Friday Faves

I took this last spring in Central Park while lying down on a blanket relaxing in the sun. www.aliciabdesigns.com

I do apologize for being a tad stingy on the postings. I've been really busy of late so thanks for understanding. I do enjoy posting the gorgeous interiors that I post, but I have to remind myself that the blog is for fun. Balance in all things, right? Now, on to the good stuff: it's Friday!

After I complete my country house in CT, I'd like to build a home out in Wyoming with a view like this (with mountains though). I love the openness of the room onto the balcony. From Living Etc.

My bf, an international man of mystery, is going to Paris and Germany this week for work. I haven't been to Paris in YEARS--since I visited my older sister when she lived there. I'd love to go back. This picture is NOT me, but was taking in the charmant Tuilerie Gardens, one of my favorite places in Paris. Via this talented fellow.

Did you hear about the amazing sale going on at the Container Store? One of my D & D friends gave me this brocade metal file bin which I really really needed to house my new Lilly Pulitzer file folders.

I won't be doing anything remotely related to any of the above activities/things. I'm going to CT, and then up to Boston to cheer on my sister in the Boston Marathon. I think she's run about 4 marathons by now and I'm so impressed/proud of her! Is anyone running in the Boston Marathon this weekend? What are your weekend plans? Perhaps some spring cleaning indoors because of all this rain? Or maybe plant a tiny garden because of the rain? Whatever you do, have a great, creative, and happy weekend!

Alicia B.

Blueberries and Raspberries

One of my best friends is getting married this summer and she mentioned that she liked blue and fuchsia as her wedding colors. I thought that sounded like a great idea because it reminded me of blueberries and raspberries. Besides strawberries, those two fruits are nearly the REASON for summer. Anyway, I was thinking about it, and wanted to see how this could be applied to interior design. Everything in my life revolves around interior design anyway, so lets check it out!

I'm not sure I'd be able to read as calmly as these children in this room. That wall color makes me want to play, not work. It's such a fun color with the much more subdued blue coffee table and x-based bench. By Eddie Ross.

Melissa Rufty, whom I discovered thanks to La Dolce Vita, may be one of my new favorite designers. I love her use of color and pattern. Really fabulous.

Masucco Warner Miller is ALL over the place right now; which is great! This is a child's room but I love its playful sophistication. The blue is very blue and the raspberry is well placed.

Kate and Andy Spade's shakey spread in the NY Times was inspiring from an interior design standpoint (only). This blue leather desk chair is a welcome contrast on that bright colored wall. I love that photograph above the desk. Creepy, no?

Diamond Baratta always delivers when in comes to color. I know this room is primarily a blueberry, but the flowers are so beautiful and add a punch of contrast.

A bedspread is a great place to start because you can easily switch it out whenever you feel like it. I love the laptop on the pink pouf and cotton candy blue lamp though. Living etc.

Ooo glamorous and romantic. Plus there's a MacBook so you know this person has great taste. Note the color combo but also all the different textures--very pretty. From Living Etc.

Angie Hranowsky really knows how to get me! A zebra pelt on the floor, a really beautiful pendant over the table, and french doors out to an enticing terrace. Though she didn't use MUCH of the two colors we have in mind here, they certainly make enough of a point.

I really wish I had a window to look out of while I'm at my desk. I have lovely pictures and an inspirational poem which is sometimes just as nice. The blue on the seat cushion sort of reminds me of those blueberries with a little white frost over them right before you touch them, no? Designed by Joe Nye.

I'm not sure what it is but something about this color combo is making me think Summer. Perhaps because is reminds me of seasonal fruits? Possibly. I love this color combo so I know my friend's wedding is going to be gorgeous. Plus, I'm a bridesmaid so she's all set!


Alicia B.

Writing Tables Galore.

I love writing tables. I also love desks, but there is something about writing tables or library tables that I just plain love. They are simple and unassuming. You can have a traditional one, or a modern glass topped one. The one that I have is very shallow and works really well for me because I live in a shoebox of an apartment.

This writing desk from Horchow is not only beautiful, but impeccably designed for a modern lifestyle with storage and easy to use with a computer or laptop.

This glass topped, X-based table fits right in to this glamorous interior by Nate Berkus.

The view from this desk would pretty much guarantee that you might not get much work done. I've always loved this relaxing looking office by Todd Romano.

Need a small one because you live in a small space? This cute rattan one looks like it belongs in a beach house. From Pottery Barn HERE.

This eclectic look is from Living Etc. I love the simplicity of the table itself, the books, and the Mac!

I hate tables with fabric over them but this is by Miles Redd, so I'll let it slide. This time. Anyway, this is a really interesting place for a desk or work area; at the end of the bed.

Joe Nye sucked me in with his glam hot animal prints and the light mocha color of the walls but the writing table by the window is gorgeous too.

I think an upright desk or secretary is wonderful. There is room for a lot of storage, and they are beautiful in their form--if you have a nice looking one. The writing table leaves most things out in the open so I think the simpler the better. I probably have too many objects and notepads on mine, but I don't have much room for storage period so BACK OFF. Anyway, which do you prefer? Desk or writing table?


Alicia B.

A little bit of fun with wallpaper...

Over the past weekend a friend of my parents needed advice on a wallpaper selection for her powder room. She had an inkling of what she really wanted but she seemed not to be sure. I think she's sure now, though. Having a lot of Asian accents around the house, she was looking for a real statement of that in her powder room and as I told her, that's what is so fun about powder rooms; they're so small and if you want to you can really go crazy with them and go all out. The wallpaper that I think she's going to go with has a black background. Of course you can go for a dark color in a small room--it's better that way!

Michael Smith designed this amazing little room. I think this wall paper would be her favorite. It has a bold looks, it's an Asian style toile, and its very beautiful. It's by Clarence House, Shanghai Deco.

This is obviously quite a narrow little space! The sink fits nice and snugly in the room. I love how it's painted a black gloss below the chair rail and then wallpapered above it. Designed By Lori Graham and the wall paper is by Cole and Son.

living etc. I like the moire wastebasket, and the very bold pink wallpaper but don't you know that someone is coming to photograph your home? Clean up a little bit!! Okay, we get it! You have a pink bra! Don't give it all away in one shot...

Here is another Asian style wallpaper that is red and white this time. If you need to play with depth, I think this is the perfect one. Sometimes it looks like the red is the background and other times it looks like the white! I love all the little Asian accents in here: the lantern, the tables. Designed by Meg Braff.

Isn't this wallpaper by Ralph Lauren fun?! It looks almost decoupaged and the mirror reflects the back wall and the little shelf to add more depth, too!

Talk about bold! Anna Sui designed this funky bathroom in her very funky apartment. I love the bold wallpaper and the floor to match it's boldness. Though the paisley may not have much Asian feel to it right off, the mirrored sconces do, and the wastebasket does as well.

I know I've mentioned this before in previous posts but it is such a great opportunity to go crazy in a small room like a powder room. It can of course relate to the other rooms but you can take the feeling and push it to the next level design-wise. And if you hate it, it's a small room so you can redo it without much headache and expense.


Alicia B.

Tall Headboards Galore

Ever since I laid eyes on the above bedroom, I haven't been able to get that headboard out of my head. This is from a Larry Laslo spread in Metropolitan Home that I came across a few months ago. It's not something that I'd usually be drawn to, but I love the natural green with the gilt surrounding each shape. It looks like a very beautiful piece of jewelry. Most beds have headboards but none as unusual as this one. I think that headboards really make a bed, and even make a bedroom in some cases. If you have one that is especially beautiful or tall like these, it can really become the focal point of the room.

Tom Scheerer designed this brownstone in Brooklyn. This one sort of plays with your eye and makes you see the wall first and the headboard contrasting against it. Those browns and blues are mesmerizing.

I actually did a little DIY project making a headboard out of three panels, much like the above with brown and white fabric. Mine are all going to be flush against each other though. This fabric is fun but the two panels almost separate the bed. From Living etc.

Tamara Mellon had a very beautiful and unique 18th Century tapestry so she used it as the headboard. Sometimes objects are meant to be hung up on the wall and displayed such as this one. She could have put it on the end of the bed or something but now it is functional and the focal point of this delicate bedroom.

Drake Designs. This is a really neat one; the upholstered headboard is part of a custom built in that reaches all the way to the ceiling.

Douglas Larson. In a mostly white room (with great painted floor boards), this exotic headboard sure stands it.

Headboards are everywhere. Some are short, some are wider than the bed itself, but some are super tall and command your attention. As you can see, they are not just your average headboards, these designers got creative. I'm going to be hanging my panels any day now, I'm just nervous about making them perfectly straight.

Stay tuned tomorrow I'm going to reveal my New Year's Resolutions as I've finally decided on one or two!


Alicia B.

Zippy bedrooms want your attention.

In the latest House Beautiful I was completely taken by Mary McDonald's home that she designed in LA. In regard to the incredible bedroom she said, "People have rules about bedrooms, that they're always supposed to be soft and pastel. Why can't they be zippy and vibrant?" I thought to myself, "You know Mary McDonald, you really have a point there." Here are some zip-tastic bedrooms.

Vibrant yellow and busy wallpaper everywhere, I've always loved looking at this bedroom. Via Ooh La La Blog.

In this somewhat simple bedroom by Sheila Bridges, she uses a bright green to jazz up the room. The contrast of the black, white and green makes this room quite exciting.

This color blue is gorgeous! I especially like the bold color wall with the busy bedspread. I bet that allows you to use more than one duvet cover and change the room if you so desire. From Living Etc.

Leave it to Jamie Drake to deliver a bright bedroom. Pinks and purples are everywhere you look.

Sixx Design. The bare bones of this room are quite tame, but with the drapery fabric and upholstered bed and the large scale color filled painting over the bed you are not bored.

At first glance, these rooms do nothing but delight me. There is so much to look at and bright colors to distract me. Personally though, I prefer a calmer color palette in my own bedroom. I have blue/grey walls and a simple white matelasse bedspread. There is still plenty to look at: books, pretty lamps, photographs and art work on my walls. I think Mary McDonald makes a valid point. We see so many whimsical and calming bedrooms, why not have an energetic and jazzy one? It certainly stands out.


Alicia B.

Farmhouse Sink Love

When I grow up and have a large converted farmhouse, my first order of business in the kitchen is to have a farmhouse sink. I just adore them. They look soft, smooth, luxurious and beautifully country.

Usually when I think of a farmhouse sink, I think white glazed ceramic. I do love this stainless steel one though. By Ruthie Somers via House Beautiful.

Woah I adore this. This might rival my favorite kitchen ever by Joan Schindler. I know those are strong words but this is so spacious and calming looking. From Living etc.

Gil Shafer can pretty much do no wrong in my book. Painted floors in a kitchen? LOVE IT. Painted interior cabinets? LOVE THEM. Farmhouse sink? You get the gist.

Via Simplified Bee. You can use many different materials for the same idea. I wonder how well copper holds up in a kitchen though...

Kyle Timothy took something pretty traditional looking and made it super edgy! I love this look-it's so chic with the glass tiles on the backsplash and this modern looking farmhouse sink.

I'm not sure if its the fact that it looks like a tiny tub, or how well it looks with a sweet country kitchen but I must have a farmhouse sink one day. I love how it extends down into the cabinetry below it too. Do any of ya'll have one? Is it everything I think it is?

Alicia B.

Narrow Moments

In my last project for school one of the biggest issues I had was the fact that when you walk into the townhouse, all you see is a narrow hall and then a view into the kitchen. I ended up opening the whole space up completely but it got me thinking about living in a townhouse and the fact that things are quite narrow. If you can't change the wall, what do you do? Here are some cute pictures of entering a home in a narrow space.

The black and white tiled floor is leading you into the rest of the house here. via Simplified Bee.

Again, the flooring here is so pretty that besides the light at the top of the stair, that's what I noticed the most. Light is really important in a town house too because you only get it from two sides unless you have a skylight. This is Miles Redd's hot townhouse.

Keeping the area clean and simple is quite appealing. Those stairs are so fun looking. Living Etc.

Architectural detailing here is really setting a nice scene and the super inviting half open door is QUITE intriguing. Whats behind the door?? Living etc.

I think the idea of a focal point or something to lead you into the space is especially important. You don't have to enter a narrow space and be bombarded with things, furniture, or a wall. It's interesting how most of these pics have a fun or different floor pattern going on, isn't it? In other news, for my next project in school the style that my prof chose for me was...you guessed it! Modern! It's cool though, I'm going to rock it. STAY TUNED for a special announcement on Friday BTW.


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.