and dressing tables. For more information contact Herbert Menzer at http://www.lamuholiday.com/

Images by Roland Klemp

I hope you enjoyed it! Next time more about the colorful interior style of Lamu.

France - "Toile de Jouy"

Toile means "cloth" in French. "Toile de Jouy" refers to fabric that was first manufactured during the 1700's at a factory in Jouy-en-Josas, a village located southwest of Paris, near Versailles. Toile is a type of decorating pattern consisting of a white, off-white or colored background on which a repeated pattern is shown in the form of a picture of a fairly complex scene, generally of a pastoral theme or an arrangement of flowers.


Yellow and blue toile fabric from Thibaut

Yellow is the color of sunshine and is one of the most uplifting and versatile colors to use in decoration. It is the color associated with laughter, happiness and good times. The warmer butter yellows are easy to live with and create a wonderful sense of relaxation and evoke the warmth of Provence. Blue is a peaceful color with qualities of compassion and caring and is a retreat from the harsh and unkind world of everyday life.

Yellow and blue combined in interiors are one of my favorite color combinations. The dining room of the famous Impressionist painter Claude Monet at Giverny was decorated with yellow and touches of blue and it was here that he and his family enjoyed dining with friends.

The unique quality of the light and colors of Provence have been attracting artists, painters and tourists for years. What a joy of life!

Images: 1, 2 & 3 - http://www.thibautdesign.com/  4, 5 & 6 - Donna Kennedy-Meyer