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.

International Art & Design Fair

Last night after work I swung by the Park Avenue Armory to see the International Art & Design Fair. It was really amazing to see the booths set up by different design and antique vendors. Mid century modern and art nouveau were among the top styles presented at many of the set ups. It's open one more day so you should definitely go if you have the time. Enjoy my pics though!

I loved these chunky sculptures from Dia Ichi Arts. They reminded me of buildings.

Abstract sculpture also from Dai Ichi Arts.

This little books stack table opens for storage. It had me at "Dante." From Mondo Cane.

Sunburst Mirror from Mondo Cane.

Wooden chair with modern lamp from Mondo Cane Gallery.

R20th Century had an ADORABLE collection of burlap stuffed animals. They were floating on clouds in the exhibition which was a really fun design idea.

The story behind these burlap animals/objects is that they were made during World War II in Germany to help kids with special needs. AWWW.

The artist who is in her 70's now still makes a handful of them a year. Amazing.

I found this wonderful collection of very authentic carpets handmade in Iran. I thought the designs were very original and the carpets were amazing in quality. Orley and Shabahang.

This one reminded me of William Morris.

Knoll I believe.

Maison Gerard Ltd was one of my favorite booths. The furniture was beautiful and so was their little scene that they had created.

I've never seen sconces like those before and those lamps were so gorgeously seaside. The side chairs I thought were very lovely too.

Interesting stools with leather straps. hmmm.

Uber Mid century Modern everything at Donzella.

Donzella.

Very cool wooden woven sculpture chair from Wexler Gallery in Philadelphia.



This is from another one of my favorite rooms. I thought they had really fun amazing quality pieces--Bernd Goeckler Antiques.

Love these round mirrors.

This crystal sconce was so feminine and delicate against the silvery blue silk curtains.

This whole room was astounding and they lined up mini pumkins on the mantle for a seasonal touch! CUTE!

I love these pottery vases. They looked just like a still life. This was at the first booth I visited, Antik.

They had a set of six of these great dark mahogany chairs.

This fun little room housed items from Christina Grajales.

This is a detail of the fun yarn sculpture/ wall hanging.

An amazing set of doors from Wexler Gallery again.

I've never been to this fair before but it was so worth it. Great for inspiration or just to see lots of amazing object. There were also a lot of antique jewelry booths which made me want to cry they were so amazing.


Alicia B.

Transformers! (the original kind)

At my first ever job (my last job) I was a shop girl at an antique store. Among the many old antiques that I loved, I discovered these metamorphic pieces; a bench that turned into a step ladder or a chair that folds down into a bench. They looked like they would be perfect in a library or a sitting room (in my imaginary home in the English countryside).

This one is quite industrial. It reminds me of those stools from art class.

A cute antique bench that morphs into a step ladder.

RED AWESOMENESS.

I would reupholster this and put it in my stodgy English library.

This is from Target actually--a chair and a desk!

From Treehugger.com this retro futon folds into a wooden coffee table.

From Treehugger.com I found this crib and changing table that doubles as a day bed and desk! I think it still looks like a crib but......

Alicia B.