Bloomingdale's Big Window Challenge 2010

After running into Eddie Ross yesterday, and meeting his partner Jaithan, I learned a little more about Bloomingdale's Big Window Challenge. Three designers are competing against each other where they each design a window in Bloomingdale's for a specific person. WE all get to vote for the room we like the best! Here are the options:

Designed by Eileen Joyce for Bloomingdale's. "the Urbane Traveller." This one I'm finding quite tame.

By Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan for Apartment Therapy. "The Writer's Romantic Supper." I really like the portraits over the sofa and I feel like I could really relax with a book and a cocktail here.

And last but not least, but last because it's my favorite, Eddie Ross for Elle Decor. "The Modern Woman." I'm really drawn to the exciting mix of colors in this: the pop of turquoise in the lamp and throw on the chair, the orange in the artwork over the sofa, and the pink that is mixed into the throw pillows. It looks elegant yet relaxed and full of life.

To read more about these windows and the great inspiration and the intense competition AND to vote for your favorite click HERE. All of them look wonderful and like a lot of work but my vote is in for Eddie's for Elle Decor. GO VOTE because we only have until January 28th--but also tell me which one is your fave too!


Alicia B.

Table linens are a must!

French Country inspired table linen from Williams Sonoma. Right now at the top of my list!

Last weekend when my parents were in town, I had a small brunch at my apartment with some old and now, new friends! I served waffles for the first time among other things and as far as I'M concerned, the brunch was a success. I think the only thing I was missing was a table cloth. I don't have one! I have plenty of place mats but I lack an actual tablecloth. My kitchen table is very small so its not a big deal but after doing some research I've decided that it might look nice and add a little festivity to something small like my brunch. I think I steer away from them in general because I don't like to make it seem like I'm covering something up. I have changed my mind.

From Elle Decor, I love the soft subtle pattern of this tablecloth. It reminds me of the place mats that I already have from Williams Sonoma.

To coordinate with the wispy linen drapery, this tablecloth allows you to see the profile of the table which is incredibly beautiful. It is pretty and doesn't compete with the bold rug underneath it. Also from Elle Decor.

This autumnal flavored setting is by Eddie Ross. I love the yellow and white stripes--so sweet.

I know this s another seasonal setting but I am DYING over this pattern. I just adore the brown and white fabric--from Country Living.

Again, a simple table set with a burlap cloth that somewhat matches the neutral linen drapery. Designed by Abby Rizor, found in HB..

Sorry for the shoddy picture, I took a picture of it instead of scanning. This lovely table is from Domino. The bold black and white check is a nice attention grabbing contrast from the wood furniture and floors.

In a spread about pink fabrics I saw in Veranda Mag, this sweet fabric with roses on it. Perhaps I could make my own tablecloth with all the fabrics I have. PROJECT!!

This table cloth is very resort or island inspired. I'm dying to go somewhere warm as it got cold again in New York so this one is just right for me! From House Beautiful.

There are really so many fabrics out there (and in my apartment) that I could have many tablecloths if I so desired. Williams Sonoma has a gorgeous selection including the image at the top. Isn't it beautiful? You could have quite a collection, one for every season or different meal or event. Now I just need a place to store them...Good luck to me.

Alicia B.

Botanicals with a twist

A few weeks ago I went to this great exhibit at the Yale Center for British Art of the botanical collages by Mary Delany. It was probably one of the most interesting exhibits in which I was completely unfamiliar with the subjects that I'd ever been to. She was a society woman who was married off strategically to a rather older man and developed a love for plants. She made these intricate botanical collages out of little bits of paper. Each color of each work is a different bit of paper that she cut by hand. These must have taken incredibly patience but through learning about her, she had a lot of spare time. I love botanicals of all kinds so take a look at some I found!

Black botanicals are not seen as often as others and I think they're quite beautiful. This is one by Mary Delany.

Here is another one. It was very important to her that all the botanicals be anatomically correct as well.Isn't the contrast of the black background against the beautiful flowers/plants breathtaking? S. R. Gambrel designed this interior and I'm blown away. It's fresh and traditional feeling at the same time.

This might not look too different but I really like this interior because when you think botanicals you usually think country. This room mixes the organic country with the hard lucite glass, the soft upholstery with the cold metal frame of the table etc. Interior by Michael Clattenburg from AD.

Via Velvet & Linen, these pressed botanicals are framed in a window pane--gorgeous and creative idea for framing them!

Robin Bell designed this traditional room. The botanicals really frame out that hutch. I'd love to see those quilts that are so nicely displayed in there.

Barry Dixon used these framed botanicals in one of the most admirable ways I've ever seen--to hide a TV! Nice choice.

Not only are botanicals beautiful but you can see that they really come from something. They are flowers, leaves, plants etc which can be seen as a craft, something horticultural, something simple, or something as intricate as one of Mary Delany's creations. The Yale Center for British Art put out a book about her with her works called Mary Delany and Her Circle. I'm super curious now about this book. I highly suggest reading more about her as she is a very fascinating woman. Actually, Peak of Chic wrote about her a little bit ago so check it out HERE.


Alicia B.

Friday Faves

Tea Time

I'm so excited to get my weekend started this Friday! I've been tres busy this week and was sick one day so it's been hectic. I've been trying to pay a little more attention to my creative endeavors before school starts so I made a few more pillows (see below) and I've sold some more of my photography (thanks to my favorite patrons Mikey B. and Kristin! Wooo!).

This adorable pink pillow that I made is Pindler & Pindler fabric and just in time for Valentine's Day!

As I mentioned before I sold seven photographs to a client for a gallery wall that I designed for her. This vertical gallery wall caught my eye. I love the old and rustic quality to this room with the wide floorboards and framed sketches. via brown turtleneck sweater.

Isn't this room so peaceful looking? I love the fabric on that daybed and the antique mirrors over it. This Long Island residence is by Nicky Kehoe.

Has anybody seen The Young Victoria yet? It's a beautiful royal love story with gorgeous costumes, fabulous acting, and breathtaking interiors. It's still out in theatres and it's excellent so go see it.

I'm mostly excited about the weekend because my parents are coming in for a visit! I know I just saw them at Christmas but there is something fun and different about having them on your turf. We are having a dinner before at a fab Italian restaurant and then I send them off to the opera, we might High Line it beforehand, and I'm hosting a brunch (with actual guests!) with my new waffle maker on Sunday morning! I'm pretty excited to say the least. Have a wonderful weekend, ya'll!



Alicia B.

Things I like to do when it's cold:

Apparently when weather.com says it's 26 degrees and "feels like" 17 degrees, that means that it's the perfect day to go to the Hells Kitchen Flea Market! I found some amazing things and headed out before I caught frostbite. I bought that little brass elephant and he's serving as a bookend right now but I might also display him on my bookcase, too! Check out what else I saw.

Remember my modern Swedish chair that I had re-upholstered? This looks like the two-seat version of it. The back was horizontal slats and I was quite intrigued, but I don't have the need nor the space for it.

I've completely bought into the whole sequin trend. I rarely go for mini flashy trends like this but, sequins are fun.

A suitcase (awesome just by itself) full of fur collars! I already have a fur collar but if you need one, head on over to the HKFM because they have tons of fur!

Isn't this the most beautifully shaped mirror?! When I made my second round at the Flea market, it was already gone. I'm not surprised--what a great find to whomever bought it!

I found this sweet little guy hiding amidst some larger objects! I would have gotten him but there was no saucer to accompany it.

I did purchase this unique gold painted hand blown glass bowl. I thought the detailing was exquisite, yes?

This sweet little saucer was only $3 and now it is mine!

There was a whole section of these gorgeous blue and white pottery pieces all about $30-80. This one would make a great lamp.

This little magnifying glass caught my eye and reminded me of the magnifying glass that I fell in love with at Anthropologie.

If I could but everything that I loved, I would but I can't find space for antique globes! Maybe later in my farmhouse in the country...

I'm literally never disappointed when i go to the Flea Market. There's always something wonderful to find and make your own. I can't wait to go back when the weather gets warmer, whenever that may be.


Alicia B.

Russian Design Love

Every now and then my sisters send me interior design articles that they think I haven't seen. My older sister just sent me an amazing and surprising spread from Vogue about Charles and Olya Thompson who did a complete renovation of a townhouse in Brooklyn only to make it look like they'd lived there for decades. The article "From Russia with Love," is from the January issue of Vogue and HERE. There aren't any before pictures but who needs them when you see how they designed it?!

Olya Thompson is a textile designer (and former dancer), which is very evident based on all the fabulous fabrics around the rooms and Charles is a photographer. They have four gorgeous children, too.

The townhouse itself is only 17' wide but seems much larger, don't you think?? This is the girls' nursery with a mural by Alexander Vinogradov and Vladimir Dubossarsky on the walls. This room is the scene of a recently finished "petal throwing party." Have you ever heard of anything so sweet?

In the article, Olya says she was inspired by Yasnaya Polyana, Leo Tolstoy's estate near Moscow, where the couple had their four-day wedding. I love how airy this room is but you are still grounded by the incredible textiles and furniture throughout.

The interiors seems to reflect the couple's passion for design, life, and history; it's really inspiring.

Olya's textile company (which she started with her partner Nathalie Farman-Farma) will launch at the end of this month. It's called Tissus Tartares--I cannot wait to see it.

This is two of the girls bedroom with vintage bed linens. It's so refreshing to see such a romantically inspired interior that doesn't look old or dated.

All the images are from Vogue but you really must read the article too to get a sense of the Thompsons. Is it because she's Russian? Is it because he's a photographer? Whatever "it" is, this couple has incredible gutsy style and amazing passion. What do you think?


Alicia B.