Just this...

I was going to post about bedrooms but now in the wake of everything today...I'm not feelin it.   This is all I have for now. 

I won't get all personal but I will say I hope everyone is nice to each other and to themselves.  

Alicia B. 

Wait...WHAT?!?

I think it's time for a big...Wait, WHAT?!  I certainly felt that way when I saw this ad for Scalamandre's new line by Kathryn Ireland. 

Are. You. Serious. 

Don't get me wrong here, I adore Kathryn Ireland.  I think she's hysterical on the show Million Dollar Decorators (albeit ridiculous) and a talented designer.  I'm not super into these fabrics though I'm curious about the one at her the bottom.  

I do appreciate the reference this ad makes to the painting La Grande Odalisque since it was one of the first paintings I studied in art history...and...WOW. 

So what do you guys think?  Love it?  Hate it?  Have a great weekend--my husband and I are off to Newport for the weekend for a little relaxation.  What about ya'll?

Alicia B. 

Happy Spring with Inspirational Design

Easter came and went this weekend and now according to me it's Spring!  We dyed eggs, played tennis, ate TONS of jelly beans, outlet shopped, and now tis back to reality except it's a warmer sunnier reality called Spring!  In honor of spring I wanted to share a house that I saw on Jeffers Design Group that put a little spring in MY step. 

A bedroom with a chunky fabric hanging headboard with industrial nightstands, neutral color block drapery and a cool masculine vibe. 

The outdoor space with the stick overhang that allows light through is casual but refined looking. I'd love to sit by that fire pit. 

I love the textures in this room: rough wood wall, chunky carpet, CHUNKY bedspread and a really cool headboard. 

The kitchen is clean but has lots of personality with industrial bar stools, chalkboardy paint under the counter, and fabulous unexpected pendants over the island. 

As we know, I love yellow and these geometric pillows have a happy pop of it. Also obsessed with the Moroccan rug and the chair by the sliding glass doors. 

BREATH. TAKING. BA-NAN-AS chevron pattern wall.  Also, I love the breakfast table chairs. 

The main theme of greatness around this little house is the easy access to the outdoors with large glass sliding doors and verandas all around the house. 

Where you loving this house as much as I was?  I'd love this as a weekend home.  Obsess more over this fantastic space and see where it began (not hot) HERE.  Happy Monday!

Alicia B. 

French Mattress Obsession

I've always loved the look of a french mattress pillow but I'm pretty obsessed right now.  We just did a modified French mattress on an antique Chinese bed and the thickness of the mattress looked amazing.  They are characterized by a thick height of about 3-5 inches with a very thick welt and tufting on the top. 

On the right a striped French mattress sits on the window seat in this hallway. From Carrier & Co. 

A chic farmhouse can have a fabulous French mattress day bed to make the room look relaxed but elegant. David Michael Miller. 

Another comfy cozy window seat has a light emerald green French mattress. Hot Steven Gambrel

Another room here from Carrier & Co. (love them), this French mattress makes this sweet chair and ottoman a little bit jazzier. 

Furniture designer, Dmitry, makes this AMAZEVILLE day bed.  LOVE. 

Another day bed with a French mattress.

I can't wait for the day that I can have a French mattress of my own.  My older sister is moving to a new house and maybe I should convince her to do a fabulous French mattress in the family room, or in their master bedroom?  What do ya'll think?  All these bad boys are on my Pinterest. 


Alicia B. 

Before & After: My Living Room

So as you know, I'm not big on sharing a ton of personal stuff, tell all about my life, but I will give you a small vignette into my decorating life.  Here is the before and after of our new condo outside the city.  Drum roll...........

BEFORE (previous owners): 

This was the living room when we saw the apartment.  I mean...NOT GOOD. I thankfully saw beyond whatever was happening in this room  ie. a design murder on the eyes. 

This was the Dining Room which you can see PART of from my shots.  Also, not attractive.

DURING:

We added some recessed lighting, repainted the walls and the ceilings ourselves (that's right).

And then we had the floors redone because they were...yellow. We had them stained a coffee brown and left them unpolished, but with a matte wax finish.

AFTER:

Ta Da!  We painted the walls Ben Moore Titanium, added a larger sofa, raised the drapery rod plus new drapery panels, and styled the bookcases

Here is our awesome linen sofa with some fur pillows and two other pillows that I made!

Here is the other view of the room looking into the dining room and the front hall. That is a peek into the hall, which we wallpapered!  A demi lune console table will go below the sunburst mirror.  

This is a real Danish Modern chair (my dad had it in college so...it's...vintage.  Sorry Dad!) and I had the Naugahyde taken off and replaced with a white linen.  I made that pillow too from a Clarence House sample. 

Our media stand.  Not styled to the max but this is pretty good.  

Some of the styling magic that took place in the bookcases.  I have too many design books to fit in one bookcase and I bought those antique brackets at a shop in the city.

We read other books too...sometimes.  I bought that brass elephant at the Hell's Kitchen Flea Market!

Well, there you have it folks.  That was our living room.  If you have questions about anything, where I got things, or if by chance you'd like ME to help YOU make your place look like this, feel free to contact me at aliciabdesigns@gmail.com  The only thing we need to start on next is ART.  Feel free to send some (affordable) suggestions my way.  But over all, what do you think??  I'm dying for feedback!

Alicia B. 

PS--Up next is the Dining Room!

Wood Tiles: Obsessed

Yesterday I went to approve some marble slabs at our stone place (I know, its boring but it's part of my life) and I saw the coolest looking tiles.  Wood Porcelain Tile.  It has the look and softness of wood but it's super durable and eco friendly. 

I saw it in a grey weathered look but through research it can come in a deep rich brown stain as well. Not as good looking but obviously it depends on the space.  It's used here on the wall as well as the floor--STUNNING. 

Also, for exterior use for a clean looking deck.  

Here are some in a stained wood color in this bathroom.  I actually like this bathroom but the drapery looks like highwaters.  

Here is the old farmhouse look with distressed blue paint on them.  I don't love the paint for myself but I like the idea of a distressed wood tile. 

In this modern space they use the grey tiles in a chevron pattern.  Fabulous.

I'm pretty into the look, what do you think?  It's a versatile look for a clean and modern space or for a chic farmhouse.  Another one of our clients is going to use this in their entryway as well.

Alicia B.