The December issues of ELLE DÉCOR and House Beautiful were among the best of 2011. The homes gracing the covers of these two issues have generated quite a bit of buzz around the blogosphere, and rightfully so as they are both stunning, though they are completely different in style.
Above, you’ll see the dining room in the Manhattan apartment of Ashley Stark, Creative Director of her family’s company, Stark Carpet. Ashley’s dining room is high on the glamour quotient, as is the rest of her feminine, “polished-eclectic” (the best term I can think to use for it) home. It is filled with bold colors and patterns, unique statement pieces, and a mix of styles—both traditional and modern.
The cover of House Beautiful features the home of Mark D. Sikes and Michael Griffin. Located in West Hollywood, this gorgeous home is rooted in the traditional with a fabulous mix of modern and glamorous pieces mixed in. The thing I love most about this home is how inviting it is. Each room is completely chic without feeling too “decorated”. The rooms are mostly dressed in neutral colors with a few classic patterns mixed in for interest: a zebra rug, leopard pillows, blue and white pottery. The furnishings and accessories in the home are all important designs, custom-made items, and special antiques, but the home maintains that perfect “California Cool” aesthetic with a bit of a casual vibe. I suppose what I love most about this home is that it stunningly beautiful, but feels completely relaxed and livable. It is current without being trendy.
So, if you had to choose one of these home based on the covers of these two magazines, which one would you choose? Which one more closely embodies your personal style?
28 comments:
I did enjoy both houses featured in both magazines, however I must tell you dahhling I liked Mark D Sikes home better for the same reasons you cite, stunningly beautiful but relaxed & very livable....
The cover of House Beautiful, indeed! Wow! I WANT A ZEBRA!! :D
House Beautiful, hands down! The other style is beautiful and interesting to look at, but I wouldn't want to live there. I do like many of the rooms components. But it needs to be cozied up a bit for my taste!
House beautiful for sure! but it needs some color!
The ELLE Decor cover for sure!
Gotta go with House Beautiful. It looks like a real home, done to liveable perfection. I would trade anything for its courtyard.
Howevs, that navy credenza in the Elle home is also pretty spectacular.
thenestinggame.com
Both ~ but the 2nd cover looks too comfy, so that's my pick :)
Happy Holidays to you Paloma!
xoxo Laura
I like the HouseBeautiful home, really relaxed and looks like you could be comfortable and enjoy with friends there :)
I probably would have picked the House Beautiful room before due to the more traditional style and colour etc. I now find that boring and with a new attitude towards design/ decor DECOR has it down...let's live a little and upgrade to sparkle. I pick DECOR room
Elle Decor, Hands Down.
Dawlin', I love you but give me a Penthouse view!
Merry Christmas and Thank you for sharing!
- Jalon
In a perfect world I'd take Elle Decor for my Manhattan home and House Beautiful for my Santa Barbara home where I'll "Winter".
House Beautiful looks more like my home but I love some of the dreamy pieces from from Elle Decor...it's a tough one! Can I have both?! :)
Both beautiful, but I have to go with Elle Decor. Those chairs! That wallpaper! It's all so chic.
I'd have to go with the House Beautiful, fo' sho', but if I had my real druthers, I'd mix it up a bit, tossing in a bit of glamour (how do you spell that?) to capture the way I really like to live.
Definitely Elle Decor! It is one of my favorite magazines.
Based on the covers, I'll pick House Beautiful. Tho I'm into more dark hues, this style is more relaxed. I do a lot on my sofa so I prefer the casual vibe and the layering of rugs by a fireplace makes it comfy. Plus the architecture and arched window adds cool points.
Elle Decor, the Tommi Parzinger credenza killed me, then I noticed the rest of the room, love, love, love!
I gotta go with the Elle Decor. While I love the House Beautiful cover and it more resembles my home at the moment....I am in love with everything about Ashley Stark's apartment from that Elle Decor issue!!!
Her's has so many interesting, one-of-a-kind pieces, and I love the use of color!!! It's edgy, fun and refreshing-- just my style!
Elle decor for sure! Love the mix of rustic and refined...traditional and modern...beautiful and festive!
xo-Julie
Peace. Love. LOL!
www.HauteKhuuture.com
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There's so much to love in both! I think it's that the Elle Decor cover is aspirational (I mean, how glam??) whereas the House Beautiful cover is inspirational (I saw it and thought 'I could do that in my house!'). I haven't finished reading HB yet and can't wait to flip through it this week!
elle decore I say, looks very cozy!
the elle decor I say, looks cozy and nice.
Elle Decor! Elle Decor! Elle Decor!
XO~JD
www.jessiedmiller.com
Hello, I would have to say the House Beautiful. I just want to grab a cup of coffee and sit on the couch. It looks like such a glam yet comfy room.
Fondly,
Christine
www.dovecotedecor.blogspot.com
Love the ELLE DECOR!
well I am normally very much an elle girl, but I have to say that these two covers put me in the House Beautiful category!
HB plus a dose of ED, but love them both.
Two beautiful rooms...however, I definitely would want to live in the Elle Decor home...hands down :)
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