OMG WHY

Well, word on the street is that fringe is in. Personally, I'm completely horrified and it reminds me of those leather jackets with the fringe and the beads. Even Rachel Zoe is on board though! Am I going to be pressured into buying these? I hope not.







Alicia B.

Sir John Soane

I'm quite busy lately as I have started school up again for the semester. This post will be inspired by something I am learning about in school. Sir John Soane is a legendary designer from London during the 1800s. His Neoclassical designs and play with light are what attracts me most to this architect/ designer. His own home, 12 Lincoln's Inn Fields, which evolved over about thirty years during his career in London, is below. It is now, and was then a museum for collections and architecture.

This room is so gorgeous. Did anyone read in the Washington Post today that yellow paint is the new hot wall color? Obviously it's timeless. duh.

I believe this is the breakfast room which is my favorite room. The light comes in from above this canopied ceiling. Very ethereal.

Dining room.

Another shot of the dining room. Look at the amazing architectural elements here. The coffered ceiling, the bookcases, etc.

This room houses Soane's ancient sculpture remnants collection. Again, the light effect in here is amazing.

Facade.

If you want to learn more about him, here is the wikipedia link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sir_John_Soane

Alicia B.

Non-Toxic AND Poetic: Persimmoned timber decking to hide the air conditoners

Cecilia Macaulay with Kaki shibu persimmon at Fuji Eco-Park Japan November 2007
Here I am using Kaki shibu, or bitter persimmon juice for the first time, to marinate my mushrooms. The mushrooms are timber, and the astringency of persimmon juice has been used for centuries by the Japanese to preserve wood, fishing nets, and other precious perishables.

The color deepens over 10 days, as the wood gets 'pickled'.

Here is persimmon juice come all the way to Elwood, Australia, to be part of our newly-completed Amazing water reclaiming Permaculture courtyard. The air conditioner and water heater rest in the shade of willow fencing and recycled timber deck, all tastefully finished in non-toxic, satiny persimmon juice. What was once a blot on the landscape is now a place for trays of delicious things, as food and wine is ferried from kitchen to courtyard table.

Here is the x-ray view: Water heater and air conditioners, their days of nakedness now at an end. Shaded from Summer sun, so they work more efficiently. This was an unasked- for Permaculture blessing, discovered as the landscape man researched how much ventilation they would need to work well under cover. I just wanted them out of sight, and moving them was too expensive.
I love the micro- garden that the Landscaper cut out of the bricks, so a lilac-flowering creeper can cover the willow, and blue-flowering rosemary release fragrance as you brush by. He thoughtfully arranged it to be irrigated with the waste 'white water' emitted from the heaters and coolers. Mechanical beings and Natural beings, taking care of each other.

The process all started with astringent persimmons, somewhere in Japan. Someone fermented them, and then the obliging guys at Fuji Eco-Park sent over a batch just for us.


Radiant Permablitzer Pauline Farrugia planes the discolored surface of some Recycled Blackbutt Timber (grown long ago in Western Australia) The markings are like a semi-precious stone, but it stains easily if unprotected.

Raimond Barbaro, Permablitz treasure, OnGuard

Raimond working with quiet passion, deep into the night.

What would we have done without Raimond? Thank-you for beautiful work, accompanied by your of witty wise conversations and observations. I will be thinking of you in your new life in Singapore, surrounded by an abundance of panting, willing airconditioners.

And of course, thank-you Permablitz, and all the creative, enthusiastic people that turned up to make the design real.

Home Offices

A messy desk at home (in my mind) can be debilitating. Home offices have many uses, even if you are not working from home. I like to sit at my desk to read emails, chat with friends, and blog. I display postcards that remind me of people or things that I enjoy and keep letters from people. They can be very inspiring as well. I like to keep mine organized so that I can add things as my interests change as well. I love the examples with a little vase of flowers. Below are some inspiring examples:

Sara Story. Shes an amazing designer. Look out for a spotlight on her soon.

Sara Story. Grey color palette but still warm feeling.

Todd Romano. What a lovely view.

Ione Skye. Bright vibrant colors.

Sara Story. I love the orange storage boxes. SO organized.

From Domino mag. Great for someone with a small space, this desk is wall mounted.

Windsor Smith. This one looks so cozy.

This one is my fave from Living, etc. www.livingetc.com The desk is an antique and I'm in love.

Alicia B.

Coming up for air.....

In between diaper changes, breast feeding, disciplining my 2 year old, and trying to rest my body- I thought I would post some pictures of our newest family member. He was born on Friday Sept 5th- weighing in at 7 lbs and 8 oz. We are excited and exhausted all at the same time. If anyone has advise on how to raise 3 children please let me know!! I am quite overwhelmed at the moment- on top of the raging hormones!!

Circles, so hot right now

In a search for some nice looking mirrors I came across a trend. I noticed a growing amount of mirrors with circles, which is also a trend in furniture too, and the clover motif. I think that some of the simple round mirrors are my favorite. Circles are classic. The clover reminds me of my fave jewelry right now from Van Cleef and Arpels. Below are some of my picks.

Neirman Weeks, Carcassonne.

Horchow, Triple Oval Mirrors. Olympics inspired? ha

Ballard Designs, Westbourne Mirror.

Pottery Barn, Eclectic group of mirrors.

Anthropologie, Endymion Mirror.

Pottery Barn, Geometric Circles.

Conran Shop, Nested mirrors.

Pottery Barn, Clover Mirror

Anthropologie, Angles and Orbs Mirror.

Horchow Collection, Antiqued mirror panels.

West Elm, Round mirror wall art.

Horchow, Circles mirror.

Treillageonline.com, Bunny Williams's garden inspired shop!

Alicia B.

Oh, Martha.

Everyday I recieve organizing tips of the day from Martha Stewart.com (fine, judge me). Sometimes they are ridiculous and other times they are super inspiring and great tips. If you are like me and have a tiny apartment but lots of clothing then this tip will come in handy. My top drawer of my dresser is....full, to say the least. This tip was great--I have some things divided in little baskets; scarves etc. It worked very well and I didn't have to put dividers in it or anything. Thanks Martha.

Empty drawer template.

WOW. PERFECTION

Organized accessories too. LOVE.

Here is the website for more tips. http://www.marthastewart.com/article/divide-and-conquer?lnc=c3f62798cf2ee010VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&page=1&rsc=articlecontent_home

Alicia B.