A Green for Winter

As I was working out in my head what colors I could use for my New Year's Eve party (which has taken a turn in a more relaxed direction), I was thinking what would be holiday but not Christmas? My colors were silvers, whites, and greens. I think the sparkle of the silver with the green color would be just festive enough but not scream Christmas at the same time. I've also been seeing light greens nearly everywhere against whites, gilt woods, and silvers.

This interior by Nate Berkus may be in my top 20 favorites and not just because of the patriotic moment in the back. The tiny pops of green among the neutrals is very subtle but makes the room fresher.

I saw this chest in the Wisteria catalogue today and was instantly enamored. It's so simple but it has so much texture.

This is a little vignette from a Lynn Morgan interior. Even using a plant is a great way to add green to a room. Like I said above, I'm super drawn to the metal tones with green.

This is really bringing the outdoors in in this Eddie Ross interior! The ferns are so sweet and natural with the brass lamp.

In this rustic and mostly white/creme interior, the green from the plants softens it. I love that layered display on the mantle. From Country Living.

This is a perfect neutral holiday scene. Even if it's not Winter these colors look warm and fresh. Bierly Drake.

An interior using Anne Selke fabrics has more light fresh mossy greens with a faux bamboo upholstered ottoman. I adore her fabrics; they're so fresh and whimsical.

These interiors are certainly inspiring for my little NYE get together. I'm thinking of using some of my same trees that I have for Christmas but remove the red elements and replace them with green. Perhaps the green theme is a good one for New Years as well; turning over a new leaf for a new year, that sort of thing. I'll let you know how it goes when I get back to New York and things get a little less abstract.



Alicia B.

Autumnal Reds

A friend, and one of my most loyal readers, sent me the most beautiful flowers on Monday. They are red roses mixed with red berries and a smaller red/orange rose. I loved the colors and they are the inspiration for this post. Reds and oranges are a perfect color for the season and they flow right into the next season: HOLIDAYS/CHRISTMAS!!

Amanda Nisbet makes this orangey red the dominant color in the room with lots of curtains in this color. I'd love a little throw like that one in that warm orange color.

Sharon Simonaire. The chair is quite eye catching int hat color but what I'm most drawn to are the paisley framed art works. So gorgeous and unexpected.

Cheryl Tague is just perfection as a designer. Her designs are simple yet so sophisticated and look very gracious.

Bierly Drake. This living room looks so warm as well. Did you know that velvet is coming back? Well, I read a lot of fashion magazines over the weekend, and it is. This velvet slipper chair is the perfect shade of faded pomegranate.

Alex Papachristidis has the perfect mix of reds and greens. This green desk with gold accents and little pops of reds in the painting, the file folder, the chair, and the coral is so delightful.

Over the past weekend I went to visit my sisters in Chicago and the holidays are everywhere there! People sure are rushing the season forward but why put off something that makes everyone feel happy and in a good mood? I love these colors (though I sort of have a fear of red), but they are fun and warm feeling. If getting a gorgeous bouquet of flowers makes me realize this, then so be it. They're so gawwgeous!


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

This has been an extremely busy week for me as you can see by the lack of posting. Busy is great though. I've been working on a school project of a town house, work is buzzing again, it's Fall Market in the D & D building and I'm helping a client select fabric for bedroom window treatments! Here are some lovely pictures for you to enjoy.

This little scene is from an interior by Sara Bengur. Isn't the fabric on this chair gorgeous? Faded salmon color? Pinky oranges are everywhere I look lately.

Nate Berkus. I love the surprise pop of blue from these ceramic vases in this beautiful but neutral dining room.

Ready for the close up? What a wonderful display cabinet for these great white platters. If you read this blog you know I love the wire in the cabinets. Bierly Drake.

I'll update you on my drapery project soon. I'm busy collecting fabrics to see in the space and to show the clients! I also attended a book signing in the D & D building yesterday and will let you know about that soon as well! Have a wonderful and creative weekend.

Alicia B.

Rando Design Inspiration Friday

Phew! It's been a crazy week, has it not? What with the swine flu scare all over the world, me launching my new website (!), and finishing up the semester at school with my final last night, I'd say we need some design inspiration! I know not a whole lot of that stuff applies to all of you, but you know what I mean.

This lovely sitting room in a country house designed by Mariette Himes Gomez is calling to me. Clearly this person has a collection of antique boxes, and what a great way to display them!

What? You left the door open for me? Don't mind if I do! This sunny yellow foyer was designed by Bierly-Drake Associates.

I just got a signed copy of Albert Hadley's book of sketches and I'm absolutely in love with this library (and Albert Hadley). He just sketched that...it's just amazing. You should, if you are in NYC this weekend, pick one up at the Kip's Bay Showhouse on the Upper East Side.

Plans for the weekend? Since it's raining I'm not sure anymore, but I've very excited to be volunteering at Kip's Bay. I can't wait to check out all the amazing rooms that I've heard about/read about. Yay for Friday!


Alicia B.