Hurry In! The Rug Sale Is On!
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Bring Life Into the Kitchen
/Bring some life into your kitchen with fresh flowers and potted herbs!
Who doesn't like fresh flowers? It doesn't have to be anything fancy. Just pick up a bouquet at your local grocer and put them in your favorite vase!
Potted herbs are a functional and pretty way to add greenery and life. Pick some pretty pots that fit nicely in your kitchen window above your sink so that they are easily accessible.
For the gourmet chef at home, install some shelves in front of your windows to provide more space for a variety of herbs!
[photos from Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, Better Homes and Gardens, and Decor de Provence]
Show n' Tell - England Residence
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For me, the England Residence started with a perfectly clean slate. All the “dirty work” had been done – new floors, paint, and paneling. You know the term, carte blanche. The homeowners had put a lot of effort into updating their space and all I had to do was put the cherry on top. We were trying to achieve a very soft, clean and fresh feel in the room. Think lakeside without the rope and rowboats. From the ground up I selected furniture and finishes that kept the rooms airy but functional.
In the living room I set the palette with a beige and light aqua borderless rug. Borderless rugs help visually enlarge a space by allowing your eye to travel right off the edge and onto something else without stopping. I layered a petite curved back sofa with two of the most comfortable chairs we sell (the Marlena.) The room needed a coffee table but couldn’t quite fit one so I opted for a “pull up” table at the sofa instead and threw in an ottoman that could be used by anyone in the space.
The dining room is my favorite of the two rooms. There, I started with a natural sisal rug; a natural washed-out wood table to seat their four young sons and crowned it with two beautiful beaded chandeliers. The special touch in this room is the watery grasscloth wallcovering that covers the walls above the paneling. A little splurge like this set the room apart and added depth and a custom feel. My favorite moment (beside the chandeliers and wallcovering) is the art and sconces on the west wall! The combo of the large scale art and gold candleholder sconces makes this dining room feel just a little bigger not to mention they’re just really pretty.
[photos by Eliesa Findeis]
If You Were a Kitchen
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One of the most rewarding aspects of being an interior designer is helping people along a journey of self-discovery. Whether building a dream home, undergoing a “make it work” renovation, or just some light décor shushing, your home makes a statement about who you are, what you value, and the way you choose to live your life.
This is extremely evident in modern kitchens. A place that was once cramped, hidden, often relegated into the basement, and basically a mundane work space has blossomed into the stylish, welcoming, heart of most homes. And after all the big money decisions are made (cabinets, countertops, backsplash and plumbing), the next step is to look at how a kitchen is styled as a further expression of self.
Below are some designer tips to enhance the chosen look of your kitchen through styling those pretty shelves we just talked about:
FOR THE FUNCTIONAL MINIMALIST Regardless of your overall taste leans modern, boho, or traditional, the first styling option is that of functional minimalism – this styling accent is dictated by simplicity, and highlights useful kitchen items. Whether you display gleaming white servingware, or showcase a mix of dinnerware, stemware and cooking dishes, to achieve this look you must be a ruthless editor, and embrace the moto “less is more”. Look for balance with stacked heights and accents colors (or, for extra style points, go monochromatic!), to appeal to your own need for organization.
FOR THE COLLECTOR If you are constantly rearranging you entry table to showcase your growing collection of vintage trays, or find yourself carrying that pretty dish into your bathroom to hold your jewelry, this look is for you. Don’t be afraid to utilize unexpected surfaces (hello, window sills!) to create vignettes. Layer in non-kitchen items, such as plants or framed art to achieve a well curated aesthetic.
FOR THE PRETTY AND PRAGMATIC This styling technique is all about embracing the beauty in everyday items, and we love it for its honesty! From mis-matched bowls, to collected cooking sets, to coordinating wood and ceramic dishes - use what you love and love what you use! Start fresh with your dinnerware set, remember why you first fell in love with it. Highlight the wonderful textures of your favorite grains and other ingredients. Rejoice in the styling and restyling that comes naturally through the use of your items.
No matter what your chosen aesthetic may be, take advantage of the opportunity to enhance your look through kitchen styling! And if we follow the advice of William Morris, your homes, and your kitchens, will be both useful, and beautiful.
[photos from Elle Decor, V Interiors, Remodelista, Country Living, Architectural Digest, and Southern Living]
The Well-Dressed Bathroom, Part II
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RUGS So I’m a big rug fan and I adore when people use a fine little rug in a bathroom. You can do anything from a washable rug to a hand-knotted rug and there is something about feeling the softness and attention underfoot that will anchor your space and make it feel complete.
BARCARTS, STOOLS, AND PRETTY LIL' SURFACES Fewer things make me happier than a beautiful piece of furniture in a bathroom so of course I must address the cart, table or stool that sits in the center of the room, beside the tub or nesting beneath the vanity. This is as much a tribute to function as it is beauty! A place for your lotions and potions or a spot to stack your hand towels. The best bathrooms are ones that are fully stocked and this number will help you and your guests feel right at home. Plus now your significant other has a surface to place the flowers that were plucked from your fabulous garden!
THE VANITY TRAY Everyone and I mean everyone has a lot of things in their bathroom and I’m here to advise that what cannot fit in your cupboards belongs on a tray. Think of it like a rug! Its job is to anchor and corral the troops. This is a place to put perfumes and lotions and a small place for jewelry to go before you hop in the shower. Occasionally an ugly bottle of contact solution will show its functional face and it’s our job to try and make even that look pretty. A tray can help you do that.
Friends and family of Alice Lane - Please don’t forget the bathroom! We can help you make this often forgotten room, your favorite place on earth.
With love and potty talk encouragement, your adoring designer,
[photos from House & Home, Flickr, Rutland Designer, Architectural Digest]
The Well-Dressed Bathroom, part 1
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Whenever I’m in a home, a hotel, or a nice restaurant, I often excuse myself to use the loo only to see how it’s been treated. I still remember all of my favorites with wishful thinking that I might return to see them again! They were that good.
I once meandered by a powder room with a cityscape wallpaper treatment and a collection of original oil portraits of kings. It was absolutely brilliant! I promised myself that day that I would never hold back precious pieces from a bathroom. What better place to capture someone’s attention and nod to the fact that even the BATHROOM is well-dressed!
So here I am today. Preaching of the importance of beautifying your bathrooms and the simple things that make this ordinary room somewhere where your guests will literally want to sit and stay awhile.
WALLPAPER I’m convinced everyone’s soul is lined in a wallpaper that describes them. Lucky for you, we have a myriad of options and it doesn’t take a lot to paste the place in a soul paper! Wallpaper is one of the best ways to add gumption to these little rooms and will become the jewel boxes of your home. Below are some of my favorites!
ART Like I mentioned before, art is a great way to add importance to a space. It’s unexpected and allows the walls to talk! Whether they are fine paintings, photographs, or simple quotes that allow one to ponder, art will allow every space in your home deem special. Especially the often forgotten bathroom.
Don't forget the bathroom! Check back for part 2 of The Well-Dressed Bathroom!
[photos from eBay, Elle Decor, House Beautiful, Architectural Digest, Fashion Squad]
Styling a Bathroom Vanity
/Let’s face it, if we don’t take the time to purposefully design and organize a space it can quickly become an unsightly landing zone for chaos. One of the most commonly neglected areas in the home is the bathroom vanity. With all of our potions and products and it’s easy to let our counters become covered in a sea of clutter. With proper styling, though, your vanity can go from looking disorderly to looking designed. Here are a few suggestions to add function and beauty to your bathroom vanity:
DISPLAY YOUR EVERYDAY ITEMS Many of our everyday items are inherently beautiful, so don’t hesitate to store them on your counters. Your favorite perfumes and soaps, a stash of cotton balls, your collection of makeup brushes, and a stack of white towels all look pretty when they are gathered while still being easily accessible for your daily use. Make sure to contain your items so they look orderly- you can use traditional items like glass apothecary jars, or grab something unexpected like your favorite mug or vase.
USE TRAYS Another tried-and-true accessory you can use to style and contain items is the tray. We love trays because they are multi-functional and can instantly make an area cluttered with tiny objects feel organized and grounded.
ADD LAMPS Who says you can’t use lamps in a bathroom? We can never have enough lighting when we are applying our makeup—adding a lamp is a way to bring in more light and give the space a sense of chicness.
LAYER LARGE ACCESSORIES If you have an open vanity, fill that negative space with large items that fit your lifestyle. Whether it’s a stool to sit on and do your makeup or for the kids to stand on to brush their teeth, or large baskets and jars to store your products, make your vanity function for you.
Don’t forget to add fresh flowers and that stack of white towels for that extra freshness and fluff!
[photos from New England Home Magazine, Elle Decor, Nina Holst, House Beautiful, Andreas Trauttmansdorff]
Jenna's picks
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If there is one thing I’d make sure every kitchen had it would be shelf space. Somewhere to put all the lovelies. While I’m a minimalist when it comes to what I want out on my counters, I like to have a few things at my fingertips. Some of my recipe books, an edited collection of plates and dishes, and a few of my favorite things that are too pretty to hide in a cupboard.
I love the look of our Braxton Bookcase with details resembling a library from the 1940s and with the handles and built in step stool it is as convenient as it is good looking.
The Braxton is $1775.
[photos from Flickr, Pinterest, and Stilinspiration]
The People Behind the Magic of Trolley Square
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With our Grand Opening coming up this week, we want to introduce you to the talented people behind the beauty of our new Salt Lake location at Trolley Square, Alan and Devin Bird of Hobble Creek Contractors and Consulting. We love them so much that we had to share them with you!
These two are some of the nicest, most hard-working guys that we know. Their combined 40 years of experience was noticeable through every stop of the construction process – from establishing and maintaining budgets to regular, productive communication about our expectations to managing subcontractors as they created an exceptional finished product that we’re all proud of. With their meticulous attention to detail and willingness to do anything (including vacuuming - thanks, Devin!) our timeline was met, and we were able to open right on time. Alan and Devin have gone above and beyond every step of the process, we can’t think of a better team to have helped us with the opening of our second location at Trolley Square!
A Patterned Powder Room
/These little rooms are a diamond in the rough. They are the place where you can really show off your style and make a big impact in a small way. Because these spaces are so tiny, they make a great place to use that wallpaper you have been dying over but is just too expensive or too bold to cover your master bedroom in. Add a great mirror and sparkly sconces that pair nicely with the paper to jazz things up even more!
[photos by Style at Home, Elle Decor, Lonny, and House Beautiful]
Stylist Picks
/Bathrooms tend to be an afterthought in most homes. Let’s face it, they’re usually the smallest rooms in a home and generally have little wall space. For these reasons, it can be a tricky space to add style and detail. To get the most personality and detail out of your bathroom effortlessly, you can focus on lighting and mirror placement.
Lighting is key; making sure there is enough light, and that it isn’t too harsh. Updating your light fixtures is an easy way to give a small space new life.
The impact that a mirror can have is truly amazing. Every morning we all look into a mirror to get ready for the day… (mornings are hard enough)…Why can’t this be a place where we make an impact? Right? With the right frame, your mirror can add visual interest and be an art piece in your bathroom.
Your bathroom can be an area in your home where you can take a risk - even the smallest spaces in our homes should reflect something about who lives there.
Photo 1: Salon Oval Mirror | $975 | W: 39.75 D: 1.5 H: 43.75 Photo 2: Sconces | $338 | W: 6 Ext: 7 H: 22½" || Pendant | $2,250 | Dia: 18 H: 23
The Perfect Reading Nook
/I have a very clear memory of waking up most Sunday mornings, heading downstairs for breakfast and seeing my mom sitting in our green velvet chair at the living room window reading. It’s one I’ll always remember. And now that I get to help others create these perfect reading nooks for themselves I often think back to that Sunday mornings scene as my guide.
There are a couple of key ingredients to creating a perfect nook to relax in and get your read on!
COMFORT This is a must have if you plan to sit and delve into your favorite book. Select a chair, settee, or daybed that you can pull your feet up in and really settle into. Pillows and a blanket will keep you comfy and warm. Keep it small and personal, 2 person capacity max. This is your retreat!
LIGHT How will you read on those rainy days or late in the winter without a lamp? Find a lamp that you can reach from your perch and adjust to where you’re sitting. You can use a floor lamp or wall sconce that has an adjustable swing arm for the most flexibility.
CONVENIENCE Where will you put down that cup of tea, reading glasses or bookmark? Every successful nook needs a small table or shelf close by to hold your things as you’re enjoying your little slice of paradise. You could use a ceramic garden stool, a small pull up table or shelf so long as it’s within arm’s reach.
Seat "In a Pinch"
/You have an extraordinary space that is wonderfully ‘just so.’ Lovely, inviting …the works! The space nicely accommodates the typical bunch that gather in your home. But how do you plan ahead for an extra guest or two without having to store a closet full of folding chairs??
Our favorite go-to pieces are the ones that look great all tucked in, but star in functionality when they’re pulled out.
Stash one or a pair of stools, benches or ottomans under a console. They’ll help complete the look, while getting really functional when you need more seating.
We love adding a couple of ottomans just in front of the fireplace. They add a little punch to the space, give you two extra seats and play a soft role as fireplace screen.
Get creative by cozying an ottoman under the curvy edge of a grand piano. It can quickly add seating for a couple of guests, and helps keep the piano from getting too lonely in the center of the room.
Stylist Picks
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Since I started working at Alice Lane, I have fallen hard for so many pieces that have come through our doors. There are certain pieces which consume my every thought, but only for a short time until the new kid in school comes in and steals my attention.Then there are those really special pieces that have my heart forever.
The Marlena Chair is one of those. She is a fresh take on an old English arm chair. I cannot resist her chubby low-slung arms, nor her gorgeous gams- tapered to perfection. And I would do this perfectly cushioned chair a disservice if I forgot to mention how insanely comfortable she is. The moment she catches your eye, or takes you off your feet, you will instantly see and feel why this piece has stolen my heart.
Upholstered Headboards
/If you’ve ever read or flipped through Pinterest on your iPad late at night in bed, you know how crucial comfort is. You’ve probably cursed your wood or iron headboard when you can’t get your head and back situated right under stacks of pillows. The solution to all your night owl woes? An upholstered bed.
There’s a style to suit any taste and thousands of fabrics from which to choose. We have beds with pretty curves, nail head details, tufting, upholstered rails, and even a wood trim.
Take advantage of The Very Best Sale going on now and save 20% on all upholstery and casegoods!
