Celebrity Living Rooms

My fascination with living space of famous people continues.  Taking hints from popular interior designers of celebrities homes can enhance your Doylestown apartment.

“The making of the house was as significant to me as the living in it,” says Jennifer Anistan of her Beverly Hills retreat designed by Stephen Shadley.  This sleek living room full of warmth opens out to a koi pond.  Table is from Todd Merrill Antiques. Glant linen on sofa. Velvet chair is by Manuel Canovas.  (March, 2010).  Maybe we can’t go so far as to putting a koi pond in our Doylestown apartment, but the rich tones of this room would be easy to duplicate.

For a totally different look to your Doylestown apartment take a look at this stunning 70s-like room of Sir Elton John and his partner David Furnish.  This Boogie Nights inspired living room was designed by Martin Lawrence-Bullard.  The scenery is L.A., but the minimalist clean lines and color can be inspiring in your Doylestown apartment.  Onyx and chrome low tables by Lawrence-Bullar. Carpet by The Rug Company.  (Dec. 2009)

Ah, love the comfy look of this space.  “We just wanted to feel like you’re in the country,” says Dennis Quaid of his Los Angeles home he shares with wife Kimberly.  This relaxed, comfortable interior is both artistic and welcoming. I would add those rust-colored ottomans and table to my Doylestown apartment in a second if I could. Designers John and Krista Everage incorporated the rough-hewn ceiling beams from a Pennsylvania barn.  Now there’s something close to home.  (Nov. 2008)

Patrica Heaton and David Hunt’s L.A. home is a romantic delight.  This Hancock Park home was designed by Bebe Johnson and Ellen Greer.  “Despite its large size, there’s a hominess to it,” says the actress.  We find this space on the formal side, yet quite inviting.  Painting the walls of your Doylestown apartment can change the appearance completely. Consider a soft yellow such as this to bring a bit of warmth to your room.  Carpet shown here is by Monsour.  Sofa and ottoman (love that orange!) by A. Rudin.  (Dec. 2009)

Saved the best for last.  Cheryl and Rob Lowe hired architect Don Nulty and designer David Phoenix to design their dream house. Arranging your furniture in the more central area of the large living room in your Doylestown apartment is a great idea.  Again here, the soft tones of ivory, tan, and gray meld together. consider gold frames for artwork, mirrors, and of course, the wondrous chandelier if possible in your apartment.  In this living room, the photo above the Dutch secretary is by Lyndie Benson.  The Sisal rug is by Stark. (Nov. 2010)

Via: Architectural Digest

If you would like to rent an apartment in Doylestown Pa or if you are a landlord and would like to list an available apartment in Doylestown please visit Apartments i Like for more information.

Romantic Room Design

With Valentine’s Day approaching, I’ve got the bug to find romance in decor…and some ideas can easily be incorporated into your Doylestown apartment.  Finding an antique mirror like this one for the bedroom adds instant romance…

Taking some romance ideas from this living room and adding them to your Doylestown apartment space can be easily done. A soft white sofa with changeable cover and toss pillows and candlesticks on the coffee table add romance. Another mirror, over fireplace, adds interest.

Instant romance: A canopy bed, soft shades of rose, creative patterns, a crystal chandelier, and gilded frames.  Consider some of these ideas when decorating your Doylestown apartment.

We cannot forget dining in your Doylestown apartment. Soft throws over chairs and double table cloths add instant grace and flow. The peachy tones we think are, well…just peachy.

We can’t forget kitchens!  Is there such a thing as a romantic kitchen? Well, this one suits me.  Adding warm tones to your Doylestown apartment kitchen can bring some romance to an otherwise utility area. Adding warm-colored vases or canisters are a nice touch to counters.

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Framing Artwork in your Bethlehem Apartment

The latest framing trends are quite interesting, and can be easily applied to your Bethlehem apartment.  If you happen to have a nice apartment with high ceilings, which adds up to a lot of wall space, you can stack up a set of like-framed photos or paintings. Arranging vertically on the wall, instead of across its length, can be an eye-catching presentation which will fill up a blank space.

An open floor space in your Bethlehem apartment means walls for hanging artwork are minimal.  Find that desperate spot above an entrance-way is ideal for a large piece of artwork. Make sure the frame is a standout.

Displaying a piece of art between the windows of your Bethlehem apartment is a perfect idea.  Windows draw in light and create their own interest. A great piece of your own photography framed in a contrasting color will create dramatic interest in any room with light such as this one.

If you have a mantle in your Bethlehem apartment, finding the right piece and frame can be a chore.  This space can be easily filled with a large dramatically framed artwork. Idea: set the frame right on the mantle instead of hanging it on the wall, for a cool artistic air.

Check out these Larson Juhl frames for your Bethlehem apartment.

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The Arts in Bethlehem, Pa

When venturing out of my Bethlehem apartment, I discovered that the town of Bethlehem is full of artistic interests.  The first interesting find is the Bethlehem Bach Choir. Founded in 1898, it is the oldest Bach choir in America. Musical America has this quote about the choir: “Having heard the Bethlehem Bach Choir pour its heart into the master’s vocal music, one will never listen to it in quite the same way again.”

The present 95 volunteer members “sing with dedication and enthusiasm of the Bach Choir of a century ago.”  The concerts feature a full professional orchestra and world renowned soloists.  When living in your Bethlehem apartment be sure to check out this fascinating group for musical inspiration.
More information at the website.

Once settled into your Bethlehem apartment, the artist in you will have to visit the Banana Factory.  This dynamic cultural arts center includes three galleries, 28 resident artists, a glass works studio (the only one in area), The Olympus Digital Imaging Center, and the Fowler Arts and Education Center.

The main objective of the Banana Factory is to make the arts accessible to everyone.  The cultural center offers art education classes and programs for area schools.  Explore your creative side by taking one of the 200 plus visual arts classes or workshops offered throughout the year.  A children’s summer camp is also available.

If you are a film fanatic, living in your Bethlehem apartment will be a wondrous move, for the SouthSide Film Festival community is right around the corner.  The Third Thursday Film Club is a communal event designed to bring awareness to independent films.  The screenings are free and usually feature well-crafted documentary works not presented in movie theaters.  Films are usually shown at the Victory Firehouse on Webster Street.  The organization also features an annual art festival and benefit parties, a great excuse to get out of your Bethlehem apartment and join the community.  Visit the website for more info on parties, films, artists, and the 2011 Film Festival.

Are you an amateur or professional photographer?  Why not join the Lehigh Valley Photography Club?  They meet at the Banana Factory, right near your Bethlehem apartment, and offer photo-inspiration assignments to club members.  The intent of the club is for people in the Lehigh Valley community to share their work, meet each other, and discuss photo experiences. The LVPC is a member of the Photographic Society of America.  Visit here for more information on the club.

If you are looking for an apartment in Bethlehem, Pa or are interesting in listing an apartment for rent in Bethlehem please look at ApartmentsiLike for more information.

Alexis Stewart’s Tribeca Loft

Alexis Stewart, daughter of home-decorating giant, Martha Stewart, is selling her Tribeca loft.  This breath-taking minimalist domain is on the market for the lowered price of $9.5 milliion.  With 4,000 square feet of living space, one could move about freely.  The openness, the clean white surfaces, and the solarium ceiling in the living room keeps the space feeling fresh and renewed.

Source: Luxist.com article by Deidre Woollard.

Sights to see in Allentown, Pa

Perhaps the beauty you will find in the city will make living in your Allentown apartment all the more enjoyable. Stepping out for a walk down the main streets as night is quite lovely.

Check out the pretty neighborhoods in and around your Allentown apartment. Take a walk or a drive.

Setting our of your Allentown apartment can lead you to wonderful eating spots and shops to visit. On the days of nicer Pennsylvania weather, and outdoor cafe is not out of the question.

Allentown center square is nice place to drive by when setting out of your Allentown apartment.   Let’s head out for some fun and adventure…and feel like a kid again…

A short drive away is one of the best theme parks on the east coast, Dorney Park. Visit Steel Force, the highest roller-coaster around.  Just another excuse to get you out of your Allentown apartment.  Dorney Park, of course, is open seasonally through October. We had a blast there at night during the October haunted park special they have each year to celebrate Halloween.  Fun for all!

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The Arts in Allentown, Pa

Well, at this time of year boredom can set in as you live in your Allentown apartment, but we have artistic news for you…The Allentown Art Museum, located on 5th Street offers a refreshing change of view, especially if you are into art.  The museum was founded in 1934 by noted Pennsylvania painter and illustrator, Walter Emerson Baum.  Here you can see collections of European art, American art, and textiles.  Escape from your Allentown apartment and view the museum’s recent expansion, where classrooms and more gallery space was added, as well as a cafe, expanded gift shop, and an all new glass facade on the 5th Street side. This attraction boasts of visitors from many areas of Pennsylvania, including Doylestown, Reading, and Bethlehem.

Also now part of the Museum is the Baum School of Art, a non-profit community art school where you can spend some evenings out of your Allentown apartment and take a class. They offer over 200 for children, teens and adults.  Come and join this wonderful community.

Your musical intuition that tells you to get out of your Allentown apartment and listen to some classical live music will lead you to the Allentown Symphony Hall.  This Lehigh Valley performing arts center hosts the Allentown Symphony Orchestra where it performs its seasonal concert productions.  You can find many shows and events, including family and musical education events here that will give you something to do outside your Allentown apartment.  Check out the Allentown Symphony for more information.

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Plum Perfect

I sometimes balk at the word purple…especially when it comes to design and interior decorating. But when looking for a new theme to a room in your Allentown apartment, why not think VIOLET, PLUM, or AUBERGINE.  Lovely words.  And this couch is so elegant, not to mention the plum Shakespeare. A nice literary touch.

Love this plum color bedding idea and the simplicity of the iron bed. Check out the plum rosette bedding and many other ideas for your Allentown apartment at Anthropologie.

Add a twilight plum throw carpet to any open space in your Allentown apartment.  The shade of this one is beautiful. Find it at Rugs Centre.

One-of-a-kind decorative crafts for your Allentown apartment can be found at Etsy.com.

Plum up your apartment’s bathroom with some accessories from Debenhams.

And finally, the easiest way to add a touch of plum to your Allentown apartment is with great art.  Here, a plum art themes fashion illustration find at Mimikri Hot Couture. Click image for artist’s link.

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Apartment Inspiration

Tamara Mellon, co-founder and President of the Jimmy Choo Company, famous for its top-of-the-line chic shoes, made a move to New York City last year and her apartment is sheer inspiration…Why not take some ideas and decorate your Allentown apartment with a similar color scheme. The browns and peaces with chartreuse chairs are delicious.

and a glamorous apartment it is, to go with a glamorous woman.  Tamara had her apartment designed by Martyn Lawrence-Bullard and describes it as: “my own signature look, something that is both modern and old and glamorous, a bit of 70s but a bit minimal.” Enhance your Allentown apartment with some ques from this glam room:

Love the 70s feel here…and all the white shagginess of it all….Give your Allentown apartment a comfy feel with soft throws and pillows too numerous to count tossed on a L-shaped couch.

You can add a spark to any room, as Tamara does here with a light-up neon sign expressing “love” and splash some color in your Allentown apartment with a big red chandelier.  We love chandeliers!

And really, what could a girl want more than a closet full of Jimmy Choos? I dare you to answer that one.  And what a closet?! I wish I could fit this one, shoes and all, in my Allentown apartment, of course I’d have to get like six jobs to afford all these shoes….it would be worth it, if I had time to wear them.

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In and around Reading, PA

It is easy to step out of your Reading apartment and see the sights, and the Reading area has quite a few sights to behold.  This picture, taken by Stinkfoot, shows a view of the downtown from a tourist attraction called the Fire Tower.  I think I can see my Reading apartment from here….(just kidding!).  But a short distance away I find the coolest attraction in the area: The Pagoda.

Love this picture by Ethan Carl.  The Pagoda was built near the turn of the century by William Abbott Witman.  He hired his friend Charles C. Matz to build this wonderous structure on 10 acres of the southern tip of Mt. Penn.

The Pagoda, when built, was intended to be a luxury hotel.  Mr. Witman was inspired by a post-card sent by Matz, and the magestic red brick and tile structure was built in the style of a Shogun Dynasty battle castle.  There is nothing else like it in the United States.  But Mr. Witman was not granted a license to serve liquor by the state, so the hotel plans never materialized.  Instead this feat of architecture stood empty, and eventually fell into the hands of a local bank.  The Pagoda then became owned by the City of Reading shortly afterward.  It was used as a signaling tower before radio became commonplace. Now it is one of Reading, Pennsylvania’s biggest attractions.  Come out of your Reading apartment for a while and drive up to see this one-of-a-kind castle.

There is so much to enjoy living in the Reading community…

Lovely waterways and recreations areas for taking a picnic.
Images by Janet Sobczak.

And in the evening, why not take a short drive north and visit The Christmas Village in Bernville.  Leaving your Reading apartment will be a treat any time of the year as this little shopping town boasts of everything with a Christmas theme.  Christmas year around – who could want more?!

Enjoy living in your Reading apartment or house and enjoy the wonderful sights in and around Reading, Pa.

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