Architectural Digest

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I love looking at other peoples' houses and decorative choices, and keep a file of photos for when I buy my own home. The American magazine Architectural Digest has some of the very best homes - fully conceptualized design schemes, but without pretension, frills or gaudiness. It's obvious that everything in these images is of the highest quality, but the natural fibres and quirky touches make each home - rather than a stale museum of style - entirely comfortable. The first set is my favourite, but for me happiness will always be an armchair next to the bedroom window (like the one I am currently typing from in my rented flat - thanks landlords!)

Heavenly interiors

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I know it's tempting for a lot of people to stick to a very neutral home decor for fear of being too garish or wacky. These pictures show how much of a waste a cream wall is. I think clashing pastels might be just for a girl's house- I can't see a man happy inside these walls. I think they're dreamy.