A Place for Chatting

I want you to stop for a moment and think about someone who gets you! Completely understands your history, your quirks and all the good with all the bad…..

Now that you have that person in your head, create an ideal space where you and your emotional guardian could sit for hours and chat to the moon and back!

Is it in your living room? Perhaps your kitchen (and close to the pantry?) Is it a cozy corner in your bedroom? Wherever it is and whomever you’re with, the ideal places for chatting all have one thing in common. They are all comfortable, (while facilitating uninterrupted eye contact!)

I hope wherever you imagined was in the comfort of your own home because that’s where my best chats happen. I feel safe in my home and when I feel safe, I feel real, vulnerable and honestly, a little silly. All key components of a good chat!

If you didn’t imagine your own home, I need you to carve out a corner and allow me to assist in making it a space where you can have memorable moments with your dearest friends!

FIND YOUR COZY CORNER(S)! If you live in a large home with large spaces, you’ll need to get creative with your seating arrangements.  Most people don’t want to enter a space and feel lost so it’s our job to break it up and create intimate, comfortable moments for people to sit and chat. If you live in a small space, your corners are easier to find (as there are fewer of them.) I tend to gravitate to corners with natural light. It brings out the pensive in me when alone but the chatty in me when I’m looking for a good therapy session!

FILL YOUR CORNERS WITH THE MOST COMFORTABLE FURNITURE! I’m a daybed kind of girl and whenever I think of the ideal setting for a good chat, a daybed always seems to pop up! (Perhaps it’s the therapy session in me.) Across from the daybed is a comfy chair with an ottoman to kick your feet up onto and enough hard surfaces for everyone to set their drink of choice, (and a plate of cookies.) Above are a few of the most “chattable” chairs, sofas and yes….daybeds I could dream of. And now is the perfect time to choose your favorite and get it on SALE!

ADD THE THINGS THAT ARE WORTH CHATTING ABOUT! 

• Great lamp(s) to illuminate the beautiful faces of your guests
• Fabulous down filled pillows to sink into and/or hold. (I’m always more comfortable in a space if I have a pillow to cuddle)
• Good art always equals a good conversation.
• Something green and living!  People feel at ease when they know there is an oxygen tank in the room!
• YOU!  The best thing you can add to a chatting corner is a host/friend/sister/brother/wife/husband/mother/father that is willing to listen to the one lying on the daybed.

Happy chatting my dear friends!

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Branches, Blossoms, and Blooms

Spring is finally here and we couldn’t be more ecstatic!  No offense winter, but after several months of everything seeming dead and gray there is nothing better than this time of year when new life starts blooming and there are pretty colors everywhere. One of the loveliest perks of spring is how simple it is to take that beauty and showcase it indoors.  If you have visited either of our store locations lately, you probably saw that we have spring branches out in full force.

Whether you clip them from your backyard, buy them from your local florist, or purchase some of our life-like faux branches, here are some of our favorite places to display blooms in the home:

IN AN ENTRY  An entry is the perfect place to make a statement and a stunning arrangement creates a seamless transition from outdoors to in.  Welcome your guests as you welcome spring!

IN THE KITCHEN/DINING ROOM Generally the dining table or kitchen island is the place in our home that has the largest available surface area- take advantage of it!  Go big with full and dramatic arrangements.  Don’t hesitate to clip substantial branches from the tree in the backyard and be generous when filling your vase.  If you don’t have room for a sizeable arrangement, though, don’t fret!  A few delicate blossoms thrown into a simple vase will look effortless and make just as big of an impact.

ON A MANTLE Do you ever get tired of having the same old candlesticks on your mantle?  Well now’s your opportunity to mix it up!  Whether you prefer oversized symmetrical arrangements, asymmetrical and eclectic combos, or small collections of blooms lining the mantle, you can’t go wrong.

Although these are some favorite places to easily display spring branches, don’t hesitate to incorporate them throughout your home.  Place them in a big vase on the floor, next to the tub in the bathroom, or on a nightstand in a bedroom for that airy addition- you can’t go overboard with blossoms!

Lastly when it comes to vases, don’t limit yourself!  Use the vintage glass vase that your grandmother gave you, buy a one-of-a-kind ginger jar (learn more about ginger jars from our very own Michelle Jensen HERE!), or grab that simple white pitcher from your kitchen.

Happy arranging!

[1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9]

Spring Cleaning with a Twist

When we hear the words “spring cleaning” many of us associate that with pulling out an old toothbrush and scrubbing grout and crevices for weeks. While it’s nice to get a good deep clean, spring is a great time to evaluate your spaces and re-organize the clutter that has gathered over the holidays. Here are areas I like to focus on.

Clean off your kitchen counters. That’s right – everything. It might surprise you how many things have found their way onto them. Stand back and look at the kitchen overall. As you start to put things in place again think, "Less is more." Keep the items useful to a kitchen, and don’t forget to add a bit of life. I love seeing a stack of white dishes, a little Meyer lemon tree by the kitchen window, or a beautiful bowl filled with fruit in the center of the island.

Style your bookshelves. This can be a very daunting task, but not to fear; it is very achievable. Start by pulling everything away and layering in books. I like to pull the jackets off of my books, and let their colorful bindings show-off. Stack some books vertically; stack some horizontally. Place some framed art, and tuck in a few pieces from collections or travels. Don’t be afraid to leave some breathing room.

One of my favorite areas to freshen up is my dressing table. If you often find that your jewelry has found its way into little piles, may I suggest a jewelry tree and a few little glass display boxes. It’s great to hang a necklace or separate watches, rings, and earrings into cute little viewable compartments. A leftover hobnail candle jar is perfect for your pens, and my favorite indulgence is fresh flowers. When you can see all of your favorite pieces it’s a dream to get ready in the morning.

My number one tip for freshening up for spring is to start with one area. This is something that I tell my clients all of the time. Don’t spread your time and resources too thin. Pick a space and make a big impact.

 [photo 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]

Spring Scents

I don’t know about you, but I am very ready to shake off the doldrums of winter and run headlong into sunny weather. If I had my way I’d spruce up my place with new art, pillows, and rugs at the change of each season. I’d also have to get a side job robbing banks to feed that habit. *ahem*.  Instead, I freshen up my home for spring with candles!

Candles are quick, easy, always affordable, and will instantly give your room a little spring in its step.

The new line of candles, exclusive to our Trolley Square store, has every scent you could possibly want for this upcoming season. (Albeit very slowly, thanks a lot March!) If you’re like me, picking a scent is hard. There are just too many choices. Thankfully the guess work has been taken out of it with these candles! Each scent comes labeled with a room suggestion. Here are two of my favorites:

Come see us at Trolley Square and let us help you get started sprucing up your home for spring!

Lighten up for Spring

It’s time to awake from our winter hibernation! Throw off the furs and velvet quilts. Put away your dark linens and tie back the heavy drapery. I’m here to tell you how to bring spring into your bedrooms.

Start with a white bed. No matter your headboard, white bedding is always beautiful. Allow me to paint a picture for you – crisp white euros stuffed with the softest down fills, a fluffy duvet folded at the end of your bed, a summer weight quilt layered over airy linen sheets. Close your eyes for a minute and imagine waking up in this bed.  Okay, open your eyes again. It’s a dreamy picture, right? With all the time we spend in our beds, shouldn’t it be the coziest place in your house?

Let me suggest a game changer for your spring-infused bedroom. Linen sheets. Have you ever slept in linen sheets? If not, let me describe them for you. Because linen is a natural material that breathes, it’s cool in the summer and warm in the winter. The more you use linen sheets, the softer they get. it’s like being cradled by a cloud. It’s THAT good.

Treat yo’ self to a couple new decorative pillows for your bed. This is where you bring your personality into the room. The best part is that your new white bedding will make any deco pillows you select look so gooooood. Ask yourself, “If I were a pillow, what would I look like?” and then buy that pillow.

If you’re feeling a bit more colorful, now is the perfect time to dust your spaces with pretty pastel hues. It’s easy to bring in patterned throws and blankets and euros trimmed in your favorite colors.

Nothing says spring like flowers, so add some pretty blooms to your bedside table. You’ll find it’s the best way to add life back into your bedroom and put a smile on your face.

[photo 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8]

Make It Count

A good friend of mine introduced me to this lovely thought – and I couldn’t agree more!  You know when that dreaded moving day comes along and you find yourself packing that old vase your mother-in-law friend’s cousin (once removed) gave you?  And as you are carefully packing this ugly, never once used vase – you think – I’ve always hated this vase, why do I still have it?!  Well, I officially give you permission to charitably donate this vase!  (Insert sigh of relief here.)  As William Morris said, “Have nothing in your home that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.”  This is especially true when living in or designing a small space.

My first tip for living/ designing a small space – Live with what you love!  Free yourself of items that are not functional for you and your family.  These un-loved items are just taking up space – precious space that could be used for something personal and beautiful to gaze at.  This newly acquired spot could also just be used for a little extra breathing room.  “White” space in a room is just as important as filling it with a beautiful object.

My second tip for living/ designing a small space – Mirrors can be your best friend!  Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all?  (No, not exactly that kind of mirror!)  Any time you add a mirror to your space, whether it’s on the wall in your Entry or just simply the top of your side table, it creates the illusion of more square footage.  Mirror reflects light throughout the room and gives the illusion of an additional window.  Antiqued mirror is one of my favorite design tricks.  It adds a smoky, organic layer to an otherwise clear mirror and gives the room a little edginess, a little sexiness.  And let’s be honest – who doesn’t want a little of that in their life?!

My third tip for living/ designing a small space – Go big or go home!  Often times we have the tendency to select small items for a small room.  Makes sense – right?  Wrong!  Do exactly the opposite.  By playing with scale, the eye will think the room is bigger than it actually is.  Do something over-scale and daring.  Add a larger than life piece of art over your sofa.  Trust me, you and your room will thank me!

And lastly, always remember (no matter how big or small the project is) whatever you put in your home - make it count.

[photos 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]

Black Makes a Room Young and Modern

When starting a design project, we are most intrigued with a space that is new and unexpected. When we first met the Peterson’s that was exactly their request, and we were thrilled with the challenge. It’s not often that we get asked if it’s okay to envelope a room with lovely deep hues, but that was their request, and it was aboslutely brilliant in this space.

The Peterson’s live in a historic area of Salt Lake City, Utah and have a charming home, complete with original doors, casings, and stained glass windows. They are a family full of personality so we wanted to keep the bones of this historic home while giving the space a younger more modern spin.  Their small family room is just off the kitchen, and the place where everyone gathers for games, movies, and to be together. Why bring black into such a small space? It makes the walls seem to dissolve, accentuating everything else.

We painted out all the trim and fireplace in a beautiful black paint, added a shimmering black tile mosaic to the fireplace and papered the walls in a grasscloth with strands of blue, black, and brown. This created our base pallet, and as we layered in the furniture we chose lighter tones to bring balance and interest.

We filled the room with items that had been cherished and collected. Sophia the squid lady was acquired on a trip to Spain, and this painting took center stage on the mantel. Original art, books, and pieces acquired on travels mixed in throughout the room complete the last layer.

I’m so happy to have gotten to know the Peterson’s and their lovely home!

[photos by Eliesa Findeis]

Pantone's Color of the Year

Let’s talk about Radiant Orchid for a minute shall we? Even if you’ve been living under a rock I’m positive you’ve still caught a glimpse of this lovely color. It’s saturated. It’s feminine. It’s the type to walk up to you, give you kisses all over your face, and leave you with a smile and a head full of thoughts about how you ever lived without it.

Even for this non-purple fan, I can tell you I’m fully on board with this year’s Pantone color choice. It might have taken me a minute, let’s be honest, I’m not going to pretend it wasn’t a surprise.  Purple?!  But a happy surprise at that! I don’t plan on going nuts with this color. Rather, I plan to be selective and introduce it in ways that will create the most impact. A few well placed accessories or a piece of art might be smart ways to introduce this color into your space. Playing around with the color that is widely accepted as the ‘it’ color is a surefire way to keep your home as fresh and fun as you are.

After all, I think that’s why those smartie pants Pantone people picked this color for us. They don’t just pick these things at random. A lot of research, thought, science, and other bits of genius go into decisions like this. We need something bold and feminine and all things pretty right about now if you ask me.

Not sure if Radiant Orchid is you? Don’t get caught up in the exactness of the color  Play around with it a little and find the right hue or shade that makes your heart happy. You can create a plethora of emotion with this color. Sophisticated, fun, restful, insert your choice of descriptive adjective here because you can create any mood your heart desires with the right blend of color.

Still haven’t made any of those pesty new year’s resolutions yet? Dare yourself to get your hue on and add a little Radiant Orchid to your life.

[photo 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]

Cheers!

If you know anything about me, you know I love a fabulous party, a great pair of heels, Tupperware (yes, Tupperware), and a classy bar cart!  Actually, I think it would be safe to say I am a little OBSESSED with bar carts!  (Like, I could probably go to an AA group for extreme bar cart lovers.)  Some may ask, “What would I do with a bar cart?”  Well, let me share with you the loveliness of a fabulous bar cart and how it will change your life for the better (yes, it is this good!).

First, bar carts can serve several functions.  They don’t have to be used to just serve alcohol.  If you are having family and friends over for dinner, load your bar cart with appetizers, stacks of beautiful small plates, fancy napkins and fun toothpicks.  You can also pull this same party trick and use your bar cart as a rolling dessert buffet.  As you roll your way into the party with a delicious array of delicacies, your guests will surely be impressed!

We have even placed a beautiful bar cart in a Master Bath filled with plush towels, pretty soaps, bath salts and a yummy candle.  Nothing says luxury like a bar cart in a Master Bath!  Go ahead and give yourself permission – live life luxuriously – you deserve it dah-ling!

If you decide to use your bar cart for a drink buffet - indulge and display your prettiest bottles and containers for beverages, lemons, limes and fancy garnishes.  Don’t forget to supply your guests with a decorative straw for classy sipping.  However, most importantly, include a beautiful flower arrangement on your bar cart.  Fresh flowers make everything better.  So, go ahead, find any excuse you can to celebrate!  A great bar cart can make a party happen in any room.  Cheers!

 [photo 1, 2, 3, 4 - unknown source, 5, 6, 7, 8]

Campbell Residence

Photo shoots have to be one of the most gratifying parts of my job as a designer.  By the time you get to this point it means that everything is in its place, the window treatments are up, and the art and personal layers are finally in (and these are my very favorite layers!)

You’ve met the Campbell’s from their home in Entrada, and today I present to you their home in the heart of Provo!

The Campbell’s have traveled the globe and know how to collect the most divine tchotchkes.  Before the shoot I walked into the office and found these amazing horn daggers just lying on the desk as if they had just returned from a safari adventure.  Then I meandered to the living room where they had a silver boar and a hand carved elephant adorning their center table!  I immediately was transported to somewhere exotic where palm leaves swayed overhead and merchants called out selling their works of art.  It was magical, and I never wanted to leave.

There were several pieces of furniture our client had purchased that just needed to be reinvented, and the dining table and chairs were just a couple of those pieces.  The original upholstery on the side chairs was dark and heavy; so we swapped it out with an icy faux bois fabric.  After pondering whether or not to replace the 72” table, we decided to skirt it and add boning to the edge to help it curl!

The only piece that didn’t change in this room was the beautiful table scarf Peggy had found on a trip to Turkey. Just another reminder of the beautiful places they have been.

My thought on table skirts:  I adore table skirts!  It adds a playful formality that says, “Sit down, dinner is almost ready!”  And of course, Peggy always has her pewter-ware easily available to set the table.  In my head of fanciness, the french doors are open onto the deck where I see a quartet playing and the scent of Peggy’s fresh flowers enter when the wind blows……breathtaking right?!?

The kitchen, family room, and dining nook are all open to one another and therefore have to carry a light hearted conversation. The rug we used is one of my all-time favorites by designer Tracy Porter.  It is all shades of coral and has a heartbeat that carries the space!  We used casual stripes and comfy textures in the family room and complimented it all with a whimsical “birds in flight” print slipcovering the dining chairs!  The lighting in this space invites you to stay for hours and just be.

The rug in the master bedroom was based off the tree of life and has the most exquisite details and vibrant colors.  It feels as if it has existed forever!  From this piece we designed a stained glass window in the adjacent master bath and pulled colors for the bedding and small sitting area.

Although small, the powder room is a place where you can add a lot of gusto!  A wallpaper felt right in the space and what better color to surround yourself by than blush!  I love the elongated mirror and the gold candlestick sconces.

I could write all day about this amazing family (and totally would if you promised to read) but in short, think of the kindest people you have ever met that are completely in love with each other and take care of all who surround them. That my friends, is the Campbell’s….And this is the magical place they get to call home!

Visit our portfolio to see more images of this home.

[photos by Weston Colton]

Sprucing up after the holidays

It’s that time of year when all of the beautiful Christmas décor gets taken down, put back into the boxes, and sent up to the attic for another year. Often times when all the glitter and garland come down, everything feels bare. Not to fret! This makes the perfect opportunity to get a fresh start to the New Year and freshen up your space. While everything is off the walls, why not paint? Pull that new color you’ve been thinking about, and get your room ready for spring. Some of Alice Lane’s favorite wall colors:

If a particular table or console feels empty, add a few accessories. Group a few things on a tray - a great framed picture or a your favorite candle.

Bring back some greenery! Now that the tree and garland are down, bring the life back into your space with a floral arrangement or potted bulbs. Whether fresh or faux, flowers and greenery can liven up a space and make it feel more welcoming.

Add a splash of purple! The Pantone Color of the Year is Radiant Orchid. When they picked the color this year it was inspired by blooming flowers, travels abroad, and strong, confident women. Use this color to refresh and revive a tired space.

Let the beginning of the new year inspire you and your space!

[photo 1, 2, 3, 4]

The Magical Tale of Patience Brewster

I am a sucker for a good story, and Patience Brewster has one of the best in my opinion!

First off, Patience Brewster REALLY is her name! (And get this, she descends from “Love Brewster”.)

She grew up in Plymouth, Massachusetts where she befriended the neighboring horses, dogs, cats, chickens, pigs, and cows that populated the fields surrounding her home! After knowing this fun fact, her ornaments became all the more magical in my whimsical mind! She grew up sketching and what better inspiration for her books and ornaments than all the critters she called friends?!?

Every year Patience develops a new gang of characters and hand paints the prototypes for market.Once you order the ones you want to bring home with you, they begin production and hand paint EACH AND EVERY ONE (I swoon)!!! When Jessica saw these last April at the gift show, she immediately text me pictures and screamed that we were going to offer them this Christmas! I was elated and began counting down the days to bring my new friends home.

So far, I have an alligator in heels, the famous Christmas pig wearing a tutu, and my favorite, the artichoke gifting a radish. I love them all dearly and want to gift one to all my friends and family because there REALLY is a character for everyone!  (They are after all one of a kind collectables…)

Christmas is about making memories and visually there is no better place to display these than on your Christmas tree! Buy ornaments that speak to your heart and make you want to be a kid again….that’s what Patience Brewster does for me!

We will be offering a special promotion on these favorites of mine, Friday and Saturday only. So hurry in!

Merry Christmas dear friends of Alice Lane!

[photos by Nicole Hill Gerulat]

Holiday Banisters

Deck the halls? Check. Deck the tree? Check. Deck the banister? Definitely!  And why not, your staircase is one of those architectural elements that already draws attention, so haul out that holly and make it merry and bright.

Whether your style is elegant or all natural, you can’t go wrong with something living and fresh. I like this fresh approach with seeded eucalyptus and blooms or the boxwood wrapped with rope and ornaments.

If you rather a more nostalgic or rustic approach, how about stringing a simple pom-pom or snowflakes, or maybe your staircase is a great place to collect the holiday cards you’ve received?

Maybe you’re of the mindset that there simply can never be enough twinkle lights?  You and me both.  Then stringing some chunky lights may just be your thing.

What about the banister-less among us?  You’re in good company.  Lump yourself in with the chimney-less, because Santa will still be impressed when he stops by and feels the holiday cheer in the little details of your home.

[photo 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]

Put a Wreath On It!

With the holidays quickly approaching, Christmas decorating is upon us. If the thought of decorating makes you nervous and break out in a cold sweat, I have the solution for you! The wreath. It's the perfect stand-alone décor and least stressful way to spruce up (pun intended) for the holidays. If you’re an old pro with the Christmas decorations, I have some fresh ideas for you as well to branch out (last pun, I promise) and add life to your existing pieces.

Try looping a wreath over mirrors and art. Don’t worry about covering up the piece, the holidays are all about cozy textural layers. Make sure to use a pretty ribbon to add that extra hit of detail and color.

Hang multiple wreaths to get a gallery wall effect. Try combining different sizes and textures to create an organic display. This is a perfect trick if you have an abundance of wreaths and a large empty wall. Consider working a wreath into your already existing gallery wall.

Try this trick for your next holiday party. Put a wreath on the front of your console, side table, or leaned on the top of your bar cart.

Weave a garland into your chandelier to create a beautiful wreath suspended above your table. It’s instant ambiance for your next dinner party.

Nestle a wreath on a stand next to your fireplace or stand it on a console to add height to a Christmas display.

Consider a different shaped wreath, a heart or square, to add an unexpected element. Switch out your round wreath for a swag. There’s something irresistibly drapey about this look.

One last note, if you always go with a traditional evergreen wreath, look for ways to amp up the texture. Incorporate punchy citrus fruit or wind in some twiggy branches. Opt for a bay leaf or a boxwood wreath for a more manicured looking wreath.

[photos 2, 3, 9, and 10 by Nicole Hill Gerulat for Alice Lane Home Collection; photos 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, and 14]

The Hostess with the Mostess

There's nothing more satisfying than throwing a fabulous party! When your friends and family have a great time at your home and thank you for being a gracious host, you won't even mind cleaning up afterwards. With Thanksgiving right around the corner, here are a few tips and tid-bits for pulling off a delightful shindig.

Setting the table sets the mood for the evening. Don’t be afraid to bring out the real stuff – the fancy linens and fine china (I don’t know anyone that enjoys eating with plastic silverware!) Your grandmother will be so proud!

Next, layer in beautiful fresh flowers.  Anytime you add fresh flowers to your tabletop it adds life, dimension, and personality to the party.  Whether it’s a few simple bud vases or several full arrangements, flowers are everything!

Since Thanksgiving is next week (where did the time go?!), adding in a few pumpkins or fall leaves to your tablescape is always a fun and festive detail.

I am a firm believer in candle light!  When you dim your overhead lights and fill the room with beautiful flickering candles, it will give your party a warm, cozy, and intimate atmosphere. Don’t be skimpy on the candles – fill your tabletop with them. A collection of lovely candles will change any drab party to fab (you’re welcome!)

A lovely hostess knows how to make her guests feel welcome. She is attentive and always adds that extra touch to make her guests feel special. An easy way to customize your table is by simply adding a place card. Whenever I arrive at a party and see my name thoughtfully written on a place card, it makes me feel like my hostess is excited and happy to have me at her beautiful event. Who doesn’t love to feel a little special?!

And lastly, don’t forget to enjoy your party! A relaxed and warm hostess will put her guests at ease. So bring out your fine china and start planning your Thanksgiving feast. With these few tips and tid-bits, you will easily be the hostess with the mostess!

[ photos 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10]

Decorating Your Mantle

Merry Christmas homeboys and homegirls!

So I know some of you are thinking these Christmas posts may be premature, but I am here to tell you that there is no reason to delay happiness! Christmas is happiness!  You get to fill your house with frasier fir and cinnamon sticks and  paint the place in white twinkling lights. Why on earth should we deny ourselves any longer?!?  If you haven’t already, pull out your tree or plan a weekend to go cut one down . Take inventory of what you have, what you need, and last but definitely not least, throw your favorite Christmas cd in the boombox cause its about to get real!

Once you have your tree up and lit, follow me to another area of priority this merry time of year…..the mantle.  The fireplace mantle is a huge focal point!  It's where your family gathers when its cold ,and it's where the stockings hang waiting to be filled.  Let's dress it accordingly shall we?

 

1. THE GARLAND - Regardless of your Christmas style (whimsy, glam, woodsy) the base layer of your mantle stays the same….you need a garland! If you have one, wonderful, and if you don’t it's time to pony up and get one. All you need to do is measure the length of your mantle and add 3-4 feet for drape.  They come in all different varieties, and here is where you can adapt to your personal Christmas style. Once you're ready to hang it, decide if you want it to be simple and straight across or full bodied with one or two swags  (See sketch above).

When hanging your garland, make sure you have some green christmas wire, wire cutters, nails and a hammer.  You will simply cut a long enough piece of wire to wrap around you garland and anchor back into the wall or top of mantle.  This is where you will anchor your nail.

Once you have your base garland anchored and lookin’ pretty, I like to add dimension with a second layer of greenery.  You can interweave a different type of garland for interest and/or add picks of winterberries, holly and pinecones to make it appear as if it has been growing there forever.  The idea is to get your base layer nice and full!

2: TAILS, SWAGS & HEROS Here is where your personal Christmas style can really shine through!  If you are whimsy, gather together your collection of tinsel trees and vintage glass ornaments.  If you're glam, collect your sparkly baubles and hurricanes 'cause its time to cake decorate this gorgeous garland!

I love adding some drippiness and drama on each end (or tails) of the mantle.  You can bunch several ornaments together and  hang them at different levels with your favorite ribbon or twine.  Another trick is to add a wreath in the center of the mantle.  It adds a lot of gusto and is a nice scale with all the small ornaments and berries. (Because honestly, don’t we all want a garland with gusto?)  At this point, you can sprinkle the rest of the garland with more ornaments or picks until it feels right and finished.

PS: Don’t forget the stockings!

3: TOP OF THE MANTLE One word…..COLLECTIONS!  The top of the mantle can often get cluttered with random accessories when all it needs is a few similar items from the same family.  A collection of candlesticks, a collection of plates or even a collection of trees is enough to make a statement! Vary the heights of your pieces so you can see the collection through the voluptuous garland!

My very favorite Christmas decorations are those that are personal.  Ones that tug at you with memories or introduce colors that make your insides dance.  Please include these!  They give your home soul and add a richness you can’t buy. Don’t hide your kids homemade ornaments or the one your mother gave you because these pieces are what Christmas is all about. They have a place amidst the sparkles, lights, and garlands!

We love Christmas here at Alice Lane and want your home to be your favorite place on earth.

Peace,

The Christmas Elf

[photos 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10] [photos 6 -8 Alice Lane Home Collection by Nicole Hill Gerulat]

Clarke Residence Office

Mr. and Mrs. Clarke are two of the kindest and most genuine people you could ever hope to meet.  They are full of life and love, and their home certainly reflects that.  They recently asked us to design Mr. Clarke’s home office to be a stylish, yet functional, space where he could hold client meetings, transact important business and have a comfortable place to kick back and relax.  How could we say no?!   While sitting down and getting to know the Clarke’s (which was a treat!), it was hard not to notice their personal style and love for fashion.  We wanted to bring those stylish details into our design.

Typically, we want a home to look and feel consistent throughout.  However, we loved the idea of creating a temperature change for Mr. Clarke.  We wanted to create something a little deeper, a little richer, a little stronger and, yes, a little more masculine than the rest of the home.  We achieved this handsome statement with the use of textured wallpaper, rich leathers, and a mix of classic elements with contemporary furnishings.  The result was a rich sanctuary that provides a comfortable, stylish and functional setting for Mr. Clarke to conduct his work, as well as relax at the end of a long day.

Art gives a room a pulse, a heartbeat.  It is the exclamation point at the end of a sentence.  Leonardo da Vinci said “Painting is poetry that is seen rather than felt.”  Fortunately for us, Mr. and Mrs. Clarke just happened to own a wide variety of beautiful original art.  All we had to do was shop from their collection (talk about a hard day of work!).  We couldn’t believe what we found in their basement – we hit the jackpot!  In order to keep Mr. Clarke’s office feeling young, we peppered in a few new, vibrant pieces of art with their original pieces.  This immediately gave the room that confident, masculine style we were after.  This thoughtful art gallery is positively the highlight of Mr. Clarke’s office.

Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Clarke for graciously letting us into your home and trusting us to create that temperature change in Mr. Clarke’s office.

[photos by Nicole Hill Gerulat]

Collections

What gives a room heart and soul? The collections of people who live there. That's what makes a room interesting.

We as designers can give a home it's backbone - well-designed rooms with perfectly proportioned furniture, a nice flow in the traffic pattern, the right lighting, wall colors, finishes, etc. But it's the collections of the people that live there that really make a house come to life. It's fun to stare at the books in one's personal library or the art on their walls, the photography in the picture frames. I study the interesting objects on the tables... It's all part of their story.

We have been working to get a photographer out to shoot the fabulous Kandi James' home. She is a collector with a trained eye for spotting the good stuff at antique sales.

We are privileged to offer a few of her goods for sale at Alice Lane. They add such wit and history to our store, and I love what it can do for a room!

Here is a little teaser. We will have the rest of her photos on our Portfolio page soon!

[photos by Nicole Hill Gerulat]