Picking the Perfect Sofa
/Whether you are looking for a place to sit and chat or a cozy spot to plop down and read a book, sofas are a staple in any lounge area. But with endless options at our fingertips, finding the perfect sofa can be overwhelming to say the least. Consider the following main points before choosing a sofa and your shopping experience will go from intimidating to exciting.
SIZE Consider how large your room is, the height of the ceiling, and which other furnishings you want to incorporate in the room. Make sure the sofa’s length, depth, and height are in proportion to your room.
TYPE The size and function of your room will dictate the type of sofa that best fits your space. Is this a small, formal area for conversation? Opt for a loveseat, settee, or sofa with more petite dimensions. Is this a large room where you gather to relax or watch a movie? Choose a deep sofa or sectional where you can tuck up your feet and snuggle in for the night.
UPHOLSTERY Select a fabric that is in-line with the function of the space. Determine if it is a high-use area and define the purpose for the space. In a formal living room or master bedroom you can get away with a light cotton or linen upholstery, but in a great room or kids’ area stick to a textile with a high man-made content, like polyester, or choose a leather.
[photos from Architectural Digest and Elle Decor]
Alex's Picks
/A new season is here and in full swing! Usually when this happens, I want a complete overhaul of my entire life. New wardrobe, new house, (new diet), new life! But rather than getting totally crazy and spending ALL our money in one season, maybe we should get incorporate summer touches into our home! Let’s follow the three P's
PILLLOWS What an easy way to brighten up your living or bedroom!
PLANTS We are so lucky to have our very own florist at Alice Lane who plants these amazing plants in our pots and vases—you can purchase them right off the floor for a quick “spruce up” to your space!
PICTURES New art is a fun way to add some summer color and flavor to your home! I love these bright prints and dynamic shapes - a quick and easy pop of summer!
Lastly, this peace sign. It’s a need, not a want.
Perfecting Your Patio
/Welcome to summer! It's our goal to spend as much time outdoors as possible, and enjoy our outside spaces to their fullest extent! Here are are a few tips on boosting the ambiance of your patio:
YOUR PATIO SHOULD FEEL LIKE A ROOM Even without four walls, think of your patio as another of your home's lovely spaces. Create furniture groupings where meals, conversations, etc. can be enjoyed. Make sure the space fulfills its purpose and has good flow so guests can move about easily.
CREATE LAYERS Just like your living room, a successful outdoor space can be created by addressing all the layers. Outdoor rugs help ground the area and make it feel special. Ample seating to accommodate guests is key. Outdoor lighting help make a patio more inviting - pendants, sconces, string lights, etc.
CONSIDER THE ELEMENTS Outdoor spaces are going to be exposed to the elements. Select furniture that is made to be outside stone, teak, and powder coated metals will help extend the life of outdoor furniture. Choose fabrics that are made to resist fading in the sun and that can be sprayed off when they get dirty.
[photos from Houzz - Tim Barber Architecture, Pinterest, Architectural Digest]
Hannah's Picks
/Summer is the best time to dial up the pattern and color in your home. With ample sunlight and an inherent spice in the air, the summertime calls for excitement! Here at Alice Lane, we love a good pattern and a splash of color.
In both of our stores we have extensive fabric libraries full of vibrant patterns and summer stripes to update any space. Our fabrics can be used on any of the upholstery pieces we carry in the store or just by the yard for pillows, drapes, and other projects you are working on. With fabrics and finishes at your fingertips, make a statement and bring excitement to your home this summer with fabric.
- Hannah
[photos from English Traditions and Elle Decoration]
The Summer Bed
/We aren’t the only ones who shed the layers as the weather warms up. Our beds go through the same metamorphosis and lose those superfluous threads as the thermometer skyrockets. For all of you who live within the confines of our beautiful desert mountain west you know that our nights are warm enough without down comforters, extra blankets, and flannel sheets.
My suggestion is to keep it minimal: Go linen, go light, go natural.
These two beds are the perfect example of simple and light; linen sheeting, one lightweight coverlet, and just the essential pillows. Throw in a throw just in case that breeze gets a little too breezy!
Crack the window and sleep well my friends!
Take advantage of our bedding sale (going on now) to create your perfect summer bed!
[photos from Elle Decor]
Griffin's Picks
/There is nothing I love more in a space than a seamless flow between the interior and exterior of a home. Something about the feeling of being outside while still in the comfort of your own home is livening. Now, we don't want to turn your living room into a jungle, but we do believe that a little greenery here and there makes a happy and beautiful home!
Bring the outdoors inside this summer with our Wise Egg planters! These planters are cast from a biodegradable, eco-friendly stone composite with a removable fiberglass liner that keeps the container water tight. The egg rests on a gold-finished iron stand that adds a touch of elegance and contrast to the piece. Available in three stand heights, they are great for displaying in small groups, but also strong enough to stand on their own. Come into our Trolley Square location today to see how we can help you incorporate them into your own home, and create that seamless flow from the outside in that we love so much!
Summer Entertaining
/Summer is almost here and we all want to be outside with friends and family. Deep down inside we all have an itch to throw a fun outdoor party, but we hesitate because we think we do not know how to make it great. Here are three easy tips – eat, drink, and be merry!
EAT! Good food is always a must. Instead of resorting to hot dogs and hamburgers, try a night of salads with a little umph like this or this! They are lite, but will still satisfy the hunger.
DRINK! It’s hot and we all need a little something to cool off. Don’t resort to a folding table full of two liters! Load a fun bar cart full of a variety of bottled drinks, garnishes, fun straws, and a pitcher of your favorite mixed drink. You can please even the pickiest of taste buds!
BE MERRY! In order for your guests to be merry the environment needs to be fun and comfortable. Get comfortable seating with side tables abound to place drinks and food plates. Have extra light throws on hand as the sun goes down and light up the candles! Let’s face it – everyone looks better in a flood of candlelight!
So throw together some food, grab some cool drinks, and light those candles! You will have an outdoor party that is sure to be a good time. Oh, and don’t forget to send me an invite too!
[photos from Southern Living, Coastal Living, The Effortless Chic, Mr. Kate]
Inspiration in Unexpected Places
/Keep things light and breezy this summer!
A summer classic! Navy and white are a crisp and clean duo that are a perfect palette for that weekend brunch outfit or the breezy summer living room.
White is always a must for summer! Keep it looking effortless with white linen bedding and a loosely woven throw placed at the foot of your bed.
Stripes! Linear or loose, thick or thin - we love them all!
[photos from Anthropologie, Jordi Canosa,
Stephanie's Picks
/Nothing says summer like long sun swept days filled with time at the beach listening to the crash of the waves and the warm summer breeze. I don’t know about you, but I’ve been itching to take a mini vacation to soak in some beach days myself. In the meantime, we have a great piece of sunshine to fill the “beach void” in your life.
The vintage swimsuit collection is sure to bring back the summer memories you are missing. The soft color palettes are a beautiful addition to existing artwork or featured on their own. We’re not only crazy about the colors, but these classy girls have some serious style.
Come check them out at our Salt Lake location today!
The Recipe for a Perfect Patio
/Whether you have a small porch or a grand veranda, the recipe for a great outdoor space is the same. Here are our 4 steps for a perfect patio.
START WITH STYLISH SEATING - Look for chairs and sofas with attractive lines, something with personality that speaks to your exterior.
LAYER IN THE TEXTILES - Gone are the days of scratchy outdoor fabrics. There are so many soft, chic outdoor fabrics perfect for your cushions and pillows. Just make sure to use a mold-resistant fill.
ADD SURFACES FOR FOOD OR DRINKS - Think coffee tables, garden stools, and side tables. Every seat should have a close spot to set down a plate or glass.
PEPPER IN FLOWERS AND PLANTS - A plant is the final ingredient for creating a charming outdoor grouping. A plant's organic lines keep the space feeling fresh and lively. Look for a kicky planter to keep things interesting.
[photos from Traditional Home, House Beautiful, Flickr, and cococozy]
Cool Down
/There's nothing more refreshing than a popsicle on those hot summer days! We love the idea of homemade popsicles - the flavor combinations are endless and they make the perfect brightly colored photo op. We've gathered our favorite tried and true recipes and a few that are on our to-make list this summer!
Minty Watermelon Lime Popsicles
Strawberry Orange Popsicles and Orange Ginger Popsicles
Josh's Picks
/You guys, it’s happening!! Old man Winter is gone and has been replaced by the beauty of blue skies, sunshine, sprinklers and popsicles. Nothing feels better than walking through your grass with bare feet after a long, cold winter cooped up in your house. And as soon as the sun is in the sky and the temperature is about 65 degrees, it’s my mission in life to cook and eat as many meals outside as possible.
Usually summer dining means burgers, chips and bacon-wrapped grilled asparagus (I’ll give you my recipe.) But sometimes you want a classier evening for a graduation party, engagement celebration or that book club that deserves the very best.
Newly arrived in both our Orem and Salt Lake locations we have just the thing for you. Luxurious linen table runners and tea-towels. They are the perfect thing to give your summer table a little less of the “red-checkered table cloth and paper plates” vibe and a little more “sipping cold beverages and eating fine cheeses on the Amalfi coast” vibe. The runner is perfect down the center of the table with a few bundles of summer blossoms in glass jars and elegant white candle sticks. And the tea towels make beautiful oversized napkins folded at each place setting. Linen is easy to care for and gets softer and more absorbent with use. And while it is true that linen wrinkles easily, you can either quickly press it with a warm iron if you want things a little crisper, or leave it slightly wrinkled so your summer gathering doesn’t feel too stuffy.
Here at Alice Lane, we are not hoity-toity, but we do like to wear fancy pants. And our linen table runners and tea towels are just that. Elegant, upscale and classy but still comfortable, easy and simple. Come visit us in the store and let us help you make a summer table that really shows your friends and loved ones how much you enjoy watching the sunset with them.
table runners - $69.50 | tea towels - $26.50
Show n' Tell - Elkridge Model Home
/It’s time to show off another one of our favorite model home projects! Tucked in the charming mountain community of Elk Ridge, UT, lies a new development called the Traditions. We were so excited to work with the builder, GCD Inc., for the first time. We had so much fun designing this home and the dreamy sunsets were definitely an added bonus during the installation! Take a look at some of our favorite moments from this home.
[photos by Eliesa Findeis]