An old trend that I love--Ombre

Double height ombre=double amazing. Also, ombre chandelier?  

I know ombre was cool about a year ago with hair, clothing, etc. but I love it in an interior.  I saw tons of accessories and furniture when ombre was hot hot hot but didn't see much of it installed. I am working on a friend's Living Room and she picked (so excited!) an ombre fabric for her living room drapery and I can't wait to see it come to life.  It's a really great way to bring subtle pattern or color into a room.  

David Collins (still amazing) nailed the ombre with the color at the top and the white/light part at the bottom. 

These gorgeous and fun colored ombre draperies are from Romo Black--The grey ones are the ones that I've picked for my friend.  

I just threw this one in for fun.  Ombre tiles are pretty hot too. I've seen a lot with little mosaic tiles but this one is bold yet subtle and a great color. 

This bright and cheery ombre is from BHG.  It really makes this light colored room quite happy and colorful!

Like I said, I know this was all the rage like a year ago but I really don't care (so don't think I just caught on).  I think trends like this (and ikat and animal print) keep going--just because the Kardashians don't have ombre hair anymore doesn't mean I don't still love an ombre panel.  What about you?  Are you still feelin' ombre?  All these can be found on my Pinterest by searching Ombre.  

Alicia B. 

Obsessed with Pleats

Have you guys noticed this in fashion--all these adorable pleated skirts and dresses? I literally can't get enough of them. Pleats are a given in interior design with pleated lampshades, pleated upholstery skirts, and pleated drapery but what I've been seeing are a super intense version of this with a knife or accordion pleat everywhere.

I took this picture in a dress maker's store window in Roma from...our honeymoon! It was one of many swoon worthy moments from the honeymoon...sigh...

When I think of pleated fabric, I think of Bart Halpern, who offers tons of different pleat options. We've used a few of these fabrics in recent projects and they are gorgeous.

Doesn't this take your breathe away? I am speechless at how gorgeous this is. Also, is she making a cape look graceful and beautiful?

Like I said, pleats are in interiors too with this cute pillow from West Elm.

West Elm is getting these pleats. This nautical feeling pillow is from WE also and is in yellow too.

Can I pull off a long skirt? They are chic and comfy looking but am I too short at 5' 4"? This gorgeous lady looks amazing in the long accordion pleated skirt and long sweater.

I love this dress for if I had eloped and gotten married at City Hall. Perfect right? Too late for that though...

This skirt nails it in a rooftop photo shoot paired with a simple white top and belt.

Great for fall or back to school (like yours truly again) a dusty pink pleated skirt!

Are you all feeling the cute pleated skirts and dresses? I love the girly sophistication of them and the movement and motion of them. In terms of the interior design world, I think clean knife or box pleats are the way to go, otherwise you risk going shabby chic mess, which I don't advise. So who wants to buy me a pleated dress? All uncredited pics are from HERE.


Alicia B.

Cowboy boots are a standard.

Up here in the Northeast, cowboy boots are a trend. They are so hot right now according to the fall trend reports, but I've had a pair for a few years. Anyway, down in Nashville, any one who's anyone has at least one pair. Each one is different, black, brown, embroidered, with flowers, even wellington style! Take a look at some of my faves, y'all!

I LOVE THESE. Embellished and fabulous.

This entire wall was covered dollar bills with people's names on them! And Paul turned 50 in Nashville.

Manly.

Not a cloud in sight but these wellies were spotted and loved! Peacock feathers!!!

Clearly these bad boys get used a lot-scuffed and authentic!

I'm pretty sure these have a metal tip on them. Badass.

These are in a store that was pretty much on every corner.

I wanted to bring my own pair down to Nashville but was told that they would be "cliche" but they in fact were not. I've been a country fan since high school and have had many family trips out west so I do have my fair share of country gear. Do y'all have any boots or hats?

Alicia B.

Trend Alert? Objects in low places.

I've noticed a few times now when objects are placed very very low. They seem out of place but then you look at them and you notice them more that you probably would if they were where you thought they were going to be. I've only found a few examples but I think they're pretty interesting.

Nancy Boszhardt placed this still life painting underneath this desk, as opposed to above it. I was worried at first that the painting would get hurt under there, but I suppose the desk is deep enough...

It is a great idea to place objects under the console table and these lanterns look amazing. Miles Redd then added a mirror to draw attention to them.

My new design love, Grant White Design placed this sconce next to the fireplace where you might usually see it above the mantle.

Have you all seen this anywhere else? Perhaps this is an old trend and is coming back again? What do you all think? I was skeptical at first but designers are always being applauded for placing things up high to draw your eyes up; why should this be any different? Just something to think about.

Alicia B.

Spring Trend: Butterflies

Butterflies are everywhere! I've noticed them in magazines, on the blogs, and everywhere I shop (window shop). They are whimsical and colorful and definitely a sign of spring, I'd say. Many accessories are covered in butterflies, from throw pillows, to decoupaged plates, but here are some examples in interiors!

What a sweet kitchen inspired scene by Trevor Dixon via gogoabigail.com

This room from Southern Accents is very garden-inspired with framed butterflies up on the wall. I really love that mini stool under the table with the blanket draped over it.

This is a from good old Domino mag featuring Schumacher's Birds and Butterflies wall paper. Not entirely sure where the larger than life butterfly on the wall comes from...I'm scared. Definitely adds a focal point to the room though, right?

In this super luxurious bedroom by Nancy Boszhardt, she uses framed butterflies on the wall. I like these--they're very close together and all the same species. Very pretty and a great punch of color in this mostly neutral room.

I like this one the most, I think. It looks like a little horticultural study; perhaps there are books on gardening on the other wall and a beautiful garden outside? By Monique Keegan from Country Living.

This exotic garden room is from a Kips Bay showhouse, so is of course very over the top. The chair in the corner is actually in the shape of two butterflies. By David Barrett.

This Freeze Frame Butterfly Chandelier by Lladro, is very whimiscal and looks like a swarm of butterflies around a light. Only $3200!

John Willey had these duvet covers custom made with Holland and Sherry butterfly fabric! This room is super springy with the green painted ceiling and nature inspired fabrics (roman shades, grass cloth walls, etc).

Want some of your own butterfly decor? Here are some small framed drawings from Ballard Designs. Cute!

Read more about this new spring trend HERE in Elle Decor. Personally...I'm not loving it. I know I'm supposed to but all I can think of are glittery butterflies from the mid to late 1990's and I'm uncomfortable. I do love the framed drawings and the horticultural side to them, but the giant, out of scale butterflies are somewhat inappropriate. What do you all think? On board? Hate it? Love it?


Alicia B.

Kitchens Galore.

Designing a kitchen can sometimes be the most challenging room to design. They are so personal to the individual that every one is different. I think we might have moved on from the avocado appliances (although I've been seeing a lot of soft greens) by now but what are the trends in kitchens? In my research I found a LOT of things--and like I said, I think that kitchens are SUPER personal and individual. See below some of my favorite picks.....

From Living etc, this kitchen has an industrial feel with metal cabinets and a sleek shiny subway tiled wall. Not really my favorite.

In this tiny Stephanie Stokes kitchen, customization of cabinets are very important. No space is wasted. She customized the floor too, which is beautiful. Also, she used green marble for the counter tops here.

Here is the ever popular farmhouse style kitchen with white marble, white wainscoting, and industrial holophane pendant designed by R. Roman Hudson. Personally I love this look--the pitchers on the open shelves are just adorable.

If you don't have a farmhouse style house, this house in the south shows you can still have a calming, simple kitchen (by Ken Pursley). Wood paneling can sometimes be intimidating, but this looks so soft and has a gorgeous contrast with the white marble countertops and backsplash of the stove.

I grew up in a house in which everything was behind a cabinet door, so the trend of open shelves was a new one to me. I have taken a liking to it though and it's nice to display your nice dishes etc. Ken Pursley again.

From House Beautiful, this designer used Jurassic Green Granite. Go green?

This reminds me of what a french farmhouse kitchen might look like. Hillary Hayne uses this wire in place of glass in the rustic cabinets. LOVE THIS.

A fun color like this blue and a fun chandelier is nice for a small kitchen to take the focus off the fact that it's such a small space. From Domino.

I really love this idea of adding this custom copper grill inside the frame of the cabinets. There is a physical barrier but not a visual one. WOW. By Sandra Bird.

Custom storage spaces created by kitchen genius Christopher Peacock.

Christopher Peacock is pretty much the authority on kitchens. This one is crisp and bright and clearly made for someone who likes to cook. How many stoves are there--four??

In my adoration for farmhouse kitchens, I love the farmhouse style sink which is deep and clean white! From House Beautiful.

Again, I am really leaning towards a french farmhouse sort of look if I had my choice. It looks easy to work in, and if you make a mess it is easy to clean up. What is your favorite new kitchen trend OR lasting style!?

Alicia B.

So Hot Right Now

I new trend brought to my attention (by me) is fun uber feminine hair accessories. Headbands with big bows and sequined or shiny pony tail holders. I had seen them at J crew before and loved them and thought about making some myself. Then last week I saw them again on Miss Blair Waldorf from Gossip Girl (ABOVE)! They are fun, very girly and festive and remind me of headbands I used to wear as a little girl!

Found this in Marie Claire.

Nordstroms. I love how winter preppy this is.

Goody, available at Target.

Goody, again.

Hats in the Belfry

So fun and sweet from Henri Bendel

J Crew Chiffon Headband. This is one of a few of their adorable headbands.

Alicia B.