Friday Faves

Happy Friday to Everyone! I actually took a vacation day today to install my show in West Hartford, CT that I've been gabbing about for the past week! It's a lot of work; gathering together your work, signing and numbering everything, matting it, and making the labels. I'm pretty excited for this long weekend because I sure do need a rest. Here are a few of my favorite things from the past week.

Though I miss many magazines that have folded in the past year and a half, the online design mags are quite impressive. Clover Magazine had the most incredible Rob Southern spread. I love this intimate but exciting little sitting room and I'm seeing these gorgeous Oriental rugs everywhere.

Have I mentioned that I'm helping a client re-wallpaper their master bathroom? I'm looking for some fun pink and white prints and this one by Katie Ridder might just work. I love the shape and the pinky/salmony color.

I know many of my favorite blogs have been snarking on Lonny Mag but I really like it. I can't get enough of the adorable and creative interiors and the links that are attached to EVERY object. It's quite a dream for someone with ADD/loves to shop for home stuffs. This light sweet bedroom is one of my favorite rooms in the newest issue of Lonny. This room was by Sara Gilbaine.

Alright, ya'll (I just downloaded about 10 new country songs on itunes. Don't judge me). I have to go get ready for this show! I hope if you're in the area you'll drop by. It's at Cosi's in West Hartford, CT and runs from today for just 6 weeks! I hope you have amazing long weekends and fun/romantic/special Valentine's Days!!

Alicia B.

Black and white and awesome all over.

To continue my interest/love in black and white interiors, here is a nice collection of more gorgeous b&w rooms. My apartment is full of browns blues, yellows and greens so this is a nice little fantasy for me.

LOVING this black and white splatter wallpaper made by Hinson. Black and white looks great with that wooden cricket table too. By Tom Scheerer.

EH to the bedspreads; just not my style. BUT I do enjoy a flashy pop of color like that turquoise chair. This dark grey paint is gorgeous and even makes the radiator look pretty! By RJ Thornberg from Point Click Home.

From the late and great Metropolitan Home, I love this dining room by Kelly Hoppen. Zebra rug, yup. Black painted floor, mmhmm. Black and white photographs? SCORE.

I love the drama of this staircase and the pop of bright yellow in the wing chair.

I saw this on Cup of Jo (via Lonny mag) a few days ago. This is the bathroom for the uber glam J Crew on Madison Ave on the Upper East side (where I love to shop). The vertical stripes are very bold, but if you look closer there are many beautiful details: the mouldings, the little ledge with frames on it, and the scalloped mirror. What a simple way yet creative way to make a small bathroom more exciting.

This mostly white kitchen from House Beautiful has wonderful pops of black. The black tiles help to frame out the cabinetry and counters.

Carleton Varney, in true Dorothy Draper style, uses the black and white vertically striped wallpaper in this sweet dramatic front hall. Also, check out the zebra on the stairway.

I know this isn't TECHNICALLY black and white, it's chocolate and white but at first glance, it could be right? This Rob Southern (adore) interior from Clover Mag is traditional but so fun and youthful. The wall covering is actually chocolate and white crewelwork--isn't it AMAZING? I'm just in love with this whole house.

Isn't this fun? I think I may start to incorporate a little graphic black and white-ness into my apartment. I came to New York with NOT ONE piece of black clothing, and look at me now ( I own lots of black now)! Sort of kidding but really, color looks really bright and fun against a more monochromatic background, yes? Black and white can be super dramatic and glam too!

Alicia B.

Black and White amazingness in The Hamptons

Black and white has been a huge part of my life all of a sudden. I'm having a black and white photography show that I mentioned yesterday and I've falling IN LOVE with black and white interiors. It all started with this S. R. Gambrel house on the Hamptons that is different shades of black, white and grey with little pops of color here and there. I love the contrast with the classic elements in the house.

Check out the window frames painted in black; it really makes them stand out. I love the super traditional gilded mirror with the other more structured elements.

I'm not sure what that chair is doing there but I am LOVING the ebonized headboard and the black and white pillows.

Woo, all that travertine marble is making my head spin with delight. I love it.

The living room is so beautiful. The greys, blacks, and whites are very nice but the reason this all works is the pop of red in the lampshades and the greens which you'll see in the next image.

As a color girl, I LOVE how these colors pop in this neutral but NON beige base.

Aren't these chandeliers fun?

The main reason that I fell in love with this home is the kitchen. I love the graphic quality of this floor and the tiles on the wall. The benches and the rustic table read a little country (NOT a bad thing) and the floor makes it look more modern.

See what I mean about the graphic quality of the kitchen? I'd DIE to have this oven but this floor is like Escher came in and did a little art project on the floor. I usually hate oven hoods but this one is so impressive here with the pottery on the shelves against the black subway tile background.

I started this post out as a collection of great black and white interiors but I clearly changed course and couldn't stop looking at these pictures again once I started. I think these are a great example of a neutral not having to be a boring beige but a graphic exciting and surprising backdrop of creating something wonderful in an old home.

Alicia B.

Alicia B. Designs Photography Announcement!

Hi Everyone! I wanted to let you know that I'll be in TWO new photography shows in West Hartford, CT! One of them, I installed yesterday at La Petite France, an adorable french bakery with the most delicious croissants I've EVER had (when I'm not in Paris). They were just written up in the Hartford Courant last week HERE.

A snapshot of the show at La Petite France that I installed yesterday.

The second place is Cosi's in West Hartford Center!!! The show there will last just six weeks so you MUST go check it out ASAP. Curious about what's there? It's going to be a show of all Black and white photography and I'll be installing it this Friday, February 12th. If you need an excuse (I'm not enough!?!?) they still have smores there!

One of the many black and white photographs that will be up at Cosi's THIS FRIDAY!! Thistle can be seen on my website www.aliciabdesigns.com

I'm so excited about these shows so if you're in the area, please go have a look. If you're not, tell someone who is! Have a great Monday!


Alicia B.

Friday Faves

A gorgeous dining room by Michael Smith. I'm obsessed with that lantern.

Another week is over but WHAT a weekend we have before us! Predictions of the biggest snowfall of the year and the Superbowl on Sunday! I'm not really invested in either team but I'm definitely in it for the commercials and the guacamole. I'm also making my first trip EVER to an Ikea! I've never been to one before and I'm going to go with my Dad! It will be an adventure, that's for sure.

This is a hint for an announcement that I'm going to make early next week. Can you guess what it is? www.aliciabdesigns.com Hit it.
Last night I went to a sample sale last night for Hello Robertson, a company run by a new friend of mine! They make these amazing headbands, hair clips, and now necklaces which are super cute and preppy. I bought a headband made with a vintage fabric!

I'm on a huge wallpaper kick at the moment. I'm helping another client with their wallpaper for their master bathroom and loving every moment of the search. This beautiful little bathroom is by Lynn Byrne, fellow blogger (Decor Arts Now) and designer. Is this wallpaper not fabulous and charmant (say it with a French accent)?

I'll let you all know how much FIRST EVER experience goes at Ikea. I've heard it's overwhelming but I'm pretty excited!! I am secretly excited for the snow but if it interferes with my Ikea trip, heads will roll. And by that I mean I'll have to deal with it and make a snowman instead. What are your plans?


Alicia B.

Design Books are EVERYTHING

Okay perhaps that's a little dramatic for a title, but they are tres important and influential. I was taking a little inventory of all my design books (which are many and still growing), and couldn't help but flip through/get lost in Ellie Cullman's Decorating Master Class. Her interiors are traditional, full of extraordinary antiques and architectural details. They are elegant but look livable.

The soft blues and whites in this room make me think of summer. Is this bed not incredibly beautiful? I love contrast of the deep mahoganies with the soft bedspread, pale blue walls, and wispy white drapery.

How many times have I said how much I despise fabric over tables? How cool are these with knots tied at the corners?? So nautical! Also, how much would you love to walk through this hall with soaring ceilings framed by thick mouldings like these?

WOAH I love all the salmon and creme fabrics here! First of all those throw pillows are so pretty. Just simply lovely. But second of all, how fun is that checkered armchair off to the left? I KNOW, right?? I'm not even mentioning the bookcase behind and whatever over sized iron work is hanging on the wall off to the right.

Speaking of amazing fabrics, these draperies are so sweet! They really fit with the Early American vibe in this house. And who hangs an over sized pocket watch from a beam? How original.

When I'm left to my own devices after work, most of the time all I want to do is look through back issues of HB and Domino and all my great books. This time I really indulged myself (ie, I skipped doing homework in favor of Ellie Cullman). What really started this was I entered the Style Beat Contest in which Marisa is offering 5 (yeah, FIVE), different AWESOME design books if she picks you as the winner of her contest. Anyway, I entered and you should too. Enter HERE and have fun coming up with how your books inspire you!!

Happy Wednesday!


Alicia B.