Lounging Around the Bedroom

Bunny Williams.  This room is so beautiful and serene and the distressed leather sofa looks inviting and unexpected.

Having a bench at the foot of your bed is a look that I really love and I look forward to the day when I have a bedroom big enough for that.  If you do have a large enough bedroom, you could put a bench or better yet, a small sofa.  The look is charming and creates a great seating area in the bedroom.

In this lovely farmhouse designed by Scott Sanders a small settee is placed at the end of the bed. Its small and simple but the nailheads add character and looks like a great place to have some coffee while getting ready in the morning

This room doesn't exactly look spacious on the sides, but if you have the room, it might be a great idea if you have a studio apartment.  

I love the contrast of the dark structured looking bed with the soft slip covered sofa at the end. 

Lots of grey velvet going on here but it creates a unifying and luxurious look with the gentle curves of the sofa reflected in the headboard. 

Another four poster bed with an upright settee at the end.  Looks like the perfect spot to perch.

I don't love the color scheme in this room by Nate Berkus but I love the art.

Apparently I'm supposed to convince my sister that putting a sofa at the end of her bed is a good idea (lawyers, right!?) so I hope that this posting has convinced her.  Take advantage of your space and make your bedroom not just a place to sleep but a place to sit, relax, chat and read.  You can find more amazing bedroom inspiration HERE on my Pinterest.

Alicia B. 

The Nate Show!

Don't forget to call in sick today to watch the Nate Berkus Show!


Nina Garrrrcia will be on today and I'm excited for more tips on living in small spaces. I know I've been living in a shoebox apartment (different ones) for about 6 years now and am the master at maximizing my space. Rumor has it that hes going to be giving things away to the audience! I love when people get free stuff!!

Come back to me tomorrow where I'll tell you MY new favorite thing. It'll be worth it but I won't be giving out free ones.

Alicia B.

Nate Berkus likes to save space.

A few weeks ago, after I finally admitted I was sick and went home from work, I decided to veg out and watch tv. I caught The Nate Berkus Show and thought I couldn't take my eyes off his hair and his super fun attitude. I love how he upgrades thrift store junk and actually acknowledges small space living. Which brings me to my next point. I've been made aware that Nate Berkus is doing a show on small spaces this Thursday! He will reveal his (GASP) Top 5 favorite space saving products. Here are two awesome ones.

FLOR Rugs. I love buying new things, don't you? I just recently proposed a FLOR rug to a client of mine and I thought it would be a great space for her tiny studio. The bright colors play with the depth of the room and leads your eye through the space
I liked the awesome new patterns they offer and you can make it smaller or larger just by adding more squares! Martha makes some really fun ones too. From HERE. Marimekko Pillows! I"m really obsessed with Marimekko lately. I even have a new Marimekko mouse pad at work (buh bye Obama). They opened a new store in the Flatiron district, too.

Nate likes the fact that Marimekko has bold patterns that draw your eye to them. A focal point, if you will. You want to look at the precious dog but you look at the fun bright pillows instead! From HERE.

Check in on Wednesday for one more RAD product that Nate thinks you should buy. I'm thinking of calling in sick on Thursday to see the show! Ahh to live like a lady of leisure. The show airs on Thursday, GET EXCITED! (like Nate's hair).


Alicia B.

Antique Book Nerd

I love love love design books. I have them everywhere around our apartment: on the coffee table, in the shelves, on my desk, you get the idea. I really love antique books, though. I don't have a ton, but the ones I do have are arranged strategically in my bookcase so that they look like art--which they sometimes are.

From Houzz. I have collected antique books from thrift stores or tag sales and have received some as gifts.

Recently while I was shopping for gimps (yeah you know it!) at Claremont, I spotted this AMAZING screen with a bookcase display on it. It is a Piero Fornasetti screen designed in the 1950s.

Nate Berkus designed this classic but not stuffy looking living room with bunches of books arranged strategically on the bookcase. They are quite chunky so it is nice to break up the books throughout the bookcase.

Kathy Abbott designed this sweet little room in the Kips Bay Showhouse in 2010. She stocked the bookcase with beautiful encyclopedias.

Of course, Bunny Williams has some gorgeous antique books. This bookcase is packed full with no room for objects or sculptures. Just the books in all their glory.

Robert Kime has set you up here with this traditional bookcase and displays it with a set of encyclopedias or antique books.

I know you can buy books by the yard but I find that...tacky. Books should be selected for personal reasons, not by the yard, for looks. I HAVE bought books because I thought they were beautiful and DID judge them by their cover but also for their content. My favorite is a book with marbled paint on the inside of the cover and a book my friend bought me called "Book of Etiquette Volume II". Amazing.

Alicia B.

I need a little Springtime.

It's 31 degrees here in NYC and I've had it up to here (picture my hand held shrilly above my head) with this cold weather. I'm ready for spring, warm weather, and being outside more. Let's enjoy some spring images to counteract these pathetic cold weather shenanigans.

Savannah Style by Paula Deen is a tremendous book (given to me by my gorgeous younger sister) and has amazing images delivered by Paula and her super cute son. I'd love to have a yum meal at this cute table out on the lawn.

CANNOT WAIT for spring clothing to arrive in my closet. I love this straw bag from J. Crew.

Yellow and blue is one of my favorite color combos. It's like feeling, yet classic. Same with a sweet breakfast room like this one by Palmer Weiss.

Nothing says warm weather like a house on the water. Love the relaxed look of this living room and the exposed beams. Nate Berkus.

Who took this picture of a beautiful Park Avenue Daffodil? OH, I did.

Do you think that if we keep posting images of spring, that it will come sooner? I think so. Maybe if i start shopping for spring clothing it will warm up, too. SHOPPING.


Alicia B.

Writing Tables Galore.

I love writing tables. I also love desks, but there is something about writing tables or library tables that I just plain love. They are simple and unassuming. You can have a traditional one, or a modern glass topped one. The one that I have is very shallow and works really well for me because I live in a shoebox of an apartment.

This writing desk from Horchow is not only beautiful, but impeccably designed for a modern lifestyle with storage and easy to use with a computer or laptop.

This glass topped, X-based table fits right in to this glamorous interior by Nate Berkus.

The view from this desk would pretty much guarantee that you might not get much work done. I've always loved this relaxing looking office by Todd Romano.

Need a small one because you live in a small space? This cute rattan one looks like it belongs in a beach house. From Pottery Barn HERE.

This eclectic look is from Living Etc. I love the simplicity of the table itself, the books, and the Mac!

I hate tables with fabric over them but this is by Miles Redd, so I'll let it slide. This time. Anyway, this is a really interesting place for a desk or work area; at the end of the bed.

Joe Nye sucked me in with his glam hot animal prints and the light mocha color of the walls but the writing table by the window is gorgeous too.

I think an upright desk or secretary is wonderful. There is room for a lot of storage, and they are beautiful in their form--if you have a nice looking one. The writing table leaves most things out in the open so I think the simpler the better. I probably have too many objects and notepads on mine, but I don't have much room for storage period so BACK OFF. Anyway, which do you prefer? Desk or writing table?


Alicia B.

Greek Key Love

HOT Greek Key pillow from The Well Appointed Home for $300. A complete steal!

I've always loved Greek Key patterns but lately I can't get enough and crave some Greek Key in my apartment. It's a classic pattern that gains a resurgence every now and then. It's also so easy to incorporate into many different styles; traditional and contemporary.

This bed looks SO incredibly comfortable with a super cushioned upholstered headboard, adorable throw pillows, and a soft Greek key pattern on the bedspread. By Eric Cohler.

Eric Cohler LOVES Greek key. The pattern in the marble mantle is just exquisite. I also love the striped wing chair with the nail heads and pop of orange in the pillow and blanket.

In this lovely bedroom by Nate Berkus, he adds more geometric elements with a unique Greek key pattern throw pillow. I love floral pillows but I'm thinking I might get a Greek key pillow for my living room.

Ann Nicholson used a simple Greek key carpet in this amazing outdoor room. Don't miss the little Greek key detail on the coffee table either!

Phillip Gorivan used two Greek keys over the sideboard to add height to the wall.

I love Palmer Weiss's soft pretty preppy interiors. The rug in this living room is bold yet soft and really grounds that lucite coffee table.



OKAY, let's shop!

A strong Greek key patterned shower curtain from Overstock.com for only $24.

If I weren't renting, I'd definitely consider this intense wallpaper for my small bathroom. I love it! If you're not ready for something quite so bold it comes in white and taupe for a more subtle look. From Jonathan Adler for $195/roll.

This hurricane resting on Greek keys that I saw on Mrs Howard Personal Shopper is especially unique.

I've been looking for a new duvet cover and this one is simple but has a pretty blue Greek key detail. From Williams Sonoma Home, the duvet is on sale for $278!


LOVE LOVE LOVE this Greek key business/calling card! From Pixelimpress on Etsy--only $20 for 50 cards!

This small rug with a Greek key border is especially bold and graphic. From Ballard Designs for $55 in a 2 x 3. It's on sale too!

Shades of Light is one of my favorite lighting stores. This simple sconce has a fun Greek key pattern on the back. Love it!

Are you all in on my Greek key love? I mean, I know I'm going overboard with the "stuff" but it's so fun! I promise I won't buy all of it. I would really love a Greek key throw or a new duvet cover for my bed. There is so much you can do with it and you can go subtle, like add Greek key trim to your drapery, or go bold and have a Greek key rug. Do any of you have Greek key in your home?

Alicia B.

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.