On the Hunt...

I'm in full blown new apartment decorating mode (when I'm not at school, work or packing) and my latest focus is bar stools! I have a real kitchen, finally, and need bar stools. Sounds simple right? Have you ever looked for bar stools, though? Not so easy; there are some TRULY unattractive bar stools out there. Above, is a stock photo of my new kitchen--let's be clear, I would NEVER choose those stools, but that's the basic look of my kitchen. Take a look at my top picks.

BAHA. Totally kidding. How do you look yourself in the eye selling that chair?? Okay, let's get serious.

I LOVE these from Pottery Barn--they have a beautiful rustic quality and the stain is very rich and nice. The only problem? I want them to have backs on them.

Same issue with these. I love them and they remind me of those stools from art class with an industrial quality, right? No backs though...so a no-go.


Then, I saw THESE French Bistro chairs in House Beautiful and fell in love. Unforch they're about 200 dollars each...I'll have to scout out some on ebay or something. Any suggestions on where to find these for a good price?

Here they are in backless version. I still love them. This is truly one of my favorite kitchens--designed by Nancy Boszhardt.

I also stumbled upon these, Breuer Counter Stools, which took me down memory lane. A family friend had these in their kitchen growing up and I'm oddly drawn to them. Nostalgia, probably. I remember them being very comfortable, though.

So as you can see, it's slim pickins for attractive bar/counter stools. I mean if you want pay $500 for that guitar stool above, I judge you, and please seek help. For everybody else, please help! Any good suggestions? Sources that I'm not aware of? After this hurdle, I have to work on carpets.


Alicia B.

The art of cooking with art around...

Since I've been choosing photographs for a small show ( I know, exciting!) that I will be in in October, someone made the suggestion that some of my food photography would be great for a kitchen. It really got me thinking of using art in kitchens in general. More often than not we are paying more attention to the appliances, the subway tile or hand painted tile backsplash, and the lighting over the island, am I right? When is it okay to put a painting in the kitchen? Is it better to keep it simple? Here are some pictures of art in the kitchen that I found particularly intriguing.

Nancy Boszhardt. What an amazing and clearly functional kitchen. If that found painting was not there, the kitchen would still be beautiful but it definitely adds a focal point and some interest.

Even in a super industrial kitchen, it doesn't have to be all modular pieces. This painting is amazing and adds much needed color to the space. From Living Etc.

Delson Sherman Architects placed a painting off to the side. This painting helps to transition the space from the kitchen to the dining/sun room.

Another striking painting made into the focal point of the room framed by two amazing sconces. I really love those sconces. By David Kleinberg.

Even in this mini kitchen (Anna Sui's apartment from Elle Decor), there are two works of art; one leaning and another in a niche above the sink. The painting only adds to the gracefully controlled whimsy in this space.

So, I guess you can have it all! Subway tile galore, amazing lighting and art. I have a framed piece of fabric with an elephant on it from India in my kitchen. It helps to define the space as my kitchen is technically kitchen slash living room. I'm sure a lot of you have situations like that. I placed the fabric right over my breakfast table instead of centered on the whole wall and it breaks the room into two parts.

In other news, I had my class tonight and it's not as scary as I thought (fingers crossed), but it will take up a lot of my time so please be patient with me! Thanks for your encouragement, too!


Alicia B.

Painted Floor Love

Diamond Baratta LOVES custom painted floors. They always have such inventive patterns based on the clients interests!

I've always found something very charming and sweet about painted floors. Wide planked wood floors are gorgeous but a painted floor is just something different. Take a look at some of my favorites.

I'm going through the Southern Accents website very thoroughly so that I don't miss a thing before they sadly close their doors. I love the simple stripe leading you through the hallway to the bedroom here. By Bill Ingram Architects.

Shannon Bowers painted a simple wide diamond pattern on the kitchen floor. I love that she chose a dull brown/red.

Nancy Bozhardt, genius that she is, used different stains to pattern this gorgeous floor.

Mary McDonald made this soft blue and white bathroom a little bit jazzier with a zig zag blue and white pattern. I adore this bathroom.

Domino Mag had a guide on how to stencil your own floor with custom patterns! I wouldn't do a spiral but this pattern is whimsical and fun, as decorating should be.

I think that when I have my own country home in CT or up in the Hudson Valley, I"ll have a painted floor hall in my historic house. HERE are some fun reasons why you should have a painted floor. Do any of you have a painted floor? Grow up with one?


Alicia B.

Trend Alert? Objects in low places.

I've noticed a few times now when objects are placed very very low. They seem out of place but then you look at them and you notice them more that you probably would if they were where you thought they were going to be. I've only found a few examples but I think they're pretty interesting.

Nancy Boszhardt placed this still life painting underneath this desk, as opposed to above it. I was worried at first that the painting would get hurt under there, but I suppose the desk is deep enough...

It is a great idea to place objects under the console table and these lanterns look amazing. Miles Redd then added a mirror to draw attention to them.

My new design love, Grant White Design placed this sconce next to the fireplace where you might usually see it above the mantle.

Have you all seen this anywhere else? Perhaps this is an old trend and is coming back again? What do you all think? I was skeptical at first but designers are always being applauded for placing things up high to draw your eyes up; why should this be any different? Just something to think about.

Alicia B.

Spring Trend: Butterflies

Butterflies are everywhere! I've noticed them in magazines, on the blogs, and everywhere I shop (window shop). They are whimsical and colorful and definitely a sign of spring, I'd say. Many accessories are covered in butterflies, from throw pillows, to decoupaged plates, but here are some examples in interiors!

What a sweet kitchen inspired scene by Trevor Dixon via gogoabigail.com

This room from Southern Accents is very garden-inspired with framed butterflies up on the wall. I really love that mini stool under the table with the blanket draped over it.

This is a from good old Domino mag featuring Schumacher's Birds and Butterflies wall paper. Not entirely sure where the larger than life butterfly on the wall comes from...I'm scared. Definitely adds a focal point to the room though, right?

In this super luxurious bedroom by Nancy Boszhardt, she uses framed butterflies on the wall. I like these--they're very close together and all the same species. Very pretty and a great punch of color in this mostly neutral room.

I like this one the most, I think. It looks like a little horticultural study; perhaps there are books on gardening on the other wall and a beautiful garden outside? By Monique Keegan from Country Living.

This exotic garden room is from a Kips Bay showhouse, so is of course very over the top. The chair in the corner is actually in the shape of two butterflies. By David Barrett.

This Freeze Frame Butterfly Chandelier by Lladro, is very whimiscal and looks like a swarm of butterflies around a light. Only $3200!

John Willey had these duvet covers custom made with Holland and Sherry butterfly fabric! This room is super springy with the green painted ceiling and nature inspired fabrics (roman shades, grass cloth walls, etc).

Want some of your own butterfly decor? Here are some small framed drawings from Ballard Designs. Cute!

Read more about this new spring trend HERE in Elle Decor. Personally...I'm not loving it. I know I'm supposed to but all I can think of are glittery butterflies from the mid to late 1990's and I'm uncomfortable. I do love the framed drawings and the horticultural side to them, but the giant, out of scale butterflies are somewhat inappropriate. What do you all think? On board? Hate it? Love it?


Alicia B.

Marble Quarry

In one of my classes right now we are to design a worship space (not necessarily religious worship). Mine just HAPPENS to be in a marble quarry (my idea). The entire room is dug out of a black and gold marble quarry (which may or may not exist) right outside of New York City. The idea is that the marble is cool, calming, smooth, and light bounces off it creating a beautiful effect with the gold. Marble is used in a lot of bathrooms and kitchens; take a look how it's used when you're not in a fictional quarry.

Sara Story uses this amazing orangey marble on this intimate fireplace scene.

In a break from the typical clean white marble, this marble has gorgeous dark veins running through it creating a great contrast. By incredible designer, Nancy Boszhardt.

Marble is often times seen as traditional or "old" but in this space it makes it feel more contemporary. By Matsouka Wang Architects.

In contrast to above, this DEFINITELY is a more traditional feel. Designer Juan Montoya uses slabs of creamy marble on the walls, as columns, and on the floor.

This marble fireplace that I found in Domino blends right in with the rest of the busy patterns in the living room. I feel like it's rare to see marble with lots of contrasting veins in it; people are usually using it to create a cleaner look.

In this Christopher Peacock kitchen, he uses a marble top on this island which is a very beautiful and traditional look but...see below...

He then uses little marble bits to make up the backsplash in the rest of the kitchen. So much you can do with stone!

This was the darkest marble I had seen used and it was only a small part! It def creates a dramatic effect though in this deco style bathroom. I super love those monogrammed pink guest towels too!

How do you feel about marble? Too traditional? Not traditional enough? Want to live in a marble quarry?

Alicia B.