Hanging vs. Leaning.

One of my biggest pet peeves is when you see a beautiful or even not so beautiful art propped up against a wall instead of hanging. To me, it takes away from the value of the art to have it casually sitting there rather than displayed up on the wall. I know it has been a big trend and I see it everywhere but finally yesterday I was validated on this sentiment by designer Keith Irvine! There was an article about him (he's 80 and still amazing!) in the New York Times yesterday and he said, "the modern habit of propping pictures against the wall. It's A, sort of pretentious and B, tentative." GOOD POINT Mr Irvine! I think the fact that it's "tentative" makes me feel unsettled and unfinished.

On the other side of this, people enjoy the temporary aspect of leaning the art. It can be seen as casual and you are able to move it about. Derek Larson says, "Leaning art feels effortless and casual. And it makes it easy to rotate pieces in your collection."

In Domino, the art is hanging and leaning. I do like the gallery style on the back wall though--look how low those pictures are!

Living etc. A framed poster (inexpensive art!) is propped on this mantle.

Adore this white washed brick but one of these pictures is being blocked!

Leaning art on the floor. I don't feel well.

Bravo on committing! From Domino.

Even if you're going for a less formal look, you can still hang the art! This is from a Robin Bell house in House Beautiful.

We all know how I feel. What are your thoughts?

Alicia B.

MY Deco File (so far)

Usually I don't jump on to the trend train on things right away. I like to make sure something has staying power before I decide to like it, like Gossip girl, or polo shirts. You know what I mean. Anyway, I had seen the domino deco files popping up trying to get me to jump on board and I'd always ignored it. I have my own little files at home. One of small things that inspire me; pretty pictures or objects, quotes by designers that inspire me etc. Then, I have a notebook when entire articles of designer spreads from magazines that I've fallen in love with. Well, I finally succumbed to Domino Deco Files. You can categorize, label, and tag all the images. Its an organizational dream! And my favorite part is that you can take images from other websites or files already saved onto your computer--not just Domino!

I love the furniture in these two pics. That's all.

As of right now I only have a few pics (above) from Ina Garten's newest spread in House Beautiful done by Robert Stilin, but I'm working on it okay?? DON'T PRESSURE ME.



Alicia B.

Feeling Blue? GREAT!

Benjamin Moore's Paddington Blue # 791

A friend of mine just moved into a new apartment and was asking me for advice! Yay! She has lots of dark wood furniture and doesn't want pink to be involved in the color scheme (I know, crazy right?). I suggested blue to her and she loved the idea of the rich dark browns and contrasting blues. Also add in some sandy browns or pale golds for accents! Here are some fun blue interiors that I found.

A tranquil bedroom from Dominio Mag.

I love this facade. LOVE.

A blue color scheme with a pale yellow wall from Domino Mag.

A Markham Roberts Dining room. Beautiful.

Blue hallway.

From Domino, Nick Olson designed this living room with bold blues and yellows.

Alicia B.

Designer Spotlight: Jonathan Rosen

Another one of my favorite designers is Jonathan Rosen. His style is light, full of pastels, and traditional. I love his use of colors; he is definitely not afraid to use them but at the same time hes not afraid of a little neutral. These images are from a house in the Hamptons published in House Beautiful.

This blue bedroom is so pretty! Light and relaxing.

I like the celadon brick shaped tiles on the back splash.

Woah, patterns. China Seas fabric.

Neutral "beachy" looking living room.

Alicia B.

I LOVE EVERYTHING HERE. PREDICTABLE.

I love framing old maps.

I fell in love instantly with this whole spread from House Beautiful by Hal Williamson. I was semi surprised because of how French and feminine this style is. I usually am drawn to something a little less delicate looking and little more country. Nevertheless, I love it.

This desk is pretty much everything that I could ever dream of.

Detailing on the desk below.

The only thing I would change is that terrible picture above the cabinet. I know I'm supposed to like it but I don't.

mhmm.

Amazing bed.

I think the only thing I might change is the art. I would prefer some contemporary abstract art instead of those boring photographs.


Alicia B.

Pink Bedroom

In the latest House Beautiful I was absolutely in love with this whole spread of a house in CT designed by Jason Bell. The bedroom especially caught my eye. I love how light the room is and how there is pink everywhere. Also notice the beams in the ceiling painted white. Enjoy!

www.dashandalbert.com has an amazing selection of these striped rugs--custom sizes too.

J Pocker and Sons, Antique red coral print, $75.

Garnet Hill Coral Orleans Quilt; full is now $88.

House Beautiful mentioned the lamps were from Target I believe. Even so, the room is adorable.

Alicia B.

Bookcase Painting

Amazing Katie Ridder designed this fun living room. 

I have some rather boring dark mahogany finish bookcases and really wanted to do something to punch them up a bit. Painting the back of them makes the objects in front pop more, adds interest to an otherwise boring bookcase, and can be a fun weekend project.

See below for some fun examples, including putting fabric on the back!

Living room by Jason Bell in House Beautiful. I pretty much love this entire living room. Everything.

Some fun fabric options for a blah bookcase! I like the one on the left the best. Pretty fabric.

Sunny Yellow color from Domino Mag

Hopefully this bookcase distracts from that leopard sofa.

http://www.dominomag.com/howtos/diy/2007/04/howto_paint_bookshelves DIY project from Domino Mag.

Alicia B.

I heart Stephen Drucker

This little cutie is the Editor in Chief of House Beautiful which is my absolute fave design mag. Its pretty much genius. I just picked up a the September Issue the "Fall Color Issue." I adore color, in design and fashion. I pretty much don't feel right if I'm only wearing black white or grey--I'm not a real New Yorker I guess.


Anyway, I'm proud to say that I've met Stephen Drucker and he is so sweet (I think he might have been into me...haha) ! Hes very humble, almost shy and very thoughtful. He listens to other people which I think is quite rare in a designer. After googling him to find that fab picture above I found this old Apartment Therapy interview with him.

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/at-interviews/at-interviews-stephen-drucker-019101 Here is the Interview below...


1. What's the smallest home youve ever lived in?

A basement studio at 28 Grove Street in Greenwich Village. Never had a bad moment there.

2. Whats the last thing you bought for your own home?

Search grand tour intaglios on eBay and youll see.

3. If you had to furnish one room in your own home from scratch all from one source, what would it be?

Ruby Beets in Sag Harbor, NY.

4. Whats your favorite spot in your own home?

My desk. Sitting there, youd swear you were in London.

5. How often do you cook?

Most Saturday nights.

6. Whats the one thing you couldnt live without?

My Bose iPod dock.

7. Where should people splurge in their homes? Where should they save?

A decorator once told me, it isnt the first $1000 that makes a room, its the last $100. (In other words, its not the sofa, its the small stuff.)

8. What designer do you most admire?

Billy Baldwin.

9. What makes a home comfortable?

Using things. If youre afraid of it, get rid of it.

(interview from www.Apartmenttherapy.com)


I just love how real and somewhat practical he is. He doesn't pretend that he cooks gourmet meals every night, clearly doesn't have frivolous useless things in his house and he has an ipod! So cute! I wonder how I'd answer some of those questions...anyone?




Alicia B.