Thursday, June 30, 2011

One Room Living

People often ask me how I can live in just one room with a bathroom out the back. You do have to be fairly tidy and organised, but the benefits of being able to lie in bed  with the water close by outweigh the disadvantages. I was please to find an online interview with designer Ellen O'Neill discussing her one-room apartment overlooking Gramercy Park in Manhattan. She says, "I just wanted a modern cubicle, where I could recline on a daybed and touch everything". Here is said daybed, decorated in black and white like the rest of the apartment:


Her space is larger than mine and includes an office area:

The floor is painted white. As O'Neill says, "I've always had painted floors — I use automotive paint. Brown floors depress me to death. And I knew from the start that I wanted a black-and-white palette. But just black and white can be too hard and cold, too optical. You need some creams and grays and sepias to ease you into a softer, gentler world and add a little romance".


I love the toile fabric screen and slip-covered chair:


O'Neill also has a house in Bridgehampton which is considerably larger, and decked out with red touches. She was formerly VP of Design for Ralph Lauren, as can be seen in her decorating style:

You can read the House Beautiful interview on the Bridgehampton house here:




I love the kitchen with its check painted floor:



I think I prefer the all-white bedroom below to the red and white one above:



The house can be rented out via this website
All images House Beautiful website.

14 comments:

Naturally Carol said...

Hi Beth..I don't know that I could live with just black and white..but I think she does 'cos she has the red house to go to as well..and her job would've included being with a lot of colour!

Desire Empire said...

These images are stunning. My first home purchase was a studio. Don't know how I ever amanged in one room. But boy did I have some great times there.
Best Carolyn

simmone said...

Very pretty pics,esp.the red and white bedroom.I wish we had done a black and white floor downstairs, they look so beautiful.

Simple Home said...

Beautiful photos!
Blessings,
Marcia

Claudia Lane said...

Thanks for the wonderful inspiration Beth, a great post...
Love the new look btw, your blog looks great :)
Have a fantastic w/end
Claudia xo

Leah - The Inside Story said...

Hi Beth, I love her style, and she describes the black and white theme perfectly, warm greys and creams and sepia..love it!! I also love the red house as well. Have a lovely weekend! Leahxx

Ann said...

Actually her Manhattan home does not look too small at all, maybe because of good designing.

Her Bridgehampton house is gorgeous ♥

beachcomber said...

both lovely homes... but really the picture of your boatshed in your header is the one i love the most!
cheryl x

vintageandart said...

What a beautiful post Beth, Ellen sure has style, love the kitchen and the bedroom with cane basket especially.

Camille said...

Hi Beth -- the idea of small space living is very appealing to me. As you know, it forces you to live with things that you really love. Thank you for these lovely images! I had never seen before the house with red.
Camille

Andrea said...

Love that white day bed, looks very appealing. Tangled up with a book would be GREAT

lyonskin said...

I do like a painted floor (as you know) but there is a real dilemma. She may find brown floors to be depressing, but I can't help thinking when I look at the picture at the top of your blog that a white floor would box you in. The reflection of the sky into your living space via that beautiful, glossy floor can't be improved.
So what's a girl to do?

Kellie Collis said...

Gorgeous home! Love the reds that pop everywhere. Have a fabulous weekend, Kellie xx

michelle said...

After coming back from the cottage and being right by the water day and night, I couldn't agree with you more. :) These are beautiful spaces, so relaxing.
xo

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