White Drapery Surprise.

As I mentioned, over the weekend I am helping out a friend with her new house. It's so much fun for me and great to have someone who is receptive to my ideas even if we don't have the same style! Isn't that what a designer is for? Anyway, in her living room which is her top priority at the moment, she has simple ivory colored drapery. My first instinct is, COLOR! But then I stood back and thought that even though they were white, they still carried themselves without any color. Here are some other lovely rooms with ivory/white drapery and don't fade away.

This room is mainly made up of whites and neutrals in a very traditional style. By William Hodgins. Interesting how he works with the shape of the room and places the bedside table forward from the window.

Not a ton of color here but the white drapery is what draws your attention to the height of the ceiling. By Westbook and Winkler.

James Michael Howard, always decorating with soft neutrals tucks this gorgeous drapery behind the stunning architectural detailing.

The ceilings in the Kip's Bay Showhouse this year were so high that Bunny Williams had to sew two sheets (she used linen sheets I believe instead of drapery fabric) together to achieve that height.

Windsor Smith had the honor of participating in this Veranda Showhouse Greyhouse Estate. I'm just in love with those windows that are nicely framed out by strong white silk drapery .

Another lovely room, this one designed by the editors at Veranda.

Funny how even though there is a white carpet, these white drapes really stand out against the cocoa painted walls. By Carrier and Co.

I, of all people shouldn't be too astounded at how many people use simple white or ivory colored drapery. I have soft white drapery panels in both my bedroom and my living room with white scalloped edge roller shades underneath that. Would have included a picture for you but sometimes stealing internet has its drawbacks. I think it's subtle and elegant and lets the rest of the room speak for itself without being a cop out. White is certainly not a cop out.


Alicia B.

Tough Tuesday

So I'm back after my day off yesterday. What was I doing you ask? I was in CT helping a friend with her new house! I'm so impressed (jealous) that she lives in an actual house and has so much room--even a yard! Anyway, the rooms have so much potential and I'm so honored that she has asked me for my advice. I'll give you updates on it as we go along. I have lots of posts (about 70--why do I keep subscribing?) in my Google reader that I need to catch up on today. This is one of the gifts that I got for my birthday from my bff from college who lives in Boston. I saw it and thought "Oh great, something weird with incense sticks" but I put it in my foyer and it smells like absolute heaven every time I walk in my front door! Its a collection of high end perfumes, body creams, and bath salts etc. made by ElizabethW who is based in San Francisco. You should check out their line, I was pleasantly surprised.


Alicia B.

Rando Design Inspiration Friday

Just lovely. James Michael Howard.

Could this week have seemed longer? Maybe things seem longer when you get as old as I am now. Anyway, high five for Fridays! Enjoy the inspiration and have a glorious weekend!

Sandra Lindsay Design is making me want to go home and organize everything perfectly with these glorious bookcases stacked with woven baskets and antique books.

Did anybody else get their Ballard Designs Catalogue last night? I'm in love with nearly everything in it, especially these pillows. I just wish they came in a duvet form!

These stairs are so graceful and the angles are accented by that hanging globe. Curvy! By Austin Patterson Diston Architects.

I'm going to CT this weekend to celebrate my birthday with just my parents. I guess my sisters don't care enough to come all the way from Chicago for two days, but whatever. I'm okay with it. Totally fine. *dramatic tear* Just joshing--but really it'll be lovely and I'm taking Monday off to help a friend with her new home! Alicia B. Designs to the rescue!


Alicia B.

A Fire Burning...

A few months ago, when I was looking at apartments, one of them had a mini (non functional) fireplace that practically stole my heart. Unfortunately I just couldn't face living in an apartment that was just a 9' by 9' room--I have a lot of stuff so I had to move on from it (tear). Every time I see a fireplace though, I feel such incredibly envy so here's a collection of some hot hot fireplaces to ENVY.

By landscape designer Jay Griffith. *GASP* I just adore the idea of an outdoor fireplace. Eveyrthing here looks relaxing and just perfect for a quiet summer outdoor party.

Could this be more amazing looking? Are they going to bake bread in there? Or a pizza? This size fireplace reminds me of an old colonial house. By SR Gambrel.

By M Group. I love the traditional aspect of this one and the fact that it's in a dining room instead of a living room.

This little room brings out the modern (slash retro) side of me. Its like a little bubble fireplace and the setting seems like you could just come in from chopping wood, throw on a blanket and read for a little in front of the fire. From Living Etc.

Nothing gets me going like the look white washed wood! And exposed beams. By James Michael Howard.

I think based on this picture, it is going to be my life goal to have a fireplace in my bedroom. From The Daily Bed.

Another white fireplace but very different from the one above. I love how ornate the decoration is. By Eric Lysdahl.

There are so many fun things you can do with a fireplace and they don't always have to be traditional. Aside from how you decorate it, the structure itself varies in so many ways making it change the room completely, even making it the focal point. Even if it's not, it should surely grab your attention.


Alicia B.

Western Interiors, you broke my heart.

I was just literally blown out of the water when I tried to visit the Western Interiors website this morning and found THIS. Did anybody else know about this? Apparently it went down a few months ago right under my nose! I'm floored right now but curious to see if this magazine will be any good. I hold Western Interiors in such high esteem so it will be hard for this LUXE to measure up.


Alicia

Piano Forte

houzz. Isn't this glorious?

I've been accumulating a lot of images of pianos of late, for no other reason that I like the way they look. For some reason I feel like pianos are disappearing from design; I see them so rarely. I realize that not many people even know how to play the piano anymore (kids these days, what are we going to do with them!?), myself included. I was forced to take lessons and practice but to no avail; I was just terrible. Anyway, as a designer though, I think they're so beautiful. There's something about having a grand piano in your living room or hall that is so romantic.

Isn't this so glam/a tad ridiculous (in a good way) ? I love it though--how many times have you seen a fur covered piano seat? I suppose if you can't play the piano you can have one of those automatic playing ones! BNO Design.

If you have a large hall such as this one, it is a perfect spot for a piano. You also have to take acoustics into account. Who will be able to hear this? I'm sure this is a great spot though--it looks delightful. Jamie Kerns Design Theory.

I love how the light is streaming in on this corner of the room like a spotlight on the piano. It's important to choose a good light for the top of the piano as well. By Joe Lucas.

This is so tranquil looking but can't you imagine some perfectionist evil genius playing some 20 minute long piece on this piano? Somebody had to say it! By Hordon Cherry Lee Architects.

This was one of the rooms at the Kips Bay Showhouse this year that I was in charge of. Designed by Charles Pavarini. While this wasn't my favorite room at all, I found it incredibly inventive and well done. This piano off to the left was custom made for the showhouse and is a white crosshatched design. Pianos can be custom designed to pretty much anything you want, they don't always have to be white or black!

If you do have a piano, you're very lucky! There are many things to think about--space planning, situating it for acoustical reasons, and definitely don't just hide it in a corner! If you don't know how to play it anymore, just learn or hire someone to play it for you!


Alicia B.