Rustic rest

The stone walls, the bare light bulb, white sheets, and the jute rug in this room make for one easy-going, low-maintenance, and cozy set up.

Image originally from MrandMrsSmith.com but I saw it on DearDesigners.WordPress.com

Award winning landscape

Margie Grace of Grace Design Associates won the "Gold Award for Residential Design" from the Association of Professional Landscape Designers for her work pictured here. Natural looking, low water use and low maintenance, very easy going, and very attractive yard! It's a win-win-win-win-win situation!

All images from Blog.MichelleKaufmann.com

This courtyard rocks!

I wish there were more stone buildings around. They are very low-maintenance, age really well, and look great. This one here is not a bad set-up, no?

Image from OWI.bz (Office for Word and Image)

Don't lean back!

I don't think it's a good idea to place shelving so low above a couch, or to store shoes over your couch (where do these stylists get these ideas?!) but I do think using old wine or fruit crates for storage and shelving is a great idea. (While this image does offer some inspiration it could also be featured at CatalogLiving.net.)

Image from BaileysHomeAndGarden.com

Cozy casual concrete

There are some cool things in this picture, like the low key and comfortable couches, but the real reason it's here is that it shows that concrete floors, while being super easy to live with and to maintain, can also help create a warm and cozy look. Some people think concrete floors would only go well with cold, ultra-modern or industrial looks.

Image of the Luangwa Safari House from ArchitecturalDigest.com

Frameless pictures on walls

There's an inspirational story about focusing not on the cup but the coffee in it. I think picture frames represent a similar situation. Most of the time what we want is the picture that will go in them but we end up spending a lot of time and resources on the frames instead. I say if the picture is something you want on your wall, go ahead and put it there, don't worry about the frame!

Image from SimplyNaturalDecor.blogspot.com

Paul Massey

The portfolio of photographer Paul Massey has some gems with robust and rustic wooden furniture in easy going interiors.

Images from PaulMasseyPhotography.com

Born again

An old cable spool gets a second life as a cool side/coffee table with lots of character.

Image from blog.DesignSquish.com

Rustic & friendly

Cozy colorful tiles and easy-going rustic cabinets in both of these kitchens without an over-the-top rustic feel... And rounded edges should be more common since they are safer for all and we intuitively perceive them to be friendlier - a perception of safety and friendliness goes far in creating relaxed environments. It's also cool how they let that bark/knot show on the right table leg. No need to waste a perfectly functional piece of wood just because it has a knot or whatever. It actually adds character.

All images showing the beautiful work of LightWoodDesign.co.uk

Anna Kern

Photographer Anna Kern has some pictures of cool and casual interiors in her portfolio. Notice: the paint in that kitchen in the first image, the unpainted stairs in the second image, and the bare light bulbs in the third (cfl bulbs look better bare!)

Images from AnnaKern.com

Flexible & eclectic -and I don't mean your aunt!

A casual and comfortable living room. The barn light above, that Adirondack style chair indoors, that red stool used as a side table, and that big pillow that can be used as a foot-rest are nice and comfortable touches. It's nice that you can move most of those things around as you see fit.

Image from HouseBeautiful.com

Expose it all!

I love exposed plumbing in general, makes life much easier in terms of noticing problems such as leaks, and addressing any such issues, and also when it comes to switching to new faucets, shower heads, etc. I also love shower hardware that offer separate handles for cold and hot. I'm really not wild about those single-handle-for-water-pressure-and-temperature deals, I don't like using them and it's a pain to deal with all the plumbing that's way behind the wall. It's unfortunate when practicality is sacrificed for looks.

Above image from Suzanne Dimma's blog on houseandhome.com

Images clockwise from left: 1; calfinder.com, 2; ThePlumbingGuys.com, 3; RestorationHardware.com

Matchy-matchy is neither interesting nor smart

Nice casual living room with comfortable couches and a chair that go well together but are not matchy-matchy. The variation adds visual interest, adds character and it makes good sense since you can easily replace or upholster one without worrying about the whole set. Making life easier is the way to go!

The rug, the well-used chest for a coffee table, the big windows, and the exposed beams are also great in this room!

Image from the flickr stream of user The Estate of Things