A non zebra rug? YES, they do exist!

I do love zebra rugs but sometimes they don't work in a certain space or home. I know, hard to believe that I'm not advocating for something fur, right? Anyway, often times my clients inspire my posts and this is one of them! As I've mentioned, I'm working on a client's master bathroom and as pieces are coming together in the master bedroom area too, they mentioned they want to replace the rug as well (though perhaps further down the line). Immediately, I envisioned a large faded antique carpet with pinks, creams, and golds. I've been seeing antique oriental and Turkish rugs everywhere lately and loving it.

From Lonnymag. A small rug can help define an area. In this case, it really draws attention to the funky chunky coffee table. It looks like you can just sit down on that pillow and play a board game. Life, anyone?

From Clover mag. This one, by Rob Southern, helped to separate the desk area from the rest of the room. It's like a little desk island.

I love idea of a layered rug; a smaller one on top of a wall to wall sisal like this one by Phoebe Howard.

Or many different rugs dividing up different seating areas in this large living room by Weissman Fisher via Point Click Home.

How sweet is this lavender room? This is how faded I envision the carpet for my clients. By Phoebe Howard

Here is a bold one with golds, blues, and reds that really unites the room. And this room is so beautiful! By Michael Smith.

James Michael Howard. Okay, so this one is a geometric but it's soft tones are wonderful.

A bold pattern in a faded tonemakes a beautiful statement but doens't take all the attention away from the other amazing parts to this room. Charlotte Moss via Cote de Texas.

I think this one is my favorite. The soft blue/green and cream tones throughout are so lovely. My client's bedroom has many pink tones everywhere so I think a faded pink toned carpet would be beautiful there. Elizabeth Dinkel.

You don't see many oriental or turkish rugs on the blogs. Many are geometic and striped, which are great and I have 2 striped rugs in my apartment, but often times you need a carpet that will bring together a room, not stretch it out. I hope I find the perfect rug for my clients, but I may just go with a simple plain one. A subtle faded carpet would certainly be perfect though. I can't wait to show you how everything comes together--more on their wallpaper soon!


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.

Coat of Arms in Design

A coat of arms or a family crest is a symbol used to represent your family, your country, or your military as a means of identification. Everyone knew which crest belonged to which family or even individual. They are seen as quite regal and filled with history. Today, although they are less common, they still show up in family rings or in homes as heirlooms passed down from prior generations. I've been seeing a lot of them lately in design in pillows, as wall decoration or elsewhere. It could be a nice way to add something different and personal to a room.

In Rob Southern's latest spread in House Beautiful he painted these chairs white but you can see on the back of them they have a carved coat of arms. The black and white contrast is gorgeous in this front hall.

Michael Smith found this extremely large coat of arms to put in the stairway of this California home. It definitely draws your attention upwards.

Like I said above, many stores have them as pillows. Even though it might not be your family crest, they still look important. By Joanna Poitier.

Christopher Coffin designed this elegant and traditional sitting room and put two small crests over the doors.

These are the most modern and daring looking coats of arms I've seen thus far. I just adored this entire spread from Elle Decor by Badgley Mischka. This room with the monogrammed pillows is so bold yet nonabrasive.

Monogramming has become so popular, perhaps it's time to go with something more subtle? An old family crest? I think one has to be careful not to use it in a pretentious manner-like all over the place. I still love monogramming, of course--it might be awkward if I put the Alicia B. family crest on an LLBean tote, right? One of my favorite crests is the Medici one HERE.


Alicia B.

Design Lesson: Ikat

Ikat pillow from Sheherazade.

A few weeks ago, a reader asked me what ikat is. I realized that some people, who are not design nerds, actually read my blog! I was just whisking you through some fabric and didn't even bother to explain what it was. My apologies. And now you're all subject to a little lesson in design. Ikat is "a style of weaving that uses a resist dyeing process similar to tie dye on either the warp or weft before the threads are woven to create a pattern or design." Huh. Anyway, ikat comes from southeast Asia; Thailand, Malaysia, India, Indonesia and that area. It's a very beautiful style of fabric and seems to be quite popular right now.

Micheal Smith uses ikat here in this beautiful red and white throw pillow. This is actually one of my favorite images of a room. I love the yellow contrasted with the red.

Suzanne Tucker used ikat fabric to cover this entire sofa. The color palette works well with the reds she's used here in the carpet and pillows. It also works well with the handmade baskets on the coffee table.

A large piece of ikat can be used to simply cover the seat and back of a sofa like this one designed by Moises Esquenazi.

Madeline Weinrib has an amazing line of ikat pillows, as well as many other items which I almost bought (this rug). This is her house and she uses one of her gorgeous chocolate brown pillows on the chair.

I've always loved this little sitting room by Hal Williamson. The pair of chairs flanking the fireplace are in ikat fabric and they work so well with the antique rug!

David Easton (swoon) has his own line at Lee Jofa including this ikat fabric called Westmount Wall.

Fabric this beautiful certainly deserves to be framed. I have a piece of fabric framed hanging over my bed now! From Elle Decor designed by Anne Becker.

Besides using this fabric for throw pillows, and upholstery, it can of course be used as a wall covering like here in Bob Bob Ricard Restaurant in London c/o La Dolce Vita.

Truth be told, I really love ikat but I'm going to be a total snob and say that it's on its way out as a trend because I recently saw it at Pottery Barn. I know what you're thinking: "Oh Alicia, get over it," but I must be at the CUTTING EDGE, okay?! I like it in small doses, but when it becomes a trend, I tend to back out. Thoughts? Want to get some of it for yourself? HERE is a pillow from Pottery Barn and a cute BAG from Target, or for more home accessories, Sheherazade! Another great place for affordable ikat pillows is Fabricadabra--my fave is the pink "M" shape.

REMINDER: A surprise give-away contest will be happening sometime next week! Check back for more deets.


Alicia B.

New White House Designer: Michael Smith

I realize that this is ALL over the design blogs right now but I wanted to get in on it too! It was recently announced that one of my absolute fave designers would be the NEW designer in the White House: Michael Smith! Read the article HERE. I have always loved his design; it is classic, yet fresh. He's amazing at organizing a room and the colors he chooses are always perfect. Take a look at some of my favorite rooms that he designed:

From a townhouse, this room is gorgeous to begin with, and then those throw pillows are so much fun. I love that they're not all matching but they look great together.

A room of neutrals like this one can easily get washed away. I love the soft colors in this room though and the twisted legged coffee table is a beautiful antique. Also, if you read this blog you know how much I hate leaning objects on the mantle but I can't help but love Michael Smith's arrangement there.

Perfection. I love how the light in this room creates colors and depth in the white fabrics/walls.

Libraries are one of my favorite rooms in the house (yeah, I like books, not just blogs). I wish I had a huge library like this one--with that ladder and those sconces above the bookshelves.

One of the most impressive things about Smith is his sophisticated use of antiques. Clearly he knows antiques--he's designed many historical houses like this one in Millbrook, NY.

Always with a beautiful bouquet in nearly every room! This bathroom is impressive to say the least with the wide wainscoting, linen roman shade, free standing tub (someday Alicia B., someday) and the round mirror.

Michael (first name basis) also designs furniture for Jasper, this Mansour Modern carpet above, and his own line of fabrics.

No matter what your political sway, I think everyone will be excited to see what Michael Smith will do with the White House. He is extremely knowledgeable about historical design, but will bring a new sort of edge I think to the White House. He is elegant, traditional, fun, and still modern. How does everyone else feel? Also, since my birthday is coming up (in July) you might want to get me his book that I've wanted for a very long time, Michael S Smith: Elements of Style. Or you could just buy it for yourself as it is amazing.

Alicia B.

A Break From Squares: The Octagon

Remember this from yesterday? If not, you might want to read my blog more often.

As promised from my last post, here is a smattering of octagonal and one oval room. I love it as an architectural moment. For some reason I like it better than a circle; it's more organized and concrete as a shape. It's a sweet sort of room and can be used in a romantic sort of way; breakfast room, foyer, or sun room.

James Michael Howard designed this gorgeous foyer. I think my favorite thing about it is the floor. The light faded color wood in an octagonal pattern accents the shape of the room.

Okay, I know this isn't technically an octagon but it is an oval. It's interesting how the whole room seems to morph into that shape; the elongated sofa, the area rug, and also the floor. This house was designed by Robert A. M. Stern.

This is my original inspiration, the breakfast room by Michael Smith. I can't decide if I like the outside or the inside better. The terrace looks so relaxing and I love the classic shape of the space and the columns in between the french doors. So relaxing slash California.

This amazing kitchen is from 1986 in House Beautiful! The colors are a bit bright for our tastes these days but again, look at the floor patterns. This one is more like a simple wagon wheel pattern instead of the stylized parquet. I wonder how a round kitchen works as we rarely see them these days. Hmm.

J'adore this sherberty room by Gary McBournie. The paint is Benjamin Moore Florida Pink but I'd say that color would work anywhere (for me) especially in Boston or down south. I think I'm in love with this room; I can't stop looking at it.

As I am eternallly obsessed with lighting (something that has yet to be revealed here), I love the idea of putting a fun octagonal or hexagonal lantern in the center of the room to draw your eye up and to the center. I also love the idea architectural elements guiding your eye to see the shape of the room like parquet flooring, or exposed beams in the ceiling, or big bold mouldings. Does anybody have a room like this in their house? Lucky.


Alicia B.

Please

From House Beautiful Kitchen of the Month

Please forgive me for my self imposed break from blogging. I've been spending quality time with my sisters and parents and catching up with my old friends from high school. Really, it's been wonderful. Lots of time to relax, read, clean, and generally be me! I'll pretty much be back until New Years so I apologize for that in advance.

Isn't this breakfast room above so lovely looking? The gorgeous hardwood floors, the beautiful antique furniture and the fresh drapery in the windows. This breakfast room is in California and was designed by a fave of mine, Michael Smith. I especially love that this room is octagonal. Perfect symmetry is somewhat off-putting in a room, but this really works. Thoughts? Do I smell inspiration for a blog? I THINK SO!


Alicia B.

Thank you, Stephen Drucker.

Designing a space often times means coming up with a new and exciting way of placing furniture and accessories throughout the room. Stephen Drucker, however, makes a very excellent point in the latest House Beautiful that sometimes trying to do something new, you can run into trouble with a difficult floor plan or something of that sort. Basically he's saying, why change something good if it already works. There's a reason that it works in the first place. For example, the living room. You have a sofa up against one of the walls for a reason; people prefer it that way. Why put a chair in the middle of the room just to be different?--it breaks up the traditional seating arrangement. Enjoy.

Despite my admiration for Windsor Smith, in actuality I don't think that this works. A trestle table in the middle of the living room with two bulky armless sofas? Not comfortable or easy to maneuver.

A sofa with its back against the window is a great idea. Easy seating arrangement and enough space to put things like drinks or books. Alex Papachristidis.

Even with a contemporary style like in Jonathan Adler and Simon Doonan's new home, a traditional seating arrangement works. Sofa against the wall and two chairs flanking.

Thom Filicia created this cozy arrangement with the sofa off in the little nook, double table to make one coffee table and two chairs. He worked with the space that he was given to make this work. Make it work!

Michael Smith. This idea even works in a bedroom if you have enough space (good for you).

Of course, a Todd Romano. Doesn't this look so comfortable--yet not too traditional and boring!

As Michael Smith said, "When I'm designing a living room, I naturally want to put a sofa against a wall and two chairs opposite it. Some designers might find that boring. The reality is, its soothing. Most people prefer it that way." Well said! Thoughts anyone?


Alicia B.