Before and After: Foyer

After much design therapy with these two LUNATICS that I adore (my older sister and BIL), they have finally given in to my wishes and added some elements to their front hall under the console table! Their console table is beautiful, but the whole moment looked...empty. Anyway, I convinced them to put something under it to draw attention to the space. My BIL really took to the idea of ceramic elements, a grouping of three so he and my sister chose a celedon urn, a ceramic garden stool (love!), and a wooden pagoda to go with their other Asian inspired pieces around their apartment.

I love their little cluster of three. The different sizes and they way they are arranged adds depth to the space.

Such beautiful colors. Taken from below.

Shopping time: Celedon urn vase from Gumps, Wooden Pagoda from Gumps, and the ceramic garden stool from Williams Sonoma Home!

I wonder what I'll make them buy next! Perhaps it's time for a visit to Chicago, yes?


Alicia B.

Non-boring Side Tables

If you show me this boring thing again I'll die. I don't want to be dramatic or anything, but it's a very real possibility.

Since the big move, I've noticed that my new apartment is really lacking a great side table in which I can put things; bowls, frames, and stack papers (that go in cute containers, duh). So I've found some fun and different side tables that include shelving! I can't take this modular look for another moment, so I've branched out and I hope you enjoy them.

This little unassuming table is from LL Bean Home and comes in many fun bright colors for $99. Great price for so many shelves!

This bobbin table from MGBW would be perfect, but I need more shelves. I still love it though and it's only $325.

Perfect for small spaces, here is an Asian inspired table, the Harbour Tea Table from Gumps for $259.

J'adore this faux bamboo etagere on castors, also from Gump's for $649

Very attractive 4-shelf bookcase from Ballard Designs. The Dunstan for only $289.00

This one is plain, but classic. The Conservatory Garden End table from Ralph Lauren Home for ONLY $7485.

When I'm a high end designer, I plan on using Hickory Chair all the time. The Chippendale lamp table HERE.

I like the brass accents on this; especially the fretwork top! This 3-tier etagere is from Baker for $3038.00 Hmm.

This beautiful mahogany antique table that I found on 1st Dibs is most certainly going to be out of my range, but aim high...right? From Burden and Izett who has very beautiful antiques.
I've really fallen in love with Victoria Hagan's Designer collection through Target. I am leaning towards this one. I like the wood ornamentation on the sides and its only $79.99. And Victoria Hagan designed it so...I'm in!

When I said I was "leaning towards" the Victoria Hagan one, I really meant that I bought it four hours ago. Oops! I'm so excited to get some things off the ground--literally. Next stop: the Container store for some more cute boxes. What?! They're having a sale!!


Alicia B.

Striped? Solid? or Patterns? So many Choices!

OY. Sorry Horchow, but you're scaring me. Yuck.

I love buying new sheets, so I've been on a mad hunt for the perfect sheet-set. This means, affordable, good quality, and good looking. All of the sheets I have now are solid (pink) or white with a pink embroidered stripe from the late Hold Everything. Tear. Anyway, I've had my eye on some cute blue flowered patterned sheets. I haven't had patterned sheets since I was a girl and they were flannel with little pink roses (I think) and it's time to bring them back. Here is a mini guide to some fun/luxurious bedding; some striped, some solid, and most patterned.

If you're going to go with a solid sheet, you had better go with something high end. Sheets of Egyptian cotton? YUP. These are 100% cotton sateen from Frette--the Doppio Ajour Bedset. And guess what? They're on sale starting for $450!


Or, if you have a soul or a conscience or something, you could go for eco friendly bedding at Cuddle Down. I think they have more affordable eco/organic bedding at Target or The Company Store.

A menswear inspired stripe for this Ralph Lauren bedding. Cole Brook Stripe and they're on sale too! These look quite comfortable; like those button down cotton menswear pj's!

Classic Ralph Lauren dark but cozy looking patterned sheets. Cote D'Azure.

Imagine yourself in these...OMG how soft and luxurious! Sferra Flores Jacquard bedding made in ...Italy. YUM.

These are fun yet delicate looking sheets from Schweitzer Linen. Schweitzer Linen is probably my ultimate goal in bedding. Their stores are so pretty with nice clean white lace sheets and pillows....These are Ascot in Sorbet color.

I like the trellis-y pattern on these from Gumps. Or maybe it was the huge pillows that caught my eye...whichever. Lulu DK Bedding HERE.

These caught my eye at Crate and Barrel and I believe they are on sale too! I love this pattern--super busy and fun and they're Marimekko! There are a few other variations, too.

What sort of bedding are you drawn to? I'm sort of straying from the hotel style bedding. The clean and crisp feeling of it is wonderful but lately I'm drawn to a busier pattern. Something about it feels super cozy.

Alicia B.

Trimming the Tree Alicia B. Style

Martha Stewart tree.

Trimming the tree is one of my favorite things to prepare for Christmas. My sisters and I take turns putting up ornaments to make sure that everyone gets an equal amount (or someone ends up crying or hitting each other). It's like a storybook Christmas (It really is.) This year however, I am forced to be a workaholic and work on Christmas Eve so my family will decorate the tree without me (dagger to my heart). My favorite ornaments have a history or are the ones that I have made over the years; a giant construction paper Santa that is not easy on the eyes, Mary and Joseph made out wooden spoons, etc. I also love the vintage ones that my parents grew up with, too. They are so beautiful. Here are some fun cute ornaments I found...I guess I have to live vicariously through my blog. Sigh.

A German tradition (though we are not German) is to hide the green pickle in the tree branches. My younger sister hides it every year and we are caught searching for it for way too long. This one from Oriental Trading Company for $4.99. Also can get them at Crate and Barrel.

How cute is the little Squirrel Nutkin from Conran Shop? For $19.50.

Pretty and makes a beautiful noise; these bells from Vivaterra for $24.00.

Surprisingly cute Sock Monkey Ornaments from Gumps. Set of 4 for $24.99

Faux Fur mink coat Ornaments from Ballard Design. Set of Six for $12.00! If only I had one in life size, and not faux. Ahhh.

Classic vintage ornament from Etsy seller JunkyardGypsy. $20 for four boxes! I love these vintage ones mixed in with regular ornaments. They add such a beautiful, festive, and traditional look.

Mini Munchkin Mice from Crate and Barrel for 17.95. Oh. God. These mice in hats are KILLING ME with cute.

Adorable Cabin Ornament from Anthropologie for $12.60 I keep seeing these fabric ornaments and I'm loving them.

Well, looking on the bright side, I won't be there to get in fights with my sisters and I still get to hear my father read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. Tear.


Alicia B.

Holiday Gift Guide Number One: UNDER $50

Clever gift wrapping idea from Martha.

Everyone is doing a Holiday gift guide, so here is mine! Mine are fun, affordable, and related to the home because that's my favorite place. Oh, and btw they're all under $50. Enjoi!

Wooden Pushpins for 8.00 at The Container Store. Yay for organizational gifts!

Which leads me to this one. Books are an excellent gift, but the next step is organizing them. Have your own personal library kit for $36.00 at kate's paperie.

How cute is this wellies soap and wooden soap dish?
From Smith and Hawkin for $20.00.

Efficiency at its best, one motion, three slices!
Shredding Scissors from the Container Store for $8.99.

I'd love to be emo enough to keep a journal but for those disciplined enough, these mini journals from Jill Bliss are from the MOMA Museum Shop for 14.95.

I suppose you could make these, or buy them from Gump's.
Japanese Fabric Sachets for $29.00 and now with free shipping. Go for it!

I DIE for this linen tea towel from my fave museum the Cooper Hewitt. $40.00

That's all for now. I'll be making most of my gifts this year to save money. I'm sure my family is super psyched for another "Homemade Christmas!"

Alicia B.

Zebra. In or Out?

It seems to me that there is a bit of confusion about the trend of Animal prints. Are they in? Are they out? Or are they timeless like pearls and a popped collar? Here are some examples from interior design and fashion. Looks like zebra is SO HOT RIGHT NOW. What do you think?

Miles Redd

Target Rug

Todd Romano. I .......adore this room.

Todd Romano

Domino Mag. I love putting rugs on top of sisal.

Manhattan Street Barrier. ha.

Gumps ottoman.

Horchow Chocolate Zebra Wing Chair

J Crew ballet flats. Leopard can be hot too!

McBeth Collection. Fun pink accessory.

I just found this article in Real Simple about how animal prints will always be coming back. They say go for the most authentic looking ones; ie. black and white, not loud colors such as above. I think its fine for a silly file folder though. http://www.realsimple.com/realsimple/gallery/0,21863,1709685-10,00.html




Alicia B.