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.

Trina Turk fabric is all I can think about.

Nothing is making me more giddy about spring than the new (ish) fabric line from Trina Turk. Not only does she make fabulous summer dresses and tunics that make me actually have a soft spot for Florida, but her new line of fabrics is making me want to build an entire cabana around these!

Appropriately named, Super Paradise in Pool color. OBSESSED.

A shot from her store. Love that little pouf in the foreground. Scared of the head though...

Schumacher is carrying her line in their showroom in the D & D in NYC! I must check them out in person.

Stole this from Apartment Therapy. These fabrics would be great for so many things; upholstery, drapery, place mats and napkins!

This Zebra pattern comes in black, java, dune, and bamboo as well as the orange seen above. I think J. Crew should take a tip from Trina on color naming--they've got competition!

Adorable Trellis pattern here in Pool. I'd love some of that in Watermelon, please!

Peacock print in Punch! Such a fun ikat sort of print.

I love this fern pattern and it also comes in other colors!

I think this is my fave pattern. Its called "Arches" but to me it looks like little feathers. Birds are so now.
This is just the beginning of my inspiration for the cabana I'm going to design. Moises Esquanazi uses Trina Turk Pisces Print in the pillows.

I meant to post about these fun and bright fabrics but I think I got caught up in my other bright and summer obsession with my Lilly Pulitzer Stationary post. So many bright colors make me distracted with happiness. Do you all like these? Faves? Here is the regular Trina Turk site. Spring is on its way, I can feel it!!

Alicia B.

I heart Studio Ilse

Today is a day of recovery. After a bitter snowfall yesterday in NYC and biting winds today and then the whole drama with The Bachelor, I'd say we need some gorgeous interiors to aide in our emotional restoration. I discovered this design firm Studio Ilse that does boutique contract design and they have a line of home goods. They have a unique style and the pictures are just pleasing to look at. I hope you enjoy.

This is from one of their residences in Notting Hill. I love how this organic light fixture echoes the glass one in the next room.

There is the chandelier again in the Notting Hill flat. How much are you in love with those antique medical anatomy prints? I love those and I've been on the hunt for some for quite some time.

This is simple, but I love it. I love the desk, flooring, and circular staircase for this Mount St. Shop.

In the restaurant of the Grand Hotel in Stockholm, Sweden, this neutral kitchen is perfectly organized. I especially love the light fixture; they didn't choose the typical industrial pendant.

I HATE those light fixtures but those aggressive white high backed breakfast table chairs are calling to me.

Stunning. And I love the dark green soft texture contrasted with the shiny smooth gilded screen.

Ceiling. Look at it. And also I feel like even though there are different "conversation areas," as there should be in a hotel common room, this room seems unified. Maybe it's the ceiling.

This huge room with soaring ceilings is made intimate with a fireplace and that cluster of paper chandeliers. I love how they mixed that large traditional sofa with more modern shaped chairs. They could be seen as cold, but not here--the whole room looks so soft.

How amazing was that? I love when hotels are designed like this. They are like a home; like an actual person designed it and not like some formula that they had to follow. They are self described as Modern and emotional design. Makes sense I'd say. Studio Ilse has super creative product design, too. Take a look at it HERE. I know a lot of this is modern/mid century which is not something that usually appeals to me but somehow I'm drawn to it. NOW, who watched The Bachelor last night? HUH? ANYONE?? O. M. G. PS- Don't judge me for that.


Alicia B.

Kate Cordsen Photo

In interior design there are many roles that you can take on: designer, shop girl/guy, buyer, stylist, etc. Most of the time nobody thinks a TON about the photographer for the designer. In magazines that we see, we all look through the beautiful pictures and comment on the selections by the designer but the photographer plays a very important role. They essentially put forth the vision of the designer. A few weeks ago, I blogged on the amazing designer Cheryl Tague and I had the privilege of talking with the photographer behind her work, Kate Cordsen. Enjoy/learn!
To an amateur photographer like myself, your work is incredibly inspiring. How did you get started in the business of interior design photography?

Thanks Alicia. In an incarnation before photography, I was trained as an art historian. This love and understanding of art extends to the decorative arts and to interiors. So when I went back to school for photography, it was natural for me to specialize in interiors.


Were you always interested in a career like this?

Photography has a wonderful democratic nature to it. We have all been taking and appreciating images since we were children. It has been a dream for me to take that interest and build it into a profession.
Where do you see your work in the next 5-10 years?

A photographer friend told me that I will be astonished at how my photography will evolve through the years. He was right. I am slowly segueing from commercial and editorial work to fine art photography. Five years ago I would have never guessed that I would be doing large abstract landscapes.

What advice would you offer to interior designers looking to make their space more appealing or marketable? or in general?

What I say to all interior designers who will listen is: document your work! You are artists and your art is ephemeral.

What do you find most exciting about interior spaces? Light ? Pattern? Placement of objects?

Like any photographer, I am attracted to light. This is true in interiors as well.

What attracts you to a space? Are you more interested in contemplative spaces? Playful spaces?

Every good interior needs to start with good architecture. I am most attracted to the foundation of a room: the floors, the windows, the molding, the light, than to any overall decoration.


What is the biggest mistake you see interior designers make in residential spaces?

It is more a mistake that the clients often make...which is not spending time and money on art.

Melissa Barbieri

Who are your favorite interior designers/artists?

As you know, inspiration comes in many forms. I am loving the unexpected feeling of community that has risen from the economic crisis. In the arts: Eudora Welty's short stories and photographs, Halston's designs from the 70s, and Whistler's landscapes all have a perfect though deceptive simplicity.

Kate is a mother of two, lives in NYC and Connecticut and is amazingly talented. As someone who is interested in both interior design and photography, this was truly a pleasure. I was an art history major as well...this bodes well for me. Ha. Check out Kate's work on her website HERE. Like she said above, she's moving into more fine arts photography and you can see her work at katecordsen.com. It's beautiful and mysterious. Thanks again, Kate! PS--all the pictures here are from her websites.


Alicia B.

Nobody Ever Suspects the Butterfly...

I just wanted to share this little DIY project I found on this DIY blog (thanks Kate!). If you wanted to really get into the butterfly trend this spring, here is something you could do! I must admit, I'm coming around. This blog, Finedivingchicago.com has really cute before and after pictures from furniture found in alleys, dumpsters, and on the street. I'm not going to lie, I've been there before (HERE) and sometimes you can find the best stuff. Then you can put your mark on it, and make it your own!


Anyway, this table went from a boring wooden table to a sweet nightstand with butterflies on the top! Did you see the sides of this table? The detailing is so beautiful. It sounded like a fairly low maintenance project and the results are so cute! Plus it involves decoupage, and that's ALWAYS a good thing. Have fun.


Alicia B.

Spring Trend: Butterflies

Butterflies are everywhere! I've noticed them in magazines, on the blogs, and everywhere I shop (window shop). They are whimsical and colorful and definitely a sign of spring, I'd say. Many accessories are covered in butterflies, from throw pillows, to decoupaged plates, but here are some examples in interiors!

What a sweet kitchen inspired scene by Trevor Dixon via gogoabigail.com

This room from Southern Accents is very garden-inspired with framed butterflies up on the wall. I really love that mini stool under the table with the blanket draped over it.

This is a from good old Domino mag featuring Schumacher's Birds and Butterflies wall paper. Not entirely sure where the larger than life butterfly on the wall comes from...I'm scared. Definitely adds a focal point to the room though, right?

In this super luxurious bedroom by Nancy Boszhardt, she uses framed butterflies on the wall. I like these--they're very close together and all the same species. Very pretty and a great punch of color in this mostly neutral room.

I like this one the most, I think. It looks like a little horticultural study; perhaps there are books on gardening on the other wall and a beautiful garden outside? By Monique Keegan from Country Living.

This exotic garden room is from a Kips Bay showhouse, so is of course very over the top. The chair in the corner is actually in the shape of two butterflies. By David Barrett.

This Freeze Frame Butterfly Chandelier by Lladro, is very whimiscal and looks like a swarm of butterflies around a light. Only $3200!

John Willey had these duvet covers custom made with Holland and Sherry butterfly fabric! This room is super springy with the green painted ceiling and nature inspired fabrics (roman shades, grass cloth walls, etc).

Want some of your own butterfly decor? Here are some small framed drawings from Ballard Designs. Cute!

Read more about this new spring trend HERE in Elle Decor. Personally...I'm not loving it. I know I'm supposed to but all I can think of are glittery butterflies from the mid to late 1990's and I'm uncomfortable. I do love the framed drawings and the horticultural side to them, but the giant, out of scale butterflies are somewhat inappropriate. What do you all think? On board? Hate it? Love it?


Alicia B.