Seafoam Green + Coral Combo

Sounds like a crazy prom outfit but it's not...it's a super fun color scheme!  My sister is moving to NYC soon and is renting a studio (or as she likes to say, "buying a building") and has asked me to help her!  In a realistic design situation, you have to work with a client's existing pieces and in this case, my sister has a seafoam green sofa, our starting point.  I've advised her that we're going to play it up with some navy and coral accents--it's going to be wild.  Here are some great examples of these two colors working together.

This is one of my favorite rooms--by Ashley Whittaker.  It's bright and soft at the same time.  Also, the lighting is so gorgeous!

The soft seafoam green with the pop of the drapery is really fun and actually quite calming.  From HERE.

Tobi Fairley uses a neutral as the base and a pretty seafoam green tailored drapery treatment and accents it with a coral throw pillow and geometric upholstered ottoman.

Who can resist a macaron?  We had macarons at our wedding as the favor.  YUM

As you can see, these are a happy combination.  They make the room bright and fun and sunny and I don't think you really need anything else in a small studio.  We are thinking about a patterned navy rug, the seafoam green sofa, seagrass woven bar stools, and some coral accents in the throw pillows.  I can't wait to show you how it looks when she moves! 

Alicia B.

The Colgate Mansion!

Many of you may have never heard of this house but everytime I travel from NYC to my parent's house in Litchfield County CT we can see it on the ride home.  It's always been an intriguing mystery to me because the house itself is hidden from view by trees, but NO MORE!  My (genius) husband found this post on New York Social Diary about the house! It's listed for a cool 10.9 Million (kajillion) dollars. 

It was built in 1906 for "Rome" Colgate in Sharon, CT. 

Not long after (for a mans) in 1936, the house with all its furniture, and the 300 acres that it sits on for...$25,000. 

After that, the house was flipped a bunch of times and finally ended up with this Steel Magnate playboy character who was bff with Cary Grant.

I literally couldn't breathe when I saw this image.  The detailing on the ceiling and the wood inlay floors are gorgeous.

This is obviously not my style, but here is another incredible ceiling and green silk damask wallpaper.  

Wouldn't it be fabulous to have a dining room this size?  Seating for 14?  Check out the wood inlay floors and all the incredible moldings and details!!

I love the simplicity of this wood working going up the stair.  The white in the middle  creates a beautiful silhouette.  

These doors repeat all around the second floor.  FAB. U. LOUS.  Imagine walking out onto that balcony with the columns overlooking your stunning front yard and your little sports car.  

More inlay flooring, this staircase is so graceful and the detailing around the door and ceiling is so unique.   I love how the curves reflect each other on the floor and ceiling. 

Here we are in the servants quarters (for poor people).  I'd love to have enough room to display plates like that.  

Ring the bell and les servants will bring your food.  Looks like William Morris wallpaper on the walls down there. 

On the whole, it looks like a pretty extravagant place.  The current pictures look like someone really let it go, but it's the perfect job for a designer--project!!  What do you think of the house?  Other features of this house are a pool, 8000 SF Carriage house, wine cellar.  Not everyones style per se but its Beaux Arts at its best.  The only thing I need is a few mill to buy it...anyone want to pitch in?  Colgate Mansion here we come!  (all pics from the realtor and NYSD)


Alicia B. 

Chambre

At work, we are working on designing a bedroom.  It is meant to be a peaceful, calm place of refuge.  I've been enjoying flipping through magazines and strolling through pinterest (obsessively as usual) to find inspiration.  Most of the rooms have soft fabrics and a neutral monochromatic palette.

Albert Hadley painted the room a bold but cool brown color complimented by the pale blue painted bed.

An all white room with an incredible view certainly makes for a calming room.  I love the driftwood accent and slatted walls.  Darryl Carter.

This room has an old classic feel but the painted wood ceiling has a lot of character.  Monochrome luxurious bedding is a must.  By Tom Stringer.

I know you can't see the bed but this room is all about the little details.  The tufted upholstered bed, the soft pillows on the graceful sloped sofa, and the drapery allowing light through makes the room soft and inviting.  By Celerie Kemble.  

Light in a bedroom is important but it's important to be able to control the amount coming in for different times of day.  I love this light flooded room by Deborah Needleman.

Visually I'm drawn to very dynamic patterned rooms that you see on the blogs, but for practicality, soft colors and textures are key.  Soft colors like pinks, blues, and creams make for a relaxing environment. Do you have a busy bedroom or a soft relaxing bedroom?




Alicia B. 

An Intense Line of Questioning

I was tagged a few months ago by one of my favorite bloggers Everything LEB to answer some fun questions.  I was so honored, but I was going through a bit of a tough time at my old job so wasn't exactly the most proactive blogger/person.  I am horribly sorry, but I do get caught up in my job and sometimes forget that I have a blog.  Could be a good sign that I love my job now, though.  Smiley. Well here goes, I'm going to answer the questions:

1)  What is at the top of my Bucket List?

MALTA.  Ever since I studied Caravaggio my senior year, I've been obsessed with Malta, an island off the coast of Italy where Caravaggio spent a few years.  It looks like paradise. I'd also like to visit every single state in the USA. 

2)  What is my best quality??

I've never been good at talking about myself but I've been told I have a fun quirky sense of humor.  I do like sarcasm but when people first meet me, they think I'm serious...nope. I love to make people laugh.  I never want to be mean, I just like to surprise people or make them smile. 

3)  If I could drop everything right now and go somewhere right now, where would I go?

First, I go to Chicago and spend time with my nephew, Teddy and give him thousands of kisses.  He's the sweetest and most cuddliest baby I've ever seen and I am so in love with him.  After that, I'd flit off to Italy with my husband and never come back. 

4)  If I could be any animal, what would I be?

TEACUP POM.  I know I should probably say, a bird, but if I was a Pom I'd be spoiled, always warm, super excited about life, and SO SO cute.  It's a win-win.

5)  What is the junk food I can't get enough of?

Kettle Corn.  Plain popcorn is light and a good snack and the sweet aspect is delicious.  It's REDIC. Oh look, celebrities like it too!!

6)  If I was offered $5000 to spend at any store, what would it be. 

 

DVF for clothing and Canvas for home goods.  

7)  If I could live anywhere else besides where I live now, where would it be?

Italy.  Without a doubt, it's the greatest country besides America. This is a picture I took on our honeymoon in Ischia.

8)  Chocolate or hard candy?  

Hard Candy.  I'm not a huge chocolate fan and I like fruity candies.  Love me some skittles.

What is my favorite color?

Yellow.  At my wedding, my bridesmaids all wore soft yellow dresses and looked amazing.  It really sealed the deal with yellow for me.  It's such a sunny happy color.  Aren't these yellow shoes fabulous?

What is my most treasured item at home?

I have so many lovely objects in our home but my most treasured is my husband.  I know, corny, but deal with it. We've been married now for almost a year and couldn't be happier. This is us at our wedding (photo taken by Iris Photography)

Thanks a million Linds for letting me share a little more about myself with these super fun questions!  I love reading your blog and seeing your design and life adventures!  Have an amazing week everybody! 

Alicia B.

Happy Fourth of July!

AT

I love America.  Probably more than most people but this isn't a competition...yet.  When I was thinking about this blog for today I started thinking about things that were uniquely American.  Take a look at some American awesomeness care of moi.  

The American Cowboy.  I love cowboy boots, country music,  and the American West.  I think I'll wear my cowboy boots today! 

First of all, I love red pants.  But also, I love nautical style outfits.  Matching up denim, blue and white stripes and red clothing means Summer and sailing to me. From Prepfection.tumblr.com

Small Towns are not JUST an American thing but small towns with colonial houses and American flags are. I took this picture BTW.

Baseball!  As a Connecticut-er, I don't have my own team and I DO NOT like the Red Sox, so I'm left with the Yankees or the Mets.  And on top of that, the last baseball game I went to was a Pittsburgh Pirates game (which was awesome).

This is a Paula Deen style Strawberry Shortcake called a Strawberry TALLcake!  I love these, they just ARE summer.  I also love Paula Deen...can we deep fry this thing?!  Oh Paula Deen.

What are ya'll doing for America today?  My husband and I are going to have a picnic in NYC after this pesky rain has left.  I'm also going to make THESE and watch some fireworks on our roof! Have an amazing Fourth of July and remember to celebrate Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.

Alicia B.