A little bit of fun with wallpaper...

Over the past weekend a friend of my parents needed advice on a wallpaper selection for her powder room. She had an inkling of what she really wanted but she seemed not to be sure. I think she's sure now, though. Having a lot of Asian accents around the house, she was looking for a real statement of that in her powder room and as I told her, that's what is so fun about powder rooms; they're so small and if you want to you can really go crazy with them and go all out. The wallpaper that I think she's going to go with has a black background. Of course you can go for a dark color in a small room--it's better that way!

Michael Smith designed this amazing little room. I think this wall paper would be her favorite. It has a bold looks, it's an Asian style toile, and its very beautiful. It's by Clarence House, Shanghai Deco.

This is obviously quite a narrow little space! The sink fits nice and snugly in the room. I love how it's painted a black gloss below the chair rail and then wallpapered above it. Designed By Lori Graham and the wall paper is by Cole and Son.

living etc. I like the moire wastebasket, and the very bold pink wallpaper but don't you know that someone is coming to photograph your home? Clean up a little bit!! Okay, we get it! You have a pink bra! Don't give it all away in one shot...

Here is another Asian style wallpaper that is red and white this time. If you need to play with depth, I think this is the perfect one. Sometimes it looks like the red is the background and other times it looks like the white! I love all the little Asian accents in here: the lantern, the tables. Designed by Meg Braff.

Isn't this wallpaper by Ralph Lauren fun?! It looks almost decoupaged and the mirror reflects the back wall and the little shelf to add more depth, too!

Talk about bold! Anna Sui designed this funky bathroom in her very funky apartment. I love the bold wallpaper and the floor to match it's boldness. Though the paisley may not have much Asian feel to it right off, the mirrored sconces do, and the wastebasket does as well.

I know I've mentioned this before in previous posts but it is such a great opportunity to go crazy in a small room like a powder room. It can of course relate to the other rooms but you can take the feeling and push it to the next level design-wise. And if you hate it, it's a small room so you can redo it without much headache and expense.


Alicia B.

The art of cooking with art around...

Since I've been choosing photographs for a small show ( I know, exciting!) that I will be in in October, someone made the suggestion that some of my food photography would be great for a kitchen. It really got me thinking of using art in kitchens in general. More often than not we are paying more attention to the appliances, the subway tile or hand painted tile backsplash, and the lighting over the island, am I right? When is it okay to put a painting in the kitchen? Is it better to keep it simple? Here are some pictures of art in the kitchen that I found particularly intriguing.

Nancy Boszhardt. What an amazing and clearly functional kitchen. If that found painting was not there, the kitchen would still be beautiful but it definitely adds a focal point and some interest.

Even in a super industrial kitchen, it doesn't have to be all modular pieces. This painting is amazing and adds much needed color to the space. From Living Etc.

Delson Sherman Architects placed a painting off to the side. This painting helps to transition the space from the kitchen to the dining/sun room.

Another striking painting made into the focal point of the room framed by two amazing sconces. I really love those sconces. By David Kleinberg.

Even in this mini kitchen (Anna Sui's apartment from Elle Decor), there are two works of art; one leaning and another in a niche above the sink. The painting only adds to the gracefully controlled whimsy in this space.

So, I guess you can have it all! Subway tile galore, amazing lighting and art. I have a framed piece of fabric with an elephant on it from India in my kitchen. It helps to define the space as my kitchen is technically kitchen slash living room. I'm sure a lot of you have situations like that. I placed the fabric right over my breakfast table instead of centered on the whole wall and it breaks the room into two parts.

In other news, I had my class tonight and it's not as scary as I thought (fingers crossed), but it will take up a lot of my time so please be patient with me! Thanks for your encouragement, too!


Alicia B.