Congratulations, Boston

Beautiful Beacon Hill.  My mom and many of my good friends lived in this gorgeous area of Boston. 

I started this post with the tense mood of NBC/CNN on tv trying to find the Boston Bomber and now they've found him! I've been thinking a lot about Boston, as a native New Englander myself, and trying to stay positive in the midst of a bad situation.  I'm so happy everyone is now safe. There are many great things that come out of Boston--beautiful buildings, critical historical events that formed our great country, amazing food, and lots and lots of my friends live there too.

A delicious Boston Creme Pie Cupcake

Boston Terrier Puppy having a goooooood stretch. 

Many of my favorite designers are in Boston.  This fabulous shot is by Theodore and Co. Not a HUGE fan of the lantern but I do love the blue and white chair fabric and the artwork. 

Artwork created by Zachary Smith in the midst of tragedy after the Marathon. Proof that something good can come out of something horrific. 

Sculptures inspired by the book, Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey. My husband and I came to Boston when we were first dating.  

Another fabulous designer is super cute Annsley McAleer.  I've always wanted to use this Phillip Jeffries wallpaper that she used as an accent wall in this bedroom.

I think I can speak for everyone when I say how happy and relieved everyone is for the city of Boston right now.  Some of my favorite bloggers come from Boston: Party Resources, Everything LEB, Dear Friend, Elements of Style, and former Bostonite The Garden of Eden (who I cheered on running the Boston marathon with my sister 4 years ago).  I know they are all so happy (given the circumstances) at the final outcome of this horrible tragic event. Congratulations Boston!


Alicia B. 

Lounging Around the Bedroom

Bunny Williams.  This room is so beautiful and serene and the distressed leather sofa looks inviting and unexpected.

Having a bench at the foot of your bed is a look that I really love and I look forward to the day when I have a bedroom big enough for that.  If you do have a large enough bedroom, you could put a bench or better yet, a small sofa.  The look is charming and creates a great seating area in the bedroom.

In this lovely farmhouse designed by Scott Sanders a small settee is placed at the end of the bed. Its small and simple but the nailheads add character and looks like a great place to have some coffee while getting ready in the morning

This room doesn't exactly look spacious on the sides, but if you have the room, it might be a great idea if you have a studio apartment.  

I love the contrast of the dark structured looking bed with the soft slip covered sofa at the end. 

Lots of grey velvet going on here but it creates a unifying and luxurious look with the gentle curves of the sofa reflected in the headboard. 

Another four poster bed with an upright settee at the end.  Looks like the perfect spot to perch.

I don't love the color scheme in this room by Nate Berkus but I love the art.

Apparently I'm supposed to convince my sister that putting a sofa at the end of her bed is a good idea (lawyers, right!?) so I hope that this posting has convinced her.  Take advantage of your space and make your bedroom not just a place to sleep but a place to sit, relax, chat and read.  You can find more amazing bedroom inspiration HERE on my Pinterest.

Alicia B. 

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.