Rando Design Inspiration Friday

Too much rain makes me sad inside so I'm in need of some sunshine in the form of great interior design! Am I the only one? I think not.

I adore this sweet little attic guest room by Suzanne Kasler. So crisp and clean without looking uninviting. How lovely is yellow and white--the shades are Michael Devine Home, who has the greatest fabric collection HERE!

Mary McDonald's rooms are always a treat. Love everything here minus the mirrored coffee table. LOATHE mirrored furniture.

When I own my own country cottage, I'd like to have a library sitting room like this one with antlers, books, gorgeous throw pillows, and lovely art prints. By Markham Roberts.

I found this incredible designer Grant White on The Daily Bed (thanks Raina!). I'm in love with this color palette, but more importantly the gallery wall of prints with the one round one in the middle.

I think this home really defines my personal style. NO NO JUST KIDDING. This is from Real Housewives of NJ. OY.

Have a great weekend, all! Any great plans? For the first time in a while I'll be staying in NYC.


Alicia B.

Cameron's House from Ferris Bueller's Day Off

You guys are going to have to fight me for this one because Cameron's house from Ferris Bueller's Day Off is on the market in Highland Park, IL. Granted it's on the market for $2.3 Mil but I've been so good and hunkering down during the recession so I think I can splurge at this point. Right? HERE is the listing (and where all the pics come from) on realtor.com.

The ever so famous garage where Cameron drove through the back window with his father's Ferrari. I guess they fixed the window.

The house was designed by A. James Speyer and David Haid in 1953. The large floor to ceiling windows are amazing and really capture the view of the surrounding woods.

Sleek white kitchen.

Open floor plan with the fireplace in the middle. This house is about 5300 square feet. Not too shabby.

I notice the exposed wooden slats for the ceiling that seem to be throughout the home.

I guess the Ferrari isn't included with the house, or the three car garage. All in all, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a total of eight rooms and is all on one floor.

Ferris Bueller's Day Off is one of my favorite movies of all time. I think we should all take a page from Ferris's book and have a little fun sometimes. As he ever so wisely says, "A person should not believe in an "-ism," he should believe in himself. I quote John Lennon, "I don't believe in Beatles, I just believe in me." Oh wait, wrong quote. Here it is: "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."


Alicia B.

Swedish Modern Chair Makeover

I'm full of many projects lately and I am really enjoying them. This is a Swedish Modern chair that (below) belonged to my father; he got it back in the 70's which is quite apparent when you look at it. Well, now it's mine and I decided that the yucky tan vinyl had to go. Good choice, yes?

Sad deflated chair.

It really does have a beautiful frame.

Here it is completed! I had it reupholstered in European Cream Linen from Fabric.com. I think it looks clean and comfortable. Last night I sewed a little throw pillow from extra fabric left over from my love seat from Roger Arlington which is unfortunately no longer around. I'm not going to lie, I'm pretty pleased. My apartment is still coming together piece by piece even after a few months but it's still fun!

Alicia B.

Foyer Wardrobe Makeover: Complete!

Finally I have completed my wardrobe makeover! After sanding, wood filler-ing, priming, painting, and decorating this wardrobe that used to house my baby clothes, it is finally complete and looks wonderful!

Here I am (okay fine it's Britney's face--thanks Ash.) modeling the wardrobe in my foyer for you. This is how it looked when I started.

It was in quite a state when we (thanks to my parents and friend Sarah) hauled it up 2 flights of stairs but it still had some beautiful detailing.

I repainted it and put some adorable wallpaper from Farrow and Ball in as drawer liner!

There was a key hole so I found and antique and got this gorgeous key tassel from Pindler in butter cream which I thought looked very beautiful against the pale blue that I had chosen for the wardrobe.

Since I don't have much space but I wanted to put one other element in the foyer, I found this perfect "ashtray stand" at an estate sale over the weekend and am using it as a plant stand. Don't ask me how Piglet got under the wardrobe but I have a sneaking suspicion that Lucrezia had something (everything) to do with it.

Here is the top of the wardrobe: three of my fave design books stacked with a pair of brass candlesticks, white enamel pitcher, spider plant and etched brass bowl filled with antique keys and a mirror LEANED against the wall.

And here it is! Not an amazing picture because it's a shallow space but I'm quite pleased with the results. I worked hard and had a lot of fun doing it. Nothing like doing all the work yourself (even though the bf did the wood filler part) to make a project feel very fulfilling. This wardrobe houses all my collected fabrics for projects, old drafting projects, and other design things that I need.

Alicia B.

In the Conservatory with a watering can...

I'm really into the idea of a conservatory of late; a quiet glassed-in sunroom to grow your plants. When I went home over the weekend, my parents were thinking about one as their latest project/yard time-sucker. They've all but abandoned my dreams them having a swimming pool but I'm still hanging on. I think the idea of a really sweet conservatory is a great one, though. A quiet sanctuary for your plants, to relax with a book while the sun is shining in on you.

This Edwardian style conservatory is by Parish Conservatories. I'd love to have a brick cottage with a little conservatory off the side. Just lovely.

This is from Nancy McCabe's garden which was on the Trade Secrets Garden Tour. Hers was a beautiful rustic style garden with many Spanish influences.

Bunny Williams had a very classic one off of her guest cottage with much architectural detailing and a large sideboard in it to accommodate her large potted plants. I love the repeating arches.

This is from Renaissance Conservatories, a company that specializes in custom conservatories. I like this round one with the clerestory windows on top.

This very classic one is also nice. It's more of a sunroom though than a room for your plants etc. I love the architectural detailing though. Also from Renaissance Conservatories.
This one is NOT QUITE my style (at all) as those windows are NOT ATTRACTIVE, but I love the floor. It looks like the conservatory from the board game Clue! Right? How badly do you want to play Clue right now?

I'm really embracing gardening and plants lately and this conservatory is the perfect mix of interior design and gardening. There are so many different styles you could go with and many fun garden accessories to add. Garden urns, exotic plants, amazing architecture, the possibilities are growing!


Alicia B.

Rando Design Inspiration Friday

This week flew by in a flash! I realize I only posted a few times and for that I apologize but I can only do so much. This weekend is Memorial Day and cross your fingers that I get out of work early! Here are some images that are making me smile.

In honor of Memorial Day, here is a patriotic photo that I took of the Brooklyn Bridge.
Brooklyn Bridge, USA.

This boudoir by Jackson/Aaron looks so sunlit-lovely. I'd love to lie down there with a good book...and a kitty.

I found this designer, Emma Jane Pilkington, in Traditional Homes 20 Young Designers to watch and I'm molto impressed. This painted bed is incredibly beautiful...I'm in awe.

April Tidey, who was on Apartment Therapy yesterday, has such a fun aesthetic mixing modern with traditional. Love the white walls, ceiling and floors in this cottage.

What are your plans this weekend? As usual I'm heading up to the country for some r and r with my parents and then am joined by the beau Saturday evening! I absolutely cannot wait until the Memorial Day Parade (it's my favorite part). There is nothing like a parade in a small town. Have a great 3-day weekend!

Alicia B.