First Impressions

First impressions are very important; with people as well as homes. Besides the actual facade of the house, the front hall entrance can be the most important room. It sets the tone for the rest of the house; lets you know what kind of people live in that home. A front hall can be understated and modest or it can be grand, and make a big statement.

Noel Jeffrey. This one has a lot of visual interest in the eclectic collection of frames.

Miles Redd. This entirely mirrored front hall makes a dramatic statement and expands the space with reflections.

Suzanne Kasler. The tiled floor leads your eye to the beautiful curving staircase.

Suzanne Kasler. Uses the black and white tiled floor again for a classic yet dramatic effect.

Kips Bay In the Kips Bay showhouse, Beale-Lana uses a black/white/silver contrasting combination. I like how the staircase is so open at the bottom.

From Living Etc, this front hall makes me want to live in a little Victorian home with stained glass windows!

Living Etc. A bench is often a good solution in a smaller space. This driftwood bench is amazing.

Martha Stewart. Understated perfection with flowers!

Bilhuber. I like the neutrals and soft colors in this entry hall.

Celerie Kemble.

Victoria Hagan. Subtle architectural elements.

Jason Bell. I love this entrance hall. It's so perfectly country and I love the white painted beams that lead you into the next room. Plus it's in CT, how could you go wrong.

I wonder what kind of first impression I make. Too eager? Too Shy? Fake? Something to think about I guess.


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.

Bookcase Painting

Amazing Katie Ridder designed this fun living room. 

I have some rather boring dark mahogany finish bookcases and really wanted to do something to punch them up a bit. Painting the back of them makes the objects in front pop more, adds interest to an otherwise boring bookcase, and can be a fun weekend project.

See below for some fun examples, including putting fabric on the back!

Living room by Jason Bell in House Beautiful. I pretty much love this entire living room. Everything.

Some fun fabric options for a blah bookcase! I like the one on the left the best. Pretty fabric.

Sunny Yellow color from Domino Mag

Hopefully this bookcase distracts from that leopard sofa.

http://www.dominomag.com/howtos/diy/2007/04/howto_paint_bookshelves DIY project from Domino Mag.

Alicia B.