A look at my weekend through a French door.

After spending most of the weekend thinking about gallery walls and French doors, I thought I'd share some French doors with you. I think we already had a huge craze of gallery walls about a year ago and the blog world has probably had its fill. In any case, I'm wild for these french doors. They look so inviting and gracious. French doors are usually wood framed doors with glass panes and are often found in pairs. Pairs are my favorite kind--the more the merrier!

Typical Phoebe Howard: elegant, comfortable and sweet. The French doors look like they open out onto a welcoming terrace or back lawn.

Wouldn't it be nice to have high ceilings like these? Mario Buatta was lucky enough to design this space; a 98 room Beaux Arts masterpiece in California.

Living Etc. Usually I shy away from purple, because it can be too "pretty," but these French doors are so gently framed by the periwinkle drapery that I can't help but adore this room.

Gil Schafer. This narrow porch is expanded with french doors into the adjoining room. I love the light blue paint on the floor and the walls.

I think I like french doors so much because they let a lot of light into a room. I love the way the room looks with all that light streaming in and if there's a gorgeous view that doesn't hurt either. I hope you enjoyed seeing a snippet of my weekend without having to do all the semi tedious drafting and leaning over a drafting table. More to come!

Alicia B.

Rando Design Inspiration Friday

It is Friday! This day (September 11th) reminds me to appreciate the simple things in life and to be thankful for everything that I have as an American. Freedom, independence, choices etc. I feel really great about all those things, and we should not take them for granted. SO, let's take a deep breath and appreciate the beauty that is...interior design!

You might be able to see that I'm recently obsessed with Jan Showers. Shes immensly talented, yes? I wish I could see more of that striped wing chair peaking out from the left. Her furniture choices are classic and elegant.

Another favorite and leader of the understated look is Christopher Maya. This looks like a great place to sit with your family around a fire.

In major breaking news (via StyleBeat), Amanda Nisbet's new fabric line is being sold at Holland & Sherry. I've always loved Amanda Nisbet's style and her fabrics are so fun and creative. She also has a lighting line at Urban Electric. You MUST check them out.

Brooklyn Bridge USA

I'm just going to slide this one in a) because I took it and b) because it's a symbol of New York and evokes a feeling of patriotism which always feels nice on this day.

Have a lovely day everyone! Weekend plans, you ask? Locking myself in my apartment (watching Vampire Diaries and Project Runway-don't judge me!) and doing homework nonstop! What are your plans?


Alicia B.

I'm obsessed with D. Porthault sheets.

via Peak of Chic.

I've been silently obsessing over the sheets that I saw in Rita Konig's apartment featured in Domino Magazine a few years ago, and my need for them has suddenly become very urgent. I just recently saw them in the spread of Jan Showers's latest design for a 1950's home in Texas. I need them. I must have them. The sheets in question are D. Porthault and they are, of course, completely out of my price range, so incredibly beautiful and classic. My favorite pattern is the hearts pattern. They are sweet, yet very sophisticated, soft and feminine.

From the Jan Showers spread that I mentioned above. Monogrammed duvet and sweet Porthault pillows make this bedroom strong and feminine.

The scene that started the obsession, Rita Konig's bedroom from Domino. Little did I know I was on a slippery slope here. I love to buy sheets to begin with but this is on another level.

Here is Rita Konig's bed when it is made. These pillows in a flower pattern are equally as exquisite.

Here is "my" pattern in a handkerchief. Swoon. via lasplash

All the hottest designers use these sheets for their clients and themselves, such as James Andrews, above. Also read his hilarious blog, What is James Wearing-he's always fabulously dressed.

In my obsessive search this evening, I found that I'm in good company with this. Jennifer at Peak of Chic is obsessed as well. HERE is her post about Porthault. Are you guys on my Porthault train? Do you have a secret sheets obsession like mine?


Alicia B.

Curve-alicious

Kelly Wearstler.

Often times experts claim that fashion leads interior design, or interior design lead fashion and I think in this case, the latter is true! Curves are fantastic and not only are they IN, they've always been in! A beautiful curving winding staircase is a very classical element that can be adapted in many different ways. For some reason curving staircases have always caught my eye.

Marie Claire Maison. The winding staircase has been adapted for a contemporary setting using glass and steel.

James Huniford. I am dying to see this foyer from the other side. Two winding staircases? Could you ask for anything better?

Living etc. These are a tad more industrial. Check out that railing slithering up the stairs.

James Michael Howard. Double staircases. Gawgeous.

This staircase is very nice but what makes it stand out is the way the ceiling curves around it at the top. By Jan Showers.

BCV Architects. I think i might cry tears of joy at this picture. SO beautiful and simple.

Another genius staircase by BCV Architects. This is a wine stockroom for a restaurant that they designed.

Not loving the drapery choice but the architecture here just blows me away. I love the way the light from the doorway shines on the underside of the staircase. Austin Patterson Disston clearly has this down.

Austin Patterson Disston. I've posted this image before but it's so perfect that I don't think it could hurt to post it again.

I grew up with a regular staircase with two landings, but no curves. Certainly not complaining, as my sisters and I used to spend hours on end having jumping contests on those poor stairs, but maybe that's why I love the curving ones so much.


Alicia B.

The art of cooking with art around...

Since I've been choosing photographs for a small show ( I know, exciting!) that I will be in in October, someone made the suggestion that some of my food photography would be great for a kitchen. It really got me thinking of using art in kitchens in general. More often than not we are paying more attention to the appliances, the subway tile or hand painted tile backsplash, and the lighting over the island, am I right? When is it okay to put a painting in the kitchen? Is it better to keep it simple? Here are some pictures of art in the kitchen that I found particularly intriguing.

Nancy Boszhardt. What an amazing and clearly functional kitchen. If that found painting was not there, the kitchen would still be beautiful but it definitely adds a focal point and some interest.

Even in a super industrial kitchen, it doesn't have to be all modular pieces. This painting is amazing and adds much needed color to the space. From Living Etc.

Delson Sherman Architects placed a painting off to the side. This painting helps to transition the space from the kitchen to the dining/sun room.

Another striking painting made into the focal point of the room framed by two amazing sconces. I really love those sconces. By David Kleinberg.

Even in this mini kitchen (Anna Sui's apartment from Elle Decor), there are two works of art; one leaning and another in a niche above the sink. The painting only adds to the gracefully controlled whimsy in this space.

So, I guess you can have it all! Subway tile galore, amazing lighting and art. I have a framed piece of fabric with an elephant on it from India in my kitchen. It helps to define the space as my kitchen is technically kitchen slash living room. I'm sure a lot of you have situations like that. I placed the fabric right over my breakfast table instead of centered on the whole wall and it breaks the room into two parts.

In other news, I had my class tonight and it's not as scary as I thought (fingers crossed), but it will take up a lot of my time so please be patient with me! Thanks for your encouragement, too!


Alicia B.

Labor Day Weekend in pictures

As promised, here are a few choice pictures from my Labor Day Weekend! Among other things we celebrated my sister's birthday, went to the Goshen Fair, and took a little trip to the Vanderbilt Estate in New Hyde Park, NY.

This was just a little mini building next to the mansion, but I couldn't resist how you could see through the entire building to the view out onto the Hudson.

View of the Hudson River.

Not bad, right? Gorgeous mansion, but the grounds were just as impressive and the view of the Hudson River was incredible.

Of course, I loved the architecture, too!

THEN on Monday we caught the last day of the Goshen Fair in CT. OH BOY was it a treat! Full of people like this (above), the smell of fried dough mixed with mass amounts of cattle, it was GLORIOUS.

I witnessed my first cattle pull! They lined them up and hooked them onto blocks of cement and these cattle just went for it! Wait, are these oxen? Have I been in New York too long and I don't know my barnyard animals anymore?

Yum.

OF COURSE the "World's Best Hot Fudge Sunday" is right there. Just my luck!

UM? Paula Deen? Where are you, girl!?

There were fun rides too. I would have loved to go on the Ferris Wheel, but time was short.

Quite a treat huh? I can't wait to go back next year and try one of those deep fried Oreos!


Alicia B.