For Those of Us With A Black Thumb...

I am notorious for killing plants.  I have brought plants to my mother while they were on their last root and she has nursed them back to health and now they are thriving, but I really cannot be trusted with something green.  Does anybody else have that going on?  I love plants and flowers, but I just seem to kill them.  Luckily, you can decorate with plant motifs!  I've seen a lot of fun and interesting green items lately, namely ferns.  

I read a great article in the Financial Times about a phenomenon called Pteridomania which means Fern Madness.  I think I have it too!  It was a trend in the 19th century "stemming" from gardening which lead to an obsession with ferns.  This pitcher is by William Brownfield from 1859. 

If you can't afford the William Brownfield from the Royal Art Collection, this white pitcher by William Brownfield (apparently) is for sale on Ruby Lane.  Go HERE to buy it for me.

The gorgeous Lauren Liess has designed a beautiful fern embroidered linen fabric.  Here she is posing wrapped in it with her adorable husband. 

I love this fabric!  It has updated classic written all over it--I'd love to make some throw pillows with it, or it would make beautiful drapery in a living room.  HERE it is and many more of her fabrics with a fern motif.

Framed Ferns are an easy way to add a pop of green to a room.  These are a great scale and are very affordable from Wisteria. 

You can also find tons of antique framed ferns and fern botanical prints on 1st Dibs.  There is a great series of these from Polly McArthur Antiques in Seattle.

This is from Eddie Ross and I am in love with the stylized crewelwork fabric that is the headboard and pillow shams.  I'd love to know where that fabric comes from...

If all else fails, you could always do a tablescape with a cluster of ferns in vases.  

Once you're finished with your fern tablescape you can sit back in your adorable fern chair on the terrace with a G & T.  The Arper Leaf Lounger can be found at AllModern.com. 

I think after all this rain in NYC/the east coast we might see a lot of green ferns popping up outside.  Also inside!  As a side note, there is a reason I haven't blogged in a few weeks...I got a new job!!  I'm overjoyed for the change and very happy with my new position (that is all I will say but if you want the deets email me at aliciabdesigns@gmail.com).  YAY!

Have an amazing Memorial Day Weekend and remember to be patriotic!

Alicia B.

Gilty

 Have you ever seen a product and been inspired to make your own version of it?  Of course you have--many design bloggers like to try their hand at making things themselves.  We are a creative bunch. As you may know, I have always been inspired by Diane Von Furstenberg.  She's just simply fabulous and her brand is always coming out with new designs for clothing as well as home goods for me to wish I had.  

 I spotted these beautiful salad bowls when I was registering for my wedding but went with the classic plain wooden bowl instead. I haven't been able to get them out of my head even 9 months after my wedding.  

Anyway, my project started with a completely plain Jane wooden tray that I picked up at the Hell's Kitchen Flea Market.  I found Martha Stewart gold paint at Home Depot and some blue painter's tape and taped off the area in some jazzy zebra style stripes. 

Here is the Martha Stewart Metallic Paint.  I chose Golden Pearl but there are a few other metallic colors if you are looking for a different finish. 

Once the tape was down, the painting started.  I did about 3 coats of it so that it looked thick and rich.

Taking the tape off (slowly) after the paint had dried was the most fun part. 

All the tape is off and the gold is shiny and fabulous!

I painted the sides too so that the paint extended over the edge. Little Touches. Little Details. 

I'm not sure what I'll use it for yet.  For a month it was sitting on the counter holding my spices but now that it's so pretty, I might just use it for parties as a serving tray.  Bar tray? My last step that I have yet to complete is to put a varnish on it to protect the gold paint and to just finish it off.  What do you all think??

Alicia B.

Swingers

Relax, I mean outdoor swings! Recently, for a client's kids basement play room I selected the Dedon Nest (above).  The nest is a cozy little space full of pillows and great for kids.  It can rest on the floor or hang suspended from the ceiling, a porch beam, or a tree outside.  Even though it's snowing in some parts of the country, it's time to start thinking about updating your outdoor spaces with something fun...like a swing!

A sculptural style swing in this romantic outdoor setting is a very beautiful option.  It looks like it belongs outside in nature.

This I found on Raina's Blog, a funky swing hangs in the lounge area on an indoor/outdoor pool.  How sublime.

For a less expensive option than the Dedon or an antique, there are many cute options on Ebay. This one looks like a little cocoon.

This is a simple wicker options with colorful pillows added.  I definitely encourage the addition of colorful pillows.

Serena and Lily always comes up with something cute, and this rattan swing is no exception. This is also a great option on a lower budget. Now all I need is a tree and some grass.

This one is from Kettal and comes in ivory, brown, and a combination of the 2--and can be hung from a tree too!

If you don't have much space or if you just have a teeny tiny backyard, a swing would be a stylin and fun addition to your outdoor space.  Also, probably a safer version of a tree house, too. The Dedon Nest is a good option for a few people and the other swings could be another seating option with a small sofa and some chairs.  Do you have a swing like this??

Alicia B.

Holland & Sherry Bespoke Opens!

Image from NY Magazine

One of my favorite places to shop for clients is fabric house, Holland &  Sherry.  They have exquisite textiles, the quality is unparalleled, and they carry many of the best lines.  Now they are opening a bespoke retail store in Soho on Elizabeth Street!  

This is the first room with a custom made black, grey and white wide-checked rug, tartan plaid upholstered walls, and different high end accessories. 

Shaving creams, colognes, and other manly items sit in this area.

This is a gorgeous bar accessory set with a martini shaker.  To the left is one of the many lamps around the shop with Holland and Sherry lampshades.

This room is full of fabrics, hats, beautifully upholstered pieces, and other household linen accessories. 

I love this soft grey bag with light mustard leather straps.  This is just one of many beautiful bags that they sell.

A fluffy pile of cotton/ linen napkins sits on a table in one of the corners.

I would love to redesign my bed using all these linens for my "country house".  Look at the detailing on these!

As a lover of lighting, this little lamp definitely caught my eye.  The lampshade just makes it.

The store itself is airy yet comfortable.  There is a huge skylight in the second room which lights the linens perfectly.  Take a look at this article written by a girl I went to grade school and prep school with from NY Magazine (woo!!).  Holland and Sherry Bespoke is a store with a lot of classics--not your trendy-OMG-a-chevron-pattern type of place.  Clearly, I'm a fan.  What do you think??  BTW, the room shots were from here and the other shots, I took.

Alicia B.

Nursery Fabrics from Lulu DK!

I love elephants and these multi colored marching elephants are so much fun and probably endlessly amusing to a baby.

I've always loved Lulu DK's fabrics; they are playful and colorful.  She recently came out with her Lulu DK Child line at Schumacher and I'm most impressed (okay I'm obsessed).  They are packed full of color and are not your typical child inspired fabrics.  My older sister just had her first child and I became an aunt (he's SO CUTE and we all love him)!  I've been paying more attention to baby everything because of this--clothing, accessories, fabrics, etc!  

As a Matisse lover, I'm drawn to this fabric which is conveniently called Ode to Matisse.

I also loves skittles and this one is called...Skittles! 

Beautiful drawn flowers and squiggles is called Lollipop.

Though I've shown you mostly blue and green fabrics, Lulu DK offers them in a pink version too! 

Butterflies are a great baby motif.  The colors in this one are great--there is so much movement in this fabric.  Below I designed a little room for my sweet little nephew around the Ode to Matisse fabric. 

I love the bright blues and greens mixed together.  A comfy Serena and Lily chair would sit on the Dash and Albert striped rug and I threw in the cute little elephant pouf.  I wanted to keep the wall color white but paint the ceiling a soft blue.  What do you think??  Find more of my sources HERE on my Pinterest Board. Have a fun colorful Saturday!

Alicia B.

The Boot Room

The ultimate boot room.

Most people have a mud room or have heard the term "mud room" but have you heard of a boot room?  Well, you have now. I was reading the Financial Times (as usual), when I came across a great article about the phenomenon of boot rooms coming back.  A "boot room" originates in the UK from the football teams that used to discuss strategy and maybe grab a beer after the match with their mates.  It's basically a British version of the ever dreaded "Man Cave".  I hate that term and I think boot room is much better and more civilized.

The perfect lighting for a boot room, there is adequate space for your many pairs of Hunters, a bench and all the jackets you can imagine.

A clean a crisp white paneled room complete with firewood storage.

I am a huge fan of the white painted paneled ceiling and an informal seating area in this narrow yet gracious boot room.

Boots?  Check. Room for a dog?  Check.  Old fashioned broom?  CHECK.

This is the room that inspired the post--by David Hicks.  A very masculine yet inviting room fully equipped with boots, hats, seating, sports equipment, and nice things to look at.

More paneling...seeing a theme?  I think that boot rooms are mostly meant for those with country houses. Ahh, a life of leisure.

It has since evolved into a overall equipment room and can be used by more than just footballers. I just specified this for a client--it's from Wisteria and so practical yet very handsome.

I love the idea of a boot room, as you may have guessed.  My husband and I could really use one to house our tennis and squash racquets, various pairs of sneakers, hats, and a set of golf clubs I wish I owned.  According to the article I read, the boot room is making a come back.  I wish that developers in NYC thought the same...

Alicia B.