Judgment Time: Hotel Edition

Judging things, interiors especially, is one of my favorite things to do. As I mentioned last Thursday, I went to a friend down to Puerto Rico for some much needed relaxation and sun. The hotel was great, luxurious, etc but a lot of the decor was a tad...much. The lobby was incredible and had a really great Spanish influence with a modern touch. The room that we stayed in--well let's just say, I wouldn't have designed it that way. Check it out:

Cougars were everywhere. Like this chick except 20 years older.

Okay back to the decor. This is an example of our bedroom. I get that they were trying to make it modern and fresh looking but I found it aggressive and not relaxing.

I took this picture. Clearly it was taken at night. I just think that the white was too white and the oranges were too feisty.

I guess they tried to add green to the color scheme to this orange/yellow/white room.

I liked the bathroom decor much better. It was modern, yes, but felt very tropical and fresh.

There was a huge casino here too so there was a bit of a Vegas flair with lots of drama. OKay I've never been to Vegas so I'm just guessing, but...

This chandeleir with lots of bit glass hanging from it was pretty dramatic. It was the centerpeice over one of three bars--this one in the center of the room.

These bar stools at this center bar were pretty with some fun gold scroll work on the back. Do you see the zebra fur ottomans?? They were HOTT (with 2 t's) in person.

Now we move to the pool which was really just a gateway to the gorgeous beach. I took this picture. There were lots of different places to sunbath (or burn like moi).

This is one of 3 pools...this one had a bar in the middle. I've taken quite a liking to pina coladas btw.

So I really snarked on the design of the guest room we stayed in but we had SUCH a fun time. I know my favorite part was the pool area though. That was the whole point of the vacation too, to relax in the sun. Here is the website of the hotel where you can check out more pictures of the aggressive rooms and the cougars at the bar (I'm not one of them)!



Alicia B.

Friday Faves a bit early.

Though it is only Thursday, I thought I'd give you a little taste of a Friday Fave because I'll be on vaca as of...now! I'm on my way down to sunny Puerto Rico for a much needed mini break with a friend of mine. I'm pretty jazzed for the sun and relaxation and don't worry I'll take plenty of pictures of the hotel so that we can all pick it apart or love on it design-wise!

I've always loved this image, a room designed by Gauthier Stacy. I was helping my soon to be graduated sister determine what her "personal design style" is and we picked out these bed frames as inspiration. I love how even though there is a lot of pattern and color (pink!) going on, the room still feels airy and open.

My photography show at Cosi's in West Hartford Center (Connecticut) is still up and will remain up until April 10th. Please take a minute to stop by and take a look! In honor of the last few weeks I've even lowered the prices a bit. How you like that??

I loved MOST of the latest Elle Decor. This island retreat is a little on the modern side but I love the way this spa like bathroom looks. The tiled walls are so pretty and reflect the light wonderfully. I wonder what it feels like to be in a wooden bath...

Well ya'll, I know it won't be same without me...but try to carry on. The weather on the East Coast is going to be GAWWWGEOUS as well so have some fun this weekend! I'm just so excited to don my sunglasses (SPF45 sunblock) and some sandals to wear to the beach where I'll be from tomorrow on!


Alicia B.

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.