Rando Design Inspiration Friday

A photo I took of a gorgeous tulip on Park Avenue.

It's Friday again! How excited are you all for the weekend?? I am, too. Here to help you through your Friday are some fun images of gorgeous interiors, and one new dress that I super want. AHEM.

Jay Jeffers super know how to do Hollywood Glam up nicely. I appreciate that he didn't put two of the same lamp on those side tables but I'm most attracted to this space by the window mouldings. Swoon at those circles.

I think I've developed a bit of an obsession with Jim and Phoebe Howard. They are just so incredibly talented, that it's hard not to. I really want a precious pink room like this and a precious mini sofa to display.

Axel Vervoordt is also one of the most talented designers. Ever. How light and airy does this room feel? I feel like I'm about to step into an old colonial house in New England on a cool summer day and then walk into the kitchen and get a glass of lemonade. Woah, I think I'm ready for summer...

Oh, I almost forgot (yeah right)! The adorable Lorelei dress that I want from J.Crew! I just love how structured it is and it has pockets. POCKETS!

What are your plans for the weekend? I'm molto excited to be going home to the country for the weekend. Tennis? Sailing? Who knows?? I hope to get my usual antiques store shopping in a little bit as well. I'm just happy that the semester is over at school and I can enjoy myself a bit.


Alicia B.

Shell-licious

From Elle Decor, Reynolds Staub Interiors designed this funky tropical room but check out the intense shell encrusted mirror. It's definitely the centerpiece of this room.

Woah, I've been so busy this entire week! Last night was the Art Shmart auction that I mentioned earlier and it was a great turn out and someone won my photograph! Congrats to whomever it was! Anyway, in terms of design, I've been noticing tons and tons of shells everywhere. Perhaps it's the coming of summer? I've always loved collecting shells and seaglass; they're so beautiful and each one is different. Shells are a great natural accessory but I've been seeing them in mass amounts as well as encrusted onto mirrors, tables, boxes etc. Check me out.

From Mrs Howard Personal Shopper blog, they are showing off centerpieces but I couldn't help but notice the mirror in the background. This is a more subtle neutral group of shells covering this mirror.

Elizabeth Martin's masterpiece for the Stephanopoulis Family featured in Elle Decor is full of gorgeous shells and coral. I loved nearly everything about this house; even all the purple.

Tom Scheerer placed three pretty conch shells on this table in a seaside cottage. I love the very natural feeling to this room and that it doesn't look shabby, it looks polished and neat. How can I get a nubby bedspread like that?

In Country Living, here is another dramatic shell encrusted mirror. I really like the straw pouf under the nightstand! And I'm a sucker for pink.

You can't see the full box in this living room by Phoebe Howard, but there are gorgeous seashell bits covering this box. I love how even the discarded bits are used and they look beautiful!

I love the texture of shells the most. When they are put all together they look crusty and rough but then when you get closer they are precious and polished from years (centuries?) of being tossed around by the waves. I will admit that an entire mirror is a bit much/ostentatious for me, but I love shells arranged on a coffee table, or in a bowl. I have a really pretty one that I made into a candle! How do you like that?


Alicia B.

I use elephants in all of my decorating...

From Natural Curiosities (awesome store btw) via Point Click Home. Elephants in artwork.

If anybody can get the movie reference in my title I'll give you 5 gold stars. Big honor. Back to elephants. I don't know about you but I've been seeing a lot of elephants, rhinos, and other jungle like creatures nearly everywhere. A new Travers fabric, little leather elephant accessories, and paintings are among some of the design elements included.

This lovely room from Traditional Home has a sweet jade elephant table peaking out from behind the cabinet.

Also from Traditional Home, the designer used this discontinued (unfortunately) fabric she had saved and made a headboard! Look at that cute elephant walking along all subtle and neutral.

A white porcelain elephant is used as a decorative accessory in this amazing setting in Punta Cana. By Bunny Williams.

Found this cutie elephant clothing hamper on Apartment Therapy. You can buy one from Home Decorators Collection. How fun would this be in a child's room/bathroom? I swear I don't want one for myself...promise.

The ever popular Eames Collection have an admittedly pretty cute plywood elephant that comes in many different sizes. They come in red and natural colors. These could be fun toys for kids or be used as a decorative accessory around your home. I'd love to have one of the mini ones marching across my desk.


As I mentioned above, other jungle animals besides elephants have been catching my eye. Irwin Weiner has this wooden carved hippo in his own home.

I've always loved elephants; I just think they're cute for such a massive and rough looking animal. In the design sense though I think they show a look of worldliness. Perhaps you went to Africa on a glamorous safari and picked one up from a local artisan? Or you found a leather rhino at Scully and Scully like my sister. Whatever/where ever you find them, I think they're endearing and quite sophisticated. I even saw a wooden giraffe in an antiques store just this morning. I'll have to swing by and pick it up at lunch. I love dropping a few thousand dollars on wooden animals. PS-did anybody get the movie reference? FIVE GOLD STARS.

Alicia B.

Art Shmart

One of my photographs has been accepted to a charity auction called Art Shmart and all the proceeds go to the charity Room to Read! The auction will be on Wednesday evening, so if you're in the area, please come and support it and buy some art!!! Art is always a great investment and will never decrease in value. Check out the official invite online HERE. You can see all the uber talented artists participating too! Thanks!!!

Alicia B.

Rando Design Inspiration Friday

Phew! It's been a crazy week, has it not? What with the swine flu scare all over the world, me launching my new website (!), and finishing up the semester at school with my final last night, I'd say we need some design inspiration! I know not a whole lot of that stuff applies to all of you, but you know what I mean.

This lovely sitting room in a country house designed by Mariette Himes Gomez is calling to me. Clearly this person has a collection of antique boxes, and what a great way to display them!

What? You left the door open for me? Don't mind if I do! This sunny yellow foyer was designed by Bierly-Drake Associates.

I just got a signed copy of Albert Hadley's book of sketches and I'm absolutely in love with this library (and Albert Hadley). He just sketched that...it's just amazing. You should, if you are in NYC this weekend, pick one up at the Kip's Bay Showhouse on the Upper East Side.

Plans for the weekend? Since it's raining I'm not sure anymore, but I've very excited to be volunteering at Kip's Bay. I can't wait to check out all the amazing rooms that I've heard about/read about. Yay for Friday!


Alicia B.

Wait. What?

I was pouring over the latest House Beautiful which is pure perfection by the way when I came across this mess of a table. All I could do was inhale sharply through gritted teeth and cringe. What is this? A gaudy necklace? A table? Chains from the hardware store attached to a table? Its the Rickman End Table from Moth Design. I have to say, I love Moth Design. They have some amazing pieces, but this one was a mistake. Sorry. What are your thoughts?


Alicia B.