Hello Yellow

As I was working on a blog about the color yellow, I started reading things everywhere saying that yellow is coming back in! I read up in Metropolitan Home, Southern Accents, from what I could understand in Marie Claire Maison, and Miss Raina from HERE. I, for one, could not be more excited. I love yellow (it also looks good on me) . This yellow is sunny, happy, intense. It's just what we need right now in the world of grey winter. Also, so sorry about the lapse in blogging, I've been busy with my REAL life (who am I kidding, I mean school. I have no real life anymore). Yes I do.

In this room of neutrals, the bright yellow floor length drapery really brightens up the space by Sills Huniford.

Meg Braff chose bright yellow and white Clarence House wallpaper. Look how it reflects on the opposite wall in the shell mirror!

From Marie Claire Maison (amazing mag), this yellow so citrus-y, it almost looks greenish.

I know this one isn't as intense, but I found it very soothing. I love that bookcase that goes all the way to the ceiling and the yellow tone-on-tone wallpaper. By Libby Cameron.

Karen Marcus designed this adorable space in a house in Colorado. Yellow wallpaper, painted wainscoting on the outside of the tub (amazing idea), and yellow painted walls. I super love that painting above the tub (Rothko?).

Sheila Bridges created a sweet happy little scene with a lamp, table and book with a sunny yellow backdrop.

Victoria Hagan uses yellow paint on the walls and yellow fabric for the floor length drapes. She even extends the yellow with that mirror on the back wall.

Diamond Barratta, who love bright colors, really played up the yellow in this room. So sunny and feminine.

Fashion designer Lisa Perry used a very intense bright yellow in this mod interior.

It seems as if yellow looks great with nearly everything; blue, brown, giltwood, green. And if you didn't want to be one of the cool kids and redecorate entire rooms in yellow, you can add little accents. Paint one wall, add some throw pillows, a bright yellow painting or poster. A little can go a long way, too.


Alicia B.

Roger Arlington Fabic Sale!

You absolutely must go to the Roger Arlington Showroom in the D & D building on the upper east side right now. They are selling fabric for $1/yard! YES, ONE DOLLAR. These are fabrics that are being discontinued so some are adorable, and some are just terrible and there is a reason they are being phased out.

I just bought yardage to reupholster my tiny loveseat in my living room. I couldn't find the exact fabric but it's a cross between a large gingham and a small window pane pattern. Or maybe it's just plaid.

This was the closest one I could find but the white part is wider and the brown is a bit more muted than above. I'd love to make some cute pink pillows to go with it!


Alicia B.

Holiday Gift Guide Number One: UNDER $50

Clever gift wrapping idea from Martha.

Everyone is doing a Holiday gift guide, so here is mine! Mine are fun, affordable, and related to the home because that's my favorite place. Oh, and btw they're all under $50. Enjoi!

Wooden Pushpins for 8.00 at The Container Store. Yay for organizational gifts!

Which leads me to this one. Books are an excellent gift, but the next step is organizing them. Have your own personal library kit for $36.00 at kate's paperie.

How cute is this wellies soap and wooden soap dish?
From Smith and Hawkin for $20.00.

Efficiency at its best, one motion, three slices!
Shredding Scissors from the Container Store for $8.99.

I'd love to be emo enough to keep a journal but for those disciplined enough, these mini journals from Jill Bliss are from the MOMA Museum Shop for 14.95.

I suppose you could make these, or buy them from Gump's.
Japanese Fabric Sachets for $29.00 and now with free shipping. Go for it!

I DIE for this linen tea towel from my fave museum the Cooper Hewitt. $40.00

That's all for now. I'll be making most of my gifts this year to save money. I'm sure my family is super psyched for another "Homemade Christmas!"

Alicia B.

Pretty in Pink and Green: Lilly Pulitzer Rousseau

Gorgeous Lilly Pulitzer Rousseau

I read an amazing article about one of my favorite clothing designers, Lilly Pulitzer in W Magazine today (you should read her story). My friends will be rolling their eyes at me, but I just love the patterns and bright colors. They are so happy and fun and remind me of summer--what is better than pink and green?? (Please keep reading my blog.) Lilly was a socialite but she didn't come without a few pitfalls on her way; anxiety attacks, and a trip to "the nuthouse," as she called it. She survived though and it started her on her way to an incredibly successful clothing line and lifelong passion. While I have several dresses and skirts, I'm still interested in Lilly Pulitzer product for the home! Check out what I found... Oh yeah, these make great gifts for the holidays, too!

There is lots of Lilly Pulitzer fabric on Ebay. HERE is the original search.
LillyGZStore for 35/two yards.

A Lilly bulletin board! Organized and preppy. Perfect.
Here is the store. $24.99

I may or may not have the year round entertaining version of this book. It was a gift, I SWEAR!

Amazon for $10

How precious is this? So pretty.
From Macy's on sale for $49!

Pink and Yellow pretty magnets made from Lilly fabric. I'd super love these on my fridge!
Etsy by Looking4Lilly for $9.95

Gingham and Lilly fabric made into an apron and perfect for Christmas as the little lions are wearing Santa hats. From etsy from Totes By Charlotte for $40

Wow, is there no end to peoples' creativity? I'm not ashamed of my girly preppy taste. I think everyone could use a little more sunshine in their lives even if it comes in the form of a Lilly Pulitzer magnet!

Alicia B.

Tomato Cage Tree

I finally finished my Tomato Cage tree for our bedroom. This is so easy to make and you dont have to un-decorate it- just store it as is in the closet or attic. Its instant decor and cheap to make too.
Items you'll need:
1- tomato cage (at any garden center) price ranges from $1-$3
1-wire
3-9 ft. garlands
1- strand of 100 set lights
Ornaments
Ribbon

First turn your cage upside down -so it looks like a T-Pee (is that how you spell that?-it looks funny)anyway---- gather the 3 pieces on top and wire them together-now you have a tree-form.

Start at the bottom and wrap your garlands around- you will have to fluff as you go-filling in the bare spaces.


Then wrap your lights, add your ornaments (use the wire to make them secure) Make a bow and place on top- Ta-da! you have your permanently decorated tree. You can have a tree for EVERY room and it wont take all year to put it up!





Here's one I did for the entry way



I also have one for the outside- use the plastic ornaments for outdoor use- you may have to re-do the tree every other year-if you live in a climate with harsh weather.

Marble Quarry

In one of my classes right now we are to design a worship space (not necessarily religious worship). Mine just HAPPENS to be in a marble quarry (my idea). The entire room is dug out of a black and gold marble quarry (which may or may not exist) right outside of New York City. The idea is that the marble is cool, calming, smooth, and light bounces off it creating a beautiful effect with the gold. Marble is used in a lot of bathrooms and kitchens; take a look how it's used when you're not in a fictional quarry.

Sara Story uses this amazing orangey marble on this intimate fireplace scene.

In a break from the typical clean white marble, this marble has gorgeous dark veins running through it creating a great contrast. By incredible designer, Nancy Boszhardt.

Marble is often times seen as traditional or "old" but in this space it makes it feel more contemporary. By Matsouka Wang Architects.

In contrast to above, this DEFINITELY is a more traditional feel. Designer Juan Montoya uses slabs of creamy marble on the walls, as columns, and on the floor.

This marble fireplace that I found in Domino blends right in with the rest of the busy patterns in the living room. I feel like it's rare to see marble with lots of contrasting veins in it; people are usually using it to create a cleaner look.

In this Christopher Peacock kitchen, he uses a marble top on this island which is a very beautiful and traditional look but...see below...

He then uses little marble bits to make up the backsplash in the rest of the kitchen. So much you can do with stone!

This was the darkest marble I had seen used and it was only a small part! It def creates a dramatic effect though in this deco style bathroom. I super love those monogrammed pink guest towels too!

How do you feel about marble? Too traditional? Not traditional enough? Want to live in a marble quarry?

Alicia B.

New ISAK Cups

For those of you patiently waiting for the new ISAK Leaf and Lovebird cups with oak lids. We are expecting delivery tomorrow and will be packing and sending as soon as we can thereafter. So they should be with you all by early next week at the latest. Sorry for the delays, the world seems to have slowed down lately!