The Modern Pleat

This room in the Kips Bay Showhouse is full of uber traditional pleated details by Mario Buatta.

Usually when you think of pleats you conjure up images of fussy chintz sofas (see above and please don't hurt me Mr. Buatta), doilies, and lots and lots of passmenterie. Lately however, the idea of a pleat is modern, clean, and...trendy. I'm seeing them in upholstery as well as in the fashion world. While I've always been a fan of a cute pleated skirt, pleats are BACK in pants, too.

Massucco Warner Miller uses a pleated pillow in this cheery orange, blue and neutrals room. Modern but not cold--I like it.

Eileen Fisher has a line of dupioni silk home accents including these loosely pleated pillows.

I just know I'd have to run my fingers manically up and down this pillow. By Dransfield and Ross.

A pleated bed skirt is also another way to go! I love the way this looks here. By Marshall Watson.

This is the happiest little pleated pillow and doesn't have a super structured look but isn't fussy. From etsy shop TootieEstelle.

This pleat all the way up the arm ads a fussy/fresh detail to the chair. Henredon via Point Click Home.

Gap is pulling in outside designers (thank God) again and these pants in the window caught my eye on my power walk down to work. I know my friends would tear me down if I bought them so I'll stick to my regular khakis but these are quite fun! Alexander Wang designed for the Gap for $69.50.

I like the detailing, personally, but what do you guys think? I'm into the fresh modern take on something traditional--surprised?


Alicia B.

Next time you're in Bethlehem CT...

You definitely have to go and visit the Bellamy Ferriday House. It is a historical house that was lived in by two different families, Reverend Bellamy, and the Ferriday Family (especially Miss Caroline Ferriday). The house was modest in parts but extremely beautiful architecturally and design-wise. Unfortunately our borderline uptight guide forbid us from taking pictures but I was equally intrigued by Miss Caroline's life! Take a look at the photos that I was able to take of the exterior and the gorgeous gardens...

This is the front of this gorgeous home. Swoon.

I was obsessed with this little doorway between the house and the annex. It leads to the backyard garden. So romantic with the ivy hanging over it.

Great barn/shed in the side yard.

This is our guide, leading us around to the side entrance and then ruining my fun of taking pictures. Boo.

Oh my GAWD all this Greek Revival architecture is making my heart soar. This was on the side and it used to have a porte cochere attached but Miss Caroline had it removed to look more like the original house.

This is from the garden in the back of the house. How gorgeous are those bay windows? They were a later addition on the house, I believe by Mrs Ferriday.

Fox Gloves were all over the perimeter of the garden in purples and greens!

A pink peony.

This is a beheaded version of me posing with some flowers in the garden!

Miss Caroline Ferriday was an amazing woman, especially for her time and was so daring for a woman of her stature (precious). She was a philanthropist, an actress, a gardener, and was extremely instrumental in aiding a group of women WWII Ravensbruck survivors. Read more about this amazing lady HERE. She also kept an apartment on the Upper East Side of Manhattan!

Alicia B.

Tortoise shells are the new...

Everyone knows (if you read this blog) how much I adore fur. Well, I've taken a liking to another home decor item that comes from "nature:" tortoises! The shell of a tortoise is very beautiful in color and texture and has a certain richness and depth. They can be hung on the wall, or you can use the shell itself in an accessory.

My, that's a substantial shell! Susan Chevalier leans this one casually (but obviously thoughtfully) on this folding chair. The swirling pattern mimics the deep dark floors, too.

This one is hung on the wall. The lamp right next to it reflects light on it showing the curve in the shell. By Joe Nye.

Inspired by a turtle, this lovely drawing or print shows off the gorgeous pattern on the shell. By Joe Lucas of Lucas Studio.

In this very open room by Celerie Kemble, she uses this sideboard to display many beautiful objects and tops it off with a large tortoise shell!

My design hero, Albert Hadley used this Schumacher tortoise wall covering on the back walls of this cabinet. The light reflects off this wall paper so beautifully. What a genius.

Another aspect to this accessory is the idea of collecting. It's not as if you can just pick one of these up off the side of the Third Ave in Manhattan so I think it gives the look of traveling to an exotic location, being well traveled, and a more eclectic look. Thoughts? Also, sorry for the brief silence, I took a three-day weekend and then I'm back in classes for the Summer so I'm pretty busy SO BACK OFF. Just kidding, come back to me!

Alicia B.

Rando Design Inspiration Friday

Take a deep breath. Take these AMAZING interiors in and savor them. Yeah. This week has gone by quickly despite the fact that it has YET to stop raining. Thanks to everyone who told me to get over myself and embrace the rain. So now I'll tell you to embrace these amazing interiors!

Joe Nye has completely sucked me in with the amazing contemporary painting and fresh color scheme in this sophisticated living room.

Joe Lucas had me at the nightstand. NOT meant to sound dirty.

What draws me to this beachy looking room by S R Gambrel is just how unpredictable it is. The stool/bookcase at the foot of the bed is so unexpected and the desk with two chairs. Also, nothing gets me quite like a map (the wall paper) and a green glass jug made into a lamp.

I love how light this room by Kari McCabe is. Could there be more angular elements in here?? The sofa frame, the thinly framed pictures, the wood floor JUST to name a few. The main thing that drew me to this room was that fabulous window in the back though. So simple yet so perfect.

Happy Friday everyone! If the rain clears up, the bf and I are going to walk on the new High Line Park over on the West Side apres work! Have a great weekend.

I hate on rain

via photobucket

SO at this point in the "Summer" I'm pretty much over the rain. I hate rain gear even though I have cute polka dotted wellies, a trench coat and a pretty pink umbrella. I think by now we should just go ahead and embrace the rain and then maybe it will go away. Worth a shot.

Marc Jacobs loud graphic print umbrella from Nordstrom for 37.50

How cute is this happy little panda umbrella? From the Conran Shop.

Classic Hunter wellies from Shopbop for $115.

Feminine preppy Sperry Topsiders from Piperlime for 60.50 look great for jumping in puddles.

For the equestrian, these chic rain boots are a different change of pace from the polka dots. From Ralph Lauren for $395.

Butterflies! Kinda makes you happy to use an umbrella, huh? Coach for $148.

I love yellow and I love polka dots. J. Crew can do no wrong with these. $49.50

You know when you bring an umbrella and it doesn't rain? It's a proven fact. So, if we all go out and get lots of wellies etc, then the sun will come out. Plus, spending money helps stimulate the economy I'm told.


Alicia B.

Balloon Fail

I absolutely love balloons. I think they're whimsical, pretty, and remind us all of when nothing thrilled us more than holding a balloon on a sunny day.

Cup of Jo

Cup of Jo

Cup of Jo

So you go from something sweet and whimsical to THIS. BLAM.

I hate to be a negative Nelly but...are you kidding me with this table!? It is 500 balloons wrapped around a side table and sells for $215. Apparently designed by a design student (yay), this table now sells at Mxyplyzyk and Umbra. Eesh.


Alicia B.