White and Yellow. White and Yellow.

As you may know, I'm planning my (I mean OUR) wedding for this Summer! My life revolves around weddings, design, and school right now so let's take a moment and talk about the wedding (and then loop back to design)! I love the color yellow so it might be color in the wedding. As usual, I have to relate everything back to interior design so lets look at some fun, preppy, and bright interiors, shall we?

The simplicity of this bedroom is stunning and sophisticated. Of course it's designed by Lee Kleinhelter, who has access to the most ridiculous antiques. From Lonny.

I always think of John Loecke when I think of preppy colors. these two yellow chairs look bright in this fresh interior. I'm pretty much obsessed with all the fabrics in this room.

This geometric yellow bedding is definitely on my list for my new apartment. From Jonathan Adler. Want it now...

Green and yellow are so fresh preppy together, don't you think? Love the ribbon detailing on the roman shades and the lampshade. DIY project for the weekend? INTERESTING... (I can't remember where I found this image...anyone want to help?)

SWOON. A gorgeous combination and a balance of white and bright vibrant blues greens and yellows makes this room feel color infused yet light and open. From Country Living.

Marie Claire France. I love stumbling into an old French mansion. This living room is bathed in natural light and painted a soft buttery yellow for a sweet airy feel.

It's almost too cold for words here in NYC, but some people have been complaining that it's even colder in Chicago...These warm yellow rooms are making me yearn for Summer more than ever! I have lots to look forward to though in more planning of the wedding--what do you think of yellow? Just an idea I'm playing around with.

Now that I have internet finally in my new apartment, my posts might be more frequent, so thanks for your patience. I'm also excited that I'll be meeting up with some actual real live design bloggers--I've never met anybody that is also a design blogger so this is going to be monumental and scary. Wish me luck and Happy Friday everyone!

Alicia B.

Honest Scrap-tastic Award

About a million years ago one of my fave bloggers, Claire from High Gloss Blue nominated me for the Honest Scrap Award and I've taken my sweet time accepting it. It's New Years Eve so I figure I'd better get to it before the year is done. Thanks Claire! Basically for this award as you all probably know, I have to reveal ten things about myself and nominate seven other people for this award. Here goes! #1) I HATE revealing things about myself on my blog. I tend to say little tidbits but nothing major so maybe that's why I took so long making this list.

HOT SAND.

#2) I'm insanely fair skinned by if I could lie on the beach all day with a book (and a cocktail), I would do it in an instant. Don't worry, I'll still be wearing SPF 45. Really.

A postcard from Malta

#3) On that note, I've wanted to go to Malta (and lie on the beach) since I was a senior in college and I learned about Caravaggio and how be painted and became one of the Knights of Malta.

A dress made of Skittle wrappers! WOW...

#4)I'm a candy-a-holic. I know candy is bad/will give you cavities but I would rather eat skittles than chips or any other snack. And unlike most candy-a-holics, I don't care for chocolate.

OY.

#5) This one is SUPER juicy about me. Wait for it...I hate valences. I think they are worthless and ridiculous looking. If you don't like the ugly window moldings, install new ones and if you want to block the sun, go for broke and actually get shades/curtains. Those sad frilly valences are worthless.

This is a beach in La Jolla. Gawgeous.

#6) This one is also juicy. As you may know I'm a relatively uptight East Coaster but upon some somewhat recent trips to California I'd LOVE to end up there. I always thought I'd love to end up in Connecticut (and I still could), but after spending some time in San Diego, I fell in love.

#7) I love preppiness. I love to dress in pink and green and I love preppy interiors too. This one by John Loecke is so perfect! The pinks the greens and the sunny yellows are perfection to me.
#8) I'm a collector. When I was little, I used to collect rocks. I had a mini collection by the side of the road and I even had a Rock Tumbler that was set up in the garage. Please don't stop reading this! Yes, it's true. Anyway, now I collect fun things like fabric, frames, demitasse cups, as my mom says, "old junk from antiques stores", minks, and antique books and buttons! You never know when you're going to need these things!

#9) I have a massive crush on Jim Carrey. I've always liked him because he makes me laugh in his movies (Liar Liar). And even when he is in serious movies (Truman Show), he's an amazing actor and SO CUTE. Don't judge me, I stand by my opinion.

Who looks so pretty in fur? Martha.

#10) Ah, the last one! A dear friend of mine reminded me of this a few weeks ago. When I was in 7th grade I got a "layered" haircut and a few boys made fun of it and called me Martha Stewart. I ended up crying but now if that happened I'd be more than flattered. Martha is an amazing role model and such an inspiration. Thanks so much Claire for getting me to reveal embarrassing things about myself! Though I am in love with interior design, I do have many sides to me as you have just learned. Although as this blog is centered around interior design, it is much of what I think about. I hope you all learned a lot today and forget about the whole "rock collection" thing. Yikes.

I'm tagging the following people. And if you've already done it don't worry, I think I'm the last person who hasn't done this yet.

Penny Rounds
Eclectic Interior Design
Developing Designs
Shoebox Decor

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.

Rando Design Inspiration Friday!!

How jazzed are you all for this weekend? RIGHT?? Anyway, to speed it along (not that this week could have gone by faster), here are some lovely pictures that I found that made me smile.

I'm really loving Mollie Johnson's portfolio. This bedroom in particular really caught my eye. The simple white and soft green palette is so refreshing. I also can't take my eyes off that nightstand.

I love the preppy style of design of John Loecke. Sometimes it's a wee bit over the top but still playful and fun.

Am such a sucker for books...and a gallery wall...and a fireplace mantle. By Glen Gissler.

I bought a bolster pillow form but haven't gotten up the courage to attempt to sew a cover for it. I did make a square pillow last night though for someone special...who will receive it?? This one above, the Shali Bolster is from Anthropologie for only $228.

I SWEAR I'm going to make strawberry jam this weekend. THIS recipe from Martha Stewart looks pretty simple.

Last night was my last class for the summer so I celebrated with dinner and then went home and made a pillow. I'm really excited for my jam project and some more cooking projects that I've been inspired to try. Cough PAULA DEEN Cough. Speaking of which, I've started to follow some foodie blogs! I love the images, the recipes, and the enthusiasm that matches that of a design blog! Sunday Suppers, Simmer till Done, and Out of the Event are some of my favorites. I love to bake cookies and treats but I think I should up my difficulty level and go for larger projects. Do you guys have some favorites? What are you plans for the weekend?

Alicia B.