For Those of Us With A Black Thumb...

I am notorious for killing plants.  I have brought plants to my mother while they were on their last root and she has nursed them back to health and now they are thriving, but I really cannot be trusted with something green.  Does anybody else have that going on?  I love plants and flowers, but I just seem to kill them.  Luckily, you can decorate with plant motifs!  I've seen a lot of fun and interesting green items lately, namely ferns.  

I read a great article in the Financial Times about a phenomenon called Pteridomania which means Fern Madness.  I think I have it too!  It was a trend in the 19th century "stemming" from gardening which lead to an obsession with ferns.  This pitcher is by William Brownfield from 1859. 

If you can't afford the William Brownfield from the Royal Art Collection, this white pitcher by William Brownfield (apparently) is for sale on Ruby Lane.  Go HERE to buy it for me.

The gorgeous Lauren Liess has designed a beautiful fern embroidered linen fabric.  Here she is posing wrapped in it with her adorable husband. 

I love this fabric!  It has updated classic written all over it--I'd love to make some throw pillows with it, or it would make beautiful drapery in a living room.  HERE it is and many more of her fabrics with a fern motif.

Framed Ferns are an easy way to add a pop of green to a room.  These are a great scale and are very affordable from Wisteria. 

You can also find tons of antique framed ferns and fern botanical prints on 1st Dibs.  There is a great series of these from Polly McArthur Antiques in Seattle.

This is from Eddie Ross and I am in love with the stylized crewelwork fabric that is the headboard and pillow shams.  I'd love to know where that fabric comes from...

If all else fails, you could always do a tablescape with a cluster of ferns in vases.  

Once you're finished with your fern tablescape you can sit back in your adorable fern chair on the terrace with a G & T.  The Arper Leaf Lounger can be found at AllModern.com. 

I think after all this rain in NYC/the east coast we might see a lot of green ferns popping up outside.  Also inside!  As a side note, there is a reason I haven't blogged in a few weeks...I got a new job!!  I'm overjoyed for the change and very happy with my new position (that is all I will say but if you want the deets email me at aliciabdesigns@gmail.com).  YAY!

Have an amazing Memorial Day Weekend and remember to be patriotic!

Alicia B.

The Boot Room

The ultimate boot room.

Most people have a mud room or have heard the term "mud room" but have you heard of a boot room?  Well, you have now. I was reading the Financial Times (as usual), when I came across a great article about the phenomenon of boot rooms coming back.  A "boot room" originates in the UK from the football teams that used to discuss strategy and maybe grab a beer after the match with their mates.  It's basically a British version of the ever dreaded "Man Cave".  I hate that term and I think boot room is much better and more civilized.

The perfect lighting for a boot room, there is adequate space for your many pairs of Hunters, a bench and all the jackets you can imagine.

A clean a crisp white paneled room complete with firewood storage.

I am a huge fan of the white painted paneled ceiling and an informal seating area in this narrow yet gracious boot room.

Boots?  Check. Room for a dog?  Check.  Old fashioned broom?  CHECK.

This is the room that inspired the post--by David Hicks.  A very masculine yet inviting room fully equipped with boots, hats, seating, sports equipment, and nice things to look at.

More paneling...seeing a theme?  I think that boot rooms are mostly meant for those with country houses. Ahh, a life of leisure.

It has since evolved into a overall equipment room and can be used by more than just footballers. I just specified this for a client--it's from Wisteria and so practical yet very handsome.

I love the idea of a boot room, as you may have guessed.  My husband and I could really use one to house our tennis and squash racquets, various pairs of sneakers, hats, and a set of golf clubs I wish I owned.  According to the article I read, the boot room is making a come back.  I wish that developers in NYC thought the same...

Alicia B.

A Green for Winter

As I was working out in my head what colors I could use for my New Year's Eve party (which has taken a turn in a more relaxed direction), I was thinking what would be holiday but not Christmas? My colors were silvers, whites, and greens. I think the sparkle of the silver with the green color would be just festive enough but not scream Christmas at the same time. I've also been seeing light greens nearly everywhere against whites, gilt woods, and silvers.

This interior by Nate Berkus may be in my top 20 favorites and not just because of the patriotic moment in the back. The tiny pops of green among the neutrals is very subtle but makes the room fresher.

I saw this chest in the Wisteria catalogue today and was instantly enamored. It's so simple but it has so much texture.

This is a little vignette from a Lynn Morgan interior. Even using a plant is a great way to add green to a room. Like I said above, I'm super drawn to the metal tones with green.

This is really bringing the outdoors in in this Eddie Ross interior! The ferns are so sweet and natural with the brass lamp.

In this rustic and mostly white/creme interior, the green from the plants softens it. I love that layered display on the mantle. From Country Living.

This is a perfect neutral holiday scene. Even if it's not Winter these colors look warm and fresh. Bierly Drake.

An interior using Anne Selke fabrics has more light fresh mossy greens with a faux bamboo upholstered ottoman. I adore her fabrics; they're so fresh and whimsical.

These interiors are certainly inspiring for my little NYE get together. I'm thinking of using some of my same trees that I have for Christmas but remove the red elements and replace them with green. Perhaps the green theme is a good one for New Years as well; turning over a new leaf for a new year, that sort of thing. I'll let you know how it goes when I get back to New York and things get a little less abstract.



Alicia B.

Holiday Gift Guide: Kitchen Edition

"Shots" would look perfect in any kitchen and quite an inspiration for a good baker!

This posting should really be titled: "I will accept any of these items with open arms", but alas, it is not. It's officially the holiday season now that we've pushed past Thanksgiving (I still have tons of leftovers, YUM), it's time to think about the season of giving no matter what you celebrate! Here are some great gift ideas for the kitchen.

I received these as a gift from my sister a few years ago and i will never forget how delicious, flaky, and buttery these croissants were. I wish I had some right now. From Williams Sonoma for $39.

I'm pretty sure that I gave this to my mother last year for her birthday as one of those gifts that says "I really want to keep this for myself but I guess you can have it." I love Italian food and the recipes that my mother has made so far have been so delish. Urban Italian from Amazon.com is only $23 but I suggest buying it from your local independent bookstore...

I seem to have started a collection of aprons from Anthropologie. I keep getting them as gifts and I'm not even sorry--they're adorable! The Twittering Tea Time apron is $28.

I just straight up need this. Le Creuset Mortar and Pestle from Bloomingdales for $38.

This is the perfect little colander for one serving of pasta and is the perfect size for a tiny New York kitchen. Also from Anthropologie for $12.

These jute wine bottle bags are perfect for a gift of wine! A set of four from Wisteria for $19.

This scalloped edge silver bowl is so gorgeous. It would be perfect for a little display of ornaments, or grapefruits in the kitchen! From Eddie Ross's Etsy Shop for $55.

I'm always offending people with my current bottle opener from college and this would be the perfect upgrade... I love keys too! The Castle Key bottle opener from Anthropologie for $12.

The Brook Farm General store has so much to offer, these hand towels being one of them. They are 100 % cotton and only $18.

How adorable and vintage is this VINTAGE ice bucket!? I love the round shape of it--perfect for the Holiday Cocktail party from Brook Farm General Store for $55.

Two things I love: objects in miniature and organizational goods! These mini numbered spice jars take care of both of my needs. Digit spice jars for $5 from Anthropoligie.

I love giving gifts just as much as I love to receive them but I'm sure these will all be big hits! I'm hoping to do a guide for every area of your life but we shall see. Happy Monday!


Alicia B.

Mercury Glass Lamp Obsession

It all started with the above lamp from Lamp Work Room. It's so pretty and I fell in love with it instantly. Ever since that fateful day, I haven't been able to get it out of my head. Do you ever get stuck on something like that?? Well, I've been shopping around and I thought I'd share what I found with you. I think a lamp like this would be a great way to glam up my apartment a little bit. It's full of soft plaids, comfortable textiles and many different woods and ceramics, but nothing like this.

I've found that a mercury glass lamp comes in many different shapes and sizes. This one is more of a candlestick shape, rather than a round ball but is equally as precious. This one is from Wisteria and is super well priced at $169.

I love the urn shape to this one--so squat and cute! So perfectly antiqued, from Shades of Light for $265

I'd normally scoff at this and move on simply because it's from Room and Board, but I'm being more even handed towards modern things lately. I like it's clean shape, but I'd change the shade. The Aura Table lamp only $249.

The etching on the mercury glass on this lamp from Pottery Barn is especially charming, do you think? Hanna Etched Mercury Table Lamp for $159 and it includes the shade! WOW!

See what I mean? This room is so sweet, and soft with pretty bed linens and a sweet painted wooden night stand but the mercury glass lamp adds just a touch of glamour to this room. Designed by Gary Mcbournie.


Alicia B.