Bloomingdale's Big Window Challenge 2010

After running into Eddie Ross yesterday, and meeting his partner Jaithan, I learned a little more about Bloomingdale's Big Window Challenge. Three designers are competing against each other where they each design a window in Bloomingdale's for a specific person. WE all get to vote for the room we like the best! Here are the options:

Designed by Eileen Joyce for Bloomingdale's. "the Urbane Traveller." This one I'm finding quite tame.

By Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan for Apartment Therapy. "The Writer's Romantic Supper." I really like the portraits over the sofa and I feel like I could really relax with a book and a cocktail here.

And last but not least, but last because it's my favorite, Eddie Ross for Elle Decor. "The Modern Woman." I'm really drawn to the exciting mix of colors in this: the pop of turquoise in the lamp and throw on the chair, the orange in the artwork over the sofa, and the pink that is mixed into the throw pillows. It looks elegant yet relaxed and full of life.

To read more about these windows and the great inspiration and the intense competition AND to vote for your favorite click HERE. All of them look wonderful and like a lot of work but my vote is in for Eddie's for Elle Decor. GO VOTE because we only have until January 28th--but also tell me which one is your fave too!


Alicia B.

Rando Design Inspiration Friday

This week flew by in a flash! I realize I only posted a few times and for that I apologize but I can only do so much. This weekend is Memorial Day and cross your fingers that I get out of work early! Here are some images that are making me smile.

In honor of Memorial Day, here is a patriotic photo that I took of the Brooklyn Bridge.
Brooklyn Bridge, USA.

This boudoir by Jackson/Aaron looks so sunlit-lovely. I'd love to lie down there with a good book...and a kitty.

I found this designer, Emma Jane Pilkington, in Traditional Homes 20 Young Designers to watch and I'm molto impressed. This painted bed is incredibly beautiful...I'm in awe.

April Tidey, who was on Apartment Therapy yesterday, has such a fun aesthetic mixing modern with traditional. Love the white walls, ceiling and floors in this cottage.

What are your plans this weekend? As usual I'm heading up to the country for some r and r with my parents and then am joined by the beau Saturday evening! I absolutely cannot wait until the Memorial Day Parade (it's my favorite part). There is nothing like a parade in a small town. Have a great 3-day weekend!

Alicia B.

I use elephants in all of my decorating...

From Natural Curiosities (awesome store btw) via Point Click Home. Elephants in artwork.

If anybody can get the movie reference in my title I'll give you 5 gold stars. Big honor. Back to elephants. I don't know about you but I've been seeing a lot of elephants, rhinos, and other jungle like creatures nearly everywhere. A new Travers fabric, little leather elephant accessories, and paintings are among some of the design elements included.

This lovely room from Traditional Home has a sweet jade elephant table peaking out from behind the cabinet.

Also from Traditional Home, the designer used this discontinued (unfortunately) fabric she had saved and made a headboard! Look at that cute elephant walking along all subtle and neutral.

A white porcelain elephant is used as a decorative accessory in this amazing setting in Punta Cana. By Bunny Williams.

Found this cutie elephant clothing hamper on Apartment Therapy. You can buy one from Home Decorators Collection. How fun would this be in a child's room/bathroom? I swear I don't want one for myself...promise.

The ever popular Eames Collection have an admittedly pretty cute plywood elephant that comes in many different sizes. They come in red and natural colors. These could be fun toys for kids or be used as a decorative accessory around your home. I'd love to have one of the mini ones marching across my desk.


As I mentioned above, other jungle animals besides elephants have been catching my eye. Irwin Weiner has this wooden carved hippo in his own home.

I've always loved elephants; I just think they're cute for such a massive and rough looking animal. In the design sense though I think they show a look of worldliness. Perhaps you went to Africa on a glamorous safari and picked one up from a local artisan? Or you found a leather rhino at Scully and Scully like my sister. Whatever/where ever you find them, I think they're endearing and quite sophisticated. I even saw a wooden giraffe in an antiques store just this morning. I'll have to swing by and pick it up at lunch. I love dropping a few thousand dollars on wooden animals. PS-did anybody get the movie reference? FIVE GOLD STARS.

Alicia B.

Square One Organization

pic from Apartment Therapy

Remember my friend who founded The Movementality? She's a super creative, fun and most of all in this case, organized person. She has also founded a company called Square One Organization which provides organization for every room in the house, efficient space planning, and estate clearance. Emily has tons of experience and she even helped me reorganize my closet last spring and it basically saved my life. HERE is her website. Maybe something to think about as you are plotting out your New Years resolutions!


Alicia B.

Dollhouse Design

Heather Benning should be an inspiration to us all with this lifesize dollhouse. See the article at Apartment Therapy here http://www.ohdeedoh.com/ohdeedoh/look-lifesize-dollhouse-by-heather-benning-057296 She bought an old farm house and transformed it into a lifesized dollhouse. The front even comes down so you can go inside. Amazing!

I seem to be interested in all things small of late. Ever since I pulled out my old dollhouse from the attic I've been toying around with remodelling it. Good dollhouse furniture is quite hard to find so I might have to go the ebay route.

Here are some fab things I found:

Portrait in a frame

Chinese Console Table

Old Mixer. LOVE.

Old Washing Machine.

I found the above on Ebay http://collectibles.shop.ebay.com/items/Miniatures__W0QQ_armrsZ1QQ_mdoZCollectiblesQQ_msppZQQ_pcatsZ13777Q2c1QQ_sacatZ66518

I haven't decided on a style obviously...Here are some more modern furniture examples. Not sure if I love them for myself but they are great nonetheless. I hope Barbie can entertain properly on that Marshmallow Sofa...

The following is from http://www.zoolabees.com/ which is a great source for dollhouse EVERYTHING!

fish tank for the dollhouse kids!

too cute not to buy

wooden table lamp and shade...actually electrified.

I love this wing chair...Have a sneeking suspicion it will be bought soon...

Alicia B.

Hepper--animal beds

I stumbled upon possibly the cutest thing i've seen in a while thanks to Apartment Therapy.

Hepper is a company that is based in NYC and speciallises in making much more attractive animal accessories than just your usual LLBean round dog pillow. The company was named for their cat Hepper and make beds and houses for cats, dogs and even birds. The modern design is quite appealing though sometimes tough to match with a traditional look--and look how smug and dignified these little critters look!

Roost, $195

Nest, comes in many different colors PINK TOO! $ 95

Wave, looks like hes surfing. $85

Def worth checking out as there are many other products I haven't shown you. http://www.hepperhome.com/

Alicia B.

I heart Stephen Drucker

This little cutie is the Editor in Chief of House Beautiful which is my absolute fave design mag. Its pretty much genius. I just picked up a the September Issue the "Fall Color Issue." I adore color, in design and fashion. I pretty much don't feel right if I'm only wearing black white or grey--I'm not a real New Yorker I guess.


Anyway, I'm proud to say that I've met Stephen Drucker and he is so sweet (I think he might have been into me...haha) ! Hes very humble, almost shy and very thoughtful. He listens to other people which I think is quite rare in a designer. After googling him to find that fab picture above I found this old Apartment Therapy interview with him.

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/at-interviews/at-interviews-stephen-drucker-019101 Here is the Interview below...


1. What's the smallest home youve ever lived in?

A basement studio at 28 Grove Street in Greenwich Village. Never had a bad moment there.

2. Whats the last thing you bought for your own home?

Search grand tour intaglios on eBay and youll see.

3. If you had to furnish one room in your own home from scratch all from one source, what would it be?

Ruby Beets in Sag Harbor, NY.

4. Whats your favorite spot in your own home?

My desk. Sitting there, youd swear you were in London.

5. How often do you cook?

Most Saturday nights.

6. Whats the one thing you couldnt live without?

My Bose iPod dock.

7. Where should people splurge in their homes? Where should they save?

A decorator once told me, it isnt the first $1000 that makes a room, its the last $100. (In other words, its not the sofa, its the small stuff.)

8. What designer do you most admire?

Billy Baldwin.

9. What makes a home comfortable?

Using things. If youre afraid of it, get rid of it.

(interview from www.Apartmenttherapy.com)


I just love how real and somewhat practical he is. He doesn't pretend that he cooks gourmet meals every night, clearly doesn't have frivolous useless things in his house and he has an ipod! So cute! I wonder how I'd answer some of those questions...anyone?




Alicia B.