Inspiration in Unusual Places: Color

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We've been seeing pops of color popping up in interiors, fashion, make-up. Tangerine Tango was named Pantone's color of the year. Why not let all of these pops influence our wardrobes and our interiors. Navy and a bright pop of orange - complimentary colors always look great together! A bit of gold detailing wraps up the whole look.

A nautical striped sweater paired with kelly green pants adds some surprise and excitement to an otherwise traditional and preppy outfit. And look what it can do for a room! Take a glamorous room and add some kelly green and it makes it even more posh!

A light electric pink is perfect for spring. To soften things up, pair it with a gray. Add some pattern in your rug or throw pillow to add more depth.

A bright orange is definitely a POP of color! Pair it with a neutral - love this wood paneling and this leopard print skirt! Finish things off with a touch of gold.

[photos from Lonny, Rue and Elle Decor]

Pantone Color of the Year: Tangerine Tango

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Pantone has named "Tangerine Tango" this year's color! "A spirited reddish orange, continues to provide the energy boost we need to recharge and move forward. Sophisticated but at the same time dramatic and seductive, Tangerine Tango is an orange with a lot of depth to it," says Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. Orange has become much more popular with designers and consumers in the past few years in fashion, interior design and even in cosmetics. It's bright and energetic yet very compatible with so many other colors. Tangerine Tango pairs with fuchsias, blues, grays, almost anything! Be bold and paint a room! Pair it with a leopard print! Wear a tangerine kiss! Not so daring? Add a little to your room here or there with a lamp or pillow!

1. Area Rug - 8' x 11' - $848 2. Orange Armchair - $1,073 3. Thomas Paul Chirp Pillow - $98 4.  Marilyn Table Lamp - $228 5. Tangelo Ball Pillow - $248 6. Cassidy Table Lamp - $298

How will you incorporate Tangerine Tango this year?

[photos from here, here and here]

Inspiration in 2012

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We are always looking for things to inspire us. To move us forward. Looking to make changes in the new  year. Ways to become better. More refined in some area or another.

After taking down Christmas, I couldn't bear to put things back the way they were. I needed to re-mix, recycle and re-imagine my spaces! Here is my best advice!

Open a Pinterest account! I just started my own this weekend... and it has opened a window into my soul - where everything I love now sits so I can access it whenever I need a happy spot! {Follow me here!}

It's your own little space on the web where you can just pin photos online. You file them in different visual categories -- Holidays, Cooking, Fashion, Home Decor, Party Ideas. Whatever you are in to!

Each year we are on this earth, we should get better. Learn, grow, share, try new things... Pinterest is a great way to stay inspired and keep track of all your favorite ideas. Especially for non-reader types like me. A picture is worth a thousand words! You can add a line of text, reference where you find the photo and pin it.

If you have plans to work on your kitchen this year - you can get online, blogs or websites and start pinning all your favorite kitchen ideas! Your favorite lighting, backsplashes, barstools, appliances, flooring, etc.! You can share photos with your friends, husband, contractors...

We have asked our new clients to open a Pinterest account so we can view their galleries of what they love and hope for before we get started.

Get inspired this year! Curate your favorite ideas. 2012 is going to be our best year yet!

- Jessica

[photos from here and here]

2011: A Year in Review

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2011 was an amazing year for us here at Alice Lane! We completed some beautiful projects, met talented people, held fun events and picked up new product lines that we are so excited about! Here is what we did in a nutshell:

We hosted a book signing for Nicole's Classes featuring Nicole Hill Gerulat, Mike and Alma Loveland.

Celebrated our THIRD birthday with delicious treats and fantastic friends!

Hosted the 2nd Annual Blogger Social: Merry Christmas, Darling!

Annie Selke at  Market

Michael Weiss at Market

Thomas O'Brien and Suzanne Kasler at Market

Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams at their home in North Carolina

Thom Felicia at Market

So happy to Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams on our showroom floor!

Our favorite new scents: Voluspa Candles

How darling are SugarBoo Designs! They have pillows, artwork and even little greeting cards.

Alice Lane was selected to be in an American Express photo shoot for a possible Plum Card campaign! We were featured in Utah Style and Design's Spring 2011 issue to give advice on how to accessorize a coffee table.

We were delighted to meet Matthew Mead and host a tea party for the lovely Stephanie Nielson and her sisters and friends for a photo shoot for Matthew's summer issue.

Our accessories were featured in the 2011 issue of Utah Bride and Groom in a "Into the Woods" shoot.

The lovely Brady residence in Las Vegas.

Jack Harlie's charming nursery.

The second phase of NieNie's project - the basement playroom.

The St. George Parade Home and two model homes.

The beautiful transformation of the Guerrero remodel.

The contemporary kitchen remodel of the Nemrow Residence.

A peek at Jessica's home.

The light and airy Farmington Model Home.

Thanks to all of our clients, customers and readers who have made all of this happen! We look forward to an amazing 2012!

Holiday Tablescape Ideas

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Christmas is just around the corner! The time has come to decide on Christmas dinner decor. Here's a few of our favorites: Suspend a branch above your table and hang ornaments from it. We've done there here at our front desk. It makes it a dreamy ornament heaven as you eat.

Make it a natural Christmas with neutral linens and fresh sprigs of pine. Plant a few bulbs and adorn with pinecones for the centerpiece.

Dress your chandelier with a wreath and ornaments. Hang a few branches and cinnamon sticks on the backs of each chair. If you are doing place cards - hang those form the backs of the chairs with your arrangement.

Keep it simple with whites and shades of white. A touch of silver and plum will add some elegance.

How will you be decorating for your holiday dinner?

Blogger Holiday Social 2011: Merry Christmas, Darling

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Last night was our 2nd Annual Blogger's Holiday Social held here at Alice Lane. We did this last year and it was a great success - so much fun to get to rub elbows with the local talent.

Our theme this year was Merry Christmas, Darling and we wanted everything to feel very handmade and homespun. What better way to do that then sew our name tags and make homemade jam and fresh biscuits for the favors!

Here are some of Utah's most talented!

There were delicious treats for everyone to indulge!

This year we decided to do a fun gift giveaway. Everyone brought something that they had made - showing off their talents and we did a drawing to exchange! All of the gifts were so lovely and perfect!

Here is a list of those who attended. Make sure to check out their blogs and see their amazing talents!

Alice Lane's Holiday Playlist

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The Christmas season is in full swing. The tree is decorated, presents are being wrapped - all the while listening to a few of our favorite holiday tunes. This is just a sampling of what we are listening to here at Alice Lane.

Merry Christmas Darling - The Carpenters

I'll Be Home for Christmas - Diana Krall

Last Christmas - Wham!

Winter Song - Sara Bareilles & Ingrid Michaelson

Happy Christmas (War is Over) - John Lennon

Covered in Snow - William Fitzsimmons

Winter Storm - Joshua James

The Christmas Waltz - She & Him

Let it Snow - Michael Buble

Maybe this Christmas - Ron Sexsmith

River - Sarah McLachlan

Christmas Wrapping - The Waitresses

Sleigh Ride  - Ella Fitzgerald

The Christmas Song - The Ravonettes

Baby, It's Cold Outside - Zooey Deschanel & Leon Redbone

What are you listening to this holiday season?

[images via Pinterest]

Gift Wrapping Inspirations

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The presents under the tree are just the icing on the cake for holiday decor. They complete the tree! Here's a little inspiration for the art of gift wrapping. For your best friend or sister, tie the gift box up in a pretty scarf. Two gifts in one!

Neutrals and naturals. Use different textures but keep the colors neutral. Add a touch of sparkle for a pop. Lovely little packages under the tree.

Naturals with pops of traditional red and green. Add cinnamon sticks, holly berries, anything that reminds you of a traditional Christmas.

Tie up packages with old maps and string. Use maps of places you have visited with the gift recipient to add more nostalgia.

Want some color and fun? Want Christmas to feel like a party? Wrap the gifts up in brown paper and use double stick tape where you want the confetti to stick.

Keep it simple with brown paper and raffia. Add a sprig of pine. Simple and elegant.

[images found via Pinterest]

This Just In - SugarBoo Designs

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We just got another Market shipment in! Artwork, pillows and more! And this line tugs at our heartstrings. The sayings and the handmade feel of the items are just so sweet. Zinc Hearts to fill your favorite bowl and write your favorite sayings on - $8.80 each

Pillows - Stitched and handblocked - $132 each

Notecards - Funny and sweet for your favorite person - $2.50

Artwork for everyone - $66 - $600.

A perfect gift to share with the one you love the most. Stop by and see them in person!

The Art of Gifting

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I love giving. I love shopping for just the thing. I love thinking ver specifically about each person I gift. It's a consideration that takes a great deal of though - I categorize my subjects into two categories. They're either practical or emotional types that totally appreciate a little luxury. Needs versus wants. Both types of people still deserve a well wrapped gift and a love note. I even like to tell them what I was thinking when I chose their gift. Why they needed it. Make it personal. That's the part that is the gift. They LOVE you put into it. 1. Magazine Subscriptions - There are a bunch for $5 on Amazon right now! 2. A Rowenta iron and a nice new spray bottle. 3. An entry rug or doormat - Alice Lane - In store now. 4. A rug in front of the kitchen sink - Alice Lane - In store now. 5. Dish or hand towels for the kitchen - I love William Sonoma. 6. Bar of soap on a beautiful dish - Alice Lane - In store now. 7. Hand Cream in a tube. They can keep it by the sink or throw it in their purse.  - Alice Lane - In store now. 8. Beautiful antique reproduction gold scissors - These could be pretty hanging from a ribbon near your wrapping or sewing station. - Alice Lane - In store now. 9. Silver serving dish - Makes you feel more culinary! And everything tastes better! - Alice Lane - In store now. 10. Nice Thank You cards with a good pen. 11. Decorative hooks for the pantry to hang aprons and what-nots or for the mud hall, closet or bathroom to hang necklaces. - Alice Lane - In store now. 12. For the person who works a lot - desk accessories.  - Alice Lane

1. A candle with long wooden matches and a candle snuffer. - Alice Lane - In store now. 2. Cashmere socks and a pedicure. 3. A plush bathrobe liket his silk velvet one from Garnet Hill. 4. Haflinger slippers for men or women from Garnet Hill. 5. Music. Whatever puts you in a place when you hear it - that you have to just stop and be! 6. A date to do smile luxuries. Salted caramel hot chocolate at Starbucks. 7. An experience - tickets to something or somewhere! 8. A small box of fancy chocolates - My favorite are Frango mints. 9. Crystal candy dish (Full of candy, of course!) 10. A cocktail ring. 11. Art - Messages so sweet you could cry. - Alice Lane - In store now. 12. A gorgeous crystal picture frame with a love note in it. - Alice Lane - In store now.

Happy gifting! Do it with love. And they'll love it!

- Jessica

How to: Dress Your Mantle - Holiday Style

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Decorating the mantle for the holidays is so important - This is a place of magic and wonderment. The fireplace is everything! It is important to just layer things on. The result will be a full and festive display.Begin with a simple garland - it could have pinecones or just be the garland. We have quite a few different options here at Alice Lane! Wire it to the mantle to keep it in place.

Next - add picks and branches into the garland to make it more full. For this garland we added a lighter green than the garland with berries. You can wire those in or just bend the branches around the garland.

Next - group your ornaments in clusters throughout the garland. You can wire these to keep them in place as well. Add ornaments to each side or keep it simple and just wire your clusters down the sides as well.

For a finishing touch, use rope or stocking hangers to hang the stockings by the chimney with care.

Add some height to your mantle with some taller trees with a few miniature ornaments hanging from those. You can add some birds or deer to place on the mantle as well.

You can also attach ornaments form the garland for the hanging affect if you have another place for your stockings.

See how we've added the jingle bell picks here? It just gives more depth and adds more sparkle.

Stop by Alice Lane and one of our experts can help you gather items to create your own layered mantle!