Friday Faves

The title of my Friday special blog is now changed. Friday Faves. It will still remain as your fun inspiration to swing you through a slow Friday and land you into Saturday though! With Friday faves though, you might see my new fave fashion item...today too.

I spotted this amazing kitchen by Windsor Smith in the new Traditional Home mag, which I received yesterday in the mail. The magazine (I just started subscribing after buying it outright for countless months) is so full of fun things and such great articles that I had to admit that it was one of my faves now. Anyway, the kitchen, in brown, white and red has me staring. Normally I'm not drawn to red but this is so pretty--the light fixture over the island is especially captivating. The details are all attended to, which makes me love Windsor Smith even more.

OH. Here's the fashion part of the post! These yummy preppy little slippers are from Boden and look like a little polka dotted sweater about to wrap itself around my feet!

How nice would it be to come home on a Friday evening to this bathtub? SO NICE. I bet that towel rack is a towel warmer too. Ugh, delish. By uber talented Caroline Paterson.

I hope you all have amazing Fridays and even better weekends. I have plans to go to Philly to see my friend and former coworker and her new baby! I'm never around babies so I'm so excited to meet her!

ALSO, I'll let you know about something special later on today. I know you're all holding your breath in anticipation for it.


Alicia B.

Random Design Inspiration Friday

Even though I gave myself a four day week this week, it was jam packed with busyness. My class just kicked into high gear and I have just about everything due next week, I'll be showing drapery fabrics to my client this weekend up in CT (SO JAZZED), and I'm working on decluttering my apartment. Hopefully I'll get a moment this weekend to just breathe. Here are some pictures that are helping me do just that!

I saw this amazing series of balloon pictures on You Are My Fave. Aren't they incredible? It reminds me of the hot air balloon races that used to happen when I was younger; all of a sudden you'd look up in the backyard and there were masses of balloons floating above you. (Btw, this has nothing to do with those lunatics who lost their son yesterday in a balloon. Weird.)

I love to photograph balloons whenever I get the chance. These are my latest; taken in Central Park a few weeks ago. Picnic Balloons.

Sixx Design is one of the most intensely inventive design firms right now. I'd just DIE for the garage door opening into the space. I wonder how that would feel to be in a space that open.

Keith Scott Morton. Everyone knows I love a good Windsor chair. The color of the door is perfect for fall right now.

In a few hours I'll be off on the train up to CT in this icky rain. I haven't been home in a while so I'm really looking forward to this. Rumor has it that we'll be eating dinner HERE! SO delish. Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

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

As always, I've been much too busy to keep up with myself this week. I apologize about my slow posting but things have been hectic. I am secretly glad that Fall is quickly approaching though; as much as I love wearing mini skirts in the summer, I LOVE plaid and wool just as much. Here is a little selection of interiors you might like.

Nate Berkus had me at this simple striped throw rug AND THEN the amazing rough looking chest of drawers there. Then the table lamp. AH.

Lonny Mag was launched yesterday as many of you all know! I am very impressed and love it so far. It seems to be a Domino/Blueprint type with fashion mixed in, which I look forward to also. Congrats to the staff and creators of Lonny! This is just one of many gorgeous vignettes you can see in the online mag.

Kyle Sheneman of Live Well Designs, is a designer who once redesigned Tyra Banks's office in LA for her. His portfolio is youthful with many classic elements mixed in. This scene makes me feel like Fall.

So many things seem to be happening in the design world lately and it's all very exciting! I'm getting set for the weekend which will involve me redesigning an entire first floor for school! Talk about exciting! What do you have planned?


Alicia B.

Rando Design Inspiration Friday!

Cool art table via abccreativity

I'm approaching this weekend with a bit of trepidation. I know I have a lot to do for school when all I really want to do is go downtown and shop around and hit up a flea market or two. OH WELL, these are the sacrifices I have to make for my future/school. I'll be at school chained to a drafting table. Not like the one above--they are all white and pristine but the one above looks like fun. I am jazzed that it's Friday because I'm pretty tired so here are some relaxing nap inducing rooms. Enjoy!

I love this kind of window here with a window seat. The light streaming in looks so warm and inviting. Interior by Courtney Giles.

My new favored designer is Chad Eisner. He has amazing taste as you can see above with that fun and surprising drum shade. Check out his portfolio HERE.

This whimsical coffee table keeps the room from feeling too stuffy. I'd love to have a soft arm chair like that one by the window. From Katie Sellers.

I would just love to skip out of work right now (at 10:30 eek!) and sit in a window seat warmed by the sun and read a book. But alas, I'll be out soon enough I guess and only to start madly thinking about rearranging a mini kitchen in an inventive way so that my teacher won't yell at me. What are your plans? Outside? Inside? With family and friends?


Alicia B.

Random Design Inspiration Friday

Happy Friday Everyone! This week has been a huge whirlwind of life, class, yoga, drafting, fabrics, the list goes on for me. Needless to say, I have barely had a moment to just sit and be. Judging by my schedule for this coming weekend, I'd say this is my only chance to do just that. Here are a smattering of gorgeous interiors that just make you go, "ahhh."

Sharon Simonaire. This round sunroom is full of light and movement. The sun bounces off of those blue mosaic tiles, shimmering and making it look like water. Also who can resist that antique industrial style light fixture, or a pug for that matter?

I'm feeling like I need a little more orange in my life now that fall is fast approaching. This small office interior is by John Loecke, who is a color lover just like I am (or who I aspire to be)!

The wall paper matches the upholstery here in this interior by Gary McBournie making the room seem cozy, but not claustrophobic. I think i need a big chunky throw like that blue one for my loveseat this winter.

Emma Jane Pilkington is popping up everywhere and rightfully so. Her interiors are inventive and quite pretty. I adore the ikat fabric on the chairs and the soft grey wall color. I can't wait to see more of her portfolio. (this pic via Orange Beautiful)

I think being able to look at a space and have that reaction is the best goal to have as a designer. You don't want someone to walk into a space and feel uptight or constricted (or do you??). This weekend, I'll be drawing a floor plan of my mini kitchen, having a rematch with the bf on the tennis courts tomorrow (I will not let him win again!), strolling along the High Line on the west side, and probably doing more homework. What will you be doing? Designing? Relaxing? Traveling? Fill me in.


Alicia B.

Random Design Inspiration Friday!

Ah, Labor Day Weekend. Summer's Last Hurrah. Tear. This weekend is our last chance for fun. EVER. Sorry for the dramatics but classes start up next week and I don't know when I'll ever see the outdoors again after I start. There will be drafting, planning, color scheming etc and I'm totally psyched! Here are some "Last Hurrah" pictures for you on this lovely Friday!

Sherrill Canet designed this cozy little den. I love the soft dark coral with the rich chocolate colors in the room. I could read a book here for hours.

The whimsy in this room is so light and fun, yet I'd still feel comfortable in this bedroom. I especially love the ivory bedspread and that amazing headboard. By Sara Bengur.

Is anybody going up to their family's summer home in Maine? Well, this is from a home in Camden Maine. I just adore the plain linen on the back and patterned blue fabric on the front on this chair. By Chatfield Design. Gorgeous photo by © Sarah Szwajkos Photography

This weekend I'll be making my last trip home for a while as I will be chained to a drafting table for the next few months. I'll by hanging out with my sisters (and BIL) and my beau as we celebrate my older sister's birthday! YUM cake. Or pie? I'm so excited because we are so rarely all together anymore. Another tear. What are your plans?


Alicia B.

It's the little things...

Sometimes it's the little things that make the big difference. My apartment is certainly clean but I'm not going to lie, it's a tad cluttered. I have tons of magazines and fun design stuff that just accumulates after a while. Are you nodding your head in agreement? Here are a few small things that helped de-clutter my tiny spaces.

That's right. I had one of these little bad boys. It was full of paint and art supplies and had a nice label on it but even so, it was plastic and it was crushing my soul.

So I went on over to The Container Store and got one of THESE, which is made from recycled materials, then I applied a thin pink grosgrain ribbon around it to make it more "Alicia" and look how cute it is now!

It really loves its new home under my slip covered stool.

Do you have moments like this (above),

and this? All around your apartment or house? I love design magazines so I tend to accumulate a lot of them. I love to save the Architectural Digests and the House Beautifuls, and the Martha Stewart Livings, but the other ones sometimes I have issues letting go. BUT, I have created two books to help me with this.

This one that I'm showing you is my "Inspiration Book." It is for things that I see in magazines that inspire me and may not have anything to do with design (the often do though). It has small clippings that I just love to look at most of the time and they make me smile.

Above is one of those pages. A series of beautiful Rothko paintings, a pretty blue and white porcelain plate with a simple flower lying on it, and a black and white bedroom on the opposite side. After I do this, then I can discard the old magazines and free up some more space.

You don't need to make huge changes in your living space to clear out some clutter or make things a little bit simpler. Another thing I'm about to do is change my throw pillows on my love seat for fall! It will freshen up my apartment and not cost a lot of money or take a lot of time. Do you things that you do to freshen up your apartment after a while?


Alicia B.

Rando Inspiration Design Friday

Precision Rigging.

Happy Friday! This week has flown by like a rocket ship! What a great week--I'm sorry it has to end with this dreary rain. Yuck. Anyway, I'm offering 20% off my Nature photography today at www.aliciabdesigns.com. This is only today, and ONLY because I'm in a good mood. Who knows how long this will last...Enjoy my pictures in design inspiration from this week!

Point Click Home has a wonderful house tour of a family in DC. This super minimalist fireplace caught my eye. An asymmetrical look is quite often very wonderful.

From Marie Claire Maison, this foyer is so quiet and calm. I wish I could see what's behind that door, and the wispy curtains.

Hamilton Design Assoc. I wonder who designed this, the designers or the kids?! So charming. I was a deprived child and my father never built us a tree house (he was afraid that we would fall out of it and hurt ourselves, BUT WHATEVER).

I have a feeling the good mood might last as I have a great weekend ahead of me. Flea market shopping with my friend on Saturday, and visiting my cousins and the little cutie baby on Sunday in Prospect Park. Plans? Tell me!


Alicia B.

Rando Design Inspiration Friday!

Hey y'all! It's Friday and I'm so excited to bust out of work today! My little sister (4 inches taller than I) is in town and I can't wait to hang out with her! Here are some images that make me ALMOST as jazzed as my sisters do.

The pink, the antique chair, the bookcase display--what more could I love in this living room by Todd Klein?

I think we all know based on yesterday's post that I'm just obsessed with this little breakfast nook with the birdcage next to it! I hope there's not a real bird in that...eek. By Tim Clarke.

I'm just in love with Country Living lately. This bedroom is one of many in their gallery that super impressed me. The brick wall ads such a romantic vintage aspect to this room and I want a luggage rack like that one. HOT.

My sister has really great personal style. I hope we go to J Crew and she can pick out outfits for me! Not that I need help there but who doesn't love playing dress up with their sister??! How cute is this outfit (I'm already getting excited for "back to school" clothes!)

Clearly I've got a kickin fun weekend set up for myself! What are you guys up to? Hopefully it will cool off soon because this heat is too much.


Alicia B.

Rando Design Inspiration Friday

I'm still riding high from the mention in the Washington Post, but also, it's Friday! Every single day this week I thought it was Friday, even Monday, so this day has been a long time coming! Enjoy my random pictures for the day.

I just adore this bathroom by Amanda Nisbet. Who needs a mirror when you can say, "Dahhhling, you look maaahvalous!"

This is by amazingly talented Siskin Valls. I love the use of antiques and the distressed doors here.

After a late night last night, I'd so love to curl up in one of those gorgeous ikat upholstered chairs and read a book. The rug is exquisite--I love the color and how it is contrasted on the deep soot brown walls. From House Beautiful.

I am in the city for the weekend and might head down to Prospect Park to spend quality time with my cousins and their (semi) new baby! Have a lovely, fun, creative, and relaxing weekend! Big plans? Tell me!


Alicia B.

Rando Design Inspiration Friday!

I'm so happy it is Friday again, as always! I know most people have left for their country homes, but I'm staying in the big bad city this weekend. Enjoy some of my fave pics from this week!

I bought a few books downtown at a used bookstore about Provence interior design and I'm falling in love all over again with France. So romantic. From Kimberly Seldon's blog.

This sun drenched room looks so relaxing and whimsical. By Sharon Simonaire.

This chair with the caning is possibly everything I've ever wanted from a chair. Okay, maybe that was a tad dramatic but I still love it. By Kimberly Seldon.

Hmm, maybe I wish I were going to my country house (parent's house) this weekend after all. Nothing is quite as lovely as reading a good book on a porch with a beautiful view. From Country Living.

Oh Albert Hadley, you never disappoint me. From the patriotic eagle to the painted floor to the canes by the door, everything in this room is gorgeous.

With all this heat and humidity it makes going outside a big hassle unless I plan on going outside and not moving at all. I will be going to a garden party this evening though! What do you all have planned for the weekend? Whatever it is, I hope it's fun!


Alicia B.

Rando Design Inspiration Friday!!

How jazzed are you all for this weekend? RIGHT?? Anyway, to speed it along (not that this week could have gone by faster), here are some lovely pictures that I found that made me smile.

I'm really loving Mollie Johnson's portfolio. This bedroom in particular really caught my eye. The simple white and soft green palette is so refreshing. I also can't take my eyes off that nightstand.

I love the preppy style of design of John Loecke. Sometimes it's a wee bit over the top but still playful and fun.

Am such a sucker for books...and a gallery wall...and a fireplace mantle. By Glen Gissler.

I bought a bolster pillow form but haven't gotten up the courage to attempt to sew a cover for it. I did make a square pillow last night though for someone special...who will receive it?? This one above, the Shali Bolster is from Anthropologie for only $228.

I SWEAR I'm going to make strawberry jam this weekend. THIS recipe from Martha Stewart looks pretty simple.

Last night was my last class for the summer so I celebrated with dinner and then went home and made a pillow. I'm really excited for my jam project and some more cooking projects that I've been inspired to try. Cough PAULA DEEN Cough. Speaking of which, I've started to follow some foodie blogs! I love the images, the recipes, and the enthusiasm that matches that of a design blog! Sunday Suppers, Simmer till Done, and Out of the Event are some of my favorites. I love to bake cookies and treats but I think I should up my difficulty level and go for larger projects. Do you guys have some favorites? What are you plans for the weekend?

Alicia B.