Designer Spotlight: Robert Stilin

Robert Stilin (www.robertstilin.com) is incredibly talented and one of my favorite designers. He is based in The Hamptons and now has his own shop there. What I love most about him is the way that he combines modern art with antiques. Though some of the furniture appears rustic the look in its entirety comes off as crisp and clean. Take a look at my favorite selections from his amazing portfolio below.

Calming blues and browns.

Wonderful black light fixture.

I love this ebonized trunk.

Beautiful sisal carpet and trestle table.

Note the green glass jugs on the shelf and the interesting fireplace configuration.

This bathroom above is so fresh and simple.

This light fixture is gorgeous...actually so is the whole kitchen.

The stool, the table, the chair, the sculpture.

Alicia B.

Laundry's ready :-)

Well It Is Finished. I did it! I got the laundry room makeover done BEFORE baby. I honestly didnt think I would finish it in time. I even thought climbing the ladder and painting would put me into labor (it didn't- Im STILL waiting for this little guy) Anyway- here is the before pictures. It was a catch all room for EVERYTHING- crafts, diapers, clothes, shoes, books, old decor, new decor, candles, Christmas wrapping paper, and list went on and on.........




I went to Walmart and found this yummy yellow paint in the discount bin for $6!!! I hired a little helper.......



I then went to Hancock fabric and found this black and white fabric for $4 a yard! and I only needed 1-1/2 yards to cover the window, under the counter AND cover these old silver boxes.





I then got out my arsenal of black spray paint and went to town- painting baskets, boxes, and old stool, and wall decor. Here are the after pictures. I must say doing laundry is now so much fun (well almost)

The Movementality

Need to relax? Yoga is the answer. A friend of mine, Emily, started her own company called The Movementality, which offers private yoga instruction based on your personal needs and abilities. She has studied dance for her entire life and is a certified yoga instructor. Not only is she an amazing dancer/yoga expert, she is one of the most creative and fun people I know. Don't be jealous.

Check out her website http://www.themovementality.com/

"Movementality:  the connection between one's habitual way of thinking and moving. It is the exploration of developing strength, flexibility, and awareness both mentally and physically as one."

     

Alicia B.

Visually Offensive

As much as I adore Domino Magazine, this spread in their last issue made me physically ill. I know I'm being dramatic but....this is NOT good design. Can you imagine living here? Nothing works. NOTHING. This is fashion designer Matthew Williamson's dwelling and there is no way that this abode warrants a spread in Domino. The colors, the styles, the tiled mirror on the fireplace??? WHAT???

Shock is right.

acid reflux

oy.

Have fun cooking with that blaring neon pink.

Below are some of his fashion designs. How on earth can a man who has such great clothing designs inflict such visual pain on his home?

Love the yellow.

A lot of design blogs just praise praise praise. I thought it was time for a little criticism. Thanks.

Alicia B.

Eco Furniture

"Going green," despite my initial fear of everything being made of hemp, is actually a lasting trend. There are a lot of "green" or "eco" products out there. A lot of it is cliche--made of driftwood or pebbles; but there is some that it pretty attractive (see below). It adds a natural look to your decor and makes you feel like you're doing something good for the environment! How could you go wrong?

Above is a Pottery Barn duvet and sheet set, organic.

mini concrete planters from www.vivaterra.com

Ship wood bench from Viva Terra. Recycled products!

Woven basket from Gumps. www.gumps.com

Cork bath mat from www.gaiam.com.  My roomate and I have been faux fighting over a new cork or teak bath mat for months. Perhaps this one will be "the one!" I just discovered Gaiam today and it's a really great source for eco products and yoga accessories!

Ha-dong Patchwork quilt from Gaiam

Linen Shower Curtain, gaiam.com

Also from Gaiam, I really like the sheets but could do without that pattern as a quilt.

Alicia B.

Pink Bedroom

In the latest House Beautiful I was absolutely in love with this whole spread of a house in CT designed by Jason Bell. The bedroom especially caught my eye. I love how light the room is and how there is pink everywhere. Also notice the beams in the ceiling painted white. Enjoy!

www.dashandalbert.com has an amazing selection of these striped rugs--custom sizes too.

J Pocker and Sons, Antique red coral print, $75.

Garnet Hill Coral Orleans Quilt; full is now $88.

House Beautiful mentioned the lamps were from Target I believe. Even so, the room is adorable.

Alicia B.

DIY time

I have been on this major Do-it-Yourself craft kick thanks to my dear friend over at

http://www.wearethatfamily.com/

So here are some pictures of my latest projects. The first one is my attempt at a fall tassel-this was so much fun to make.

As you know I am also doing a makeover in my laundry room (which I will post this weekend) and I had these old silver boxes that I stored pictures, cards, craft stuff, etc..... they needed a serious make over so out came the black paint, scrapbook paper, and trim...... here's the before

and after.............................

and speaking of black paint. I am now obsessed with anything and everything black. It is amazing what a little black spray paint will do. These next two pictures are my latest spray paint jobs. One is a basket I got at Marshalls for $5 - it was bright pink- it now holds my dryer sheets. The other is a wrought iron key I got at Hobby Lobby for $7. It was this ugly gold and rust color- get out that little can of spray paint and ta-da!!

Throw Blankets

If you haven't noticed, the temperatures have dropped in the past few days and I can feel Fall coming. A snuggly throw would come in quite handy in the coming months, so I have done a search for some of my favorites. Any other suggestions?

Polo Cashmere Cable knit throw, $ 595. Comes in other colors, too.

Williams Sonoma Home at wshome.com on sale for $149 right now! Who doesn't need more plaid in their life? So classic--and it's cashmere.

Gumps cashmere throw in persimmon! $275.  

(See earlier blog entry on how orange is the new pink.)

Etsy store Austin Quality Knits. Love the homemade look of it--looks like a big sweater.

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5708763

I think these are my favorites c/o Gumps.  Cashmere, and on sale for $169.

Williams Sonoma Home, Jacquard Throw. $ 368 and you can monogram it, too.

Polo Cashmere fringe throw. $495

Alicia B.