Micheal Trapp is a genius

The other more amazing, and quite fantastical garden tour was that of Michael Trapp. He had a garden and the most surprising garden/interiors shop I'd ever seen full of ancient artifacts, dinosaur bones, Italian pottery, fossils, etc.

In this shed that he had out in the back and down some steps, there was a collection of eggs, and some really cute nests.

I felt like I was in a cave here. This little building, also out back, had Spanish Moss hanging from the ceiling and white coral and shells everywhere.

Ironwork piece among fossils/bones.

YIKES I love mini models of buildings and these Greek Temples had to be photographed.

Mirror image of a huge Italian pottery vessel.

Isn't this chest amazing?? More dinosaur/ancient animal bones are on top of it. I think you know how I fee about that HUGE green jug. Can't breathe.

Pretty sconce that I spotted in the window.

This shot doesn't exactly capture the amazingness that was EVERY SINGLE room of this shop/house, but I tried.

You have got to take a look at his website HERE. If you're ever in the area of West Cornwall CT, (don't lie, you're there all the time) you must visit this store. You have to cross a covered bridge to get there which is enough to get me to visit any town even if it's population is 400.

Alicia B.

Bunny Williams Trade Secrets Garden Tour

The incredibly gracious host, Bunny Williams.

Over the weekend I had the IMMENSE pleasure of helping out at the Trade Secrets Event in Sharon CT. As an added bonus, I took all the garden tours offered over that weekend and my absolute favorite one was Bunny Williams. I've always loved her but my love has been re-ignited since her masterpiece at Kips Bay and it continues to...burn...even brighter since the weekend. Look how sweet she is!

The tour started at her famed Greek temple styled pool cabana. It's not your typical CT style Greek Temple though, she used bark, and pine cones so that it feels like a woodland creation.

She had a lovely and relaxed scene set with coffee tables and lots of seating looking out onto her gorgeous yet simple rectangular pool, and the rest of her property.

I DIED when I saw the chicken wire on the cabinets in her small kitchen in the pool house. The color those dishes add is so beautiful. A treat to the eye.

Obvi Bunny has a huge compost. Not just your every day run of the mill compost though--look at the sticks lining the sides arranged very artfully.

The entrance to the guest house was this amazing conservatory with plants galore and a farmhouse table in the center.

I fell in LOVE with this cabinet with so many drawers/compartments. This is in her guest house, which we had the pleasure of touring as well. Love the rooster, too. So charming.

Of course, she has a grocery list casually placed on top of some cookbooks and magazines for when guests come--she must be prepared! Yeah, I photographed her list--what of it?

A comfortable, relaxed and attractive place to kick back with one of the many classics she has in her bookcases. See the next pic.

I wish I had more bookcases so that I could do this (above).

Full bar. That's all.

One of my fave parts of this incredible tour was this area she seemed to be working on with 7 or 8 different bird houses. This one was my favorite because it looks like a old abandoned mansion. The bird houses which I've seen lots of may become a new trend. I'm just going to say it now.

The aspect that I loved the most, design wise, was that Bunny had a lot of stuff. Objects. I have SO many objects, things I've collected, and things that I treasure and everything looked great but not neurotically organized. It looked like she was okay with all her books being out of order, or not all the same height. Not all the soaps in her dishes in the bathrooms were the same color! She's been tagged as someone who has mastered "organized clutter," and while that is true, I don't know if it looks all that organized, all the time. It felt less calculated, and more lived in but not in a messy way. Thoughts? I know some people don't care for her...personally I adore her.

Alicia B.

Rando Design Inspiration Friday: Outdoors Edition

In honor of the fact that this weekend is Trade Secrets Weekend (see post below), our design inspiration is going to focus on outdoor spaces. Today is a gorgeous day in NYC; sunny and warm and finally NO RAIN! Since most of us are stuck inside, here are some lovely pictures to speed you along to the weekend!

From Point Click Home, isn't it just lovely how the green grass grows in between each stone creating a geometric pattern. The obsessive side of me isn't even mad.

Who wants a cocktail here at my new home in the French Riviera? This look like the perfect space for a fun garden party. I wish I knew what was going on in the back though. Marie Claire Maison.

J'adore mini potted plants! Probably because that's about all I can handle. From Living Etc.

This picture from House Beautiful just makes me want to go home even more. I love the manicured yard with hedges, and the doorway of flowers with a backdrop of rolling hills. AHHH.

From Desire to Inspire. I don't much care for the furniture where but the way the ivy is creeping up the wall, it's so charming! Also tres charming is the crystal chandelier outside.

I don't want to brag but...I've sipped white wine in this adorable little outdoor garden/terrace by the incredibly glam Charlotte Moss. It's even more amazing in person. And so is she.

I super hope the weather this weekend is sunny and warm. I don't want to be shivering helping Martha Stewart, ya know? Not cool. Not a good thing.

Alicia B.

Trade Secrets Weekend

This weekend I'm so excited to be volunteering at Trade Secrets. Trade Secrets is an annual Garden Tour and gardens/antiques show founded by Bunny Williams with all the benefits going to Women's Support Services. It is held in one of the most beautiful places in Connecticut, Sharon. I'll be helping out on Saturday and then stalking, I mean going on a garden tour at Bunny Williams house! What a treat!

OMG! Moss covered frogs!!?? This might be more than I can handle...

I'm so excited to see all the fun garden accessories: topiary, watering cans, garden furniture from Treillage, you name it! It is also rumored that Martha goes every year--maybe I can help her out! Has anybody been to this before? Planning on going?


Alicia B.

Wanna Play Monopoly?

Lilly Pulitzer Monopoly! My day is finally here. Ahhh.

Alicia B.

Look who I brought home last night...

Meet the newest member of my family, Lucrezia! Yes, like Lucrezia Borgia. She is the snuggliest little three month old kitten there ever was. Check her out!

Luca loves down comforters.

She also loves Dash and Albert rugs!

Look at that little mouth. WHO HAS THE CUTEST MOUTH EVER. Woah the kitty talk is hard to stop.

We are bff already, and she slept curled up in a little ball in my arms last night.

Alicia B.