Outdoorsy Types

I'm not really the "outdoorsy" type, but I love to be outside when the weather is nice. These rooms definitely are the outdoorsy types though, I'd say. They are the nice happy medium between outside and inside. Some of them are outside, but decorated like an interior. Take a look.

This is a "summer house" from a country house tour on Martha Stewart. I love the simplicity of it and how you focus on the architecture and the details instead of fabrics and furniture. Check out the height of that door.

Here is a terrace that is decorated much like a living room: sofa, two chairs flanking, coffee table, and two end tables complete with lamps on each one. I assume they are purely for decoration and they don't really work. LOVE the pink hat on the right chair. I could have used that at the Derby Party over the weekend! Kemble Interiors.

This is the dining room of the same outdoor setting. I love the faux bois dining table and chevron pattern on the dining chairs. Both are by Kemble Interiors.

Jay Jeffers created an incredibly welcoming covered porch with amazing seating with beautiful botanical fabrics and floor to ceiling soft pink drapery.

Here is the rest of the room! How beautiful is this? The shingles on the wall are a nice contrast to the interior aspects like a gallery wall and floor lamps. Jay Jeffers.

I would LOVE to walk out of my front door and walk out onto this wrap around porch. The lanterns are gorgeous and I love the massive columns as well. G P Schaefer.

An outdoor space isn't complete without lighting. If you can't hang a lantern outside, make sure you get these little floor lanterns with candles. There are some really beautiful ones at HERE. By Gary McBournie.

What do you all think? Are you ready to be outdoorsy? I don't have my own personal outdoor space to decorate but I can enjoy the park and my parent's terrace in CT. Do you have outdoor space? How do you decorate it?

REMINDER: This is the last day of the giveaway contest for the super adorable nautical tote bag. Click HERE to get to the contest or scroll down 2 posts. I wish I could win but, you can instead!!

Alicia B.

Tone on Tone Design

I've been brainstorming for a client lately. They have requested new drapery in their semi new home's bedroom. The current drapery is a gorgeous chintz, but it comes from their former home and need more of an updated look. They have very pale pink walls and have requested pink drapery. Pink is my favorite color so of course I'm all for it. I think the idea of the walls being the same color but a different tone is perfect for this room. Tone on tone, if you will. Let's take a look at the merits of this idea.

Jan Showers. In this library, the dark drapery matching the dark walls makes the room cozier and adds to the enveloping feeling, but still allows a generous amount of light in.

Designed by Grant White Design. I really wish this image in the top left was larger so you could see better but the walls are a pale mottled grey and the drapery is more of a cement color.

Janet Simon's soft blues and neutrals bedroom here is made a bit edgier with these brighter window treatments. They really pop in this room and draw your eye to the gorgeous bay window.

Gary Mcbournie. I feel like here, the very vertical drapery is used to accentuate the architectural elements of this room with a high ceiling. The green he used is so elegant.

Through these pictures you can really see how the brighter tone of each color simply brings that color forward even more. It also unifies the room a bit more without it being just one shade or many colors that may work, but are floating too much in the room. This helps tie them all down. I'll be showing my fabric choices to my clients over the weekend and seeing them in the space so I'll let you know how it goes!

Alicia B.

A White Bedroom for My Sister

My younger sister came to me for help with her new room off campus at school. This will be her first real chance to make her room "her own." She expressed to me that she was much more feminine in design than she thought and she wanted lots of white furniture to create a calm and cozy room. I was surprised to say the least, but it makes sense. Here are some white clad rooms that I think she might drift towards.

Spence Hogan Harris provides an adequate amount of femininity with very little color here. I love the detailing on the bedframe and the fabric behind the upholstered headboard. Someone needs to make the bed though...

Marie Claire maison. This is simple and spare looking but I think a little too spare for my sister. I think this could be remedied with a big puffy down quilt and some well chosen pillows.

Marie Claire Maison. The bed stuck in the nook makes this look super cozy despite the industrial looking bed frame. It looks like antiqued galvanized metal, yes?

Despite the lack of color, even I can get on board with this room. The punches of color here are enough to satisfy me. Coburn Architecture and Interiors.

Living Etc. More galvanized metal and a big chunky blanket that looks perfect for this fall and winter!

Tom Stringer. Okay, I know this isn't all white but this is so beautiful I couldn't stop. The yellow nightstands and upholstered headboard look so sunny here.

I think sometimes I'm a 7 year old girl in a 23 year old's body because pretty much anything pink is good in my book. OKAY I'm 26-JEEZ get off my back! Pink loveliness by Gary Mcbournie.


Country Living. This is probably my dream for a white interior. Something with a country feeling with lots of texture to replace the lack of color would be ideal for me.

My sister ended up getting sheets from Pine Cone Hill and various pieces of white furniture that I helped her select. For art, she has a few of my framed photographs which it sounds will be very dramatic in her space. Given her choice, she would order everything from Pottery Barn Teen, but I'm happy that she has put a lid on that idea as she is 21 years old. I am very excited to see how everything turns out when everything arrives!

Alicia B.

Random Design Inspiration Friday

Happy Friday Everyone! This week has been a huge whirlwind of life, class, yoga, drafting, fabrics, the list goes on for me. Needless to say, I have barely had a moment to just sit and be. Judging by my schedule for this coming weekend, I'd say this is my only chance to do just that. Here are a smattering of gorgeous interiors that just make you go, "ahhh."

Sharon Simonaire. This round sunroom is full of light and movement. The sun bounces off of those blue mosaic tiles, shimmering and making it look like water. Also who can resist that antique industrial style light fixture, or a pug for that matter?

I'm feeling like I need a little more orange in my life now that fall is fast approaching. This small office interior is by John Loecke, who is a color lover just like I am (or who I aspire to be)!

The wall paper matches the upholstery here in this interior by Gary McBournie making the room seem cozy, but not claustrophobic. I think i need a big chunky throw like that blue one for my loveseat this winter.

Emma Jane Pilkington is popping up everywhere and rightfully so. Her interiors are inventive and quite pretty. I adore the ikat fabric on the chairs and the soft grey wall color. I can't wait to see more of her portfolio. (this pic via Orange Beautiful)

I think being able to look at a space and have that reaction is the best goal to have as a designer. You don't want someone to walk into a space and feel uptight or constricted (or do you??). This weekend, I'll be drawing a floor plan of my mini kitchen, having a rematch with the bf on the tennis courts tomorrow (I will not let him win again!), strolling along the High Line on the west side, and probably doing more homework. What will you be doing? Designing? Relaxing? Traveling? Fill me in.


Alicia B.

Patriotic Interiors

Gary McBournie. I'd love to be out here with a book and a G & T.

Today's Inspiration Friday is being put on hold for something even better...Patriotism! Since it's the Fourth of July Weekend, let's all enjoy some Red White and Blue interiors. These interiors remind me of Summer, New England, the beach, and relaxation.

Markham Roberts mixes a whimsical bedspread and a geometric rug in this bedroom.

Red white and blue geometric patterns are in this room too. How cute is that teddy bear in the chair? By Meg Braff.

Digs By Katie pairs this distressed red painted bench with a dark blue backing and a gorgeous sunburst mirror in this little nook. PS you should really check out her portfolio--it's genius.

Red walls are usually to much for me but if you put it with a blue and white striped rug, I calm down a bit. This entry way (with sticks used as coat hooks) is from Country Living.

Pretty paisley bedspread but what really gets me here (besides the Windsor chair) is the basket full of throw pillows. Country Living.

I hope you all have a great and patriotic Fourth of July. If the weather cooperates we'll be going up to the CT shore and enjoying some time on the beach! Maybe some ice cream, fireworks, and some good old fashioned fun. Ya know, things that make America so awesome! What are you up to?

Alicia B.

A Visit From a Bostonian!

A street on Beacon Hill in Boston

This coming weekend one of my very best friends from college is coming to visit me in NYC alllll the way from Boston! In honor of her visit, I've chosen some of my very fave designers in the Boston area.

Mally Skok always uses the most beautiful colors and fabrics (possibly because she has her own fabric line). This living room has neutrals, ikats, and a generally soothing color palette.

Pinks, oranges, and yellows make up this preppy fun basement sitting area. Also by Mally Skok.

Another gorgeous interior by Mally Skok, in Cape Cod. How gorgeous are the french doors and windows and that coffered ceiling?! FYI Mally also is on Twitter an has her own blog!

Gary McBournie has always been a favorite of mine for his classic and nautically inspired interiors. I love this blue wall in the dining room. They texture gives it such amazing depth.

William Hodgins designs the most incredible houses. This foyer looks all the way through to the window in the sun room. I love the green little plants glowing in the sun!

What a gorgeous antique wing chair in the front hall of this Boston home by William Hodgins. Also, I wish we could see more of the front door because that glass work looks amazing.

Lastly, Frank Roop adds a little edge to the classic look that I love so much. This room is romantic and uses neutrals and jewel tones in the upholstery. I ADORE that glass globe ceiling light in the middle.

I am very partial to designers from New England because of the classic traditional style. Often times, the houses are old Colonial houses with amazing thick mouldings and beautiful front doors, graceful and unassuming stairways. You get the gist...I'm obsessed. Anyway, I'm excited for my weekend and all the fun times we have planned. Two stodgy New England girls let loose in the big bad city...uh oh.


Alicia B.

Nautical Living

From Country living Mag, this refurbished beach house in NC uses lots of browns and blues in the living room. I love the storage chest used as a coffee table here.

Okay, so I guess I rallied and got it together to do a blog even though my life is consumed with packing slash moving slash painting. I don't know if you can tell but I've become obsessed by this water/yacht theme of late. Every now and then I see houses with many nautical motifs and I just love them! I think some of them are over-done and in bad taste but I love the theme and find it charming, nonetheless.

The banister here may be slightly over the top but a creative idea by designer Suzanne Kasler, anyway. The mirrors on the wall are really what drew me to this room, all round and chunky.

I found this adorable old world nautical map wallpaper from Stark. This would be so cute in a powder room or a small cozy den.

By Savoie Architects, this kid's bedroom looks like bunk beds on a ship. As my friend, Sarah, who basically grew up on a boat said to me, in terms of space and storage, there is not one place on a boat that is not used. You need to use the space efficiently and as you can see here, it definitely is: bunk beds, and storage underneath is those cute baskets.

In the same house, Savoie takes the nautical theme into the master bedroom; but in a different direction. Clearly inspired by the idea of sea glass, the color palette is centered around the sea glass mural behind the bed, then taken to the lamps, shades, and pillows on the bed. How beautiful is that? LOVE IT.

Photographer, Matt Albiani designed his entire city apartment around this nautical theme. The wall paper is actually old maps. I love the case on the dresser with a rope handle. His entire place is in Domino mag HERE. His style is a little more DIY than your typical beach house with lots of space, which I appreciate.

Boston based designer Gary McBournie designed this house on Nantucket. I love the chest flanked by the two antique chairs, but the ship's wheel over the bench (with a storage drawer!) is a little too obvious for me. Sorry. I still love you though Gary McBournie!

I SUPER love this kitchen! I love the white cupboards with holes and the unfinished ceiling is KILLING me. Nice touch with the patriotic American flag, too. Ahhh.

One of my favorite things about going to the shore is the shells. The starfish and coral in this bedroom are so cute!

This house on Cape Cod designed by Foley and Cox is also very beautiful, and perhaps that dog is what made me choose this one. Anyway, as a lighting lover, I couldn't look away from those two ship's lanterns above the sofa.

Which was your favorite? I like elements of each one; the glass balls in the knots above, the coral, the colors of blue, white, and mahogany, etc . It might be a few days before I post again so enjoy this one; savor it. I'll be really busy and stressed SO BACK OFF. Just kidding, love me!


Alicia B.

A Break From Squares: The Octagon

Remember this from yesterday? If not, you might want to read my blog more often.

As promised from my last post, here is a smattering of octagonal and one oval room. I love it as an architectural moment. For some reason I like it better than a circle; it's more organized and concrete as a shape. It's a sweet sort of room and can be used in a romantic sort of way; breakfast room, foyer, or sun room.

James Michael Howard designed this gorgeous foyer. I think my favorite thing about it is the floor. The light faded color wood in an octagonal pattern accents the shape of the room.

Okay, I know this isn't technically an octagon but it is an oval. It's interesting how the whole room seems to morph into that shape; the elongated sofa, the area rug, and also the floor. This house was designed by Robert A. M. Stern.

This is my original inspiration, the breakfast room by Michael Smith. I can't decide if I like the outside or the inside better. The terrace looks so relaxing and I love the classic shape of the space and the columns in between the french doors. So relaxing slash California.

This amazing kitchen is from 1986 in House Beautiful! The colors are a bit bright for our tastes these days but again, look at the floor patterns. This one is more like a simple wagon wheel pattern instead of the stylized parquet. I wonder how a round kitchen works as we rarely see them these days. Hmm.

J'adore this sherberty room by Gary McBournie. The paint is Benjamin Moore Florida Pink but I'd say that color would work anywhere (for me) especially in Boston or down south. I think I'm in love with this room; I can't stop looking at it.

As I am eternallly obsessed with lighting (something that has yet to be revealed here), I love the idea of putting a fun octagonal or hexagonal lantern in the center of the room to draw your eye up and to the center. I also love the idea architectural elements guiding your eye to see the shape of the room like parquet flooring, or exposed beams in the ceiling, or big bold mouldings. Does anybody have a room like this in their house? Lucky.


Alicia B.