Nine By Design: Episode 2

I'm so sorry that I never posted about the first episode of 9 by Design on Bravo but here I am for Episode Two! I have to say I really love this show. Most reality show are all about how rude or mean/dysfunctional you can be but this family is so real and absolutely hilarious! The kids are relatively normal kids and Courtney and Bob Novogratz are really a practical couple.

They are amazingly creative, for one thing. IN this episode they move into an old sex club! Talk about taking on a challenge, but this house is incredibly unique so of course they couldn't pass it up. The house boasts a basketball court, movie theatre, huge windows, and great views of the Hudson!

This is Courtney and the contractor climbing the stairs. She said that they love to make the stairs the statement of the home. Mission accomplished, I'd say. SEE BELOW.

These stairs look sleek and gorgeous! Look down at how many floors this is.

I love this queen stamp artwork that Courtney installed over her tub. This looks so relaxing.

Robert bought this really cool desk by Zaha Hadid which looks amazing in this bedroom. The contractors and workmen were making fun of him for buying such a large piece of furniture.

They also have a great sense of humor. Check out this video of a REALLY MEAN April Fool's joke that they pulled on the family. The best part is when they tell Bob it's a joke and he calls them all animals. HILAIR. Have you guys watched the show? What do you think? DISCUSS!


Alicia B.

Friday Faves

I took this last spring in Central Park while lying down on a blanket relaxing in the sun. www.aliciabdesigns.com

I do apologize for being a tad stingy on the postings. I've been really busy of late so thanks for understanding. I do enjoy posting the gorgeous interiors that I post, but I have to remind myself that the blog is for fun. Balance in all things, right? Now, on to the good stuff: it's Friday!

After I complete my country house in CT, I'd like to build a home out in Wyoming with a view like this (with mountains though). I love the openness of the room onto the balcony. From Living Etc.

My bf, an international man of mystery, is going to Paris and Germany this week for work. I haven't been to Paris in YEARS--since I visited my older sister when she lived there. I'd love to go back. This picture is NOT me, but was taking in the charmant Tuilerie Gardens, one of my favorite places in Paris. Via this talented fellow.

Did you hear about the amazing sale going on at the Container Store? One of my D & D friends gave me this brocade metal file bin which I really really needed to house my new Lilly Pulitzer file folders.

I won't be doing anything remotely related to any of the above activities/things. I'm going to CT, and then up to Boston to cheer on my sister in the Boston Marathon. I think she's run about 4 marathons by now and I'm so impressed/proud of her! Is anyone running in the Boston Marathon this weekend? What are your weekend plans? Perhaps some spring cleaning indoors because of all this rain? Or maybe plant a tiny garden because of the rain? Whatever you do, have a great, creative, and happy weekend!

Alicia B.

Blueberries and Raspberries

One of my best friends is getting married this summer and she mentioned that she liked blue and fuchsia as her wedding colors. I thought that sounded like a great idea because it reminded me of blueberries and raspberries. Besides strawberries, those two fruits are nearly the REASON for summer. Anyway, I was thinking about it, and wanted to see how this could be applied to interior design. Everything in my life revolves around interior design anyway, so lets check it out!

I'm not sure I'd be able to read as calmly as these children in this room. That wall color makes me want to play, not work. It's such a fun color with the much more subdued blue coffee table and x-based bench. By Eddie Ross.

Melissa Rufty, whom I discovered thanks to La Dolce Vita, may be one of my new favorite designers. I love her use of color and pattern. Really fabulous.

Masucco Warner Miller is ALL over the place right now; which is great! This is a child's room but I love its playful sophistication. The blue is very blue and the raspberry is well placed.

Kate and Andy Spade's shakey spread in the NY Times was inspiring from an interior design standpoint (only). This blue leather desk chair is a welcome contrast on that bright colored wall. I love that photograph above the desk. Creepy, no?

Diamond Baratta always delivers when in comes to color. I know this room is primarily a blueberry, but the flowers are so beautiful and add a punch of contrast.

A bedspread is a great place to start because you can easily switch it out whenever you feel like it. I love the laptop on the pink pouf and cotton candy blue lamp though. Living etc.

Ooo glamorous and romantic. Plus there's a MacBook so you know this person has great taste. Note the color combo but also all the different textures--very pretty. From Living Etc.

Angie Hranowsky really knows how to get me! A zebra pelt on the floor, a really beautiful pendant over the table, and french doors out to an enticing terrace. Though she didn't use MUCH of the two colors we have in mind here, they certainly make enough of a point.

I really wish I had a window to look out of while I'm at my desk. I have lovely pictures and an inspirational poem which is sometimes just as nice. The blue on the seat cushion sort of reminds me of those blueberries with a little white frost over them right before you touch them, no? Designed by Joe Nye.

I'm not sure what it is but something about this color combo is making me think Summer. Perhaps because is reminds me of seasonal fruits? Possibly. I love this color combo so I know my friend's wedding is going to be gorgeous. Plus, I'm a bridesmaid so she's all set!


Alicia B.

Zebra but Faded.

I've always loved animal print, especially zebra. Lately I've been seeing zebra, but a different kind of zebra. It's a faded zebra. Is it an antique? Vintage? Whatever it may be, it's a toned down zebra print and I love it. That girl above--her amazing non-toned down zebra maxi is for sale on ideeli right now. Toned down or not, I'm into it. Let's check out some subdued animals, yes?

Hang on, let me catch my breath. This. bathroom. is. SO HOT. It's from the Southern Accents (TEAR) Riverdale Showhouse. The amount of drama that that wallpaper provides with so little color is incredible.

Patrice Cowan Bevans. We all know how much I hate skirting around tables (what are you hiding??) but if you're going to do it with this faded grey zebra print, I'll accept it.

This is from Eric Cohler's latest spread in Veranda. He is mixing a safari with hunting lodge look and I'm liking it. I love the structured pleating in that little armchair and how it works with the zebra pattern.

Betsy Burnham mixes different greys with the zebra print Travers fabric for the drapery, the grey desk chair and a greyish wood desk. This looks like a great place to do work.

Do you see what I mean? It may be a trend, but it's a great one. Animal prints are timeless, but I love a fresh new twist on a timeless classic, such as an animal pelt. Do ya'll like it? Are you over it? DON'T FORGET that 9 by Design premiers tonight at 11 (Why is it so late??), and Glee is back also! I'll miss it because I'll be in class but I KNOW it will be amazing. Have a fabulous Tuesday!!


Alicia B.

Friday Faves

This week has been AMAZING because the warm weather finally came--but now it's been quickly ripped away from me and I've been left with rain and 60 degree weather. I'm practically left shivering compared to the 91 degrees we had two days ago. Yeah, I like warm weather. I'm really ready for it. WELL. Enough about me, let's get to Friday Faves, yes?

In my previous post I wrote about Scott Sanders' new book, Picture Perfect. This living room in a beach house is so full of color and life (from his website). I love the bright turquoise and the wall paper in the far room.

Lately I've been doing a lot of sewing (b/c i love to) and making pillows out of all the fabrics I have. I made this pillow a few nights ago from Lee Jofa fabric I believe. It is a gorgeous ikat and I backed it with a dark elephant grey linen. Right now it's $45, but when I put it up on my website it will be $52 so email me (aliciabdesigns at gmail dot com) if you're into it.

Whilst looking for some more inspiration fro my yellow dresser, I came across this great bedroom in Country Living. I think this really seals the deal with yellow and blue--they just look great together.

I'm off on a hot date tonight (with the bf) to Atlantic Grill- I'm pretty jazzed. I'm also working on a framed map sort of project which I'll let you know more about later! What are you all up to this weekend? Hopefully I'll get to spend some time outside if the rain holds off. Have a great weekend everyone!

Alicia B.

Picture Perfect by Scott Sanders

Last night I ventured down to Chelsea to a book signing for Scott Sanders's new book, Picture Perfect. If you haven't seen it yet, it's a must-buy. After accidentally chugging what I thought was juice and really turned out to be a VERY strong cocktail, the book signing party was really fun. It took place in a gallery and the walls were covered with Scott's drawings of houses and floor plans. The drawings were so inspiring, as is the book. Here are some of his breathtaking interiors.

The book tells of his childhood in Ohio and how he grew up completely obsessed with drawing houses and interiors.

I found it so inspiring that he knew on some level that he wanted to be a designer. Meanwhile my two options for what I wanted to be when I grew up were a) an artist which is definitely in line with what I do now, and b) a fairy. Yeah, that's not going to happen.

In the book, you are taken through a creative journey of Scott Sanders's design process; start to finish. The house in the book is inCREDible and there are many many blue and white rooms.

I LOVE this yellow toile room. The bedspread, the lampshade, the wallpaper, and the drapery is all the same sunny yellow toile pattern.

You might say, "Wow, this looks very Ralph Lauren." about this sitting room. Well, Scott began his career doing interior design with Ralph Lauren and was clearly influenced.

Check out Scott's website and you MUST pick up a copy of his spectacular new book. The book is Picture Perfect and you can purchase it HERE--I suggest you do so immediately. I wonder if I looked through drawings I did when I was younger, if they would be of interiors and houses like Scott, but I'm thinking they might just be of fairies and kittens. JUST a hunch.


Alicia B.