Rando Design Inspiration Friday!

ADORABLE flowers from this great blog I found, Nestledin.

It's that time again! FRIDAY. This is a new section I'm doing because it's Friday, we've had a long week, and we just need to kick back and relax with some nice images to help us through the day. I've had a rough go of it this week: adopted a cat, fell in love with him, and then returned him the next day because he viciously attacked me twice, jumped on my back, and began stalking me around my own home looking to attack again. Heartbroken. And yes, you can laugh.

How delightful is this little scene in my dear little CT? I wish I could see more of that sweet looking rug. And I DIE for the caning in those chairs. By Philip Gorrivan.

Tea time with Jackson Aaron? Yes, please. Only If I can face the wall though at all times because I can't take my eyes off those thick grass cloth panels.

Yeah yeah, I'm predictable. I love the new Lilly Pulitzer collection.

I love when things are out of scale like the giant 1930's factory clock that takes over the ENTIRE wall here. This room can pretty much do no wrong in my eyes, especially with the two non-matching armchairs with salmon pink fabric. By Jay Jeffers.

This kitchen is by Barry Dixon. Personally this is a LOT of island for me but I am absolutely enthralled by the lantern over the table--I love the perforated holes.

Word on the street is that it's going to be in the 80's this weekend in NYC. This means I'll be lying in the park reading the last book in the Twilight Series, Breaking Dawn (don't judge me!!), and as many design magazines as I can get my hands on. I might try again on a kitten too...though I'm pretty emotionally scarred. What are your plans for the weekend??


Alicia B.

OH. Well, these look like nice places to get clean...

I've always had a design obsession with bathroom spaces. Don't make it weird, but I really love them. They are places to get clean and refresh yourself. Start anew. They are centered around water and light and can be your own personal sanctuary if you do it right (like these designers).

Everything in here is so ethereal/perfect. It's the perfect mix of femininity and rustic style with the antique chair, the glow of light from the one window, and the exposed wood beams of the ceiling. This bathroom screams, or whispers rather, relaxation. From Marie Claire Maison.

This would look so great in my bathroom in the house I just bought on Nantucket (I'm really over the Hamptons)! What I love about this precious but glam room is the round lantern! A glow of beauty hovering over the antique nickel plated tub. By Mabley Handler (I think this is actually in the Hamptons.)

From Living Etc, I love the green tub! The doors make me think there's a lovely natural overgrown terrace outside with a pool. And that I'm in the countryside of England.

The marble floor and mosaic tiles inside the shower make me think of somewhere exotic. I'd love to have that many towels at my disposal too. Yum. James Michael Howard.

This bathroom has a little more modern look to it--but BE SURE not to miss the gnome holding your towels! It's easy to miss because you're probably staring at the oval window. Swoon. By Irwin Weiner. Double swoon.

This round upholstered chair is absolutely gorgeous in this space. Can't you imagine yourself in a bathrobe putting your feet up on the tub to give yourself a pedicure? I can! From House Beautiful. Also, a butterfly framed on that adorable table!

This looks like the ultimate relaxing sanctuary. You can draw the light curtains to have a little bit of privacy in this moody bath nook. By Greg Lanza.

I didn't notice until I was finished, but all the images that I chose (except for the one shower) were all tubs separate from the room with either little claws or a more sleek modern look but they are all free standing! I think a bathroom is nice because it's centered around water, rejuvenation, and most importantly, cleanliness.

Alicia B.

Painted Furniture Adventure

In my quest for the perfect color for my new painted wardrobe (I can't very well call it my "new chest," can I?), I thought I'd take you on a little painted furniture quest. I actually am a bit of a painting nerd as I have a green painted kitchen table and chairs, and a blue distressed dresser! I have also painted my desk a light green and is has distressed naturally on it's own due to a life with me! Many designers use painted furniture. I think it can be a very chic look, but also quite relaxing looking.

Martha has a project here where she painted this pretty/traditional pattern on this caned head and foot board to a bed. So very country and sophisticated. I am so jealous of those wide/irregular floor boards.

Marshall Watson shows us here in this sitting room that with this painted end table, you can create a modern look with a painted piece! Gorgeous drapery fabric on the right, too.

I was thinking of painting the wardrobe a cream color but the walls are also cream. This tone on tone is quite nice and soothing though. By Gunkleman Flesher.

I just adore this little nightstand painted yellow with wire mesh on the doors. By my hero Jamie Drake. I also love the purple from the flowers against the yellow.

This is the color I'm going for, but more blue and lighter! This gorgeous antique chest would be perfect in my fantasy Tuscan kitchen. From Country Living.

Oh! Look who else has a light green kitchen table! I love it with the different colored chairs. It looks like a light and relaxing country kitchen. From Country Living.

I think I've narrowed down my colors to two now. I'm deciding between Swan Sea, and Lotus Leaf, which I can't find online. Sorry. Any opinions? Can't wait to paint it tomorrow!

It's between the one alllll the way to the left (Lotus leaf) and the one on the left in the top row (Swan Sea).

Alicia B.

Busy Bee= Alicia B.

SO, over the weekend I had my bff from college up and THEN my parents kindly dropped off my foyer wardrobe. It's in pretty shaky condition so I'm busily restoring it on my own! I even bought...wood filler on Sunday! Can you believe it? Anyway, I'm working on picking out paint colors for it! My inspiration is Italian painted furniture. I don't know why I'm so drawn to it but I find it sweet looking, and I like the antique look of it. The room above is one of my faves by Hal Williamson and is the inspiration for the chest. I'm looking at blues with a hint of green in them and a little bit lighter than the one above. I can't wait to show you pictures later on this week!


Alicia B.

Rando Design Inspiration Friday

Gorgeous tulips from a story on John Willey in HB.

I've been thinking about this for quite some time now, and I've decided that we're going to have a moment each Friday of pure design inspiration. It's the end of the week, we've all been working very hard, so this is just pure enjoyment. No theme, no point, no shopping--just design. Well, I guess the only theme would be that I like it. Enjoy!

This room is by Tom Scheerer which I found when I was on a hunt for a round rug for my new apartment. I love the blue and brown combination there. Also I am trying to catch my breath over those exposed beams in the ceiling AND the walls.

This sitting room is by Phoebe Howard and I just adore the color palette. Greens, blues, browns, and that soft light flowing in from the window. I wonder what that is in the glass part of the hutch.

I think I was drawn to the uber patterning in this room by Martyn Lawrence Bullard Designs. Everything in here is just absolutely delightful. Isn't the coffee table fun, too?

More exposed beams! Maybe I did have a theme for today and just didn't know it. Also, I'd love to have a large door with a huge old fashioned handle like that one opening into my bedroom. From Living Etc.

I hope you all have a lovely Friday and an even lovelier weekend! It's supposed to be 73 degrees here in NYC tomorrow! What do you all have planned for the weekend? On Sunday, I'll be getting a delivery c/o my parents of the little hutch for my foyer! Then comes the project of fixing it up. YAY!

Oh and btw, if you're EVER having a "down" day, watch THIS VIDEO and you'll be happy for the rest of your life. Just watch it anyway, especially if you love The Sound of Music. (Thanks to my baby sister who just turned 21!)


Alicia B.

Thursday Night Craft Project

At Easter we each got a super cute box (see above) from the Easter Bunny full of jelly beans, skittles, and chocolate eggs. Well, now that Easter is over, I wanted to get some good use out of this box. I saw THIS project for a remote control holder from Martha Stewart, and decided to give it a go. This will come in handy as I've finally decided to break down...and get cable (that I have to pay for).

I was FORCED to eat all my jelly beans right away so that I could make this box! FORCED I tell you!

I chose this great blue and white floral toile fabric, cut it to the height of the box plus about 1/4" extra on each side.

I then took fabric glue and adhered the fabric to the box! Next, I took this grey grosgrain ribbon from Kate's Paperie and put it on the inside to cover the raw edge of the fabric that I folded over.

Yay! Look how cute it is!

Here are the two remotes that I have. Don't they look comfy spooning in my new pretty box!?

Alicia B.