Easter Colors: Yellow and Pink!

A match made in Peep Heaven!

In my last post of Easter colors before I jet off to CT, let's take a look at yellows and pinks! Besides pink and green, yellow and pink is one of my fave combos--plus I look great in yellow so...Pink is vibrant, romantic, and glamorous, while yellow is bright, happy, and fun. Enjoi!

I think a little yellow always goes a long way. What a pretty yellow color and I always appreciated a little modern art, as well. Garrow Kedigan.

Don't want to commit to pink furnishings? Just get a pop of pink flowers like here! Gorgeousness by Schuyler Samperton.

Pink paisley wallpaper and sophisticated and understated furnishings make this room by Sara Bengur so beautiful. Also notice the red and pink flowers on the sill of the MOST amazing window ever.

Oh Mary McDonald...SO much pink is making my heart swell. This pink is glamorous but not too girly because of the giltwood bamboo mirror and the dark mahogany pedestal table.

I'd say this is more of a mustard yellow but really works in this space with neutrals and touches of blue. By Eileen Kathryn Boyd.

A precious times one thousand pink bedroom here with distressed ivory twin beds by Leta Austin Foster.

Precious yellow is paired with contemporary neutral (and somewhat ugly) furnishings. I do love the yellow and bright blue contrast though. And the fur rug. Drake Designs.

I think this is what I would do if someone would let me (and then let me change it a few mins later). Pink. Everwhere. By Drake Designs.

Woah, that's intense pink! I really love the ornate accessories painted white though. It makes the space more comfortable/inviting. Diamond Baratta.

OMG Pink and yellow in one room! Together at last! This adorable and fun room is by Amanda Nisbet.

Sorry for the late post but, I'm not going to lie to you, I had the day off and I did a lot of fun stuff. I won a squash match, cleaned my apt (amazing!), and saw The Mysteries of Pittsburgh. Even though the NY Times panned it, I thought it was great and the guy playing Art was ADORABLE. Anyway, I'm off to CT for Easter, dying eggs, hanging out with the fam and the beau, and eating WAY too many jelly beans. Have a great weekend and Happy Easter!


Alicia B.

Round Mirrors over the Mantel? I'm in!

Yesterday I was scanning through Elizabeth Dinkel's Portfolio, which I highly recommend, I'm going to have to add her to my inspirational designers folder, and I came across the picture above. I absolutely loved the round convex mirror over the fireplace mantel. It is over-scaled, and has amazing depth. I got curious about this idea of round mirrors over fireplaces; so many people put flat screens which makes me shudder. Take a look at all the different styles.

Todd Romano uses a round mirror in this large and elegant dining room. I like how it is a faded white color and blends into the wallpaper.

This mirror is quite traditional, as are many round mirrors. It is small but clearly the attention should be paid to the large chandelier in the room by Shiela Bridges.

Isn't the wallpaper in here stunning? The flat mirror and the flat fireplace look so pretty on the wallpaper. Just STUNNING. Designed by Nathan Egan.

That's right, there's a mirror there! Leta Austin Foster used a sunburst mirror. I love the dark reds in this room, it's actually calming feeling. And the apple green ceramic stools really balance it out.

This is from Eddie Ross's portfolio. This entire wall is basically mirrors and actually the traditional mirror breaks it up a bit.

I think I love everything about this room, from my dear Domino. This looks like an over-sized pocket mirror, and is hanging on a chain (from Ballard Designs).

Also from Domino, a pair of round mirror with a pair of scones next to it. I love the asymmetrical look to this with pairs.

What a gorgeous scene from Living etc. A pretty and neutral living room livened up with a fabulous mantle display and a Venetian mirror--leaning.

I'm a traditional kind of girl and love to have a gorgeous painting over the mantle, but I think that a round mirror or regular mirror as well is a fun alternative. A mirror adds the illusion of space to a room and a round mirror in particular can add a focal point to the room. Too bad for me I don't have a fireplace in my little apartment but I will be putting a mirror in my foyer to make it look bigger!

PS-ONE DAY LEFT to enter the floor lamp give-away contest! CLICK HERE if you can't be bothered to scroll down.

Also, thank you to My Design Secrets for the guest blog yesterday!

Alicia B.

Trying to Make It Warmer

From Living Etc, this UBER open plan spaces allows you to enjoy your meal with fresh air coming in but you are still under the shelter of your home.

Apparently, this past weekend was the coldest weekend in New York history. If you live in New York or the east, you would most likely agree. I've had this feeling that I really just want to go somewhere warm and lie on the beach or by the side of a pool. Since I can't do that, I'll live vicariously through my blog! Here are some lovely images of warm places:

I can imagine myself here lounging on these Trina Turk and Ralph Lauren pillows with a mojito in hand (not a Corona. Please.). By Moises Esquenazi.

What a lovely sunroom by Leta Austin Foster. This is in Palm Beach, Florida. I especially love the wooden shades--they let light in so softly and nicely. Nice place to read a book after a dip in the pool, right?

In California, Kathryn Ireland designed this lovely bedroom. I love that arched window behind the bed and the inset bookshelves. This looks so relaxing and light.

This is one of my favorites I think. I love the throw pillows and the soft white fabric forming a canopy over the settee. The ivy and the potted plants add to the tropical/island/resort feeling.
By Celerie Kemble, also in Palm Beach.

Another one in Florida, by La Maison Fleurie. Look at all the green/nature in this indoor outdoor space! I love the fabric canopy here, too.

In South Carolina, this dining room lets in a lot of light from the outdoors. What really caught my eye though was the glass jars and lamp on the sideboard (don't LOVE the sideboard, though) and the four candlesticks on the dining room table. By Barrie Benson.

Anyway, I don't know about you, but I feel warmer already! Could be the fact that I'm next to a heater with a scarf on; but I think it's because of the warm/tropical interiors!


Alicia B.

Dark Rooms 101

Most people, when painting a room, think of going with a light color, not a dark blue, dark brown or even black. Dark paint colors are a bold choice, and as they are unusual, we are drawn to them. They are often good for small spaces, surprisingly enough. Designer John Barman says about the room above, "You're swept away by the blue and have no sense of the size of the room."

Moises Esquenazi used Farrow and Ball Mahogany paint.

Living Etc. The furniture in the room make this look more industrial.

Todd Romano. I love this room; it looks so cozy yet sophisticated with the rich blue walls and thick mouldings.

Australian Vogue Living. What a great gallery wall--looks so organic.

Carol Prisant used contrasting mouldings that add depth to the wall in this small room.

Elle Decor. This room looks pretty large and the windows add lots of light to it. I love how the walls curve up into the ceiling.

Leta Austin Foster. The dark color used here blends so well with the different colored ethnic floral patterns.

Metropolitan Home. The walls as well as the floor are painted a dark color. Again the use of the mouldings really adds depth to the room.

Jeffrey Bilhuber uses a dark chocolate brown. The glossiness of it reflects the light coming in from the window.

House to Home UK. I like how the black shade repeats in the next room to lead you through the space. NOT loving the Christmas lights on the floor though.

Katie Ridder. I love this little room with navy blue paint.

Markham Roberts. Dark floor and dark walls!

Markham Roberts. This room looks so New England-y and He even uses the dark blue paint in the fireplace.

Jeffrey Bilhuber uses dark paint in a larger setting with natural materials like a sisal carpet and stone fireplace.

I really likes these looks--they're fun and very bold. Thoughts? Has anybody done this in their own home?


Alicia B.