Cabin Fever

Thom Filicia's newly published cottage up in upstate NY.  Panelled walls, cozy sofas and blankets, and a stone fireplace make me want to escape NYC right now.

As is most of the Northeast right now, I'm trapped indoors due to Hurricane Sandy.  I have my refugee sister from Zone A (Battery Park City) staying with us and after what seems like days of Storm Sandy Watch, we all have cabin fever...and it hasn't even been a day yet.  In order to amuse myself, I'm going to blog it up with some fun cabins and cottages.  See what I did there...cabin fever?  YEAH.

Nothing sets an autumnal mood like plaid upholstery.  And as trendy as they seem I still love a good animal hide throw.  Dransfield and Ross (hot).

Antlers collection!  And I'm DYING in love with that table.  Spectac!  Also, amazing hide throw.

I'm really obsessed with navy blue walls right now paired with accents of creamy whites and brass.   In our imaginary guest room I'm thinking of painting the walls navy blue--too extreme?  This is from Lonny. 

I can't even count how many times I've posted on this room.  This is Bunny Williams's cottage up in Litchfield County.  Look at al the fantastic details in this beautifully decorated room.  Every piece was chosen with purpose, not just clutter.  

Here is a simple moment in a library from Martha Stewart's Lily Pond Lane home.  The yellow on that chair is warm and inviting looking.  

Exposed beams also give a cabin type look.  Too bad our mod NYC apartment doesn't sport exposed beams.  Lame.  By Shawn Henderson. 

Hudson Bay blankets, so hot right now, make up the uber high draperies on this windows for this Michigan cabin. Totally cottage chic.  From Country Living.

What are you guys in NYC/LI/CT doing to amuse yourselves today?  Are you all "hunkered down" today as they keep advising on the news?  Watching TV? Reading a...GASP...book??  I haven't quite gotten that desperate yet.  (Just kidding, reading is awesome).  Hope you all are staying safe!!


Alicia B. 

Marbleized Paper Obsession

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

Berber Love

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.

The Modern Pleat

This room in the Kips Bay Showhouse is full of uber traditional pleated details by Mario Buatta.

Usually when you think of pleats you conjure up images of fussy chintz sofas (see above and please don't hurt me Mr. Buatta), doilies, and lots and lots of passmenterie. Lately however, the idea of a pleat is modern, clean, and...trendy. I'm seeing them in upholstery as well as in the fashion world. While I've always been a fan of a cute pleated skirt, pleats are BACK in pants, too.

Massucco Warner Miller uses a pleated pillow in this cheery orange, blue and neutrals room. Modern but not cold--I like it.

Eileen Fisher has a line of dupioni silk home accents including these loosely pleated pillows.

I just know I'd have to run my fingers manically up and down this pillow. By Dransfield and Ross.

A pleated bed skirt is also another way to go! I love the way this looks here. By Marshall Watson.

This is the happiest little pleated pillow and doesn't have a super structured look but isn't fussy. From etsy shop TootieEstelle.

This pleat all the way up the arm ads a fussy/fresh detail to the chair. Henredon via Point Click Home.

Gap is pulling in outside designers (thank God) again and these pants in the window caught my eye on my power walk down to work. I know my friends would tear me down if I bought them so I'll stick to my regular khakis but these are quite fun! Alexander Wang designed for the Gap for $69.50.

I like the detailing, personally, but what do you guys think? I'm into the fresh modern take on something traditional--surprised?


Alicia B.