For Those of Us With A Black Thumb...

I am notorious for killing plants.  I have brought plants to my mother while they were on their last root and she has nursed them back to health and now they are thriving, but I really cannot be trusted with something green.  Does anybody else have that going on?  I love plants and flowers, but I just seem to kill them.  Luckily, you can decorate with plant motifs!  I've seen a lot of fun and interesting green items lately, namely ferns.  

I read a great article in the Financial Times about a phenomenon called Pteridomania which means Fern Madness.  I think I have it too!  It was a trend in the 19th century "stemming" from gardening which lead to an obsession with ferns.  This pitcher is by William Brownfield from 1859. 

If you can't afford the William Brownfield from the Royal Art Collection, this white pitcher by William Brownfield (apparently) is for sale on Ruby Lane.  Go HERE to buy it for me.

The gorgeous Lauren Liess has designed a beautiful fern embroidered linen fabric.  Here she is posing wrapped in it with her adorable husband. 

I love this fabric!  It has updated classic written all over it--I'd love to make some throw pillows with it, or it would make beautiful drapery in a living room.  HERE it is and many more of her fabrics with a fern motif.

Framed Ferns are an easy way to add a pop of green to a room.  These are a great scale and are very affordable from Wisteria. 

You can also find tons of antique framed ferns and fern botanical prints on 1st Dibs.  There is a great series of these from Polly McArthur Antiques in Seattle.

This is from Eddie Ross and I am in love with the stylized crewelwork fabric that is the headboard and pillow shams.  I'd love to know where that fabric comes from...

If all else fails, you could always do a tablescape with a cluster of ferns in vases.  

Once you're finished with your fern tablescape you can sit back in your adorable fern chair on the terrace with a G & T.  The Arper Leaf Lounger can be found at AllModern.com. 

I think after all this rain in NYC/the east coast we might see a lot of green ferns popping up outside.  Also inside!  As a side note, there is a reason I haven't blogged in a few weeks...I got a new job!!  I'm overjoyed for the change and very happy with my new position (that is all I will say but if you want the deets email me at aliciabdesigns@gmail.com).  YAY!

Have an amazing Memorial Day Weekend and remember to be patriotic!

Alicia B.

Gilty

 Have you ever seen a product and been inspired to make your own version of it?  Of course you have--many design bloggers like to try their hand at making things themselves.  We are a creative bunch. As you may know, I have always been inspired by Diane Von Furstenberg.  She's just simply fabulous and her brand is always coming out with new designs for clothing as well as home goods for me to wish I had.  

 I spotted these beautiful salad bowls when I was registering for my wedding but went with the classic plain wooden bowl instead. I haven't been able to get them out of my head even 9 months after my wedding.  

Anyway, my project started with a completely plain Jane wooden tray that I picked up at the Hell's Kitchen Flea Market.  I found Martha Stewart gold paint at Home Depot and some blue painter's tape and taped off the area in some jazzy zebra style stripes. 

Here is the Martha Stewart Metallic Paint.  I chose Golden Pearl but there are a few other metallic colors if you are looking for a different finish. 

Once the tape was down, the painting started.  I did about 3 coats of it so that it looked thick and rich.

Taking the tape off (slowly) after the paint had dried was the most fun part. 

All the tape is off and the gold is shiny and fabulous!

I painted the sides too so that the paint extended over the edge. Little Touches. Little Details. 

I'm not sure what I'll use it for yet.  For a month it was sitting on the counter holding my spices but now that it's so pretty, I might just use it for parties as a serving tray.  Bar tray? My last step that I have yet to complete is to put a varnish on it to protect the gold paint and to just finish it off.  What do you all think??

Alicia B.