The Luck of Good Design

Crane's green willow envelope and Thank You notes HERE. Thank you notes are still important to write and having cute stationary removes all excuses!

Well, good design isn't luck really at all. It's a good eye, experience, good use of color, and all that other jazz, but you all know that. Today is St Patrick's day which means it's going to take me twice as long to walk home today because of all streets that will be crowded with inebriated post collegiates yelling things at me or falling down in front of me. Aahhh, kids these days. Though I'm not Irish, I have strawberry blonde hair and very fair skin. I do love the color green and little pots of gold!

A holiday like this one certainly isn't a reason to change your interior to add green elements (unless you're planning a party!), but the fact that green might look nice in a room IS a reason. Jamie Drake used a few different shades of green here in this bedroom. I love the tufted headboard.

This cute watercolor painting is from HERE via etsy. "In the Clover No 4"

There are plenty of amazing green toned fabrics out there. I love this one, Palermo, by Carolina Irving--it comes in a few other colors, too.

Whenever I think of a clever use of the color green, I think of Florence de Dampierre's front door of her home in Litchfield CT. It's really great looking in person, too (I did a drive by about a month ago, okay??).

Chicagoans really get into the spirit and dye the Chicago River green!!! It looks toxic, yes, but what spirit that city has! Good usage of tax dollars?? Hmmm.

I don't' think I really have much green in my apartment except for some green vases here and there, or in a plant. Green, for me, means that spring (and Summer) are here and it's time to open your windows and let some life in! I don't' have plans for St Patty's Day, except to pack my bags because I'm leaving on a small vacation tomorrow! Do you all have plans?? Anyone in Chicago ever see that river turned green?


Alicia B.

Branching out

Alicia B. Designs. I got these gorgeous pussy willow branches at Grace's Market on the Upper East Side.

Spring is the time full of budding branches and flowering trees everywhere. I'm always a fan of bringing nature inside, even though i cant seem to keep any of my plants alive, so adding these large branches is perfect (for me too).

These cherry blossoms are beyond gorgeous and add a sweet pop of pink. Via this fab blog.

This serene sitting room by Suzanne Kasler has a nice flower branch in a vase on top of the mantle. You might say that the painting over the mantle gives you height but it really just provides a nice backdrop for the branches in the vase.

I fell in love with this Parisian apartment by Olivier Gagnere from the latest Elle Decor. Clearly he's not afraid on mixing many different textiles and patterns. I love that high backed chair upholstered in leopard. Check out the green leaves/branches in the vase in front of the mirror.

This is a lovely branch situation that not only adds height, but width and volume. It looks so fresh and peaceful in the light on the console. Eastridge Design.

Not only can you use the branches as a display for a foyer console, but also for a center piece on a table. This is is Jason Wu Studio, designed by Carrier and Co.

These pretty green leaves are sort of like the autumnal version of the cherry blossoms in the vase. By Barbara Westbook in House Beautiful. You can switch up the plant depending on the season.

What a nice simple foyer scene from the latest Veranda. The leafiness of the branch adds much needed life to an otherwise rustic looking interior.

Depending on the plant, or the color of the leaves you can really transform a room or an entryway. Adding plants is NEVER a bad idea and when they die (in my apartment) you can go get more--and different ones!! They add life, height, color and variety so you pretty much can't go wrong.



Alicia B.

When it rains...

When it's raining (horizontally) outside, and the wind is blowing so hard that your umbrella does this:



You want to stay inside and do this:

That's right, make pillows! I made three gorgeous pillows from Pindler and Pindler pink damask fabric.

This one has a large flower in the center.

And I made my first bolster pillow. It was really simple and came out beautifully.

I tied off each end with a pretty brown velvet ribbon.

Do you like these? So much that you want to buy them? Well you're in luck because as much as I love pillows, I can't keep all the ones that I make. You can buy them in my interiors/accessories section on my website. HERE. Get to it! What else was I supposed to do with a rainy day?


Alicia B.

Friday Faves

Okay, so some of you can guess, I'm pretty jazzed about Spring. I'm done with winter and I'm ready to shed a layer and get into spring. Spring means more flowers, more green (nature), and no more Uggs! I'm ready for some flip flops, aren't you? Am I rushing it? Oh well, here are some lovely springy moments to help your Friday go a little faster.

Martha is always ON when it comes to...everything. This little Easter party display is SUPER Spring-inspired. I love the color combo of yellow, green, and that orangey-pink in the wall paper.

I can't take my eyes of this scene. This was designed by Carrier and Co. I love the wall of windows, the light, the chairs at this table, and the gorgeous bouquet atop the dining table.

I know, I know, no more shopping for me. A friend of mine (former roomie) told me that I MUST go to Ann Taylor because they're having a great sale so I went to the website to check it out and everything looks gorgeous! I love this dress with the grey peep-toe pumps. This would look great with a little green cardigan.

I know it's going to rain in the New York area but that's not going to dampen my enthusiasm! Rain won't be bringing me down! I am really looking forward to this weekend because of the possibility of seeing another former roommate--from college! Is it feeling like Spring where you guys are? Have an amazing weekend!


Alicia B.

Dear Spring, Please don't leave.

Don't leave--until you bring Summer into the picture, is what I mean really. As long as Winter is on its way out though, I'll take spring for now. In fashion and interior design I'm seeing a TON of flowers. They're fun, classic, springy and I'm MORE THAN ready for them.


Tobi Fairley's living room is FULL of spring. Green and ivory and gold tones are everywhere. This room feel fresh and comfortable. You might think that with a rug like this it would feel stuffy but it can't with wing chairs, Greek key, and and a lively sunburst mirror on the wall.

Eddie Ross styled this when he was at Martha Stewart. First of all, the yellow in here pleases me greatly. Yellow = happy. Second of all, I love the idea of a screen as a headboard. It adds so much depth to the room and the fabric is so pretty.

Markham Roberts. I believe I've posted this picture before but clearly it deserves a second (or third or fortieth look). The patterns are so dynamic. The drapery is super dramatic and the wallpaper is so unexpected. Looks like vines climbing the walls.

Speaking of flowery, Liberty of London is designing a line for Target and it debuts in THREE DAYS!! I adore their flowery busy prints. They're just so happy.

Cute/girly skirt from J. Crew. Sunshine Peony skirt for $98. Does anyone want to buy this for me--I'm cut off from shopping for a while.

WOW there are a LOT of flowers in this adorable room. I love this four poster bed and the lively fabrics throughout. Even the sconces are nature inspired! Hamilton Design Assoc.

Besides the pretty chocolate pillows, I love this soft pretty flowery sofa. A lot of times if you choose a floral for a sofa fabric, it's bold, but this one is light and blends in without disappearing. Mollie Johnson Interiors.

Spring is all about flowers. In fashion, and in real life! Everything is finally coming alive again and in New York, where the only tree you see on a daily basis is a tiny one surrounded an icky fence, this is always welcome. I'm a huge fan of Liberty of London so I can't WAIT until the line at Target comes out. It's going to be super fun but I have a bad feeling its going to be a bad over used trend. I hope it doesn't, but...it could. Anyway, Spring is here (I promise), so flower it up!!


Alicia B.

Writing Tables Galore.

I love writing tables. I also love desks, but there is something about writing tables or library tables that I just plain love. They are simple and unassuming. You can have a traditional one, or a modern glass topped one. The one that I have is very shallow and works really well for me because I live in a shoebox of an apartment.

This writing desk from Horchow is not only beautiful, but impeccably designed for a modern lifestyle with storage and easy to use with a computer or laptop.

This glass topped, X-based table fits right in to this glamorous interior by Nate Berkus.

The view from this desk would pretty much guarantee that you might not get much work done. I've always loved this relaxing looking office by Todd Romano.

Need a small one because you live in a small space? This cute rattan one looks like it belongs in a beach house. From Pottery Barn HERE.

This eclectic look is from Living Etc. I love the simplicity of the table itself, the books, and the Mac!

I hate tables with fabric over them but this is by Miles Redd, so I'll let it slide. This time. Anyway, this is a really interesting place for a desk or work area; at the end of the bed.

Joe Nye sucked me in with his glam hot animal prints and the light mocha color of the walls but the writing table by the window is gorgeous too.

I think an upright desk or secretary is wonderful. There is room for a lot of storage, and they are beautiful in their form--if you have a nice looking one. The writing table leaves most things out in the open so I think the simpler the better. I probably have too many objects and notepads on mine, but I don't have much room for storage period so BACK OFF. Anyway, which do you prefer? Desk or writing table?


Alicia B.