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!

Opening Alice Lane at Trolley Square

Here is a little peek and the process of putting it all together! We're so excited to be here! We couldn't have done it without all of you. Thanks so much for all of your support!

And don't forget about our sale going on now!

 

VOTE! The Best of Utah Valley

It's that time of year! The Daily Herald is now accepting nominations for it's annual Best of Utah Valley Readers' Choice Awards. Please take a moment and vote for Alice Lane Home Collection in a few of the categories:

- Interior Designer (page 3) - Furniture Store (page 4) - Home Decor (page 4)

Voting ends March 24th. We appreciate all of your support!

VOTE NOW!

STYLIST TIPS AND PICKS

It is no secret that we have severe spring fever at Alice Lane. We are finally putting away our fur throws and coming out of hibernation. And as it begins to get warmer outdoors, we can’t help but want to echo that indoors.We are filling our stores with flowers, blossoms, and succulents. We are trading out our moody dark accents with flirty pastels. And we are overdosing on our favorite spring candles. 

Since the season is changing, so to is the time to spruce up your bedroom. You no longer need to use your cozy, heated room as refuge from the cold, but with just a few simple steps you can make your bedroom just as enticing as a spring getaway. Okay, not really, but pretty close. Here are a few simple ideas and a few of my favorite pieces in the store to kick-start your bedroom into springtime.

CHANGE OUT YOUR BEDDING & ARTWORK Crisp white linens are a spring must! Nothing will freshen up your room like white bedding. Experiment with your favorite pastels when choosing shams or a duvet to add some interest.

Since I can remember, my mom has changed out the photos and artwork in our home depending on the time of year.  It can be as easy as switching out photos or adding a little more color to your walls.

ADD SOME FLOWERS & MAKE IT SMELL PRETTY I know, I know, we won’t shut up about flowers.  But what screams spring more than flowers! Flowers undeniably heighten everything in the room.  We don’t know how--they are magic I guess.  Whether they are real or fake, you can’t go wrong adding a floral arrangement to your room … or 2 or 3.

Don’t under estimate the power of a great smelling candle. Spring wouldn’t feel like spring with out the smell of fresh flowers and clean laundry. My favorite candles this spring are Sajio Persimmon and Goji Tarocco Orange. They are terrific. Stop by the store and we'll introduce you to some of our favorites!

4 drawer chest - $3,250 || 1 drawer chest - $3,187.50 || Bench - $1,625 || King duvet - $425 || Blue euro shams - $87.50 || Crystal lamp - $625 || Pillows - $182 - $312.50 || Forever flowers - $548 || Candles - $17.25 - $26.50

Weekend Plans

Stop by either of our locations this weekend and shop our sale!

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]

Freshen Up with Neutrals for Spring

Spring is just around the corner, folks. It's as if the weight of winter has been lifted off our shoulders and has brought the urge to clean, organize, and freshen things up. Neutrals are a great way to freshen up a space.

ADD TEXTURE AT EVERY TURN - Sometimes neutrals can seem daunting and may seem flat. Incorporating different textures will keep the room interesting. Add a hide, wood, linens, leather, a nubby fabric, etc.

PLAY WITH NEUTRAL PATTERNS - Mixing neutral patterns is easier than mixing colorful patterns. The possibilities are endless. Add a few neutral patterned pillows to a bed to keep things looking light and airy but still giving the bed depth.

COMBINE MONOCHROMATIC NEUTRALS - Play with different shades of neutrals to make your space feel sophisticated and clean.

USE BOLDER NEUTRALS FOR DETAILS - Neutrals aren't necessarily white and tan... they can be navy, black, metallic, basically any color that goes with everything. You can still get that "pop" by using one of these neutrals that aren't typically thought of as neutrals.

[photo 1, 2, 3, 4]

Stylist Tips and Tricks

I have a confession to make, and after much deliberation, I'm ready to spill it. I reeeeally don't love cleaning. An area that often gets neglected in our homes is the linen closet. To keep things underwhelming, let's focus on just that for right now.

Elizabeth Cabinet - $7,700

DEDICATE THE SPACE - Many homes have a built-in linen closet near the bedrooms, but if yours doesn't? Consider yourself lucky. The solution can be a boastful armoire which is lovelier than a lowly closet at the end of a hallway. This Oly Studio beauty can wear many functional hats, but for today it's posing as a perfect linen closet.

BEAUTY COMES FROM WITHIN - Want a pretty home? Focus on her insides. Now's the time to put away the winter throws and down comforters. Fold them up neatly, or store them in a basket to keep them in place. Rid yourself of the sheet sets and towels you no longer need, and store only the items that you use regularly.

Gym Basket - $45 | Cape Cod Pillow Shams - $62.50

THINK INSIDE THE BOX - Store pillow shams and smaller items in baskets or handsome boxes to keep things uncluttered and easy to maintain. Rolling your shams isn't necessary, but c'mon, look how cute that is! Don't deny yourself the joy of rolled shams.

Jewelry - $10 - $30 | Reed Diffuser - $31.25

IT AIN'T JUST FOR LINENS - Use this valuable space to store any overflow of toiletries and jewelry. Arrange it on a tray for easy access and maneuverability. Free your soaps, cotton balls, and swabs from the drugstore packaging - store them in collected jars to keep things classy. Oh, and see that reed diffuser tucked in there? It makes the closet smell like heaven resides amongst your thread count.

MAKE IT WORK - Are you limited on square feet? Fret not. With careful planning, any small space can be as functional as a large one. (Unless it's the mother-in-law you're making room for. No space is large enough for that.)

Voluspa Candles - $11 - $26.50 | Barr and Co. Vegetable Hand Soap - $33.75 | Iron Basket - $20

DIVORCE YOUR STUFF - Cabinets and drawers can all too easily become stuff magnets. Your space is valuable so only keep your favorite products. Go through these vulnerable spots and toss the creams, cleansers, and goops that have failed to live up to their expectations. It's okay. We all have them. Don't feel guilty, just avoid that channel in the future.

Best wishes on your spring cleaning!

Now Open at Trolley Square

We could not be more excited to finally have our store at Trolley Square open. It was such a treat to see old friends and to make new ones on our first day! We hope to continue to see new faces in our new store and can't wait to share this new chapter with you all. If you haven't had the chance to stop by yet, we wanted to share a bit of the store with you!

Hello, Salt Lake City

Today is the day, SLC! We officially open at 10:00 a.m. at Trolley Square!

Come celebrate with us! Take 20% off anything you wish in Orem and Salt Lake City!

We can't wait to meet you!

Inspiration in...

With today's rain and dreariness here in Utah, we have been dreaming about spring and sunshine. We couldn't help be inspired by J.Crew's spring collection.

Navy for spring. Navy all year long! We'll take it. Use navy as a neutral. Use a piece of navy furniture on a light wall for a pop or for something more subtle, try a monochromatic look of blues like this outfit.

Can we talk about this large floral print? We are dying! Use a large scale wallpaper in a small powder room to make a statement.

Light and airy... this is our ideal look for spring. Everything feels so crisp and clean. Don't forget the occasional animal print to add some surprise!

[photos 1, 2, 3]

STYLIST TIPS AND TRICKS

Spring is just around the corner, and I could not be more excited – I know I’m certainly not the only one out there catching spring fever with these beautiful days we’ve been having lately. In the meantime, one of my favorite ways to beat the winter doldrums in anticipation of spring is to bring the outdoors in.

Adding a little green is a quick and inexpensive way to instantly brighten and change the mood in any space in your home.

We’ve got some beautiful planters in store for you to add your favorite plants to, and a few that are already planted and ready to go.  Add some green to your space, and be amazed at the transformation it can bring to your life and home.

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]

Organizing a Small Kitchen

Space is always an issue in small homes and especially in small kitchens. Every inch of cabinet and counter space is precious in a small kitchen and can't afford to be wasted! As with any small space, it is important to make the very best use of the space you have.

Have an empty wall with no cabinets? Add some open shelving to store and display your prettiest dishes. Why hide them away in a cabinet anyway? Open shelving works best with repetition and groupings of dishes, glasses, pitchers, cake plates, serving platters, cutting boards, etc.

If there is space above your stove, display your pretty copper pots on a pot rack.

If all of your shelving is open or you do have a pantry, store food and baking supplies in glass containers. This makes them look pretty and uniform. It also makes things less messy than different box and bag sizes lining your shelves.

If you're not too short on wall space, another good way to add storage is using a tall shelf or cart to store dishes and glassware. Again, make sure these are your prettiest dishes and keep them displayed in groupings to create a styled look.

[photos 1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Stylist Tips and Picks

The biggest problems with small spaces always seem to be the need for more – more seating, more storage, more space…and the list goes on and on. Since more space isn’t always an option, a great solution is to focus on multi-use items that will help solve some of the small space problems.

Ottoman | 27.5"W x 18.5"D x 20"H | $1,042.50

One example I love right now is the use of a fabulous little ottoman. Snuggle up to your main squeeze and throw your feet up for a relaxing movie night. After you’re done, move it to the side of your sofa, put a tray on top, and use it as a side table or slide it beneath a console table to add interest and layers. When company comes pull them out for extra seating. Your ottoman always has a purpose and never takes up too much of the little space you had to begin with.

Round ottoman | 18.5" Dia. x 19.1"H | $322.50

Love the space you’re in and the things that fill it up. When you love it, you’ll love coming home, no matter the size.

Living Big When Living Small

Hi.  My name is Suzanne Hall.  I am an interior designer for Alice Lane and for the last 13 years I have lived in apartments, condos, unfinished basements and an attic, none of which were more than 1000 sq ft.  Through my real life experiences I am here to tell you that there is an art to living big when living small.

You may think that small space living means giving up everything you have and/or never buying anything ever again…au contraire!  Living small only means that the few things/surfaces you do surround yourself with get to be reeeaaally good!   If your aesthetic is simple, you have found the perfect home to live simply in, and if you are a collector of sorts, you will learn to live in layers.  Fascinating layers that allow you and yours to discover corners and stories each time they visit.   I am the latter if you can imagine thatJ.  Vincente Wolf said it best when he said…..

There are a series of tricks and tips for living in small spaces that we will be teaching you but if you take anything from this series, know that there is no better feeling than loving every single piece around you.  And frankly we don’t have room for wasteful, unemotional objects!

When living small ask yourself, "Does it have a purpose, a memory or give you butterflies when you see it?  If you answered yes to any of these questions, these items have a home."  If you were reluctant at all, maybe it’s time you thank the object for its service and go your separate ways.  Our real estate is precious and we have to love and use everything inch we get!

And if you love it I’m convinced you will find a home for it, even if your home is really, really, small.

[photo 1; photos 2 - 3, 6 - 8 by Meikel Reece; photos 4 - 5, 9 - 12 by Eliesa Findeis]

What's in Store

The showroom is looking fresh and beautiful with new arrivals! We can't get enough of this tufted sofa in all of it's velvet luxuriousness! It's 84"long, but also can be ordered as a 71" long sofa - perfect for a smaller space! $3,207.50

This screen is one of our favorite new pieces. It's the perfect divider for a very large room or would even be a luxe piece to add to a small studio to create rooms. $1,875

Happy Valentine's Day

Whether you need a last minute gift for a girlfriend or you are just treating yourself to a lovely kind of day, we're your one stop shop today! We have floral arrangements by Bloom Floral Studio, V Chocolates, jewelry, cards, and gifts.

Stop by and celebrate this day of love with 10% off, a gift with purchase, and treats!

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]

Dark Colors and Pattern in Small Spaces

We've been thinking a lot about small spaces lately and how some of the most beautiful spaces with lots of impact aren't always towering, grandiose rooms. Often the spaces that make you feel the most comfortable and that make a statement aren't that big at all. The "rules" say to use light colors, keep patterns to a minimum, and use mirrors in small spaces to make the room feel larger. This isn't always the case. In fact, in most cases, we recommend doing the opposite of this "rule."

Use dark colors in small spaces. Paint your walls dark for a dramatic and bold effect.

Just because you have a small space, doesn't mean you have to use small scale furniture. Choose pieces that are still comfortable and feel right in your space. A large piece of furniture can actually make the room feel larger as long as it is well thought out. Just make each piece count!

Dramatic pattern in a small space is another bold effect. Because these spaces are so small, this is a great place to really splurge on that coveted wallpaper that you've been dying for. A small space means less yardage!

[photo 1, 2, 3, 4 by Weston Colton for Alice Lane Home Collection, 5]