Sunday Afternoon Beauty

Sunday was a lovely day. I spent the majority of it lying out in the park reading the newspaper with some random guy I met (my bf). It was absolutely lovely so I'd like you to see a few of the pics I took of some of the most mind blowingly (yeah, that's a word) beautiful flowers I've ever seen. Ever. In the world.

Aaa. Park Avenue flowers.

I swear New York flowers are bigger than flowers anywhere else in the US.

In the park, I had to lie out in the shade because I may or may not have burned myself to a little crisp on Saturday. Oops.

Now it is Monday, but I think that Spring is finally here, and Summer is JUST around the corner! Something to look forward to, right? Did you all have a nice weekend? What did you do?


Alicia B.

Flora

Rita Konig's bedroom in her fun eclectic apartment in NYC. She uses a floral pattern in the bedspread, the wallpaper and even the light fixture!

So over the summer I was seeing lots of geometric patterns, lattice work etc in fabrics and wallpapers. WELL, summer is over, and so is geometry. Sort of. Anyway, I've been noticing a lot of flower patterns in wallpaper, bedspreads and fabrics in general. I find it quite calming in a world full of dropping numbers and people panicking about the economy etc. (clearly I need to get out of NYC for a few days). Flowers are pretty, sweet, and simple. Take a look at some of these sweet rooms.

I think this wide floral patterned dining room makes the space look bigger than it already is by adding a depth and openness to the walls. By Michael Taylor.

I know, I know. It's very traditional, but SO pretty! Look at the effect of the large beams on the ceiling leading down to the simple but beautiful curtains and into the room. By Markham Roberts.

Again, Markham Roberts (genius) uses the flowers to frame out a room/area, and it continues around the room (tablecloth, flowers on table and on mantle).

Even with traditional flowers, you can make the space look modern. Living etc.

Mix many different floral patterns for an eclectic look like this one by Fawn Galli.

Does this wall paper look familiar? (See above.) Found it in Domino.

It could be fun to use big bold flowers, like this one in Greenwich, for a glam/modern/but also classic look.

There is a lot of floral fabric in this bedroom designed by Barry Dixon (love!), but it is a pretty wide pattern so it appears more subtle and not too over-flowered. In the huge glass vase, the theme continues! So cute!

It's interesting how even though we are seeing lots of flowers, they can still maintain a modern look or some of the geometric quality. I think that when people think flowers, they think old lady designs or a stuffy chintz, but they can be light, feminine, modern, or glam depending on how you place it. Thoughts?


Alicia B.

Oscar de la Renta: Swoon

I just got the new Vogue for this month and of course flipped DIRECTLY to the spread on Oscar De La Renta's home in Connecticut. No, he's not an interior designer, but interior design and fashion work incredibly close together. It's so interesting to watch the trends work off each other. Anyway, Oscar De La Renta is an incredible designer, let's just get that out of the way because it's obvious. His house in the Connecticut countryside (as well as his wife) is gorgeous/adorable. Take a look:

In the article, he loved the house but his wife didn't so he "gave" her the bedroom because it is her favorite room. Isn't that so sweet? Look at the incredible architectural detailing here. The bed isn't really my taste (a little bit to frou frou) but it looks perfect for his adorable and elegant wife.

He uses more of that floral motif (as in the bedroom above) in the wallpaper here and it matches the drapery as well. And on the right, that chair is so classic and weird; I love it.

This style might not be everyone's taste, but I think it's beautiful. If you look at every little bit of this room, each part is so personal. You can really tell that each object has been collected; it might have a special meaning or a story to it. Plus, how can you not love the mouldings and the slightly rounded ceiling in this room? I DIE.

Oscar (we're now on a first name basis) says that he bought the house for the view/property that it was on. Well played ODLR. Well played.


Alicia B.

Am I Getting Into Flowers?

This is a very new thing for me as usually I cannot be bothered to spend a TON of money on flowers. As I was buying them for my sister's arrival I found they weren't that expensive and they were so beautiful. Simple and beautiful. They add so much color! The most fun thing is that once they wilt or die, you can get new and different ones! Fellow blogger Abbey buys gorgeous flowers about once a week...maybe I should do the same.






Above are the flowers that I chose today. They are pink Gerbera Daisies. I know, daisies are seen as very common. They are my absolute favorite, though. It is forever ingrained in my SOUL that I love daisies. I know some people who read my blog can relate. Have a beautiful Saturday (as I am in class all day)!

Alicia B.