Dining Room Design

A client of mine for whom I do small jobs in the suburbs of CT has asked me to help her choose fabric for a set of gorgeous dining chairs that she acquired. The dining room is a bisque color right and sits between the kitchen and the living room with views of both from both. They are a young couple with a baby on the way so I have many things to take into account; budget, frequency of use, and the baby (!!!!). Since they are young but have a traditional style, I'd love to bring in a colored geometric pattern. The room really has no color and of course I think it should have some to bring life to the space.

Tobi Fairley has a great eye for beautiful geometrics and I think this one is a perfect mix of subtlety and fun. Its a great fabric, but doesn't take away from the star in the room: the turquoise bead chandelier.

LOVE this blue lattice pattern; it looks like an enlarged caning pattern on a chair. From Elements of Style blog.

John Robshaw's dining room is of course full of pattern and soft colors but I love this chair pattern. It's youthful and sophisticated. From Lonny.

OBSESSED with this space. If you're into geometry (not in life, but in interiors, like I am), this room is perfection. The soft green diamond pattern fabric on the chairs is very pretty and a nice detail in this room. Home and Garden UK.

This is more on the traditional side, by Michael Smith, but still quite pretty. I love toile but wouldn't want to make their house feel too French Country. Elle Decorsies.

Can you guess who designed this room? That's right, Jamie Drake. I'd love to do a different fabric on the back of the chair like this because it's just SO much fun but my client's chairs don't have upholstered backs. NO biggie though, it'll be plenty fun.

I have some samples on their way to me in the next few days, so I'll keep you updated on the progress. Weigh in on your faves?? I'm really excited to be working with this client (all my clients are awesome) on this small project. If I can add more color or pattern to someone's life, I'm happy.

Alicia B.

Honeysuckle: The Color of 2011

Last year was turquoise and this year we're onto Honeysuckle; a fun and bright colored pink! I love color so I'm excited about this color for 2011. Here's another resolution for you: bring more pink into your life! Many people shy away from a pink in their homes because it can be seen as unsophisticated and girly but I think that couldn't be further from the truth. Hit it...

I think people are scared of pink sometimes because they're afraid that it won't match with everything else in the room. This room by Amanda Nisbet certainly proves that this isn't so! She has browns in that gorgeous rug and oranges in the drapery and a yellow sofa. This looks incredible without looking like a Lilly Pulitzer dress threw up all over a room (not that that would be bad...).

Ahhh Jamie Drake, my color idol. He uses pink nearly everywhere to make this traditional and geometric bedroom. I adore the pillow cases with a simple pink border and that lamp is gorgeous. It reminds me of Vaughan gourd lamps...

Here is a much brighter pink as the backsplash for this sitting room by Amanda Nisbet. Color in the back of a bookcase is a must.

Nothing is bolder than this. A brilliant pink vintage sofa up against a bright blue wall? I love it. From MFAMB. This feels so fresh and especially with the little pop of yellow flowers off to the right.

Here is a softer version of it with this gorgeous fabric. I wish I knew who made it but it certainly stands out among all the soft neutrals in this space. Photo from Farrow and Ball.

Kathryn Ireland created this stunning fabric filled bedroom with different bright pinks and pink paint up to the chair rail.

This honeysuckle pink throw is used as a table runner on the upholstered ottoman. What a fun rug--is it part of this collection at ABC Carpet? These bright elements help to brighten up an otherwise soft room. Room designed by Deborah Lloyd found in Lonny Mag.

As you know, fashion always follows interior design (they just want to be like us). How adorable is this pink pom pom scarf?! It's from Kate Spade and is hand knitted by a woman in Bosnia as part of their Hand in Hand (created by Deborah Lloyd!) partnership with Women for Women International. A good cause and a cute scarf. Done and done.

I secretly think that Pantone just loved my new background of my blog so they changed it a little and made it color of the year! But seriously, pink, honeysuckle, faded salmon color--whatever you want to call it--is fun and whats the point if something isn't fun and its just "nice"? Agreed? What do you guys think about this choice?

ALSO, bt dubs, I MAY OR MAY NOT be having a give-away coming up so stay on me!


Alicia B.

Zippy bedrooms want your attention.

In the latest House Beautiful I was completely taken by Mary McDonald's home that she designed in LA. In regard to the incredible bedroom she said, "People have rules about bedrooms, that they're always supposed to be soft and pastel. Why can't they be zippy and vibrant?" I thought to myself, "You know Mary McDonald, you really have a point there." Here are some zip-tastic bedrooms.

Vibrant yellow and busy wallpaper everywhere, I've always loved looking at this bedroom. Via Ooh La La Blog.

In this somewhat simple bedroom by Sheila Bridges, she uses a bright green to jazz up the room. The contrast of the black, white and green makes this room quite exciting.

This color blue is gorgeous! I especially like the bold color wall with the busy bedspread. I bet that allows you to use more than one duvet cover and change the room if you so desire. From Living Etc.

Leave it to Jamie Drake to deliver a bright bedroom. Pinks and purples are everywhere you look.

Sixx Design. The bare bones of this room are quite tame, but with the drapery fabric and upholstered bed and the large scale color filled painting over the bed you are not bored.

At first glance, these rooms do nothing but delight me. There is so much to look at and bright colors to distract me. Personally though, I prefer a calmer color palette in my own bedroom. I have blue/grey walls and a simple white matelasse bedspread. There is still plenty to look at: books, pretty lamps, photographs and art work on my walls. I think Mary McDonald makes a valid point. We see so many whimsical and calming bedrooms, why not have an energetic and jazzy one? It certainly stands out.


Alicia B.

Painted Furniture Adventure

In my quest for the perfect color for my new painted wardrobe (I can't very well call it my "new chest," can I?), I thought I'd take you on a little painted furniture quest. I actually am a bit of a painting nerd as I have a green painted kitchen table and chairs, and a blue distressed dresser! I have also painted my desk a light green and is has distressed naturally on it's own due to a life with me! Many designers use painted furniture. I think it can be a very chic look, but also quite relaxing looking.

Martha has a project here where she painted this pretty/traditional pattern on this caned head and foot board to a bed. So very country and sophisticated. I am so jealous of those wide/irregular floor boards.

Marshall Watson shows us here in this sitting room that with this painted end table, you can create a modern look with a painted piece! Gorgeous drapery fabric on the right, too.

I was thinking of painting the wardrobe a cream color but the walls are also cream. This tone on tone is quite nice and soothing though. By Gunkleman Flesher.

I just adore this little nightstand painted yellow with wire mesh on the doors. By my hero Jamie Drake. I also love the purple from the flowers against the yellow.

This is the color I'm going for, but more blue and lighter! This gorgeous antique chest would be perfect in my fantasy Tuscan kitchen. From Country Living.

Oh! Look who else has a light green kitchen table! I love it with the different colored chairs. It looks like a light and relaxing country kitchen. From Country Living.

I think I've narrowed down my colors to two now. I'm deciding between Swan Sea, and Lotus Leaf, which I can't find online. Sorry. Any opinions? Can't wait to paint it tomorrow!

It's between the one alllll the way to the left (Lotus leaf) and the one on the left in the top row (Swan Sea).

Alicia B.

Guest Blogging at My Design Secrets!

Missing me today? Earn back my love by going to My Design Secrets where I'll be guest blogging! Find out who my design inspirations are! Also you MUST enter the free give-away contest, one post beyond this.

I love the punches of bright green in this room designed by Jamie Drake.

Have a Happy St. Patrick's Day!
ME

Alicia B.