On this episode of Dear Alice, we’re talking about extra spaces! Some of us are bursting at the seams of our homes and could use the extra space. Some of us have extra spaces that have been hanging out purposeless and collecting dust. Let’s bring some life into those spaces! You can listen to this podcast episode on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or Google Podcast.

In our blog and throughout our podcast, Dear Alice, we reference design terms, phrases, and concepts that aren’t always common knowledge. This week we are going to be defining two different concepts to help you understand the design world a little bit better. You can listen to this podcast episode on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or Google Podcast.

Today we’re talking all about lighting, specifically can lighting (also known as recessed lighting) and general lighting fixtures. It may feel like a small detail that doesn’t demand much attention but we promise it’s something you should not overlook! It can influence the feeling of your space and even the way you look. Make note of your lighting plan as early as you can when you’re building or remodeling to avoid redoing any electrical work in the end.

There are so many little things that you may think will go unnoticed but really can cheapen the feel of your spaces. In our recent episode of Dear Alice, we talk through dated trends that are possibly already built into your home! At the end of the day, we all want a timeless home filled with beautiful items of quality that’ll last a lifetime.

In this episode of Dear Alice, we talk all about built-ins. It can be
tricky balancing a room with a fireplace, drawers, open shelves,
cabinets, etc. In this episode, we try to simplify how to approach
all these things in the most beautiful way.

When you first walk into this home you feel instantly relaxed. The colors and surroundings are cool, laidback and collected—just like the homeowners themselves. One of the first rooms in the home is the living room. It boasts a white Eames chair, an acrylic coffee table, a rust mohair accent chair, grand piano and a custom Nero Marquina Marble fireplace surround. This space is elevated without feeling too perfect.

The last design mistake in this series is one that even we have fallen for, so if you see this mistake in your own home, don’t dwell on it, fix it. ;) Design mistake #3 is the accent wall. Doing an accent wall is like getting into the pool one toe at a time. If you’re going to do something bold, go all the way, don’t stop at one wall. An accent wall is distracting and your eye tends to stop abruptly at the wall instead of gliding through the whole room taking in the beauty.

Design mistake number 2 is all about lighting. We always say that lighting is the jewelry of a room and it can really make or break it. To make the most out of your lighting, you want it to be substantial and to feel balanced with the rest of the space. Luckily, adding or updating your light fixtures is a quick and easy way to finish off your space and add a refreshing update. First things first, let’s start with this: if you have a boob light (you know the one) let’s switch that out with something bigger and better ;)

In the design world, we believe most rules were made to be broken, however, there are a few that we live by that are simple ways to make your space feel bigger + better. Over this three part series we will be sharing common design mistakes (some even we have fallen victim to) and how to avoid or fix them. Let’s jump right into it!

As a general rule of thumb—never repeat the same medium over each other. For example, an abstract oil painting pairs well with a loose figure sketch that has a lot of white space. This contrast creates a “humble with a grand” moment and avoids any competition that may happen between the two pieces.

Another thing to consider is the scale of each piece. Avoid layering the same size of artwork—not only does this block the actual art but the uniform sizes can start to look too cluttered (or, in the words of Jess Bennett, “like a garage sale”). Make sure you have one large scale piece (your grand) and a smaller piece (your humble) to create balance and create a curated, rather …

Designing a closet for any client is always exciting, but when fashion expert Tan France of the Netflix series Queer Eye asked us to design his dream closet, we were completely honored to jump right in.

Tan and his Husband, Rob, recently purchased and renovated their dream home in a charming, historic neighborhood in Salt Lake City. Although their home is nearly perfect for them, the small closet space in the master bedroom isn’t cutting it for Tan’s major collection of shoes and clothing. Enter the solution: The attic, which previous homeowners had converted into a bonus room…

If you’ve been following us on Instagram, you may have already seen some teasers of this luxury remodel we’ve designed for our lovely client, Ashlee Kennedy (and if you’re not following us on IG you should be ;) @alicelanehome & @alicelaneinteriors). Lucky for us, Ashlee has impeccable taste and is a lover of the Frank Sinatra era, 80s rock-n-roll and designer, Kelly Wearstler. Packing all this style into an older 4,000 sq. foot home was a challenge we were excited to accept.

This home was built in 1986, with that came low 8-foot ceilings and small rooms. In the entry, we used one of our favorite space expanding tricks. This busy tile pattern, made up of three different stones, confuses…

Gone are the days of “builder gray” or all white kitchens. Color has officially taken over the design world. As you can imagine, we’re all for the color therapy trend manifesting itself in bright yellow pillows, deep orange sectionals, and blue drenched walls. Being surrounded by color is truly just that—therapy for the soul. There’s something about it that instantly puts you in a good mood and, let’s be honest, who doesn’t want that?

Buying a pink velvet sofa or painting your walls, molding and ceiling might be intimidating (or it might not, and if not, you’re our kind of person!). If you’re hesitant to go all in, here are some ways to dip your toes into the pool of color.

• Start in the powder bath. It’s a small footprint and you…

Sitting on the 3rd hole of Promontory Pete Dye Golf Course and minutes from some of the world’s greatest ski resorts, this home is the perfect escape. With a warm fusion of large windows showcasing mountain views, clean lines and natural materials this space seamlessly combines mountain + mid-century modern. Hickory wood flooring, walnut encased windows and walnut slab cabinetry add warmth and texture throughout the open concept living spaces. The multitude of guest bedrooms, including two bunk rooms, house both friends and family for a classic mountain getaway.

If there is one thing every room needs it’s a rug (yes, even over carpet). Rugs are what really defines a space and pulls it all together which is why in our design center, we almost always start from the ground up and pick out the rug before anything else. In honor of our Rug Sale happening now through Wednesday, March 20th, we’re sharing some important things to consider when searching for the perfect rug.

• Make sure you’re using the right scale. Buying a rug too small is one of the most common design mistakes. As a general rule of thumb, never use anything smaller than 8x10 for your living room or bedroom. There is nothing worse than seeing a “magic carpet” (as we like to call it) floating in the…

The long awaited time is FINALLY here. If you’ve been following #parcellhomexalicelane, you’ve seen a handful of teasers inside Rachel Parcell’s stunning new build we have been designing throughout last year.  Starting today, we’re sharing her home, room by room, kicking it off with one of Rachel’s & Drew’s favorite spaces, The Library. We chatted with owner & design principal of Alice Lane, Jessica Bennett, to get the inside scoop on the design process, inspiration, and favorite moments of this moody & cozy space. Plus, you can shop this room for yourself now on our website!

Q: What were Rachel’s & Drew’s requests for this room while Alice Lane was designing?

A: “We explored a couple of different space plans for the library originally. There is always a desk solution with…