Inappropriate Sofas

A friend of mind is moving into her own apartment and has asked me to assist her in creating a great new space for her. One of the main things she needs is a new sofa and I'm more than happy to help her fine one. She likes a bit more modern feel than I do but I am designing for her, not myself so it's no biggie. We've been looking at some cute sofas and day beds. I came across some really horrifying sofas though. Observe:

Don't get me wrong, I love tufting on an ottoman or on the back of a sofa, but this has seriously gone too far. This is so gross looking I feel like I should look away.

These are from Restoration Hardware's latest collection of sofas. I'm horrified and this is one of many reasons I prefer not to shop there anymore. I understand where they were going with this but, it looks like old dough.

My friend and ex roommate (who is starting her own blog soon!) sent me this scary 80's jeans sofa from the pages of...Pottery Barn. I mean, are you kidding me? This looks like they upholstered a sofa in some acid washed jeans that my 8th grade history teacher wore on a "dress down day" at school.

It also reminds me of when Cindy Crawford tried her hand at designing furniture after she hired Michael Smith to design one of her homes. Again, really?? That was mean but Cindy Crawford is very beautiful (and smart because she hired Michael Smith) but not a designer.

Anyway, we are going to stop by CB2, West Elm, Pottery Barn, NOT Restoration Hardware, and possibly Room and Board. I can't wait until she moves into her new space--I'll show you pictures once it is complete.

Alicia B.

Eye on Eyelet

Have you noticed the eyelet everywhere as much as I have? I have seen it everywhere while window shopping today--the most adorable white dresses--and online, too. It is perfect for the (hopefully) fast coming spring season and warm weather. I grew up the cutest white eyelet curtains and have always loved eyelet.

I WILL have this dress from Boden once it becomes a little warmer. I love how whimsical yet structured it is. The Broderie Dress from Boden for $168.

Eyelet Pillow shams and bed skirts are a simple way to change the feeling of a bedroom to feel more Spring or Summer. Martha Stewart from Macy's bedding collection.

Since I'm planning my wedding right now I'm always looking at all things wedding. Here is a beautiful simple eyelet wedding dress. I think if I were getting married in the middle of a field and in Vermont, I'd wear this dress. What do you think? Fabulous chair fabric, too. Found on Martha Stewart Weddings.

Oh look, more wedding stuff!! How gorgeous is this cake? Tailored, yet whimsical and very summery looking. On GetMarried.com. Let me eat cake.

Here is a crocheted eyelet pillow sham from Pottery Barn. It's sort of a mix between matlasse and eyelet, huh? HERE.

Yes, I LOVE eyelet. A really cute idea is to add eyelet trim to some pillows. Cath Kidston is very whimsical and has great country style though in my apartment I would have gone with white or a blue..OR YELLOW!

I'm super into this trend but I think there can be a right and a wrong way to do it. I think if you make it look "shabby chic", you need to reel it in and tailor it a bit. Structure with something whimsical is key. What do you think? Are you into it?

Alicia B.

On the Hunt...

I'm in full blown new apartment decorating mode (when I'm not at school, work or packing) and my latest focus is bar stools! I have a real kitchen, finally, and need bar stools. Sounds simple right? Have you ever looked for bar stools, though? Not so easy; there are some TRULY unattractive bar stools out there. Above, is a stock photo of my new kitchen--let's be clear, I would NEVER choose those stools, but that's the basic look of my kitchen. Take a look at my top picks.

BAHA. Totally kidding. How do you look yourself in the eye selling that chair?? Okay, let's get serious.

I LOVE these from Pottery Barn--they have a beautiful rustic quality and the stain is very rich and nice. The only problem? I want them to have backs on them.

Same issue with these. I love them and they remind me of those stools from art class with an industrial quality, right? No backs though...so a no-go.


Then, I saw THESE French Bistro chairs in House Beautiful and fell in love. Unforch they're about 200 dollars each...I'll have to scout out some on ebay or something. Any suggestions on where to find these for a good price?

Here they are in backless version. I still love them. This is truly one of my favorite kitchens--designed by Nancy Boszhardt.

I also stumbled upon these, Breuer Counter Stools, which took me down memory lane. A family friend had these in their kitchen growing up and I'm oddly drawn to them. Nostalgia, probably. I remember them being very comfortable, though.

So as you can see, it's slim pickins for attractive bar/counter stools. I mean if you want pay $500 for that guitar stool above, I judge you, and please seek help. For everybody else, please help! Any good suggestions? Sources that I'm not aware of? After this hurdle, I have to work on carpets.


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.

Popping Red Bedrooms

Barclay Butera's paisley fabric he designed for Kravet.

As I've mentioned about a million times I'm working on a very modern corporate residence for school and I'm nearly finished--my presentation is tomorrow! I must say, I'm pretty pleased with my work. The rooms are full of round features, circular beds, Kyle Bunting fur rugs (LOVE), and insanely modern fabrics. I need a break though. I need to go back to, as my teacher calls it, my safety zone. I am feeling so festive now a week and a half before Christmas. I keep seeing red everywhere and it's making me feel tres cozy. Here are some cozy and festive bedrooms that can be warm all year round.

Via Verdagris Vie. I'm in love with these oversized red striped pillows! If you need to add some red or something festive a throw pillow is the perfect thing because you can easily change the covers whence the season changes. Yeah, WHENCE.

Velvet is so hot right now, and really makes this headboard look soft and luxurious. I've always loved this bedroom from House Beautiful by Stephen Shubel.

How country fabulous is this bedroom by Kathleen Rivers? I love the faded red window pane plaid bed skirt. I'd die to have a fur throw on my bed. I love real fur but if you want the top faux fur throw, go for Bunny Williams's "Miss Naughty Bunny Throw" from her BeeLine Home collection. It looks so cozy!

This is such a simple room and I'd like to take that tiny television and hurl it out the window but the red doors for some reason make me stop. Almost made my heart stop, if you know what I mean. By Coco Raynes from Veranda.

This is a deeeeeep rich red. I am in awe over the wall paper--isn't it gorgeous? I love how the little tole lampshade subtly emerges from the darkness of the wall. By Casey Design Planning.
And who can resist fresh crisp red and white bedding? The is the kind of bed that only Santa can deliver (I know, I went too far there). From Pottery Barn.

I think that even just a pop of red is sufficient to make you stop in your design tracks. I know I have a fear of red, but I'm coming around. It doesn't have to be super aggressive, it can be fun, festive, and sumptuous. Or it can be tartan!

ALSO: Stay tuned tomorrow for an extra special interview with the owners one of my favorite new stores! SO EXCITING!


Alicia B.

Mercury Glass Lamp Obsession

It all started with the above lamp from Lamp Work Room. It's so pretty and I fell in love with it instantly. Ever since that fateful day, I haven't been able to get it out of my head. Do you ever get stuck on something like that?? Well, I've been shopping around and I thought I'd share what I found with you. I think a lamp like this would be a great way to glam up my apartment a little bit. It's full of soft plaids, comfortable textiles and many different woods and ceramics, but nothing like this.

I've found that a mercury glass lamp comes in many different shapes and sizes. This one is more of a candlestick shape, rather than a round ball but is equally as precious. This one is from Wisteria and is super well priced at $169.

I love the urn shape to this one--so squat and cute! So perfectly antiqued, from Shades of Light for $265

I'd normally scoff at this and move on simply because it's from Room and Board, but I'm being more even handed towards modern things lately. I like it's clean shape, but I'd change the shade. The Aura Table lamp only $249.

The etching on the mercury glass on this lamp from Pottery Barn is especially charming, do you think? Hanna Etched Mercury Table Lamp for $159 and it includes the shade! WOW!

See what I mean? This room is so sweet, and soft with pretty bed linens and a sweet painted wooden night stand but the mercury glass lamp adds just a touch of glamour to this room. Designed by Gary Mcbournie.


Alicia B.

Shopping with Alicia B: Round Table Lamps Edition

From Pottery Barn, this Japanese Float glass lamp is so nautically charming! Even though $200 seems steep, it is handblown glass and hand knotted jute wrapped around it.

As promised, I went on a shopping expedition for round table lamps. I love circles; they are a complete form, but at the same time very organic. Ready for some circular, whole, organic fun?!

This is a classic stacked crystal ball lamp from Target. Only $149 with a shade, and let me tell you, shades can be pricey so this just makes it easy!

Another nautical lamp (are we sensing a personal preference here?), this one from Shades of Light. It looks like a real old lantern in between the base and shade, right? Nautical Outdoor Table Lamp $170.

Lamp Work Room is one of my favorite places to look for lamps. They are so creative and inventive. This antique Mercury Glass Ball lamp is unique and has that special vintage feel to it. If anybody wants to buy it for me, FEEL FREE.

Speaking of a vintage glam feeling...Anthropologie! Here is another glass lamp, this time with some color. The Cooled Globes Lamp is $298.

Squat and full of character, this lamp is from Shades of Light. It also comes in white but I love the organic feel of this--it looks like a little apple! Bubble Sphere table lamp only $99!

See what I mean about how charm filled and fun these little ball/round/spherical lamps are? I have a little wicker ball lamp that I found a few years ago and it is the perfect size for a side table in my bedroom. Also, in the spirit of downsizing, these lamps are really quite perfect. They give off just as much light and fit perfectly in a small place.


Alicia B.

Snapshot by ME

This is a mini snapshot of the mirror arrangement that I put up a few days ago. They are hung asymmetrically from little blue ribbons. I was looking for the perfect small space and this was perfect! This pipe was making it difficult to put up a piece of art, too. The mirrors are from Pottery Barn, though I'm not sure if they make them anymore. HERE are some cute round ones from West Elm.


Alicia B.

Floor Lamps Galore

Many designers say that adding light to a room is a great way to add space to an otherwise small room. I'm on the hunt currently for a really cute and classic floor lamp but don't really want to spend a lot. Finding a great floor lamp is a piece of cake, but finding one for a reasonable price is NOT. Therefor, I have put together a collection of beautiful, classic, and good quality floor lamps all for UNDER $200! Enjoy.

Shades of Light is my new GO-TO (i know, I hate that phrase too.) lamp source! This beautiful wooden twisted floor lamp is $198.

This is cute and feminine from Shades of Light as well. The Fleurette lamp for $150.

My sister just got this one (with a drum shade) for her apartment in Chicago! The Library Floor Lamp is classic and simple from Restoration Hardware for $175 in Antique Nickel.

This polished nickel Chase Pharmacy Lamp is also on sale for $119. I like is crisp, refined look; from Restoration Hardware.

CB2 Photography Lamp for 99.95. I secretly love this one because of the name.

Adair Floor lamp from Pottery Barn. $179. I love the swan neck; it's very graceful.

This might be as funky as I get, folks. I really love this french GLAM floor lamp from EQ3, a great source for lighting. Only 179.99!

From Ballard Designs, this one is a bit more architectural and you can adjust it. Lancaster Floor lamp for $99!

Apothecary floor lamp, also from Ballard is another one of my favorites and comes in brass and bronze. For $169.

So, if you live in a small space, add a little light in your life (besides the daily dose of ME). The pharmacy lamps are so charming and great for reading in a club chair, or on your sofa. I love the architectural look of some of the others and remind me of working in a studio or doing drafting! I know I have a more classic and traditional taste in things but if you think you want something like a torchiere or an up lighter...think again.


Alicia B.