Friday Faves

Remember when I said that I was going to embrace the snow, and the cold? Well, now I'm over it. I've had a tiny taste of warmth (yesterday) and I want more. I NEED Spring. I need flowers, I need little grass patches trying to grow on the streets of New York, and I need warmer temperatures. Too soon for flip flops? Probably, but you know what I mean. It's Friday and the temperatures are climbing, say the weather people.

From Eastridge Design, I love the light in this kitchen. It looks like a kitchen you could really work in, and enjoy the garden or terrace to the right. I'd love to start spending more time outside if the warm weather ever comes back!

This adorable pink knob is from Anthropology and makes me REALLY want Spring. Pink Poppy Knob only $8. Did anyone else get the new Anthropology catalog? I love all the flowery skirts and dresses; they're so girly.

To continue my obsession with Greek key, here is a lovely light room with a fresh Greek key upholstered headboard. Via Haven and Home.

Like I said before, this weekend will be all about squash. I'm so excited to be back in the mix of competitive squash to cheer on my STAR sister. Both my sisters are stars, but I'll spare you my gushing of how awesome they are. For now. Plans for the weekend? Spring shopping? Tell me everything.


Alicia B.

What a racquet.

This weekend is going to be all about squash. I'm going to see my sister play her last squash matches of her CAREER before she retires as a college squash player. I played squash in college but wasn't nearly as good as my sister, but I love the game and the competition. How does this relate to interior design you ask? Well a lot of times people incorporate their hobbies into their designs. Tennis, squash, and even ping pong racquets can be used in design.

From Live Well Designs, Kyle Shuneman put antique tennis racquets above this bed. I like the way this looks with them alternating. In a close up though you can see that the strings have been replaced with mirrors. I don't' know if I LOVE that idea but I'll take it.

Jonathan Adler has created these fun geometric racquet covers in his Spring collection. I really would love one... Via Style Beat.

This room is full of fun classic sports equipment: croquet in the basket on the left, and the two antique racquets pointing towards the lovely glass cabinet. Suzanne Kasler via willow decor. I love everything in this room and I wish I could see more of those throw blankets flanking the patchwork rug.

You can customize a rug to have cute crossed racquet design like this one! This rug is in the Racquet Club of Philadelphia via THIS blog.

This design is totally plain Jane and I'm not happy with it BUT, I like the idea of hanging these racquets in somewhere utilitarian like a kitchen. This breakfast nooks seriously needs my help though. Via M English Design.

From Country Living, this DIY project is a project in which you place an oval cut mirror over the strings in each of these antique racquets.

Interested in buying your own antique racquets? I found some great ones on Etsy! HERE is a pretty one with a wooden frame! I bet there are some on Ebay as well. Just for the record I'm not a preppy obsessed designer. I don't have crossed racquets over my bed, they're in my parents' basement, okay??!! Decorating with object from a hobby though can be fun. Care to share? Also, GOOD LUCK to my sister! I don't' want to brag but, she's awesome at squash.


Alicia B.

Preppies like to Go Green too!

My family has been recycling since the second grade when our town issued everyone recycling bins and taught us about #6 plastics. My mother has had a compost pile in our garden for even longer. The latest (not really that new though) way of being green is to bring your own bag to the grocery store so as not to use too many plastic or paper bags. Most stores don't even offer paper bags anymore. I'd LOVE to take part in this but every time I see one of those bags I think..."I'd rather not." It brings to mind something like the below bag. Really?? Ew.

BUT THEN. When I saw THESE at Lilly Pulitzer, I thought..."I'll take it!"It says, "Lilly Loves Green." Creme Fraiche Grocery bag.

This one is called "Queen of Green."

These bags aren't very expensive (only $9.95!) and they're made of recycled materials. They're happy and bright and the perfect GREEN accessory for spring. Read more about Lilly Loves Green HERE. "Green" certainly isn't a trend, or some kind of extreme lifestyle, it should just be a routine. A cute bright one, now!


Alicia B.

Greek Key Love

HOT Greek Key pillow from The Well Appointed Home for $300. A complete steal!

I've always loved Greek Key patterns but lately I can't get enough and crave some Greek Key in my apartment. It's a classic pattern that gains a resurgence every now and then. It's also so easy to incorporate into many different styles; traditional and contemporary.

This bed looks SO incredibly comfortable with a super cushioned upholstered headboard, adorable throw pillows, and a soft Greek key pattern on the bedspread. By Eric Cohler.

Eric Cohler LOVES Greek key. The pattern in the marble mantle is just exquisite. I also love the striped wing chair with the nail heads and pop of orange in the pillow and blanket.

In this lovely bedroom by Nate Berkus, he adds more geometric elements with a unique Greek key pattern throw pillow. I love floral pillows but I'm thinking I might get a Greek key pillow for my living room.

Ann Nicholson used a simple Greek key carpet in this amazing outdoor room. Don't miss the little Greek key detail on the coffee table either!

Phillip Gorivan used two Greek keys over the sideboard to add height to the wall.

I love Palmer Weiss's soft pretty preppy interiors. The rug in this living room is bold yet soft and really grounds that lucite coffee table.



OKAY, let's shop!

A strong Greek key patterned shower curtain from Overstock.com for only $24.

If I weren't renting, I'd definitely consider this intense wallpaper for my small bathroom. I love it! If you're not ready for something quite so bold it comes in white and taupe for a more subtle look. From Jonathan Adler for $195/roll.

This hurricane resting on Greek keys that I saw on Mrs Howard Personal Shopper is especially unique.

I've been looking for a new duvet cover and this one is simple but has a pretty blue Greek key detail. From Williams Sonoma Home, the duvet is on sale for $278!


LOVE LOVE LOVE this Greek key business/calling card! From Pixelimpress on Etsy--only $20 for 50 cards!

This small rug with a Greek key border is especially bold and graphic. From Ballard Designs for $55 in a 2 x 3. It's on sale too!

Shades of Light is one of my favorite lighting stores. This simple sconce has a fun Greek key pattern on the back. Love it!

Are you all in on my Greek key love? I mean, I know I'm going overboard with the "stuff" but it's so fun! I promise I won't buy all of it. I would really love a Greek key throw or a new duvet cover for my bed. There is so much you can do with it and you can go subtle, like add Greek key trim to your drapery, or go bold and have a Greek key rug. Do any of you have Greek key in your home?

Alicia B.

"I like gluing things to other things."

REALLY? This is a from an article in the NY Times, "A Las Vegas Mansion, Glue-Gunned to Perfection". Playing it fast and loose with the word "perfection" aren't we? The Hartland Mansion, originally two houses, were combined to create the largest mansion in Las Vegas in the 1970's. Larry Hart, armed with a glue gun, took it upon himself to redesign it. Las Vegas is over the top times 10 and as you can probably tell already, DIY'ed to the max. Everything is glued together! The "bones" of the house are spectacular, but let's take a little tour through, shall we?

I love the floor and the architectural mouldings around the door and ceiling. The drapery gathered ceiling is RIDICULOUS, but it's Las Vegas, so it needs to be over the top.

A small indoor pool!

Call me crazy but I'm SERIOUSLY petrified by this room. There are way too many nutcrackers in here. I love collections, don't' get me wrong, but if I walked into this room, I'd stop and slowly back out of it.

One of the 13 bathrooms in the home, this one is heart themed...get it? Heart? Hart? Okay, you get it.

Much of the house is said to be inspired by Versailles. This is the master bedroom. I can barely look at the swans much less the wall to wall pink carpeting but let's get a better look at this bed...

This bedspread apparently weighs 34lbs, ornamented with pearls. Woah, on second thought, let's get out of here.

Did Larry Hart put the mirrors on this piano? You bet he did! He glued each and every one on there. Apparently he started this at an early age, gluing pearls onto his mothers high heels and eventually designed shoes for Ginger Rogers and Dolly Parton. Wow.

This is called the "Velvet Room". Can you guess what is velvet and what is glue?

Okay, I know I'm being snide but this is so over the top! You really must read the article, this family's story is both funny and tragic. The Harts are from Texas and just like most Texans they seem larger than life. They own a house with 13 bathrooms but love to shop at bargain stores! Have a great weekend and please don't get inspired and glue pearls to your bedspreads!



Alicia B.

Friday Faves

Cheval from my newest photos. www.aliciabdesigns.com

How about this snow, huh? People have been complaining about all the snow, but it's February! It's prettier than rain! I can't wait to take some pictures of this on my way to work. Anyway, it's Friday so let's have a little fun...

I saw this designer, Kendall Wilkinson, in the latest Decorati newsletter. I loved this bright blue wall with a tree painted behind it sort of like a headboard.

This is such a classic traditional scene with the antique chair and the gallery wall with ornate frames but Jonathan Adler makes it really fun with the oversized floor lamp and bold geometric rug.

I've been going over this whole house from Traditional Home by Ruthie Sommers over and over. It's colorful and light and these fabrics are so gorgeous. I love the rusty red zebra on those twisted back chairs.

I really must say that as I look out my window (into an icky courtyard of fire escapes) this snow is really just gorgeous. You might even go as far as to say MAGICAL. Might this snow thwart my plans of going to the flea market? Possibly. Not to worry though, I may just stay in over the weekend and sew pillows. It's every girls' dream. What are your plans for the weekend? Have a wonderful, magical, and snow embracing weekend!


Alicia B.