White with Envy

I've always had a mild obsession with white interiors, but living in my very own stark white box, it can be a little disheartening when you don't have a few thousand dollars lying around to buy the latest slick modern designs.

So as much as I'm ashamed to admit this, it's only a recent development that I've discovered how soft and cosy white spaces can actually be. Every image of beautiful white rooms gives me a flood of ideas for my little white box, and plenty of them are rent-friendly too! Lovely themed frames, quirky light fittings, colourful cushions and even vertical wall hangings. There simply aren't enough hours in the day!

So imagine my delight when I discovered that many of my favourite interior photographs of late are all by one incredibly talented James Merrell.

From soft white interiors to rustic charm, Merrell captures the warmth and light that just makes you want to dive onto the bed or sit down, have a sip of tea and soak in the calming surroundings.

He has also photographed some of the most beautiful, lavish interiors I've ever seen, and although my little box is far from Baroque, there's still plenty of inspiration to be found!

Another reason to admire Merrell is that he actually photographs beautiful interiors...with people! Architectural photography is so often completely void of any signs of life, so it's quite refreshing to see people living in and enjoying the spaces they live in. And let's be honest, if you had a massive curving staircase, you'd be sliding down it to breakfast every morning too!

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!


Ahem. Anyway, although it takes a fair effort to drag my attention away from all the beautiful Autumn/Winter photographs I'm seeing from the northern hemisphere, whether it be clothes, nature or toasty warm fireplaces, Merrell has somehow managed to make me quite glad that summer is just around the corner in my part of the world. You can almost smell the fresh linen and the flowers!

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh these pictures are so gorgeous! I especially love the last three with the little flowers and the outdoor shot is heavenly!

Susanna-Cole King said...

Oh absolutely beautiful photos! I used to think white = boring, but done right, white can be quite stunning indeed! :)

Thanks for your comment, what you said, about some people just wanting someone to listen and hear there stories is so true! :)

xoxo,
S-C

Couture Carrie said...

Beautiful spaces! Love the kitchen, the sitting room with the fireplace, and the sliding stair photo!
Found you through S-C and glad I did!

xoxox,
CC

Anonymous said...

Wonderful eye for potential. That's a talent not many have.
And I share your sentiment that interior Tech shots sometimes need the people that inhabit them. It's the difference between looking nice on paper, and being alive and functional.
LULz @ weee!

Ms Unreliable said...

Miss Karen - you can almost smell the flowers can't you? It makes me crave a nice glass of iced tea every time I look at that last photo in particular!
Susanna-Cole - I was exactly the same, I always thought white was either too plain or too stark, but I'm officially converted :)
Couture Carrie - I think the sliding stair photo is one of my all-time favourites. The house I grew up in had a spiral staircase, but it was a bit too steep to risk it, so I just stuck to rolling down grass hills instead (and still do) :D
manuel - Teehee glad I'm not the only one that got a giggle out of my antics :D I absolutely agree, interior shots can look 'nice' without people, but they can be quite alienating too. There's nothing more depressing than flicking through an architectural journal and not seeing a single soul. Who are the buildings for?!