On the Hunt...

I'm in full blown new apartment decorating mode (when I'm not at school, work or packing) and my latest focus is bar stools! I have a real kitchen, finally, and need bar stools. Sounds simple right? Have you ever looked for bar stools, though? Not so easy; there are some TRULY unattractive bar stools out there. Above, is a stock photo of my new kitchen--let's be clear, I would NEVER choose those stools, but that's the basic look of my kitchen. Take a look at my top picks.

BAHA. Totally kidding. How do you look yourself in the eye selling that chair?? Okay, let's get serious.

I LOVE these from Pottery Barn--they have a beautiful rustic quality and the stain is very rich and nice. The only problem? I want them to have backs on them.

Same issue with these. I love them and they remind me of those stools from art class with an industrial quality, right? No backs though...so a no-go.


Then, I saw THESE French Bistro chairs in House Beautiful and fell in love. Unforch they're about 200 dollars each...I'll have to scout out some on ebay or something. Any suggestions on where to find these for a good price?

Here they are in backless version. I still love them. This is truly one of my favorite kitchens--designed by Nancy Boszhardt.

I also stumbled upon these, Breuer Counter Stools, which took me down memory lane. A family friend had these in their kitchen growing up and I'm oddly drawn to them. Nostalgia, probably. I remember them being very comfortable, though.

So as you can see, it's slim pickins for attractive bar/counter stools. I mean if you want pay $500 for that guitar stool above, I judge you, and please seek help. For everybody else, please help! Any good suggestions? Sources that I'm not aware of? After this hurdle, I have to work on carpets.


Alicia B.

Well Played, Town & Country

Everyone's seen the big news. I think Town and Country made a genius move hiring Stephen Drucker. I've always adored him, then I met him and my adoration only grew. He's a real gentleman and I love his positive attitude and commitment to innovative design. So Mr. Drucker will be moving from House Beautiful to Town and Country, and while I'll of course still be a subscriber to HB, they've just gained one more subscriber at T & C.

I've purchased the magazine from time to time when something in it interested me but I just know that Stephen Drucker will do great things with it (not that it's not already great). They have lovely spreads of delicious fragrances.

I picked up a copy of it over the weekend and it just happened to be the Home Issue! There SO MANY great articles featuring great homes and great designers. Here is a page of design trends!

They even managed to endear me to Swarovski crystal designer, Nadja Swarovski and her family. A little overboard on the zebra but I still like it and I love these adorable pink paisley pillows up on the sofa.

My favorite spread in the May Issue was the Michael Smith home that he designed for his friend Katherine Chez. Michael smith managed to make a 625 square foot living room seem cozy and the tiny bedrooms seem large but the whole home is cohesive and comfortable. Note the swoon worthy de Gournay wallpaper in the dining room which is also in the bedroom.

This is part of the living room. I'm enamored with the Beauvais carpet and the french doors leading to the hall. Notice how the lantern in the hall reflects the dining room table.

Yes, those are my fingers (and chipped nail polish) to the left. This aaaamazing hall with the most beautiful salmon pink painted walls is designed by Gil Schaefer.

The other incredible spread that caught my eye was the home that Katie Ridder designed for her parents. She designed their 4th or 5th home; this time on the Coast of California. She infused her signature classic style with an Eastern influence into this home set on a golf course.

Sorry for the icky pictures (except for the hot one above), but I don't have a scanner so I had to photograph them my digital camera. I've read this issue cover to cover twice and I'm not embarrassed. Anyway, my point is that I adore Stephen Drucker and I think he'll be great at Town and Country. I also think Newell Turner is going to be great at House Beautiful. What do you guys think? Are you in? I just sent in my subscription card for Town and Country--so excited!


PS- There will be a giveaway later this week! It's going to be great!!

Alicia B.

Friday Faves

YAY, It's Friday. I won't be at work today but I'll certainly be thinking of all things design, as always! This week is basically Earth week as Earth Day was yesterday. My way of showing that I'm a nice person and love nature and earth is by photographing it. One of my favorite things to photograph is water. Above is clouds reflected in Twin Lakes in CT which can be found HERE.

Another great way to "be green" is to purchase antiques! You're basically recycling, am I right? I love antiquing, thrifting, and repurposing old things. Being green while saving some green! From House Beautiful.

I REALLY want these shoes, though I will def be opting for something like THIS. Someday I'll get these $775 ones. Some. Day.

I'd really love to be here this weekend but I'll be skipping between NYC and NH (New Haven) with my sister (the one who ran the marathon!). This amazing place HERE.

Have a lovely weekend, recycle (duh), and enjoy the nice weather. I'll be pretty busy with my sister but I'd love to head on over to the Hell's Kitchen Flea Market, sew some pillows, and paint my blue dresser, yellow! We'll see how much of that actually happens. Tell me your plans!



Alicia B.

Easter Interiors

Easter is only three days away and am definitely ready for some jelly beans. I love Easter for many reasons but I really love the pretty pastel colors. Purples, greens, pinks, and yellow are a nice harbinger of Spring and warm weather. These interiors are like beautiful pastel Easter eggs.

I don't wanna brag but I have this rug in my bedroom. Its so cute but a little bit softer than the one above because it's faded. I'm a huge fan of painted furniture so I pretty much can't find anything I don't love about this S. R. Gambrel room--except that I'm not in it.

How great are these shades of blue and green. Like a vibrant robin's egg and a faded celery. The light in this bedroom is generous--designed by Phoebe Howard.

One of my favorite parts of Easter is when they show the local news reports of farms giving away little yellow chicks on Easter. They are so so cute but I'm definitely not allowed to bring home more baby chicks (Long story short we thought it was a hen, it grew up to be a rooster. Not a pretty scene). Anyway, this yellow wall and then the strategically placed Hunters are the perfect dose of yellow. From Country Living.

I wish I could get this color of seafoam green on my eggs when I dye them. This bathroom is simple but has so much going on and so much to look at. Designed by Kerry Joyce.

Perfect beach colors: sand and sky. This living room of a beach house from House Beautiful.

I think the color green is really growing on me. It is a color that reminds me of nature and plants so can be really fresh but also gives a feeling of coziness. I love this little bedroom from Coastal Living.

Yellow is really one of my favorite colors. I adore this little breakfast nook with yellows and whites and the organic elements like the faux bamboo chairs and the flowery chandelier. I will be doing a little DIY project involving yellow next week so GET JAZZED. This yellow gorgeousness is by Celerie Kemble.

I'd never put a shag carpet in any interior but I love the blue stripes running up the wall and the ceiling. I'd also love to have double doors leading to a terrace. So rip out the shag carpet and switch out the bed frame to a white painted country style frame and I'm there. By Betsy Burnham.

Don't you just love pastel rooms? I'm sure even if you're not a celebrator of Easter, the colors and the spring feeling, yes? I'm now at home in CT and I've been instructed that I must dye all the eggs, but I'll be helped when the boyfriend joins us tomorrow. My sisters are also dying eggs in Chicago and carrying out the silent competition of who can dye the best (funniest, too. I know, we're wild!) eggs. What are your Easter Plans? Non-Easter/just a gorgeous weekend plans? Tell me!


Alicia B.

Table linens are a must!

French Country inspired table linen from Williams Sonoma. Right now at the top of my list!

Last weekend when my parents were in town, I had a small brunch at my apartment with some old and now, new friends! I served waffles for the first time among other things and as far as I'M concerned, the brunch was a success. I think the only thing I was missing was a table cloth. I don't have one! I have plenty of place mats but I lack an actual tablecloth. My kitchen table is very small so its not a big deal but after doing some research I've decided that it might look nice and add a little festivity to something small like my brunch. I think I steer away from them in general because I don't like to make it seem like I'm covering something up. I have changed my mind.

From Elle Decor, I love the soft subtle pattern of this tablecloth. It reminds me of the place mats that I already have from Williams Sonoma.

To coordinate with the wispy linen drapery, this tablecloth allows you to see the profile of the table which is incredibly beautiful. It is pretty and doesn't compete with the bold rug underneath it. Also from Elle Decor.

This autumnal flavored setting is by Eddie Ross. I love the yellow and white stripes--so sweet.

I know this s another seasonal setting but I am DYING over this pattern. I just adore the brown and white fabric--from Country Living.

Again, a simple table set with a burlap cloth that somewhat matches the neutral linen drapery. Designed by Abby Rizor, found in HB..

Sorry for the shoddy picture, I took a picture of it instead of scanning. This lovely table is from Domino. The bold black and white check is a nice attention grabbing contrast from the wood furniture and floors.

In a spread about pink fabrics I saw in Veranda Mag, this sweet fabric with roses on it. Perhaps I could make my own tablecloth with all the fabrics I have. PROJECT!!

This table cloth is very resort or island inspired. I'm dying to go somewhere warm as it got cold again in New York so this one is just right for me! From House Beautiful.

There are really so many fabrics out there (and in my apartment) that I could have many tablecloths if I so desired. Williams Sonoma has a gorgeous selection including the image at the top. Isn't it beautiful? You could have quite a collection, one for every season or different meal or event. Now I just need a place to store them...Good luck to me.

Alicia B.

Pink Drapery Adventure

Here are only a few of the pink fabrics that I was working with. We ended up going with a soft and sweet silk taffeta.

As I mentioned before, over the weekend I was going to visit a client's to advise them on new updated pink drapery for their bedroom. As pink is my favorite colors, the fabric shopping I did for this was incredibly fun for me. Here are some pictures of rooms with pink drapery that I think are just fantastic.

Sixx Design. This is a sweet and fun kid's room with fun flowery drapery. Also please note the wall of pink red and yellow flowers. A living wall? In a little girl's room? LOVE.

House Beautiful. I think i might have posted this before but it is true perfection for me. This guest room has the perfect relaxing shade of pink and I can't resist a Dash and Albert rug. I love how the light shines through the pink curtains.

House Beautiful. Again, pink and green had me at hello. This is a more subtle shade of pink and certainly lightens the room.

Country Living. I love nearly everything in this room except for the powdery pink cabinet on the left. Too much. I think the pink stripe drapery though is fabulous.

Bierly Drake. I saved this one for last because it's to DIE FOR. Everything in this scene is just lovely and perfect. I love how high the drapery is hung, the choice of furniture which has dark accents to counter act the light feeling in the room, and how the curtains are all cinched together at the top and flow out at the bottom.

Needless to say I'm excited to see the pink drapery when it installed in a few weeks. My clients instantly loved the pink that I picked out and the fabric is on it's way! I'll show a before and after sometime soon.


Alicia B.

Rando Design Inspiration Friday

I'm still riding high from the mention in the Washington Post, but also, it's Friday! Every single day this week I thought it was Friday, even Monday, so this day has been a long time coming! Enjoy my random pictures for the day.

I just adore this bathroom by Amanda Nisbet. Who needs a mirror when you can say, "Dahhhling, you look maaahvalous!"

This is by amazingly talented Siskin Valls. I love the use of antiques and the distressed doors here.

After a late night last night, I'd so love to curl up in one of those gorgeous ikat upholstered chairs and read a book. The rug is exquisite--I love the color and how it is contrasted on the deep soot brown walls. From House Beautiful.

I am in the city for the weekend and might head down to Prospect Park to spend quality time with my cousins and their (semi) new baby! Have a lovely, fun, creative, and relaxing weekend! Big plans? Tell me!


Alicia B.

Rando Design Inspiration Friday

Hooray the weekend is (nearly) here! This has been a really great week so lets end it with a bang, yes? FYI, I had the most amazing gelato (for the US) last night at Eli Zabar's. You should go try it over the weekend. Or now.

From Southern Accents which has apparently folded (tear), I couldn't take my eyes off this gallery wall on a curved wall UNTIL I saw that mini chaise. In love.

This bathroom seems so soft and smooth with marble and stones even thought the tiles look rough and blocky. By Philip Sides.

Ever since the House Beautiful issue a few days ago, I've been thinking about what "my color" is. I love pink but oddly enough I don't have much pink in my own apartment. I have blue and yellow. I'm very complicated. Thinking I might try out La Dolce Vita's test HERE. Room by Kim Zimmerman.

My bedroom is painted blue and has green and wood accents . This bedroom from Martha Stewart looks just as lovely as mine. HA.

I've always loved Barry Dixon. This is a gorgeous room from a house in the Caribbean. Can anyone guess what my favorite element in the room is?

In a few hours I'm off to the train to go home for the weekend. My father is alllll alone this weekend and last time he was left alone he did some overly ambitious yard work, cut his hand and DROVE himself to the ER. That's not happening again. Hopefully there will be minimal yard work and maximum tennis and sailing. Have a great weekend--what are your plans??!!


Alicia B.