Alicia B. Designs

Pantone Color of 2012

2012-01-16T17:46:00.000-08:00

I love when Pantone announces the "Color of the Year", it's so much fun! The Color of 2012 is Tangerine Tango and I really love it. It's a really fun color and is a little bit pink, a little bit orange, and a little bit red.

The tangerine is super intense and vibrant.

This orange linen fabric on this chair is...a tangerine dream. Yup, I said it. It's a traditional setting with a fun pop of color. Sara Bengur.

I should have included this in my last blog about vertical striped walls. The orange stripe mixed in with white, blue and taupe really makes it pop. I love the way it looks with blue, too. Sheila Bridges.

Muriel Brandolini designed this adorable fabric with a faded carrot background with bright orange flowers. Fabric.

Amanda Nisbet mixes a lot of bright colors together in this playful sitting room but grounds it with some dark blue and beige.

Yeah, I have some orange pants. These are very cute too from J. Crew.

I think I must really love the navy blue and tangie combination. The nautical blue stripes paired with the bright orange is very appealing to me. Massucco Warner Miller.

Do you like the tangerine color? Turns out I like all the new colors of the year. I guess I just really love color...surprised? According to these jokers, orange means enthusiasm, happiness, creativity, success, and stimulation. True that. When you use these in a room they are fun, dynamic, and creates action in the room.

Alicia B.

Striped Wall McGee

2012-01-10T04:16:00.001-08:00

A friend slash client of mine told me the other day that she has this small hallway in her apartment that she wanted to paint navy blue. I LOVED the idea but suggested that she really do something fun and paint vertical stripes. She loves nautical style and I THINK she took to the idea. In any case it would be a really fun project. Let's check out the competition.

This is obviously wallpaper but i LOVE the effect. Also the bedframe is stunning.

I like the wide stripe. It's simple and graphic against the saw horse style desk situation.

I would never do this in a master bedroom, but in a guest bedroom it would be fun and special. Also a great idea with that type of ceiling--it increases the ceiling height.

This is perfection for a small space. The alternating stripe expands the small space. From AT.

I LOVE how the stripe extends to the ceiling. The light stripe is fun and accentuated the height of the ceiling. From Lamps Plus.

I will totes let you know how it goes with my friend. I know the project will be labor intensive but it could be really fun. It's a small space and the perfect moment for a crazy decorating adventure. BTW all these pics are from pinterest (thank youuuu) except for the last one.

Alicia B.

Happy 2012

2012-01-02T14:59:00.000-08:00

J. Crew, you're perfect.

I'm not going to lie when I say that I'm excited for 2012. I love the idea of a fresh start even though New Years is a huge cliche. I know that any day you can make a fresh start but now I have an excuse. I do not care for making new years resolutions because they only point out that anything that you did in the past year was a huge mistake and that you screwed up an entire 365 days. I like to think more positively.

I'm going to set 3 goals: 1, think more positively. Seems easy right?

2, do more yoga; I really would like to learn how to relax more. On a beach preferably.

3, See a Broadway show!

I think these are really fun and actually attainable goals. If I don't meet them, that's okay. WHAT are your New Years Resolutions? Anything fun? On a POSITIVE note, even though 2011 left me extremely stressed out, I married the love of my life so I am very thankful for that. I know, awwww.

Alicia B.

One Stop for Last Minute Gifts

2011-12-23T04:38:00.001-08:00

I have your answer for a last minute gift: DVF. I was strolling through the Meatpacking district yesterday after our office Christmas lunch and went into DVF. As per usual, I found about 400 things I wanted but 0 that I should be buying for myself right before Christmas. These are practical but super chic ideas; no hipster bearded hats here (sorry those are hideous).

I picked this up and opened it and fell in love. I want this Raffia clutch.

I love this shade of green and this cute flirty lopsided heart belt buckle. Get me one.

I was totally blown away by their travel accessories. Luggage, ipad and computer cases etc. ALL good looking and nicely designed--typical. Look at that fun red interior!

A travel adapter in a zipper case with a tassel? Just amazing design. Only 98 dollars.

I would LITERALLY buy a $500 iphone to see this phrase every day. Only $28!!

I love a good old fashioned key holder too. Apparently this is for coins but I would link my keys to this. You would NEVER have to scrounge around your purse looking for it.

And also, WHO would like to buy this for me for New Years Eve? Thanks!!

These are great gifts, right? Perfect for a (high end) stocking stuffer or the 8th day of Channukah. Anyhoo, we are off to CT for Christmas for my first Christmas with my new husband! I'm so excited to be sharing my favorite holiday with him. Have a happy holiday, Merry Christmas, eat tons of cookies, give and receive graciously, and enjoy time with your friends and family.

Alicia B.

Tree Topper Inspiration

2011-12-13T18:08:00.000-08:00

Hi! I'm back! My husband and I went to Ireland and then things got busy. Anyway, we bought our first Christmas Tree together and though it's small, it's beautiful. I realized that we don't have a tree topper! I know, scandal. I grew up with a Santa and Rudoph on top of our tree and didn't realize how tacky it was until a few years ago, but we've had it forever and I feel like it would be a crime to change it.

This is our tree and I tied a pretty red and green ribbon on the top. I've tried to find a great tree topper but all I have found is tacky and scary. Yes, I made the world's smallest blue tartan tree skirt.

Here is a non denominational tree topper: a snowflake. It doesn't really feel like Christmas though but I appreciate the nod to winter. Canadian House and Home.

A nest! This tree is all about birds and nature with the nest as the topper and cardinal and pine cone ornaments. From Country Living.

Gold and blue color themed trees are pretty in concept but look a bit contrived in real life. I like the gold star on the top though--simple. Also from CL.

Oh look, another blue and gold tree. This one from Martha is covered entirely in glass ball ornaments (I had to retype that 3 times) and is topped with another gold star. I love the star on the top--thanks Martha!

This one is more my style. Just tie a bow of this fun upholstery ribbon on the top of the tree for a rustic and original DIY look. From Better Homes & Gardens.

Last but not least is the magnificent tree with a peacock on top. I just said PEACOCK. This tree is OTT--over. The. Top. Bananas. I love the idea of this but I don't know how one would find a mini faux peacock to put on a tree. HERE.

So, my husband wants to buy us a nice tree topper but I love the tartan red and green bow. I would love a star or an angel though so we shall see. What do you use on your tree?

Alicia B.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-23T04:17:00.001-08:00

There are so many things to be thankful for this year. My husband and I will be celebrating our first Thanksgiving as a married couple, alone, as my entire family seems to have fled to the midwest or can't leave the midwest. I will be sure to take lots of pictures of our first Thanksgiving.

Eddie Ross. Tasteful Abundance.

Anyway, I'm thankful for a lot of things: My husband, my (expanding--no, not me!!!) family, my health, my friends, stuffing and pie, interior design, the Christmas season, and so many other things that you would get bored. What are you thankful for?

Alicia B.

Glad for Plaid.

2011-11-17T19:42:00.000-08:00

One of the many things I love about Autumn and Winter is that there is more plaid to be seen. I mean flannel, tartan, and plaid. Whenever I see it it looks cozy and warm and makes me feel like cashmere is wrapped around my heart. I recently had to shop for a client's Colorado house and saw tons of great tartan plaids. Very inspiring and festive.

I would love a day bed like the one here. This looks like a very relaxed sitting room--I guess my little loveseat will have to do for now with brown windowpane plaid.

What a great office. Betsy Burnham in LA has a fantastic workspace with a ton of books and a green tartan pillow! Pillows are versatile and you can change them out when summer comes and you want something lighter.

This is from Hank Azaria's house in AD and the drapery is Sandra Jordan! She had the best line of plaids but I can't seem to find them online. What a cozy office meeting room...for poker games.

As I used to work in a lighting showroom, I loved to see which fabrics designer's used on lampshades. These are very seasonal and the great thing about lampshades is that you can switch them depending on the season! From Living etc.

Ahhh, my favorite house in Newport RI. John Peixinhos's home is a constant inspiration to me. This is such a simple entry and I love the plaid next to the elegantly worn oriental rug. From HB.

Autumnal tablescape! I love the lavender and maize plaid blanket used as a table cloth here. Great idea.

Speaking of tablescapes, Eddie Ross designed this gorgeous Thanksgiving table. This is making me even more excited for Thanksgiving. The unexpected and non traditional Thanksgiving colors make this table really stand out.

Plaid, plaid, plaid and a little dog. Preppy and British looking, yes?

Are you going to add some plaid to your home this fall/winter? When in doubt, you can just add a pillow or a tablecloth. In the image above, the pillow is a green silk pillow with a huge plaid ribbon tied around it. That would be great decoration for a holiday party. Can't wait to decorate for our first holiday party!

Alicia B.

Octo-Ottomans

2011-11-04T04:00:00.000-07:00

I have been completely obsessed with octagonal ottomans lately. I think they might just be the coolest thing since bricklayers coffee tables. I haven't seen a TON of them but I was able to scout out a few.

How incredible are the textiles in this room? They are all Robert Kime and Carolina Irving I believe. The ottoman serves as a coffee table as well and take a look at the detail below.

I'm not usually one for passementerie but I can hardly breathe when I look at the tassels and trim on this. Amazing details. Both images are from HERE.

This large Suzani covered ottoman is for sale on the Christies UK site. It is coming from an estate in Cotswold Manor so I'd better hop on my jet with my bidders paddle.

I think when it comes to an octagonal ottoman you absolutely must go all out with the fabrics. I love this ottoman though, it's large but with slender legs it doesn't appear so bulky. Amazing room by Daniel Sachs. This spread actually goes up there with my top 3 faves.

This ottoman is finished off with a simple nailhead trim in this more stripped down room. I love the simple aesthetic in this sitting room.

This image, taken from World of Interiors, has one of the most unique and stunning ottoman of the bunch. The whole room is full of Robert Kime textiles and is perfectly British/European.

The only company that I could find so far that makes an octagonal ottoman is Robert Kime. Robert Kime Textiles compliment the ottomans perfectly and there are so many to choose from. He has two versions; the paneled version HERE, and the open version HERE. I think I like the open version because it appears more like a table than a pouf. BTW this is not a plug for Robert Kime, I just happen to love everything about RK. What do ya'll think?

Alicia B.

The Nate Show!

2011-11-03T04:11:00.000-07:00

Don't forget to call in sick today to watch the Nate Berkus Show!

Nina Garrrrcia will be on today and I'm excited for more tips on living in small spaces. I know I've been living in a shoebox apartment (different ones) for about 6 years now and am the master at maximizing my space. Rumor has it that hes going to be giving things away to the audience! I love when people get free stuff!!

Come back to me tomorrow where I'll tell you MY new favorite thing. It'll be worth it but I won't be giving out free ones.

Alicia B.

Nate Berkus likes to save space.

2011-10-31T17:44:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, after I finally admitted I was sick and went home from work, I decided to veg out and watch tv. I caught The Nate Berkus Show and thought I couldn't take my eyes off his hair and his super fun attitude. I love how he upgrades thrift store junk and actually acknowledges small space living. Which brings me to my next point. I've been made aware that Nate Berkus is doing a show on small spaces this Thursday! He will reveal his (GASP) Top 5 favorite space saving products. Here are two awesome ones.

FLOR Rugs. I love buying new things, don't you? I just recently proposed a FLOR rug to a client of mine and I thought it would be a great space for her tiny studio. The bright colors play with the depth of the room and leads your eye through the space
I liked the awesome new patterns they offer and you can make it smaller or larger just by adding more squares! Martha makes some really fun ones too. From HERE. Marimekko Pillows! I"m really obsessed with Marimekko lately. I even have a new Marimekko mouse pad at work (buh bye Obama). They opened a new store in the Flatiron district, too.

Nate likes the fact that Marimekko has bold patterns that draw your eye to them. A focal point, if you will. You want to look at the precious dog but you look at the fun bright pillows instead! From HERE.

Check in on Wednesday for one more RAD product that Nate thinks you should buy. I'm thinking of calling in sick on Thursday to see the show! Ahh to live like a lady of leisure. The show airs on Thursday, GET EXCITED! (like Nate's hair).

Alicia B.

Happy Halloween!!

2011-10-28T04:21:00.000-07:00

Happy (Early) Halloween!!

I saw this Herend Skull in the Scully & Scully Catalog a few weeks ago and thought, "WHY didn't I register for this!?" It is a 24 Karat painted skull and is pretty much the most fabulous Halloween decoration I've ever seen. It comes in pink, green, orange, etc and at $220 each, I'll take one in each color!

I'm off to MN for the weekend, wish me luck in the frigid North!

Alicia B.

Antique Book Nerd

2011-10-20T10:51:00.000-07:00

I love love love design books. I have them everywhere around our apartment: on the coffee table, in the shelves, on my desk, you get the idea. I really love antique books, though. I don't have a ton, but the ones I do have are arranged strategically in my bookcase so that they look like art--which they sometimes are.

From Houzz. I have collected antique books from thrift stores or tag sales and have received some as gifts.

Recently while I was shopping for gimps (yeah you know it!) at Claremont, I spotted this AMAZING screen with a bookcase display on it. It is a Piero Fornasetti screen designed in the 1950s.

Nate Berkus designed this classic but not stuffy looking living room with bunches of books arranged strategically on the bookcase. They are quite chunky so it is nice to break up the books throughout the bookcase.

Kathy Abbott designed this sweet little room in the Kips Bay Showhouse in 2010. She stocked the bookcase with beautiful encyclopedias.

Of course, Bunny Williams has some gorgeous antique books. This bookcase is packed full with no room for objects or sculptures. Just the books in all their glory.

Robert Kime has set you up here with this traditional bookcase and displays it with a set of encyclopedias or antique books.

I know you can buy books by the yard but I find that...tacky. Books should be selected for personal reasons, not by the yard, for looks. I HAVE bought books because I thought they were beautiful and DID judge them by their cover but also for their content. My favorite is a book with marbled paint on the inside of the cover and a book my friend bought me called "Book of Etiquette Volume II". Amazing.

Alicia B.

I want my world to be The World of Muriel Brandolini

2011-10-06T20:45:00.000-07:00

Amazing designer Muriel Brandolini has always caught my attention but now she's about to release her first book and I am borderline obsessed with her. Her rooms are so unexpected but incredibly beautiful. She uses deep rich colors and amazing furniture pieces. She is half Vietnamese, and half French/Venezuelan and she actually started out in fashion in New York. I read a great article about Ms. Brandolini in the WSJ about her style and her upcoming book "The World of Muriel Brandolini."

In the article, antiquarian Louis Bofferding says "She plays old against new, mixes colors boldly and selects materials in ways that wouldn't occur to other decorators." Truth. Image from her website.

Notice how the bed is not facing directly at you and there is a little seating area (can you sit there??) in the foreground next to the bed. A little more fun than the typical bed, table on either side and a bench at the end. MB.

The color that I dislike, purple, (in this case its more like raisin) is the color that brings the room together with the midnight blue walls and the very very yellow rug. This room is full but it doesn't appear cluttered. MB.

This chair is literally a work of art. Imagine designing this chair--the panels, the tassels, the backing...

I LOVE the blues that she uses. This abstract rug is exquisite. WSJ.

This is a lighter, yet just as rich feeling room. Have you ever walked into a hotel lobby and seen one of those round sofas and thought, "No, never." Well this time, it not only works but it makes the room.

Is this why I love Muriel Brandolini? The bold blue door molding? The wallpaper on the ceiling and walls? The beautiful chandelier? All of the above.

Is there anything this woman isn't great at? She has a line of fabrics at Holland & Sherry which I wish I could use all the time. This one is called Pearl Grey 4.

Love this bold chevron pattern fabric, Tobac 1.

Her use of color and pattern is extraordinarily inspiring and I'm dying to meet her. She is giving a lecture at Philips de Pury Auction house and I would love to go. Muriel Brandolini is fearless when it comes to color which is probably why I love her work so much. So, who wants to buy her book for me?

Alicia B.

Alicia B. at Etsy!

2011-10-05T04:43:00.000-07:00

Designing my wedding was one of the most fun projects I've ever worked on. Calling it a project feels weird but in terms of a design idea, it was. I wanted to create a fresh nautical but country inspired look for the Bridal dinner with milk glass and hobnail vases and blue and white table linens. Well, guess what!? All the vintage vases and accessories and hand made linens are available to you at my Etsy store. I collected these vases and bowls and made the linens from fabrics I found on fabric.com.

Set of 8 hand sewn square napkins. They look amazing with the ones below it mixed in.

Wow, so nautical!

This little bowl has the most beautiful detailed edge, right?

You. Are. Gorgeous.

This basket is one of my favorites. It's so sweet and looks amazing with flowers overflowing from it. Or candy!!!

Gorgeous hobnail pitcher.

I have a few pairs of pretty 8" tall vases. I love the detailing on these.

Here they are in action. It was a beautiful perfect night (not as perfect as our wedding day but HEY).

I love that you can use milk glass at any time of year; summer, perfect for Halloween actually, and they would really look so beautiful on a winter inspired table with lots of whites and greens. I'll be adding more items to my shop all the time so check back. Word on the street is that some mint julep cups will be arriving in the shop soon. Take a look!

Alicia B.

Bookcase Re-Org

2011-10-02T15:30:00.000-07:00

This post should really be titled: Stuff I do when my husband goes out of town. I tend to break out the craft box, sew some pillows, and generally do small decorating projects (when I have 7 mins to spare) when my husband travels on biz. Hes a biz man traveler. Anyway, things get crazy and I do things like this:
I took out all the books, novels, art books, and yes, that says "Intermediate Accounting." That is a book of my husband's. We have a lot of books though between us so the organization of them is important.

These are more of MY books; DVF autobiography, a Twilight book, and a gorgeous book about chandeliers. I have a lot of large sized art and design books which should be displayed with their splines facing outward and stacked one on top of another.

Even if you have a lot of books, you can still make a cute bookcase display. It doesn't have to be a few books and tons of objects! You just have to keep it simple LOOKING. With lots of novels, line them all up by height.

Stack up your art and design books. They are beautiful, so show them off! I love antique books and have a few really small ones so I stacked them on my design books like objects themselves. Putting them on a diagonal helps.Here it is in all its book-full glory next to my full length mirror and my gorgeous framed DVF magazine.

When my husband came back (from China), he gave me a jade elephant statue for our bookcase display! Next time he goes away I'll probably paint the back of the bookcase a fun bright color. Or switch the living room with the bedroom--we'll see. Just kidding, that's crazy.

Alicia B.

Custom Cool Rugs=Amazingly Cool

2011-09-28T04:13:00.001-07:00

Last week was completely consumed with an installation that we did in Quogue. We had to find the majority of the pieces to complete a home in 2 days. It was a blast, but exhausting. Since we had to find things on short notice, I was able to visit stores in person, one of which was Custom Cool Rugs in Quogue. I had written about the owner's home a few months ago and was delighted to meet her. Eliza Gatfield (the owner) is a very sweet and extremely generous woman and happens to own and operate the most interesting rug store I've ever seen.

The store is a cute shop on the corner of the "main shopping area", if you can call it that, in Quogue. This rug is stunning in person.

Eliza takes Kilims and makes them into bags and pillows, as well. This is one of many adorable displays around the store.

Here is a close up on one of my favorite bags. They look incredibly versatile and durable.

These soft geometric patterns can also be made into rugs. They are subtle and beautiful and work seamlessly in a beach house.

Just a nice moment of some pretty rugs rolled up on a beautiful etagere.

The whole shop has a very youthful vibe but still very sophisticated.

Last but least, look...at...this...stunner of a rug. Blue Ikat in a large scale is incredible. I almost bought a house in the Hamptons JUST for this rug. ALMOST.

Custom Cool can do custom rugs (obvi), they do kilims, runners, bags, chairs, etc and everyone that works there was super nice and accommodating. They are also "GoodWeave Certified" which means they do not support child labor in the countries where they make their rugs and even support opportunities for better education in the area. If you are even anywhere near Quogue you must make a stop here--it is an incredible shop.

Alicia B.

Inappropriate Sofas

2011-09-16T19:35:00.000-07:00

A friend of mind is moving into her own apartment and has asked me to assist her in creating a great new space for her. One of the main things she needs is a new sofa and I'm more than happy to help her fine one. She likes a bit more modern feel than I do but I am designing for her, not myself so it's no biggie. We've been looking at some cute sofas and day beds. I came across some really horrifying sofas though. Observe:

Don't get me wrong, I love tufting on an ottoman or on the back of a sofa, but this has seriously gone too far. This is so gross looking I feel like I should look away.

These are from Restoration Hardware's latest collection of sofas. I'm horrified and this is one of many reasons I prefer not to shop there anymore. I understand where they were going with this but, it looks like old dough.

My friend and ex roommate (who is starting her own blog soon!) sent me this scary 80's jeans sofa from the pages of...Pottery Barn. I mean, are you kidding me? This looks like they upholstered a sofa in some acid washed jeans that my 8th grade history teacher wore on a "dress down day" at school.

It also reminds me of when Cindy Crawford tried her hand at designing furniture after she hired Michael Smith to design one of her homes. Again, really?? That was mean but Cindy Crawford is very beautiful (and smart because she hired Michael Smith) but not a designer.

Anyway, we are going to stop by CB2, West Elm, Pottery Barn, NOT Restoration Hardware, and possibly Room and Board. I can't wait until she moves into her new space--I'll show you pictures once it is complete.

Alicia B.

Obsessed with Pleats

2011-09-07T03:35:00.000-07:00

Have you guys noticed this in fashion--all these adorable pleated skirts and dresses? I literally can't get enough of them. Pleats are a given in interior design with pleated lampshades, pleated upholstery skirts, and pleated drapery but what I've been seeing are a super intense version of this with a knife or accordion pleat everywhere.

I took this picture in a dress maker's store window in Roma from...our honeymoon! It was one of many swoon worthy moments from the honeymoon...sigh...

When I think of pleated fabric, I think of Bart Halpern, who offers tons of different pleat options. We've used a few of these fabrics in recent projects and they are gorgeous.

Doesn't this take your breathe away? I am speechless at how gorgeous this is. Also, is she making a cape look graceful and beautiful?

Like I said, pleats are in interiors too with this cute pillow from West Elm.

West Elm is getting these pleats. This nautical feeling pillow is from WE also and is in yellow too.

Can I pull off a long skirt? They are chic and comfy looking but am I too short at 5' 4"? This gorgeous lady looks amazing in the long accordion pleated skirt and long sweater.

I love this dress for if I had eloped and gotten married at City Hall. Perfect right? Too late for that though...

This skirt nails it in a rooftop photo shoot paired with a simple white top and belt.

Great for fall or back to school (like yours truly again) a dusty pink pleated skirt!

Are you all feeling the cute pleated skirts and dresses? I love the girly sophistication of them and the movement and motion of them. In terms of the interior design world, I think clean knife or box pleats are the way to go, otherwise you risk going shabby chic mess, which I don't advise. So who wants to buy me a pleated dress? All uncredited pics are from HERE.

Alicia B.

Friday Faves

2011-08-26T04:32:00.000-07:00

Been a while since I've done Friday Faves, huh? Well life has been pretty hectic for me lately and its slow down a LITTLE but not a lot. So today has a theme, can you guess what it is?

I would like to have this at least once a day. YUM. You know that they taste as beautiful as the colors look.

Repetition is something that always catches my eye. This is gorgeous and I love this dark buttercup color.

Nautical. I'm loving all these ropes wrapped around the railing.

Ahh to ride on the back of a Vespa...I've never done that I swear. This one is quite jazzy with the stripes.

Well? What's the theme? These pictures make me want to travel and take tons of pictures. Maybe I will do just that. Happy Friday! (pictures from here)

Alicia B.

Our Wedding!!

2011-08-20T16:15:00.001-07:00

A lot of you (my precious readers) have been begging me for pictures from the wedding two weeks ago. My mother and I basically designed the wedding and it was really beautiful...we rarely clashed on anything. My new husband and I are incredibly lucky to have had this amazing day...a good start to our lives together!!

We were married in a sweet little Congregational church in Litchfield County CT. The ceremony was amazing and my husband and I didn't break eye contact the entire time. It was threatening to rain and the moment that we stepped out of the church it started--good luck, I've heard!

Here are 3 out of 4 of my bridesmaids who wore adorable Buttercup yellow dresses by Lula Kate.

Here is the gorgeous tent that was in our backyard overlooking the rolling hills in the Berkshires.

The tent was beautiful and a cluster of these lanterns was hung over the dance floor. They were so charming and made the space super intimate.

Here we are!! My husband wore light khakis, a blue blazer and a cute yellow and blue polka dot bowtie from J Press. My dress was very light silk organza by Vera Wang with a large ivory grosgrain ribbon and flower broach.

Here is a close up on the bouquet.

My florist is a complete genius and created the most adorable and sweet flower arrangements in silver mint julep cups that my mom and I collected from the local thrift shops.

Our favor were 2 little macarons from Payard Bakery tied (by my sisters) in little bags with yellow grosgrain ribbon with our names and the date of our wedding written on them.

Ivory table cloths and light yellow napkins were the table linens and we had faux bamboo chairs.

Our cake was GAWGEOUS and though I only got one bite (the one that was ceremoniously fed to me) it was DELISH. Lemon butter cream= heaven. The cake topper was used at my sister's wedding 3 years ago and also at my grandmother's wedding in the 1930's so it was very special to have it.

Thank you for letting me share our amazing day with you and Happy Two Week Anniversary to us!!

Alicia B.

Giveaway Winner!

2011-08-20T05:39:00.000-07:00

The UPrinting giveaway for a rolled canvas is now closed, but the winner is Ann! She said:

Congratulations Ann!! Please contact me at aliciabdesigns@gmail.com so that I can give you the details on your prize. Wooo!!

Alicia B.

I hate purple

2011-08-16T19:10:00.000-07:00

Isn't this from Blueprint?? Mustards and golds against the light purple are romantic and pop at the same time.

Hi, my name is Alicia and I hate purple. Yes, I admitted it. I think the color purple is awful, but I've been working a bit with it at my new job and I might be coming around to lavender. Let's be clear, I said lavender, not purple. I'm constantly inspired by my new job and I'm loving the super sophisticated color combo of Lavender and Champagne.

John Saladino. I think it works quite well in a bedroom. It's romantic and soothing and the moldings and shadows are beautiful with the color.

Hal Williamson. I've posted this image about 8 million times for different reasons but I'm continually drawn to it! HUH. Be that as it may, I love the giltwood furniture with the lavender color.

Drake Design designed this fun lavender bedroom with lavender grass cloth walls and amazing glass lanterns.

Pinterest hotness. I love round/octagonal rooms and the metallic ceiling with dramatic purple silk drapery.

I know most people love purple and I might be a total black sheep here but I don't mind. I don't have any purple in our apartment or in my wardrobe but I really enjoy this color combo. I think that the lavender has a little brown in it which makes it more soothing without being boring or ugly or a hideous neutral. Thoughts on purple? What about Lavender?
What about THIS. Enter my giveaway by Friday to win!

Alicia B.

OH and BTW I got married...

2011-08-13T18:37:00.001-07:00

A few of you all have been begging me for pictures from my wedding last weekend. I have to say it was, without a doubt, the best day of our lives and even though it rained (buckets), we had the most incredible and unforgettable time. These pictures are from the rehearsal dinner, which I designed, and my mother executed.

It was held in a boathouse, at a nearby boys prep school, so everything was very nautical. Plus I love nautical decor so I had so much fun designing it. The boathouse looked out onto one of the lakes in our town and was a beautiful view.

The fabric that we bought was from Fabric.com. My mom (sewing genius) sewed all the table cloths and napkins.

The napkin rings were nautical knot bracelets made by this super cute couple in Mystic CT available at Mystic Knotworks.

I scoured the internet for tons of milk glass vases, bowls, cake stands, and a pitcher for the tables. The flowers were from my mother's garden and were the perfect pop of orange, pink and red against all the blue and white.

Since we have so many of them, I'm probably going to sell off a few of them--stay tuned for that!

This was the bunting banner that I made! I had extra fabric from the tablecloths and some ikat fabric from some pillows that I made for a client and crafted them into this fab nautical preppy banner! More on that later...

The night was a total success and the toasts that everyone made for us were super special and meant so much to us. It was the perfect night before the perfect day!!

I'll work on some wedding photos for you in the next few days. What did you think of the rehearsal dinner? We had an amazing time and it was a great time for both of our families to get acquainted before the actual wedding. I can't believe we've been married for one week!

Mrs. Alicia B.

UPrinting Give-away!

2011-08-12T05:05:00.000-07:00

Did I not promise you good things here at Alicia B Designs? Today is the start of the UPrinting Give-away where one lucky blog reader will win a 16 x 20 rolled canvas with the design of your choice printed on it! If you're like me, you're always looking for affordable art work and let's face it, it's hard to come by.

With this though you have so many affordable options. You can upload a cute picture, a photograph that you took or, if I won, I would upload one of my favorite fabric designs for this canvas. I'm guessing my readers are really into the girl with the dog idea...

UPrinting offers TONS of services for super cheap. Business cards, signs, invitations, labels (I love labels!), canvas printing (obvi) and so much more!

These are just some ideas but the possibilities are endless--ENDLESS!! I'd blow this guy up frame it for a very dramatic statement.

Also, if you're interested, you can blow up an Alicia B. Original from one of my photographs onto a canvas. Let me know if you win and you want that and we'll discuss.

You know the basic rules, comment on my blog, talk about it on Twitter and you'll get an entry. UPrinting can only ship within the US, and you have to be 18 or older to enter. Does anybody under 18 read this? The contest ends next Friday so you have a week to enter--good luck!

Oh, and BTW, this photo canvas printing giveaway is sponsored by UPrinting, no monetary compensation was given for hosting. Check out UPrinting.com for more details about photo canvas.

Alicia B.

Marbleized Paper Obsession

2011-08-09T20:05:00.000-07:00

I've been obsessed for a while now with marbleized paper--it reminds me of Italy. I'm so happy to see that it's been making its way into the design market in home accessories and fabrics.

When I think of awesome products or rocks/marble, I think of Kelly Wearstler. Her blog is so much fun and I love to see her creative process. Her line at Sferra is just as awesome as anything else she does.

I love a dramatic headboard and this one blows me away. I guess it's more of a mural but I literally can't look away from this marbleized lilypad fabric. From HERE.

For your next tablescape masterpiece, use these AHHH-mazing napkins from Dransfield and Ross. I saw them when I was registering for my wedding but I chose the geometric greek Key ones. Also amazing.

Jenny over at Little Green Notebook took a gorgeous piece of marbleized paper and framed it. It's now an amazing and unique focal point in her living room! It adds a softness against all the other fabrics which are geometrics and ikat.

My fave fashion blogger Dilly Dallas got these amazing boxes from West Elm to accessorize her desk. I wish I could find them!

Love this pink marble fabric on the chairs here in what looks like a dressing room. Gorgeous dressing room from HERE.

I'm going to the source, ie Italy at the end of this month for my honeymoon and plan on stocking up on the real thing. I wish I could find some marble fabric--I know I've seen it somewhere. When I do, I see a pair of throw pillows in my future! Yes, I got married this past weekend and it was AMAZING--will show you pictures of the best day of my life later.

Alicia B

Walking down the aisle...

2011-08-03T04:18:00.000-07:00

My mom is the one lying on the back of the sofa. Seriously, she's an amazing wedding planner and even calls herself "Frahhnk"

Well, I'm off to Connecticut to get married this weekend. I wish I could be more focused on interior design for you all, but all I can think about is walking down the aisle. I'm BEYOND excited, I just want Saturday to come! People keep telling me I seem so calm, which is true because I have an amazing wedding planner (my mom), but also I'm just so happy to be getting married. Take a little peek into my mind right now...DUN DUN DUNNN.

We are getting married in a tiny and adorable New Englandy church and the aisle looks a lot like this. I think I'm going to tear up it's so cute! Thank you Pinterest.

The twinkling lights on hanging from the ceiling and lining the aisle make this moment so romantic! PIN.

YIKES this is woodsy. Very over the top but a cool look if you're up in the mountains. The guests have to sit on the birch stumps!

This might be the slowest most painful "walk" down the aisle that ever happened. From this hilarious post.

I'm a not so secret fan of yellow. I'm loving the yellow flower petals at this Maui Wedding from HERE.

A few hours from now, my mother and older sister are picking me up in NYC, picking up my dress, and whisking me off to CT to join the wedding factory that has become my house and I couldn't be more excited. OMG! See you all when I'm a wife!

Alicia B.

Cooler Than the Debt Ceiling

2011-07-30T06:45:00.000-07:00

YUP, I got a little political. I don't care for political talk on blogs, but I'm going to make it about design, so roll with it. I don't even know anything about what "Debt Ceiling" means but I've heard it thrown around a lot...I saw some gorgeous cool ceilings a few days ago and wanted to see more.

I've become borderline obsessed with fabric ceilings. This showroom has one with a looping fabric ceiling interacting with the lighting etc and almost ruining it with boring furniture. From HERE.

Mollie Johnson blows me away with this undulating black and white ceiling. I love large exposed beams and the way they are painted here with a contrasting black and white is amazing.

This simple weather wood ceiling is subtle but incredibly beautiful. With all the action going on with textiles and the chandelier its nice to have a calming light ceiling. Andrew Racquet.

Intricately painted ceilings are rarely seen except for if you go to the Frick, but Tobi Fairley takes the painted ceiling and makes it appealing and more modern. It looks like an abstract painting.

Need a place to put some wallpaper? How about the ceiling? Am loving this paisley pattern on the ceiling. From this Pinterest place.

Allison Caccoma gives us more black and white detailing with these arches leading into this sitting room.

I saved the best for last. Need I say more? Benjamin Noriega Ortiz

So did you forget about the debt ceiling? Did I distract you with the cool ceilings? Good. Since I live in a blah rental apartment it's fun to see all that you can do to the ceiling with a high gloss paint, or a fabric treatment. Putting wallpaper on the ceiling is a fun idea too. If you ahve some left over (as I do) putting it in a small room certainly adds another dimension. Happy Saturday!

Alicia B.

Time to Hang Out Outside!

2011-07-26T18:55:00.000-07:00

Trina Turk HERE.

Now that the temperature in New York has dipped below 95, I think it's safe to go outside again. I love summer and I love hot weather but I don't love not being able to breathe because it's so hot. Mid 80's is my favorite temperature and since I live in a mini hi-rise, I'm dreaming of some lovely outdoor spaces.

Why even bother dealing with your outdoor decor when you have a view like this! Still, flowers, and placemats/tablescaping is important. A Columbian home from Veranda Mag.

The furniture is MEH, but the architecture with the loggia and slatted ceiling are pretty good looking. That dog needs to beat it and let the light fixtures get a little attention, too. From HERE.

Gary McBournie has some fun rattan furniture with preppy striped cushions but the eye catching feature (am I a real-estate agent or something?) is the movable shutters. They let in air and some very beautiful light.

Living Etc. This one my first pin on pinterest and it's gotten a LOT of action! I love the swaying fabric panels. Isn't the pink so tropical and gorgeous?

This image, which was on the cover of Elle Decor last summer reminds me of New England. I can't remember exactly where it is though--could be on the Hudson somewhere. Anyway it reminds me of a cool summer night in CT.

Sixx Design designed this wonderful wooden slatted deck. The most impressive part are the beautiful shadows that it casts.

My first thought in the morning...

2011-07-23T07:42:00.000-07:00

Are you the type of person who wakes up in the morning and their first thought is a tiny decorating idea? If so, you and I should be friends. My first thought yesterday morning as I opened my eyes, was of my overwhelming desire to put trim on my lampshade that sits on top of my dresser. Is that weird? Or does that just make me an awesome designer? I think the latter. Anyway, check. It. Out.

First I had to pick out which fabulous trim to put on the lampshade. Since I worked in the D & D building I sometimes got free trim from fabulous places like Scalamandre. No ivory braid this time.

No fringe, I wanted it to look more crisp.

I LOVE this one but not for a lampshade.

And FINALLY, I found the one (the one) I was looking for! Next I had to measure it and glue it on. When I say measure, I mean wrap it around to see that it fits and then cut it. Obvi.

I got this awesome glue for fabric at my favorite art store on the Upper West Side, Lee's Art Shop and went to town on the lampshade.

Wooo! I put it on the top and bottom and I think it looks fresh and finished! The lampshade was from BBB so it was in expensive and I can switch up the trim on a new lampshade, come fall.

Close up.

What do you all think? I love mini projects like this. I have zero time lately with work and my wedding being in TWO WEEKS, so doing a quick creative project (craft time!) makes me feel good. Do you all have any mini projects like this? Do you have a lamp that needs some action?

Alicia B.

Throwing at a Wedding

2011-07-18T19:15:00.000-07:00

Our wedding is now in less than three weeks and all the little pieces of it are coming together (thanks to my mom!). My mother asked me what I thought people should throw as my future husband and I are leaving the wedding and of course I want to do something special and different. Take a look at the fun ideas I've seen. Don't worry I omitted the releasing the butterflies idea--not my style.

Bubbles are fun and very beautiful--my friend (that works HERE) had them at her wedding 2 years ago and I saved the bottle because it's so cute and romantic! From this cute photog blog.

At the wedding I was in a few weeks ago for my bestie from college, we all got sparklers. It was very summery and fun. (I took this picture)

Lavender is a classic thing to throw at the new couple. My sister and her husband had that and it's very beautiful and doesn't hurt the birds like rice might. From HERE.

This is a super patriotic idea of everyone waving the stars and stripes as the couple heads off to their honeymoon. This could me a cool idea to bring all the flags from different countries represented at the wedding or of the two families background if they are different. From SMP.

This is my favorite idea--throwing pom-poms! I love the colors and it could be a really cost conscious idea too. This would also make amazing photos! From this fab pinterester.

I still don't know what we will be throwing...or do I? Maybe I'll have 100 white doves released as we run out of the wedding--I know my fiance would love that...and my dad too. HA. Does anybody else have any cool ideas?? What did you marrieds throw?

Alicia B.

Orkney Chair Love

2011-07-15T03:36:00.001-07:00

My favorite part about my job is the shopping part--surprised? Recently I was asked to find some accessories and other items for a beach house. Though my idea was rejected I thought an Orkney chair would be fun in one of the bedrooms; perhaps the guest room. I was wrong but I decided to take a look at how else they are used. As a bit of history, Orkney chairs come from a small Scottish island of Orkney and were made from the materials that the inhabitants had readily available. What started out as a small stool covered in straw, became a unique looking hooded chair to protect them from the drafts.

Through my search, I saw them used as dining chairs. Mixing chairs at a dining table looks eclectic and collected and I love the Orkney chairs at the head of the table. Found this awesome image HERE.

I love the white washed body on this Orkney chair--it makes it softer. This room is just lovely and the Orkney chair is less predictable. By Phoebe Howard.

I love this image. This is like the book "Goodnight, Moon" where you try to find the little mouse in every picture. Try to find the mini Orkney chair in this one! What a sweet accessory in a child's room. By Shannon Bowers from Veranda.

This is a lot of wood tones for my taste but it's interesting to see the entire table surrounded by Orkney chairs. Heavy. By Mark Boone.

Here is another white painted chair in a beach house--perfect for a beach house like I thought! I'm loving the idea of an Orkney chair in a pool house--and I love the drapery fabric too. By Phoebe Howard again from HERE.

A chair at a stair landing is a perfect use of space. It's a nice focal point and usually you just walk by that area. I'm not saying that you'll sit in that but its a very beautiful chair and therefor the perfect spot for it. Orrick & Co.

The amazing thing is that these chairs are all handmade (if you buy right) and unique. You can find them at antiques stores--I was first introduced to them at my first job HERE. So, are they becoming ubiquitous? Do you like them? In my imaginary house on Nantucket, I think I'll have an Orkney chair somewhere in there. Maybe in the guest room...hmm.

Happy Friday (this day can't be over fast enough)!

Alicia B.

Bunting Flags in Real Life

2011-07-10T05:49:00.000-07:00

SO my life lately has been all wedding all the time as I am getting married in less than a month now (YAY!!!) and somewhere in between there I was surprised with an amazing bachelorette party and my younger sister popping into town all in one weekend!! I've been busy and it's not going to change for a while, but I'd like to show you some of my inspiration right now. I designed the basic look for the rehearsal dinner before the wedding and it will have a bunting banner in it. I was perhaps a little overly ambitious when I said that I'd make it, so that's now I'm spending my Sunday afternoon.

I am obsessed with these nautical ones. The rehearsal dinner will be at a boat house and i've designed it to be very nautically inspired so I'm using all blue and white patterned fabrics. I guess I could buy these from Etsy...but what's the fun in that?

From Country Living, these are very summery and sweet looking.

Yellow and white has a very special place in my heart. Checks, stripes, and polkadots all look great as long as they are all yellow!

I feel like the colors should be consistent and thought out in advance but I suppose as long as they're not drastically different, it'll look good.

These little ones are super nautical and i love the yellow! The rope as a napkin ring may or may not be something we will be doing, too. (I thought of it first.)

Hay bails and balloons make this a very precious and "country" looking party! I love the action shots of people hanging the banners. It's going to be good inspiration when the time comes!

Burlap banners are looking pretty good right now. They are one sided, and you don't have to color coordinate...hmmm.

A little twist--combining a paper lantern and bunting flags! Is the trend going overboard here? This looks way too labor intensive for me...

So I'll let you know how it goes and show you my step by step. Trust me this isn't going to be super easy. I'm starting with a template of a triangle and looping it around a white rope. Also I fell into a time sucker called Pinterest. Check out and follow my Pinterests HERE. If you haven't joined, go for it! You can see all my sources there too...

Alicia B.

A Maine Event

2011-06-28T20:18:00.001-07:00

This past weekend I was up in Maine fulfilling my bridesmaid role in the wedding of one of my dearest friends. The wedding was exquisite and my friend was breathtaking! Maine is a very beautiful state even though it didn't get above 58 degrees when we were there. Be that as it may, I decided to gather some beautiful Maine interiors for ya'll!

In Maine, chintz abounds. So does wicker. In fact, on our drive back to CT, we passed an actual wicker factory! Who knew they existed? Anyway, this is Tom Scheerer mixing brown wicker with a berber rug and a tulip coffee table and gorgeous chintz. I LOVE this room.

Martha has a house up in Maine--word on the street is that she isn't very well received up there...Anyway shes really channeling Arcadia National Forest on this tablescape with the faux bois and moss centerpieces.

Tom Scheerer is really capturing the spirit of Maine without falling too far into the "lets keep everything as it was in the 1950s" attitude. He keeps it fresh but not too overwhelming. As he says in the HB interview, "That's one of the things about Mainers. They're plain folk, and you don't want to go against that too much. Fleece is the uniform, not cashmere."

Ljbby Cameron definitly keeps it cozy here with Sister Parish's daughter, Apple's home. Yes, I said Apple. The unassuming furnishings are perfect for the Maine atmosphere but the fabrics are perfect for the daughter of Sister Parish.

From Country Living, I love the simplicity of this dining room and kitchen. The house looks perfectly weathered and all the furniture looks like they've had it for a few generations. The tablecloth is stunning but the plates on the wall are my favorite thing here.

I think I really love it because it's costal and nautical but not too "Hamptons" looking. The houses give off more of a cottage feel which is cozy. I grew up in New England and can completely understand Maine thing. The fact that it was 57 degrees up there this past weekend was surprising to me but luckily we were dancing too much to get that cold. The best part was that everyone says hi to everything and you walk in and out of people's houses without knocking. So adorable. I was glad to make the (9 hour) trip up there again for my friend.

Alicia B.

Happy Birthday to my Mom!

2011-06-27T18:38:00.000-07:00

Today is my Mom's Birthday, and it's a big one. A BIG important birthday! This is a pic of my parents watching 4th of July Fireworks last year. You can tell she's pretty even from this angle.

I am so excited to celebrate with her this coming weekend. My mom is an amazing cook, baker, gardener, mom, friend, and all around super beautiful wonderful person! Happy Birthday Mom.

xoxo
Alicia B.

Berber Love

2011-06-19T17:59:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I picked out a Berber rug for a client and they ended up loving it! I was so excited that they chose it and I learned a lot about these rugs and love them! I know they were hot about 3 years ago but I think they're back. Traditional Berber rugs come from Morrocco and are made from natural materials.

Maureen Footer designed this executive's office with a gorgeous light brown and ivory square pattern Berber rug. I love the super traditional style mixed with the exotic (in this setting) Berber rug.

As you will see, Jonathan Adler LOVES a Berber rug. There is one at the foot of the bed, and also a berber wedding blanket on the end, which is so beautiful.

Tom Delevan used a long and narrow rug in this living room. Moroccan rugs are typically more narrow than a typical area rug. The extra long fringe is fabulous. From Trad Home Magazine.

Ron Marvin used a Berber with a large diamond pattern with some mid century modern furniture in this Trad Home spread.

A medium diamond pattern creates a lot of movement in this room and brings together a lot of small furniture pieces. I've noticed that when people use a Berber rug, they make it a two tone color scheme but I love how designers Dransfield and Ross bring in a yellow for some color.

I cannot STAND this coffee table but I think this Berber is beautiful; the ends are an amazing detail. I wish you could see the throw pillows better because they are so much fun. Designed by the insanely gorgeous women from Domicile Interior Design.

Wooo! Some color! Can you guess who designed this? Jonathan Adler. Leave it to him to bring in some color here and a pouf!

In shopping for Berbers, I found a lot of Moroccan rugs with color in them and completely fell in love. I wish I could see some in action but check these out from Kea , Jonathan Adler and Anthropologie.

So what do you all think? Like them? Hate them? I think I become disappointed when designers simply carry out the black and white or brown and white color scheme and it's much more fun and exotic when they use color too.

Alicia B.

Pouf Make-Over

2011-06-09T14:24:00.000-07:00

Remember a few weeks ago when my friend Ashleigh and I went to Home Goods and I fulfilled my dreams of that week and bought a pouf? Well, I thought the fabric on it was hideous so I made a hot little slip cover for it! Don't you think it was ick? Finally putting to good use the fabrics that I've been hoarding, I sat down and sewed them together to make it beautiful and viewable by the general public.

Here is the gorgeous linen damask that I chose for the body of the pouf.

I had to measure the circumference first.

Since it's a found object, its not as easy to slip cover as something that is square. I had to create creases at strategic spots. Strategery.

The fun part was the sewing! After I pinned up the two ends, I sewed them together like a sleeping bag for the pouf. Or a straight jacket.

For the top, I chose a Vaughan embroidered linen fabric, Mino. I pinned the top on and tucked under the edges.

Then I patiently sewed on top by hand. And then...

Here is my lovely pouf!

I went with fabric pouf approach and not the somewhat ubiquitous leather pouf look. While I like that look, my precious sewing machine doesn't sew leather.

What do you think? I'm such a fabric lover that if I could, I would recover everything in my apartment. I'm loving the pouf idea too because it doesn't take up as much room as a chair and is light enough to move around the room.

Alicia B.

And the winner is...

2011-06-09T14:03:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to the winner of the Shabby Apple Give-Away contest! You all lucked out because I got sick and allowed you all an extra day to enter. Anyway, the winner is Sarah at Boxwood Clippings!
True that, Sarah their swimwear IS adorable. Check it out HERE. Also take a look at Sarah's blog--it's super cute. Thanks for reading my blog Sarah!

Alicia B.

2 Showers in 24 Hours

2011-06-07T18:13:00.000-07:00

This past weekend I threw a shower at my apartment for one of my best friends for her wedding which is in two weeks!! The next day she threw MY bridal shower at her apartment so we had a lot of showers in a two day period. I had 17 people in my tiny Manhattan apartment but learned a lot about planning for a shower. Check out how I set it up!

It all starts with an invitation (and RSVPing). I found these cute fill in shower invitations at Lee's Art Shop on the UWS.

I got plates and napkins in pinks and greens from Caspari. It was a pink and green kind of event. These are Grosgrain Paper plates.

Linen napkins from Caspari for drinks and larger ones for the bathroom!

I served a light lunch of a grilled Calamari Salad that I found in House Beautiful. Tyler Florence's recipe called for fried calamari but that's not how I roll so I grilled/sauteed them!

You can't toast the bride without a little pink champagne! I added a little raspberry in the bottom of each one.

I made (ordered) mini quiches and put out some brie and crackers for some snacks on my new beautiful green glass plate.

YUM.

The most delicious part were the petit fours that I ordered from Three Tarts Bakery in Chelsea. I could literally eat a whole box of them they are DELISH.

I was so happy to throw this shower for my friend and I had a ton of fun planning for it. I've thrown parties for my friends before but to throw a party for people that I don't know was a little different. I had to nail it.

I hope you enjoyed but i ALSO hope that you enter my give-away contest below! Enter for a chance to win a super cute dress from Shabby Apple. HIT IT NOW.

Alicia B.

Shabby Apple Give-Away!!

2011-06-02T20:27:00.000-07:00

I'm SO excited about this give-away from Shabby Apple. I've always loved their dresses and thought they looked comfortable but when I was offered this opportunity to do a giveaway, I realized how fun and stylin' (yeah I said it) they are. I checked out the site and they have GORGEOUS white summer dresses, some of the cutest little girls dresses I've seen in a while, and some comfortable but pretty maternity dresses too!

The dress you have the chance (of a lifetime) to win is called "the Spanish Steps" and being a huge Italy nerd, I think this dress is pure perfection. It had me at "Bongiorno". How gorgeous is the skirt on this dress and I love the fun floppy bow, too.

How cute is this little girl?

So, you know the rules (don't break them). Comment on here, tweet or blog about it and let me know, no anonymous entries, one entry per person and you can only be in the 48 (of 50) states of America.

Also pretty obsessed with this high-waisted skirt with a bow.

If you don't win, you can still get 10% off anything on the site with the code "Aliciab10off". As is the thing to do, I'll choose the winner from everybody's favorite number generator random.org. They are also on Facebook so you should go and LIKE them. I know I did.

So get to commenting to win the Spanish Steps dress!! Happy Friday, ya'll.

Alicia B.

Home Goods. In NYC.

2011-05-30T14:34:00.001-07:00

Yeah, you heard me. I'm sure you all knew, but I found out this glorious news last week and nearly flipped my lid with happiness. So I got out early on Friday afternoon and went up with my friend from college and, well, we had some fun.

We got there, walked downstairs and were...a little unimpressed. Not for long though because things got good!

A bright poppy pink slipper chair caught my eye right away, though I hardly need anymore furniture--just a pouf. My mission was to find a pouf or a small upholstered ottoman, at least.

Extra large cloches for $29! I'm still holding out for a hand blown antique one, but these were great and tres affordable.

These little white end tables were great--don't need them but if you did, they'd be great. I loved the turned legs and there was a console version too.

I consider this trip a success because we both left with something we loved. My friend Ashleigh got this adorable sunny yellow slipper chair for $160. YES. Great price and it's good looking too. I still needed my pouf though...

Mission accomplished!! I found my pouf and sat on it before anybody else could take it. This was the moment when my friend said, "Okay, I'm going to take another picture, but this time, try to sit like a lady." So this is me sitting like a lady on my pouf. More on this later if you know what I mean.

Moving on. I love this coral lamp, and the base is adorable. If i needed it, I would have bought it, and painted this baby white.

Ghost stools!!

Great pale apple green gourd lamp. I think it was only $40 or so but a great deal and a nice drum shade with it. I wish I needed a lamp but my Martha Stewart one from college hasn't died yet!

At this point, we realized it was time to go home.

The best part was that they delivered our things THAT NIGHT and for only $14.99! Such a steal because as you know, hauling things in NYC is cumbersome and embarrassing on the subway. We all have to do it sometimes but if it can be avoided it makes life a lot easier. I know most of you who live in the suburbs have the luck to go to Home Goods anytime you please but this was definitely a treat for us. Have any New Yorkers been? Tell me more!

Alicia B.

Happy Memorial Day!

2011-05-30T14:22:00.001-07:00

I've been all over the city and out on a boat (not a yacht) for this gorgeous Memorial Day! Yay America!

I hope you all had time to relax and enjoy Memorial Day with your family or friends. Next: Home Goods in NYC?? YES.

Alicia B.

Good Pouf vs. Bad Pouf

2011-05-17T19:33:00.000-07:00

As you know, poufs are ALL the rage. I rarely go along with trends, but I'm pretty charmed by these little Moroccan stool/ottomans. I've been looking high and low for an affordable and attractive one and I've seen some awful ones and some awful(ly) cute ones.

I've seen a ton of these types of poufs at Jonathan Adler and we actually bought two for a client in yellow. I sat on one yesterday at an installation and it was rather comfortable! This room is by Daniel Pafford from Lonny.

I love the old leather and kilim type poufs. I feel like they were put together with remnants--they feel casual and beautiful. From Bohemia Design. Good pouf.

I saw this on Style Hive. I'm going to go with a resounding BAD POUF. This is like taking all those felt rock that were so "cool" a while ago and mashing them together like a bunch of dirty socks and telling someone to sit on it. Was that too harsh?

Houzz. I LOVE these little crocheted poufs! They are like warm chunky sweaters in this cold scary room.

Katie Ridder's room designed for Design on a Dime has two raspberry poufs that are a fun pop of color and look tres inviting!

Christien Meindertsma designs these poufs. What do you all think of them? They are like the sweater poufs on steroids...

Besides the felt rock one from above, I think this one from Urban Outfitters gets my award for worst pouf. As Raina pointed out, it could work in a kids room maybe but I'm just not feeling it. It looks cheap and if you get that, you might as well get a small bean bag and call it a day, you hipster. BAD.

And for the last, this was absolutely the best pouf I have ever laid eyes on in my entire life. Guess where I saw it! Bunny Williams Garden House tour from Trade Secrets. Isn't it beautiful? You're one in a million, pouf, and Bunny has two of them!

I'm still mixed on whether I should go with a modern or metallic pouf for a bit of fun and contrast in my apt or go with a kilim style pouf as they look the most authentic and they are certainly less ubiquitous. Tell me what to do!!

Alicia B.

Shopping at Trade Secrets

2011-05-16T18:26:00.000-07:00

Weaving my way in and out of the different vendors at Trade Secrets was super fun. I'm not going to show you ALL the goods, but just some of my faves...the highlights. Plus there are only so many rusty garden benches you can look at.

LOVE me some vintage watering cans. From Hunter Bee.

I actually saw a lot of mushrooms. At more than a few vendors. I thought these hand carved wooden ones from Hunter Bee were the most beautiful. Each one is different and they have an amazing handmade quality.

Botanicals! In an antique window frame! Hunter Bee has amazing pieces--especially that white chair.

I'm hoping that hats are going to make a big time comeback, you know, because of the royal wedding. Tracey Tooker Hats had the most gorgeous hats I'd seen in a while.

Aaaaaaaaaand I want this one.

Next I admired round industrial mirrors casually stacked up against each other softened by traditional textiles around it and reflected in it.

Susan Oostdyk had the most beautiful and fun linens. They're also amazing in quantity. See the next image.

A stack of fabulous faded linens...tied in a ribbon. YES.

SO I had a ton of fun people watching and dreaming of my converted farm house in the country that I would fill with distressed (real, not faux) benches in the front hall, and faded beautiful linens tied in ribbon. Up next I'll show you some favorite gardens! And some that were lame/a bit of a let-down. Which one will it be??!!

Alicia B.

The Book Signing...

2011-05-15T19:09:00.000-07:00

I had an incredible weekend touring the Trade Secrets sale and touring the garden but I promised you a book signing, right? Johnnycake Books sponsored the book signing. Check out who I met!

Matthew Patrick Smyth, Annie Kelly, and Tim Street-Porter. I introduced myself and Annie Kelly said she read my blog! Exciting moment.

It was exciting to meet some amazing designers who gave up their time for a fun book signing! I'm really enjoying my Annie Kelly book, Litchfield Style which has some of the most beautiful interiors around. I was bummed not to have see Carolyn Roehm or Florence de Dampierre but what are you going to do?

I'll update you on the garden tours tomorrow because I'm EXHAUSTED! I had a gardenny weekend, spent time with my little sister (and my parents and fiance), and am now back in NYC, relaxing.

Alicia B.

Trade Secrets Book Signing

2011-05-14T06:04:00.000-07:00

If you know me (you know me by now), you know I LOVE a good book signing. I love to have all my precious design books signed by the designers. It makes it special. Above are just a few of my signed books: Bunny, Bunny, Albert Hadley, Barry Dixon, Vicente Wolf, and Celerie Kemble. Anyway, enough about me. When I heard that there was going to be a book signing at Trade Secrets, I was SO JAZZED. There are EIGHT designers who are going to be there at the Johnnycake Books table (could that name be cuter??) between 10 and 1 to sign books. Besides Bunny Williams, I'm most excited about Carolyn Roehm because I've never met her and love her classic style. I own one of Florence de Dampierre's books as well and adore her. I can't wait to see the garden designers though as well. Gardens and landscape design is something I don't know a ton about but I find it totally fascinating. A beautiful landscaping job can make a home when you first approach it.

For more info about this, visit the Trade Secrets website. Okay, off I go to tour the gardens and see all the beautiful people!

Alicia B.

Trade Secrets Weekend!

2011-05-10T04:24:00.001-07:00

This weekend I'll be doing what I do EVERY YEAR on this date...going to Trade Secrets! If you don't know, it's an annual garden tour and sale in beautiful Sharon, CT in which the proceeds go to Women's Support Services, a non profit organization to help victims of domestic violence. Design idols like Bunny Williams (who actually founded Trade Secrets) and Martha Stewart have been spotted there as well.

Bunny's house is on tour every year and her gardens are spectacular and incredibly charming. I'll give you an update after I see them! This year the new designer is Lynden Miller, a landscape designer who specializes in public gardens.

Intriguing, I know. If you live in NYC (of if you've been there), you've probably been to a park that she helped design or rehabilitate--Central Park is one of them. She heads up the Conservatory Garden of Central Park. Above is a shot of a garden at Battery Park City in lower Manhattan.

Who knew there was such a garden in NYC? Above is the British Garden at Hanover Square.

I'm excited to tour her garden home up in CT--don't worry I'll report back to you all! Have any of you been to Trade Secrets?

Alicia B.

I'm still alive...

2011-05-09T21:44:00.001-07:00

Sorry for the silence, but I'm finishing up my semester tomorrow and have a huge project to present and I've been drowing in it for about 3 months. I designed a restaurant named Ciaroscuro based on a Caravaggio painting and I have been drafting, rendering, and modelling my butt off. Here is a snapshow of the model I made.

The walls are lined with a black moire fabric, the red tissue paper is a red capiz chandelier, there are insets with custom made (by me) and painted wallpaper made from black and gold marbelized paper and yes, I made wooden spiral stairs in which I stained my own wood. YEAH.

Wish me luck tomorrow!

Alicia B.

Lilly Coming Home

2011-04-24T16:33:00.000-07:00

I've been meaning to post about this...for...a long time but have been completely swamped with my life. So, for those of you who don't read 1000 other interior design blogs, then this will be news to you--Lilly Pulitzer has a new furniture line coming out!

You might be thinking, this could only work in a little girl's room, or in my vaca home in Palm Beach, but I think it has some actual versatility.

See what I mean? This sideboard cabinet is so sophisticated and has just the right amount of embellishment in the knobs. SO gorgeous.

I love faux bamboo so this bar cart would look amazing in my NYC apartment. Really--does anybody want to step up to the plate to make that happen?

I want to trade out my super cool bar stools for these now! You guys know how much I love yellow and these are just SO YELLOW.

The Morgan Ottoman is just adorable. I love the wide pleats--this is perfect for setting a tray of treats down on. LIlly knows that we're not always out at fabulous parties or lying on the beach and that we like to kick back and watch TV sometimes. I love the blue on the inside of the cabinet and the cute little brass drawer pulls.
As a side note, I'm thinking of wearing this dress to my rehearsal dinner--thoughts?

So what do you guys think of the Lilly Pulitzer line? You know how I feel (can't breath with excitement). Practical? AMAZING? It comes out this summer, so you have some time to make room for it. (Images from Lilly Pulitzer, HFI Brands Facebook page, and CocoCozy!)

Alicia B.

Shopping at Claremont...but not for myself

2011-04-16T19:03:00.000-07:00

One of the best parts of my new job is shopping! I get to pick out beautiful and amazing fabrics and textiles for our clients. Though i am beginning to loathe my old place of employment, the D & D building, I am learning so much. Seriously, the D &D is a huge time and energy sucker, but there is nothing to do about that--its the life of a design assistant. ANYWHAY, the most fabulous place I've been thus far was a showroom called Claremont. It's not in the D & D, but a few blocks north. It has the most beautiful printed fabrics and embroidered silks. It was like the high end version of Pierre Deux in the style sense; French Country but with a little city flavor, if you know what I mean.

The showroom was bright and cheery and I almost blacked out at how beautiful and perfectly organized it was.

All the fabrics were stacked one on top of the other. I hated to mess them up but I needed to dig into the gorgeous textiles. (pic from Brooke Giannetti's blog!)

The showroom (this is the LA one) carries about 7 or 8 lines of fabric. This one is Penny Morrison's welcome to the showroom. From Out to Lunch.

Speaking of awesome designer, Brooke Giannetti, she used this paisley fabric from Claremont to recover a client's chair. I love how the traditional pattern is made more modern with the poppy color.

The showroom, started in London in 1931, started with George Le Manash of Paris. I'm ABSOLUTELY obsessed with his fabrics.

OH MA GAWD I'm obsessed with this room. Le Manache is a fabric design god.

OH, I'm going to black out again (can blacking out be the new "swoon"?). This is another Le Manache fabric room. I love matching fabric to wall covering--but only when it's a good/amazing fabric. Photo from HERE.

I'm recovering this Saturday night from a crazy week at work (in a good way), and Saturday 9AM class. Thankfully I got the new House Beautiful to help me unwind. What are ya'll up to?

Alicia B.

Happy Birthday to my Sister!

2011-04-12T04:18:00.000-07:00

Joe Nye from his book Flair.

Yup, this is how things roll in my family. Anyone who matters has a birthday in Spring or Summer--it's just the way things are.

Want to know more about the birthday girl? My sister is the baby in the family, has more nicknames than anybody I know, works in finance but is obsessed with Joe Nye. This hot redhead has nothing on my ginger sister--from the Sartorialist.

She's supremely fashionable, unlike her boring preppy sister (moi). Image from Kate Spade.

She is my go-to person (one of two--I have two sisters, okay!) if i'm having a life conundrum, or more importantly if I have a cute picture of a kitten I have to show her.

I hope you have a fabulous, flair filled birthday (even though I won't be there to celebrate). 23 is going to be a ridiculous year!

xoxo
Alicia

Happy Birthday to my Dad!

2011-04-11T04:37:00.000-07:00

Today is my dad's birthday! He would be the first to scold me about privacy on my blog so I'm sure he'll appreciate the picture. Here are a few things my dad loves...(you know, besides his ridiculously awesome daughters and his amazing wife) and that I hope he gets on his birthday.

This is a two-parter. Taking pictures--my dad is on a constant quest for the perfect picture. My mom--he's taking a picture of her running a small road race! Plus, he adores her.

BOOKS. My dad's bedside table is stacked with books...we're not sure if he reads them all but he does love the look of them.

Bowties. Not a trend, a way of life.

Cake!

Sailing. Some of my best pictures of my dad are when we are out sailing.

Happy Birthday Dad!!

xoxo
Alicia B.

Waiting for the other shoe to drop...

2011-04-05T04:21:00.000-07:00

I mean that in a hopeful way, not a sad way. I'm literally waiting for some shoes to drop out of the sky and land on my feet. As you know, I'm getting married in August and I've been busy looking for shoes, the dress (found it a long time ago), the perfect invitations, the list goes on and on. I've been absolutely loving the shoes though. Wedding shoes can be SO much fun and also very extravagant looking. While I'm mostly a ballet flats kind of girl lately (b/c I have 80 year old knees), I'm gearing up to wear some 3 inch heels on my (OUR) big day.

These, from Kate Spade are SO gorgeous. They are perfectly appropriate but with a little bit of bling on the heal. It's like a little surprise at the end--love it.

I'd prefer some color underneath my white dress. These would be perfect. Kate Spade.

Pom Poms? Don't mind if I do. I DO. These are from Anthropologie's Wedding line BHLDN. They have the most beautiful designs. Found via this amazing new blog!

I'm obsessed with these. The pattern on them is like mini confetti and with a huge pink flower to top it off, it's like a party on a shoe. Also BHLDN.

AND of course we need some sparkle. I love the tailored bow on the peep toe. BHLDN

I'm usually a low maintenance girl (don't laugh), but when these shoes are flashed in my face, I go a little bit crazy. I love how much fun you can have with a wedding shoe and I know that I def want some color on mine. Kate Spade also come out with a whole wedding line, much to my intense glee. It's literally the cutest place on the internet. Does anybody have any ideas for other places that sell fun wedding shoes? I mean OBVI Christian Louboutin, but this girl can't wear 4" heels. Thoughts?

Alicia B.

Kitchen Moment: Terracotta Style

2011-04-02T20:03:00.000-07:00

HERE.

I've been helping a friend out with her new home in Philly and shes asked me to help her pick paint colors in a few rooms. The first one was her kitchen, which had red walls and a terracotta tile floor. The red walls MUST go and I recommend pure creamy white walls in her kitchen. While I'm naturally drawn to wide plank flooring, you have to play the cards you were dealt, right? Only kidding, the kitchen is going to look amazing. Take a look at some kitchens I found as inspiration with creamy white painted walls and terracotta floors.

The uneven tile floor and the and artwork on the wall (kind of 6 months ago) create a bit of character in this kitchen. I do love the scale of this kitchen though.

These red terracotta tiles are not your run of the mill squares are they? No. They are a rich red with a black tile surrounding the island. I like the contrast of the red and the clean white.

This is my favorite (from Elle Decor). I'm obsessed with the French bistro chairs and the polished look of the tiles.

This is a little something different, yes? Brick flooring with white paint and white cabinetry makes this kitchen look traditional but contemporary. From this gorgeous blogger.

You want your kitchen to look clean above all else. The red walls seem like an attempt at the "Tuscan" look from 1997 and they should def go. My friend is traditional, but shes also 27 and needs a great place to cook, entertain friends and be 27 with her husband. How do you all feel about the terracotta tiles? I like the look, because it reminds me of an open kitchen in France or Italy.

Alicia B.

Luckiest Blogger Ever

2011-03-28T04:54:00.000-07:00

I came home last night from a double date (yeah we do those) and decided to check my mail and to my immense surprise I had a package from Denver. I thought...I don't know anybody in Denver and HOW do they know to call me Lish (ya know, short for Alicia)?? WELL Ms Raina from The Hilarious Lampshade was generous enough to send me this (from her article on Curbed):

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT???

It's Diane! My idol, on the cover of Newsweek from 1976, will be taken to a framer and air-seal protected and displayed somewhere to inspire me in my apartment at all times. Thanks Raina, you are MUCH too good to me--I'm a very spoiled little blogger. Happy Monday Everyone!

Alicia B.

I need a little Springtime.

2011-03-27T07:19:00.000-07:00

It's 31 degrees here in NYC and I've had it up to here (picture my hand held shrilly above my head) with this cold weather. I'm ready for spring, warm weather, and being outside more. Let's enjoy some spring images to counteract these pathetic cold weather shenanigans.

Savannah Style by Paula Deen is a tremendous book (given to me by my gorgeous younger sister) and has amazing images delivered by Paula and her super cute son. I'd love to have a yum meal at this cute table out on the lawn.

CANNOT WAIT for spring clothing to arrive in my closet. I love this straw bag from J. Crew.

Yellow and blue is one of my favorite color combos. It's like feeling, yet classic. Same with a sweet breakfast room like this one by Palmer Weiss.

Nothing says warm weather like a house on the water. Love the relaxed look of this living room and the exposed beams. Nate Berkus.

Who took this picture of a beautiful Park Avenue Daffodil? OH, I did.

Do you think that if we keep posting images of spring, that it will come sooner? I think so. Maybe if i start shopping for spring clothing it will warm up, too. SHOPPING.

Alicia B.

Dining Room Design

2011-03-23T21:26:00.001-07:00

A client of mine for whom I do small jobs in the suburbs of CT has asked me to help her choose fabric for a set of gorgeous dining chairs that she acquired. The dining room is a bisque color right and sits between the kitchen and the living room with views of both from both. They are a young couple with a baby on the way so I have many things to take into account; budget, frequency of use, and the baby (!!!!). Since they are young but have a traditional style, I'd love to bring in a colored geometric pattern. The room really has no color and of course I think it should have some to bring life to the space.

Tobi Fairley has a great eye for beautiful geometrics and I think this one is a perfect mix of subtlety and fun. Its a great fabric, but doesn't take away from the star in the room: the turquoise bead chandelier.

LOVE this blue lattice pattern; it looks like an enlarged caning pattern on a chair. From Elements of Style blog.

John Robshaw's dining room is of course full of pattern and soft colors but I love this chair pattern. It's youthful and sophisticated. From Lonny.

OBSESSED with this space. If you're into geometry (not in life, but in interiors, like I am), this room is perfection. The soft green diamond pattern fabric on the chairs is very pretty and a nice detail in this room. Home and Garden UK.

This is more on the traditional side, by Michael Smith, but still quite pretty. I love toile but wouldn't want to make their house feel too French Country. Elle Decorsies.

Can you guess who designed this room? That's right, Jamie Drake. I'd love to do a different fabric on the back of the chair like this because it's just SO much fun but my client's chairs don't have upholstered backs. NO biggie though, it'll be plenty fun.

I have some samples on their way to me in the next few days, so I'll keep you updated on the progress. Weigh in on your faves?? I'm really excited to be working with this client (all my clients are awesome) on this small project. If I can add more color or pattern to someone's life, I'm happy.

Alicia B.

Bird Watching

2011-03-19T13:39:00.000-07:00

In my new place of work, we frequently have vendors come to present new products. In the last week we had Osborne and Little show their new wallpapers and fabrics, and while everything (really almost everything) was so gorgeous, this wallpaper caught my attention. I'm not usually a bird person but I believe I have been swayed. Sometimes they can be scary and weird but I think I'm really loving them. They range from some with just birds, to others with a chinoiserie feel to them with a bird scene.

Here is the Osborne & Little wallpaper I mentioned earlier, named Laguna. I think these birds (technically storks) are just gorgeous--and this comes in other colorways as well. Perfect for a bathroom or power room.

These are becoming a little bit kitsch, don't you think? Still sort of cute though...

I've always loved this room and the bird wallpaper adds a lot of depth and whimsy to the room. There is even a cute little bird perched on the stool at the foot of the bed. Miles Redd.

Here is a detail of this gorgeous wallpaper with birds in the scenery. It's a quite intricate pattern with beautiful details. I love the orange coral of the chair next to this wallpaper. By Suzanne Tucker.

This wallpaper with an ostrich sticking its head in the sand is JUST adorable. I saw this in Lonny; designed by Lonny Founder, Michelle Adams. This room feels very open and light because of the pops of yellow and the very large print wall paper.

Meg Braff is designing wallpaper as well. Among many beautiful designs, I found this one called Tumtin. It's a very fun pretty design and I can't wait to see it used in a room.

Where do you all stand on bird wallpaper? At first it reminded me of my grandmother who loves ANYTHING having to do with a bird (so cute), but as I was looking I think they're quite charming. There are so many different ways you can go with the motif. The classic Chinoiserie, the very graphic single bird on a white background, or somewhere in between. So, birds. Scary or awesome?

Alicia B.

Eye on Eyelet

2011-03-13T13:02:00.001-07:00

Have you noticed the eyelet everywhere as much as I have? I have seen it everywhere while window shopping today--the most adorable white dresses--and online, too. It is perfect for the (hopefully) fast coming spring season and warm weather. I grew up the cutest white eyelet curtains and have always loved eyelet.

I WILL have this dress from Boden once it becomes a little warmer. I love how whimsical yet structured it is. The Broderie Dress from Boden for $168.

Eyelet Pillow shams and bed skirts are a simple way to change the feeling of a bedroom to feel more Spring or Summer. Martha Stewart from Macy's bedding collection.

Since I'm planning my wedding right now I'm always looking at all things wedding. Here is a beautiful simple eyelet wedding dress. I think if I were getting married in the middle of a field and in Vermont, I'd wear this dress. What do you think? Fabulous chair fabric, too. Found on Martha Stewart Weddings.

Oh look, more wedding stuff!! How gorgeous is this cake? Tailored, yet whimsical and very summery looking. On GetMarried.com. Let me eat cake.

Here is a crocheted eyelet pillow sham from Pottery Barn. It's sort of a mix between matlasse and eyelet, huh? HERE.

Yes, I LOVE eyelet. A really cute idea is to add eyelet trim to some pillows. Cath Kidston is very whimsical and has great country style though in my apartment I would have gone with white or a blue..OR YELLOW!

I'm super into this trend but I think there can be a right and a wrong way to do it. I think if you make it look "shabby chic", you need to reel it in and tailor it a bit. Structure with something whimsical is key. What do you think? Are you into it?

Alicia B.

I'm ready for Spring...

2011-03-10T19:46:00.000-08:00

Are you? I'm sure you may have noticed, but I've been a wee bit quiet this past week. I started a new job (project coordinator at an amazing design firm!) on Monday and I'm MEGA busy with it and with school, as usual, and haven't had a moment of time to attend to you! Be that as it may, I've been enjoying my new job and am incredibly inspired everyday. I'm surrounded by color, which is how I like to be, and have been loving springy greens and turquoises. Get into it.

This designer, Ellen Hamilton, is literally my idol right now. How fabulous is the green rug in this dining room? SUPER fab.

Not totally on board with what's happening on the walls, but I AM on board with bold teal color for the seats on the dining chairs. This is from the new Lonny, which arrived in my mailbox (on the world wide web/internet superhighway), designed by Filipe Pereira and Augyst Zung.

The soft greens and yellows (which I'm really into) really reflect the light well and i love the bright PUNCH of the striped rug. Designed by Gary McBournie.

IN LOVE with this image. This powder room was designed by Meg Braff. A busy patterned wallpaper such as this one is perfect for a powder room--a chance to really take a risk and have fun. Snagged this image from HB.

They should put something fun on the wall and maybe take away that 40 oz. and bag of chips but...I love the acid green on the day bed. Nice work, now clean up. From Living Etc.

I'm not sure but it looks like green grass cloth on the walls, right? This room feels like there is a warm spring breeze coming through. Amanda Nisbet, genius.

Can you believe it's Friday already? I feel like this week has blown by and all I have to show for it are bags under my eyes and a rad new job. I am truly happy to have moved from drab black and grey and walking the boss's dog to colors, energy, and creativity. Have we had enough rain in NYC and are we ready to move to warmer, and happier colors? I am.

Alicia B.

Look what I got!

2011-03-01T13:58:00.000-08:00

I'm knee deep in drafting paper, have about 6 Google SketchUp documents open and am covered in pencil markings BUT...have managed to buy this for my new apartment! Just letting you know that I'm still alive! I'm nearly finished with decorating my new apartment so I'll be revealing it pretty soon. YAY! Oh, this is a Jonathan Adler duvet set...hot, right?

Alicia B.

Friday Faves

2011-02-25T04:09:00.000-08:00

Happy Friday! I couldn't be more over the moon jazzed that it's friday even though it looks like THIS today in NYC.

I'm absolutely OBSESSED with this little ad campaign with Bryce Dallas Howard (a beautiful redhead!) for Kate Spade. How gorgeous is she, and how fun and happy are these colors? You know I love color and nothing is making me happier than this. Except one thing, today is my last day at my current job and I feel like this picture looks. I've accepted a new job to work for one of my favorite interior designers (not an architect, like my current job) and I can't wait to get started!

This little interior makes me think of spring and warm weather. Lounging around with fresh air coming in and out of that huge window. Alexandra Angle.

This soft yellow is so calming and beautiful. This stunning interior is by Muriel Brandolini whos portfolio I HIGHLY suggest scanning through. It's surprising and different, yet I still love it.

Wish me luck in my last day working for a firm who's main color scheme is grey and black with pops of stainless steel and moving forward to a firm who loves color just as much as I do! What is new with all of you, my presh readers?? Weekend plans?

Alicia B.

Curious about what I do at school?

2011-02-22T04:28:00.000-08:00

I've been literally crazed lately because of school, my job, and wedding stuff that needs to get rolling (thank GOD my mom has a handle on it!). I thought I'd share some of my project that I'm doing for my Contract class. We're designing an office space for a non profit arts association for aging Babyboomers (yes, Babyboomers, we all get old, face it.) in New York City.

It started out with a bubble diagram mapping out the room requirements on the empty floorplan.

And then become this! The main reception area is a spiral shape as my inspiration was Robert Smithson's Spiral Jetty.

Amazing environmental art by Robert Smithson in Utah.

Next I made this model out of chipboard. It took a lot of patience, a lot of scoring, and a little band aid.

And this is what I'm working on right now--my sections. I'm trying to show the feeling of a spiral in these views, though a little unsuccessfully. I think the addition of built-ins might be the key--what do you think?

I barely have time for this but it's basically my first priority right now. I'm really into it too. Some of the students in my class "hate" their project but I LOVE mine. I love the challenge and the process of overcoming the challenges. I may or may not have woke up last night and started hallucinating that I had wallpaper in the pattern of my floor plan, but that's besides the point. Remember THIS this week, too! Have a great Tuesday!

Alicia B.

A break from interior design: NEDA Week

2011-02-20T14:19:00.001-08:00

I'd like to take a break from interior design talk to address very serious issue. This week is National Eating Disorders Awareness Week.

You may think, "Alicia, this doesn't apply to me", but an estimated 12 million people suffer from an eating disorder, so you probably know or have known someone with an eating disorder, even if you were not aware of it. Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate out of any mental illness and is still on the rise. This whole week (it should be all year round!) is about awareness, which I think we should all take the time to acknowledge. The most important issue is actually talking about this disease (anorexia, bulimia, Binge Eating Disorder and EDNOS), as uncomfortable as it may be, it brings awareness to it and can help those who are suffering.

I've been in contact with Elizabeth Showers recently (above), as she is a spokesperson for NEDA, and also the daughter of Jan Showers. You might recognize her name because she is a very talented jewelry designer of some of the most beautiful jewelry pieces I've seen. Her creativity shines through each piece and she has been recovered from an eating disorder for 19 years. Here are some of her thoughts that she shared with me on eating disorder recovery...

"My purpose in life is to remind all women to feel great right now. Don’t wait until you get your career started, until you are in the “perfect” relationship, until you have children, until you make a lot of money, until your children are out of the house, until your body “looks perfect” (because there is no such thing), and especially not until your life is perfect, because that will never happen. Life is messy. Life is imperfect. Life is about progress, not perfection. Even after almost 19 years of being recovered from anorexia, I still have to tell myself on a regular basis to lighten up. Because when I am too serious, it weighs me down, and is a barrier to my success, in business and personally. When I resist, I am pushing against the flow of life. When I was acting out in my eating disorder, I couldn’t even make sense of one moment to the next. As soon as I started eating all full meals on a regular basis, the cobwebs in my brain started dissipating, and I could let myself feel true emotions, and I could be present in this very moment. Not long after eating normally on a daily basis, going to 12 step meetings regularly, talking with a healthy mentor consistently, changing my playground of friends to those who could empathize and be supportive, and regular group therapy with other women with eating disorders, my light began to shine. And I started feeling happiness and self-confidence, and peace and love for myself and for others. I began to see the world more as it is, and not as much through my own personal eating-disordered filter. And then I began to discover my purpose of helping others, of which I now believe that is the primary reason I went through a living Hell otherwise known as an eating disorder. I now know that when I let my light shine, I give others permission to do the same."

I think this is great advice for anybody, if they are struggling with the disease, or an addiction, or not. What an inspiration she is! (and SO talented)

The National Eating Disorders Association has put together a great schedule of events HERE which you can follow! Please visit the site HERE and talk about it! Talk about it with coworkers, on twitter (social media activism!!), and with your friends and family.

There is an incredible web of support on the internet too--blogs, songs, and resources galore. If you want to contribute to this cause and don't know how, you can always give money (health insurance doesn't usually support treatment, so sadly many people go without)! If you have questions, please visit the site or you can contact me as well at aliciabdesigns@gmail.com

Happy Eating Disorders Awareness Week!

Be good to yourselves, and treat your bodies and minds with care.

Alicia B.