Vacation destination: Paris ... for rent

Behold the wonders that await when one does a Google image search for "Paris Apartment."

Is this a green table? I think I love it. And look at the couch/daybed combo. I wonder if this is a studio apartment.

If this next picture had a higher resolution, I'd be magnifying like crazy. What's on the wall over the table? And I'd love a closer look at the plush down cushions on the two accent chairs across from the couch. What an airy space.

The next room has a lot of purple, and I mean that in a good way. A perfect complement to the painting and the chandelier.

This next room has many of my favorite elements - mainly that it's light, bright and airy.

Ditto to this one. Look at the balconies and the view!

Again with the lavender. The curtains are so full, and they bring a very elegant feel to a room that might otherwise feel cramped.

Look at this next one. It's in an old, old building. You can just tell.

It looks like there's a table and couch right across from the beds. I honestly believe I could live in this space, just as it is, for a long, long time:

And this one is pretty much the epitome of chic. Not that I know that much about chic, but does this room look like it would be in a city anywhere other than Paris? The bolster at the foot of the bed is the perfect detail, and looks so effortless.

Thus concludes my Google jaunt to Paris. I think the next time I travel, I will look into renting an apartment for a week instead of staying at a hotel. Know of any good ones?

Vacation destination: The Porches Inn

It's always fun to travel (OK, more so when you're on vacation and not on a work trip) and it's a bonus when your lodging is as inspiring as the destination itself. On Monday, I posted about one of my favorite places to go, and today I'm posting about a place I've never been.

One of my coworkers told me about The Porches Inn in North Adams, Mass. It's in the Berkshires, so is a great destination for any season. Frolic through foliage by day, and relax by the fire at night. This fireplace is in one of the guest suites.

The inn is a revamp of six Victorian row houses, located right across the street from the MASS MoCA art museum. Imagine the surroundings during peak foliage season! And it's not too shabby if it's blanketed by snow, either.

Some of the rooms are two-story, spiral-staircase lofts.

And here's a cute mini kitchen in one of the extended stay suites:

There are no polyester coverlets under these roofs. This bedroom is something I wouldn't mind waking up in everyday:

Oooh, look at the slate floors and wooden chairs in the white bathroom!

In a May 2, 2008, New York Times article, the owners refer to the decor as "retro-industrial-granny-chic." The bathroom is a perfect example of that. If Porches Inn were a store, it would be Anthropologie with a dash of Brimfield.

I think this picture is of one of the communal spaces:

The yellow walls remind me of the Montana real estate listing I blogged about in November. Here's a picture of that house, to refresh your memory:

Here's another communal space - the dining room:

I wish there was a way to get a closer look at the plates on the ledge. I love how it is decorated in a very New England-y style, yet updated.

There's plenty to see on the outside grounds, too. Like this gazebo:

So, what do you think? Are you as inspired as I am by the rooms at Porches Inn?

Architect: Ann McCallum of Burr and McCallum, Williamstown, Massachusetts

Interior Design: Nancy Fitzpatrick and Ann McCallum

All photos from Porches' website