Cool off Blues

Robert Stilin put a beautiful abstract painting over this table with different blues. Clearly a focal point.

Summer can get pretty steamy, especially here in NYC. In August the heat can be almost unbearable! Coming home and sitting directly in front of the air conditioner is one way to solve the overheating that comes with summer, but another way is to visually cool off your home! Adding cool colors to your home in the summer can be a way to take the heat down a notch and add some freshness too.

A blue geometric rug sets the tone subtly for this room by Thad Hayes. Also different blues are all around the room in throw pillows, a blanket and the drapery.

Simply adding blue accessories is also a fun and less expensive option. Massucco Warner Miller used different blue glass vessels in these cabinets.

Blue and white cachepots for the plants around your room also catch your attention. Wouldn't this be a nice place to sip lemonade after being outside for a bit? By Joann Barwick from Traditional Home.

My favorite idea, which is temporary for the change in season, is to switch up the throw pillows and lampshades. It's an easy way to freshen up the room and you can change the pillows back to orange in fall or tartan in the winter! By Frank Roop.

Pastels and different blues are nearly everywhere throughout this large living room by Diamond Baratta. Blue lampshades and lanterns are molto fun!



Don't want to repaint your walls or buy new lampshades? Want a project? A fun idea is to paint your bookcase blue, or even just the back wall of it for a pop of blue when you're admiring your books/bookcase display. From Remodelista via HERE.

Painting the walls blue is also a fun and inexpensive option. I love how this dining room is painted above the very high chair rail. Draws your eye up to the amazing ceiling too. By Marshall Watson.

When I started this and was thinking of cool fresh blues, I immediately thought of Bunny Williams summery room for the Kips Bay 2009 Showhouse. It's more of a turquoise blue but bright and lively. From Habitually Chic.

Do y'all ever change a room based on the season? Slip covers are also a good idea for an inexpensive seasonal change if they are done in a very tailored way though. My living room has yellow walls and a brown plaid love seat so I'd probably change (sew my own!) the throw pillows before I did anything else.


Alicia B.

The Modern Pleat

This room in the Kips Bay Showhouse is full of uber traditional pleated details by Mario Buatta.

Usually when you think of pleats you conjure up images of fussy chintz sofas (see above and please don't hurt me Mr. Buatta), doilies, and lots and lots of passmenterie. Lately however, the idea of a pleat is modern, clean, and...trendy. I'm seeing them in upholstery as well as in the fashion world. While I've always been a fan of a cute pleated skirt, pleats are BACK in pants, too.

Massucco Warner Miller uses a pleated pillow in this cheery orange, blue and neutrals room. Modern but not cold--I like it.

Eileen Fisher has a line of dupioni silk home accents including these loosely pleated pillows.

I just know I'd have to run my fingers manically up and down this pillow. By Dransfield and Ross.

A pleated bed skirt is also another way to go! I love the way this looks here. By Marshall Watson.

This is the happiest little pleated pillow and doesn't have a super structured look but isn't fussy. From etsy shop TootieEstelle.

This pleat all the way up the arm ads a fussy/fresh detail to the chair. Henredon via Point Click Home.

Gap is pulling in outside designers (thank God) again and these pants in the window caught my eye on my power walk down to work. I know my friends would tear me down if I bought them so I'll stick to my regular khakis but these are quite fun! Alexander Wang designed for the Gap for $69.50.

I like the detailing, personally, but what do you guys think? I'm into the fresh modern take on something traditional--surprised?


Alicia B.

Painted Furniture Adventure

In my quest for the perfect color for my new painted wardrobe (I can't very well call it my "new chest," can I?), I thought I'd take you on a little painted furniture quest. I actually am a bit of a painting nerd as I have a green painted kitchen table and chairs, and a blue distressed dresser! I have also painted my desk a light green and is has distressed naturally on it's own due to a life with me! Many designers use painted furniture. I think it can be a very chic look, but also quite relaxing looking.

Martha has a project here where she painted this pretty/traditional pattern on this caned head and foot board to a bed. So very country and sophisticated. I am so jealous of those wide/irregular floor boards.

Marshall Watson shows us here in this sitting room that with this painted end table, you can create a modern look with a painted piece! Gorgeous drapery fabric on the right, too.

I was thinking of painting the wardrobe a cream color but the walls are also cream. This tone on tone is quite nice and soothing though. By Gunkleman Flesher.

I just adore this little nightstand painted yellow with wire mesh on the doors. By my hero Jamie Drake. I also love the purple from the flowers against the yellow.

This is the color I'm going for, but more blue and lighter! This gorgeous antique chest would be perfect in my fantasy Tuscan kitchen. From Country Living.

Oh! Look who else has a light green kitchen table! I love it with the different colored chairs. It looks like a light and relaxing country kitchen. From Country Living.

I think I've narrowed down my colors to two now. I'm deciding between Swan Sea, and Lotus Leaf, which I can't find online. Sorry. Any opinions? Can't wait to paint it tomorrow!

It's between the one alllll the way to the left (Lotus leaf) and the one on the left in the top row (Swan Sea).

Alicia B.

*some clever pun about being in the closet*

Aaah, the closet. My feeling with closets is that they can either be something you don't want to open as it is a spectacular mess OR it can be something glorious and beautiful every time you open it. I did some research, as usual, and while I reorganized my closets a few months ago, it left me wanting to clean again! YAY!

Of course it starts with Martha Stewart. Color coded and organized to perfection. MMM.

This is Ms. Mariah Carey's closet--just for her shoes! I love how bright it is though and the picture lights on the top of the cases make them look more valuable like a display.

Eva Longoria's closet. I like the folding screen--can be used for hanging clothing and privacy.

Designed by Marshall Watson, this walk in closet is long but he makes good use of the space with a comfy bench with pillows and stars at the end to lead your eye forward.

If you recognize this closet I'll give you a prize. (prize=the knowledge that you won.)

In the latest Domino, Jenna Lyons's dressing room is shown. I love that there is a fireplace and little settee in it. How glam.

James Radin designed this gorgeous and relaxing dressing room slash bath.

From Domino, if you don't have much room, you can hang full length curtains to hide closet spaces like this here. Hanging it full length makes it appear taller.

From Domino. This is a clever bookcase/closet/media area in one is hidden by slatted doors. I'm slightly nervous though about that one shelf which is bending under the weight of the books. I appreciate that they're trying to hide the TV and electronics. Classy touch.

This adorable dressing room designed by Ellie Cullman has a window seat! LOVE IT.

This preppy dressing room from Domino really goes all out. Zebra rug, vanity, two cute lamps, fun wallpaper, and colorful storage! COLORFUL STORAGE!

If you're lucky you can have a whole dressing room with a vanity, an island in the middle, mirrors, artwork, etc.

I would really love to have a nice big dressing room. It's like a fun little room devoted to just clothing and doesn't necessarily have to be a public space! You can really do some fun funky and personal designs in it.


Alicia B.