Judgment Time: Hotel Edition

Judging things, interiors especially, is one of my favorite things to do. As I mentioned last Thursday, I went to a friend down to Puerto Rico for some much needed relaxation and sun. The hotel was great, luxurious, etc but a lot of the decor was a tad...much. The lobby was incredible and had a really great Spanish influence with a modern touch. The room that we stayed in--well let's just say, I wouldn't have designed it that way. Check it out:

Cougars were everywhere. Like this chick except 20 years older.

Okay back to the decor. This is an example of our bedroom. I get that they were trying to make it modern and fresh looking but I found it aggressive and not relaxing.

I took this picture. Clearly it was taken at night. I just think that the white was too white and the oranges were too feisty.

I guess they tried to add green to the color scheme to this orange/yellow/white room.

I liked the bathroom decor much better. It was modern, yes, but felt very tropical and fresh.

There was a huge casino here too so there was a bit of a Vegas flair with lots of drama. OKay I've never been to Vegas so I'm just guessing, but...

This chandeleir with lots of bit glass hanging from it was pretty dramatic. It was the centerpeice over one of three bars--this one in the center of the room.

These bar stools at this center bar were pretty with some fun gold scroll work on the back. Do you see the zebra fur ottomans?? They were HOTT (with 2 t's) in person.

Now we move to the pool which was really just a gateway to the gorgeous beach. I took this picture. There were lots of different places to sunbath (or burn like moi).

This is one of 3 pools...this one had a bar in the middle. I've taken quite a liking to pina coladas btw.

So I really snarked on the design of the guest room we stayed in but we had SUCH a fun time. I know my favorite part was the pool area though. That was the whole point of the vacation too, to relax in the sun. Here is the website of the hotel where you can check out more pictures of the aggressive rooms and the cougars at the bar (I'm not one of them)!



Alicia B.

Happy Friday--because I'm back.

So, I'm back! I have lots to catch up on and over 100 posts in my Google Reader (yikes-ville) to read. Are there new trends that I've missed? Are butterflies still in? OMG so much to worry about! Here are a few pics from my awesome trip to Miami with my sister! It was warm (mid 70's) but pretty much one big wind gust the entire time. I powered through though and burned myself to a crisp and added a few more freckles. YAY.

I found this ridiculously Miami looking office building near where we were staying. Mosaic tiles meant to look like water and these cool stairs were surrounded by a moat.

This is an apartment building. Yes, it's light turquoise. EESH. I'm just going to say that I didn't LOVE the Miami architecture. I respect the art deco as a movement, but it's not my fave.

One of many shots of the beach. Here's the coast guard--swoon. Isn't the color of the water amazing? It was like that the whole time.

Yup, this huge margarita happened. Twice.

Though I'm back in frigid New York, it's a gorgeous day. Since I have the day off (because I took it off) I'm going to finally go to the Met! It's been probably 9 months since I've been there and I need some art. What are your weekend plans? I'm also going to head over to the Architectural Digest Home Design Show on the Piers tomorrow. I went two years ago and heard a talk by Vicente Wolfe! Has anybody been yet?


Alicia B.

Welcome to Miami

SO, I'll be taking a little hiatus and going on a vacation with my younger sister to Miami. Life has been stressful so this is a much needed break. Here are some pictures of two amazing hotels that coincidentally we will not be staying at. (I know I ended the sentence with a preposition and I'm dead inside about it.) Miami has a crazy amazing art deco feel to it unlike any other; huge white buildings, florescent colors, and art deco architecture taken to an extreme. These two hotels, The Raleigh and The Delano really impressed me with their beautiful interiors and soothing color schemes.

The Raleigh. In the lobby somewhere--woah high ceilings.

A Raleigh bedroom.

Is that not the coolest looking swimming pool you've even seen?

Beach. Even their beach chairs and designed nicely. Can't wait to be there!

Cute curtains in the room. Cool color scheme.

Raleigh on the pool deck. Woah, should I change our reservation? I think so!

LOVE EVERYTHING HERE.

The Delano definitely has a distinctly different look. Crisp whites, and dark glamorous colors.

White on white.

Glamorous cabanas at nightfall. OOO romantic!

Rose bar. Perhaps we'll swing by there tonight. I love those chandeliers.

What a nice view. Can you imagine waking up there in your soft white marshmallow cloud of a bed and looking out onto the ocean? At the Delano.

Pretty little scene. Wouldn't you love to take your coffee (or cocktail) here in a two toned wing chair?

A secret source of mine (the beau went down about 2 weeks ago) said that the Delano has amazing gardens and pool deck area. It seemed like he was more impressed by it. I think we'll be checking out both areas though. I have to see that pool at the Raleigh in person. It looks like a shield! All these pics came from the websites of the hotel. The Raleigh and the Delano are gorgeous, you might want to check them out! Have a great week, and don't miss me too much. Be good to yourselves, I know I will be. Though I don't exactly tan, I'm going to give it my best efforts!


Alicia B.

Alicia B. Returns

Well, I'm back! Did you all miss me? While I had a lovely time and it was great to get away from the big bad city for a week, I'm glad to be back. While I am busy at work, and organizing pictures, unpacking, and getting my life back together, here is a little quiz! WHERE DID I GO?? My only hint is the picture below. Go.
PS, I'd love to thank my dear roommate for guest blogging in my absence. I hope you all learned a lot from her very insightful post. There are many different facets to the arts world and design is only one small (but rad) part of it. Thanks!

Alicia B.

AND I'm gone.

Well all, I'm off for the next week on vacation. Don't worry though, you'll still be kept amused by my two guest bloggers. They are very creative lovely ladies, so you're in good hands. Here are things to remember while I'm gone:

Keep being creative and amazing.
Vote on Tuesday.
Be good to yourself (who am I, Oprah?).
Don't miss me TOO much, but just enough.

Have a great, beautiful, and creative week!


Alicia B.