Pagodas: a motif I'm into.

Design motifs are basically our favorite things transformed into decorative objects, fabrics, wall coverings etc. These days we love ginger jars and zebra print. While I love those things too, I REALLY love pagodas. They are a classic Asian motif which can make a room fun and chic. Check out how these designers use them.

Mary McDonald took the pagoda to a whole other level when she mimicked the shape here in this upholstered headboard. As you can see, this Asian motif continues on the chocolate wall too.

Here are more pagodas adding height to a room buy placing white painted ones atop this cute white armoir. Love the stuffed animals too. Mary McDonald.

Placing decorative objects on display such as on a coffee or console table is important. Should they be books? a plant? Or two pagodas on either side of a plant like this by Ruthie Sommers.

Meg Braff does the same sort of thing with two white washed pagodas in this absolutely beautiful blue and white living room. I love the symmetry in this unpredictably two tone room.

I love all the asian motifs in this room: faux bamboo coffee table, the blue and white ceramic lamps and especially the pagoda lanterns. This room filled with fabulous textiles and furniture would be breathtaking even without them, but they seem to compliment everything and add a fun punch to the wall. By Alex Papachristidis.

For only $9285 you can have this bold pagoda cabinet. Found it HERE.

Etsy is always full of fun finds. This pagoda throw pillow sells for $55 at Decorative Instincts on Etsy.

Charlotte Moss loves the pagoda so much that she made it part of her letterhead. Great taste comes naturally to Charlotte Moss.

I'd love to get buy some pretty fabric with a pagoda on it and make some pillows. I found some traditional Asian toile fabrics online but I didn't love any of them. I found this fabric line Pagoda at Thibaut HERE. Or, this really cute whimsical with a tinge of cartoon fabric for only $24 a yard at warm biscuit.


Alicia B.

Autumnal Reds

A friend, and one of my most loyal readers, sent me the most beautiful flowers on Monday. They are red roses mixed with red berries and a smaller red/orange rose. I loved the colors and they are the inspiration for this post. Reds and oranges are a perfect color for the season and they flow right into the next season: HOLIDAYS/CHRISTMAS!!

Amanda Nisbet makes this orangey red the dominant color in the room with lots of curtains in this color. I'd love a little throw like that one in that warm orange color.

Sharon Simonaire. The chair is quite eye catching int hat color but what I'm most drawn to are the paisley framed art works. So gorgeous and unexpected.

Cheryl Tague is just perfection as a designer. Her designs are simple yet so sophisticated and look very gracious.

Bierly Drake. This living room looks so warm as well. Did you know that velvet is coming back? Well, I read a lot of fashion magazines over the weekend, and it is. This velvet slipper chair is the perfect shade of faded pomegranate.

Alex Papachristidis has the perfect mix of reds and greens. This green desk with gold accents and little pops of reds in the painting, the file folder, the chair, and the coral is so delightful.

Over the past weekend I went to visit my sisters in Chicago and the holidays are everywhere there! People sure are rushing the season forward but why put off something that makes everyone feel happy and in a good mood? I love these colors (though I sort of have a fear of red), but they are fun and warm feeling. If getting a gorgeous bouquet of flowers makes me realize this, then so be it. They're so gawwgeous!


Alicia B.

Closet Lighting Lover (Me)

From reading my blog, you wouldn't necessarily know it but I'm a closet lighting lover. I love a good sconce, or a fab nautical lantern. A really amazing lantern can take your breath away (yeah, dramatic). If lights are plain you don't notice them, if they're ugly, they can ruin a room but if they are something really special and beautiful they can become a work of art. They can make a room amazing. These are a mere smattering of pendants that I've seen that have caught my eye. Enjoi.

I find it very precious and glamorous when a sweet chandelier like this one is above a bathtub. By the brilliant Nate Berkus.

How much would you love to have a bowl of fresh berries and yogurt in this calm looking breakfast room? I think the soft square lantern with fretwork at the top really makes this room. By Mollie Johnson.

Very uncharacteristic for me, but this funky glass globe pendant looks so glam here. By Madeline Stuart.

I am obsessed (like the show) with this cut out lantern from the Veranda Estate showhouse. The shadows that it casts on the walls and ceiling is breathtaking.

This interior by Alex Papachristides, has a pretty but not too delicate chandelier over a cocktail table. This room is just plain amazing and the chandelier is what makes it.

Too bad I'm a renter otherwise I'd have so much fun with lighting in my apartment. I just have to make due with cute lamps.


Alicia B.

Thank you, Stephen Drucker.

Designing a space often times means coming up with a new and exciting way of placing furniture and accessories throughout the room. Stephen Drucker, however, makes a very excellent point in the latest House Beautiful that sometimes trying to do something new, you can run into trouble with a difficult floor plan or something of that sort. Basically he's saying, why change something good if it already works. There's a reason that it works in the first place. For example, the living room. You have a sofa up against one of the walls for a reason; people prefer it that way. Why put a chair in the middle of the room just to be different?--it breaks up the traditional seating arrangement. Enjoy.

Despite my admiration for Windsor Smith, in actuality I don't think that this works. A trestle table in the middle of the living room with two bulky armless sofas? Not comfortable or easy to maneuver.

A sofa with its back against the window is a great idea. Easy seating arrangement and enough space to put things like drinks or books. Alex Papachristidis.

Even with a contemporary style like in Jonathan Adler and Simon Doonan's new home, a traditional seating arrangement works. Sofa against the wall and two chairs flanking.

Thom Filicia created this cozy arrangement with the sofa off in the little nook, double table to make one coffee table and two chairs. He worked with the space that he was given to make this work. Make it work!

Michael Smith. This idea even works in a bedroom if you have enough space (good for you).

Of course, a Todd Romano. Doesn't this look so comfortable--yet not too traditional and boring!

As Michael Smith said, "When I'm designing a living room, I naturally want to put a sofa against a wall and two chairs opposite it. Some designers might find that boring. The reality is, its soothing. Most people prefer it that way." Well said! Thoughts anyone?


Alicia B.

RED THERAPY

Fine Paints of Europe # 7195.

Says Mary McDonald, "I think red is a sexy color for brunettes. We can handle strong colors that would eat up a blonde. This is more of a blue red than a tomatoey country red. It's sultry and sophisticated."

Red scares me. Is it supposed to be exciting? Am I supposed to like it because its daring? Many very famous designers have built their reputations on being able to use red well. I have decided to do a little research on the uses of red. How much is too much? Too little? Just right? What do you feel emotionally from red? Anyway, I had fun--see below.

Dorothy Draper--this look is uber dramatic (the Greenbrier). LOVE.

This is from Domino. Using Brilliant in Tulip red from Fine paints of Europe, painting all the walls definitely makes a statement.

Sometimes just using a simple accent of red will draw attention especially in a room with such contrasting colors. From Metropolitan Home.

Also from Metropolitan Home, this room has such an airy feeling and the red is a much deeper hue. Love the dark wood nightstand with the cut outs.

Martha Stewart uses this glossy red paint around the windows and cabinets in a country kitchen.

This room is by Todd Romano; he uses a more mottled texture to this wall. I like this brick color red and the way he pairs it with browns and greens.

Alex Papachristidis, who pretty much fears NOTHING when it comes to design, uses many red accessories in this living room slash study.

I guess one of the secrets is using it in moderation or go totally bold with it. Really be daring but try to pick the right one. Sometimes a red can look very modern and other times it can evoke a colonial/New England vibe. In an article I read about the psychological effect of red, it can draw out many emotions, both positive and negative. Negative: defiance, aggression and strain and Positive: passion, energy and warmth! I think I might be coming around or at least feeling better about red. Thanks for going through that with me.


Alicia B.