Design Around the World

Here in the US, we love our Elle Decors and House Beautifuls, but also pine after those hard to get our hands on glossies overseas, like French Elle Decoration and Australian Vogue Living. But at $90 a subscription, mostly we stick to what we've got. Lucky for us, a little global inspiration is only a click away! (Ok, so I can't understand a word of the texts, but isn't it the images that really do the talking anyway?)

For fresh, contemporary spaces, I turn to the stylish Spanish site, Nuevo Estilo. The aesthetic is usually colorful and cheery, but always always inspiring!

The painting here is what caught my eye. Surrounded by happy tulips and a sunny sectional, is it really crying those big metal tears?

In a country drenched with sun, an outside space like this is definitely in order! I'll take the Louis Vuitton bags too, please!

Just a country away, we find Maire Claire Maison - a true gem of inspiration! Of course, we wouldn't expect any less from the French!

Unique and exotic spaces reign supreme here. Intense interiors transport you to lands far away, like Thailand and Morocco - perhaps a nod to the countries colonial past?

Of course, you'll find no shortage of Mediterranean simplicity here either! Soft linens, terra cotta floors, and old structures make you feel right at home in France.

Then there is the ever so popular, Skona Hem from Sweden! And yes, Scandinavian interiors are still white and fabulous...

...but don't be fooled, they can do dark and dramatic with the best of them!

Rich, saturated hues are starting to make their way onto the Scandinavian scene! Either way, I'll take it!

A Few Lovely Links:

*more French Elle Decoration lust here and here

*travel the world of design with a 'foreign correspondent' here

*last day to enter the giveaway! winner will be announced tomorrow!