Girls Night Out Sale TODAY!

[Photos by Ashlee Raubach]

Don't forget that today is our Girls Night Out sale!

20% off all regular priced accessories, pillows & lamps and delicious cookies all day long!

We will also be doing a giveaway for the lovely planter pictured above, filled with scents for spring by Thymes, a picture frame, branches to liven up your room, and a few other items that will help you get ready from the warmer weather.

We are open from 10 - 8 today and will draw our winner at 7:30.

Hope to see you later!

Show n' Tell

I love this part of the blog where we get to see the places our goods and wares get to call home. Below you will drool over a Provo, Utah residence under the design direction of Holli Forrest. Photographed are a few finishing touches from Alice Lane!

Among my favorites are the porcelain nesting bowls with gold beaded edges and the Sidney Snow marble and brass table lamp.

The texture on the set of white pebbled ceramic vases is enough to make you run your hand over the. You can't be satisfied just looking at them! Turquoise sculptural glass vases capture the light so beautifully, they don't ever need to be filled with flowers - filling them with light is satisfying enough.

The Christine round table by Oly Studio in chalk finish with silver details has an antique mirrored top and is perfection nestled between the Isabella tufted slipper chairs. Coral lamp, butterfly sculpture, bedroom chairs upholstered in a robin egg blue honeycomb graphic - feels like a dream!

The home is so ethereal it feels like it has wings - This must be what heaven is like! Yes, the morpho butterflies are also from our little shop!

Thanks for sharing!

If you have photos you want to share, we'd love to see where your precious finds end up in your own little heaven on earth!

Photos by Ashlee Raubach

Girls' Night Out Sale

Branch Out

[Photo by Gemma Comas]

Having fresh flowers is a luxury!

[Room Scene from Oly Studio]

[Photo from CR Style Magazine]

[Photo from CR Style Magazine]

[Photo from Lonny Magazine]

[Photos from Carrier & Company]

[Photo from Tobi Fairley]

[Photo from House Beautiful]

Take it one step beyond and try live branches. Get a tall vase fill it with water, arrange the branches and wait... you'll see green tips emerge, and then buds and finally... blossoms. The transformation is gradual which for me was more fun than just getting flowers and watching them die. The volume the branches add to your space reaches beyond any flower arrangement too! It's airy, simple, and organic in shape. A client of ours was able to pick up a bunch of branches at her local Costco in Las Vegas. You might also try calling your local greenhouses and request them.

[Photo by Nicole Hill Gerulat]

Or if you want to cheat a little we have some good fakes in store right now. Lots of variety! It is one of our favorite finishing touches. Great on mantles, entry consoles, end tables, kitchen tables... It adds life to any room.

It's official! Spring is in the air!

Our fresh cut pussy willows just arrived - and things are feeling greener, fresher, brighter, lighter already!

We feel it from all who enter our doors! They're ready for a fresh change! Some have gone for new linens on their beds, others have started with a fresh coat of white paint to their kitchen cabinets.

Photo by Nicole Hill Gerulat

We have sent them home with a bouquet of our new knobs to try for a more inspired look in the hardest working room in the house. Who says it can't be an enchanted place?

Wherever you are felling the blues - stop by for a little pick me up! Or we can haul over the whole home if you can't stand it another day. Walking into a well designed space is like getting flowers everyday of your life. It will make you smile just entering the room. Spring is out there, open the shutters, lift the blinds... and let it in!

And the Winner is...

Thanks for all of your inspiring comments!

Giveaway

It's that time again!

We have another $100 gift certificate to our store to give away! Thanks to everyone for participating in our giveaways and supporting our blog! We love to read all of your beautiful and inspirational comments.

Enter to win by following these rules:

• - Follow this blog and leave us a comment.
• - For an extra entry, post this giveaway on your blog, Facebook, Twitter, etc. Just copy the link into your comment on this post so that we can see it and your name will be entered twice.

The giveaway ends Tuesday, March 30th, the winner will be chosen at random and announced on Wednesday, March 31st. Please leave your email address so that we can contact you! Good luck!

Dressing the Mantle

Big and tall, or tall and lean... These are the rules of accessorizing a mantle.

Too many little things will get knick knacky. To avoid a cluttered mantel, you're going to want to make a few bold gestures. Large vases allow you to dress the mantle seasonally with live branches, holiday boughs, pussy willows, etc.

Tall candlesticks add a romantic and traditional tone to the room. Be careful not to go too small or you'll miss it all together!

Ornamental/sculptural objects that speak of the travels you've experienced are the most prized for any mantle. Picture frames are also appropriate.

Large art or a large framed mirror is most commonly centered above a mantle. In Feng Shui it is believed that the mirror will bring the energy back to the room, since the fireplace is a hole in the house where energy can escape. It is true that mirrors bring energy and light to a room. One of the great designers, I believe Suzanne Kasler says, "A mirror is like adding water in any room."

The Gallery Wall

One of our must-haves for any household. It is the story of who lives here. It's something to study while you are passing down the halls, standing in an entry, or waiting in a home office. The artifacts, photographs, certificates, fine art or prints of the inhabitants speak volumes! It's proof of a life well lived. It gives a home conviction. It tells your story. It layers the room with history. I'll be so bold to say, it makes a house a home!

When considering how and where to put your gallery, here are a few things to consider: If the contents are personal, you may want to avoid the entry, so you are not sharing those deeply personal pieces with just everyone. Save those for the more intimate gathering spots. You will be asked about the framed documents and photos by almost everyone who sees them so make sure you are comfortable with sharing those thoughts and memories.

You may opt to do a gallery of art in the entry. Less personal, but no less impressing.

The bigger the documents the better (especially if its a large wall). I'd try not to use anything smaller than an 8x10, even then, I'd use matting to enlarge the area.

I like it if there is something in common in the gallery. It may just be that you've used similar matting, all wood tones frames, or all black and white photography... The eye likes some form of commonality. Other than that... Go for it!

Tell your story!

How It's Done

We've had many inquiries about our design services available at Alice Lane. We wanted to share with you what a presentation would include. We were hired by a couple out of the Long Beach, California area. Among many spaces, we put together a bedroom for their adult, 20-something daughter. She's a stylish girl with loads of light and energy. The home has a level of detail that made us want to flex a little design muscle. So we did just that.

The queen poster bed and mother of pearl mirrors are by Oly Studio. Lamps and nightstands are by Shine. The lamps become multiplied when placed in front of the wall-mounted mirrors above the nightstands. Mirrors are a great addition to any room when you are trying to create glamour and expand a space. The crown jewel in this room is that little branch and crystal ball chandelier by Currey and Company that centers over the bed and peeks through the ring atop the bed. For a feminine bedroom chair we used the rope chair by Annie Selke and the hand knotted rug layered under the bed gives the room an organic feel and a sense of movement while anchoring it at the same time.

The plan view is drawn to scale to show how the pieces will fit in the room and how they will relate to each other. The items are numbered and tear-sheets are presented with priced items in the fabrics we have selected. Fabrics are laid out during the presentation for the client to touch, consider the content, and see the color story.

We create renderings to show a front elevation as well as a perspective drawing of what the final room will look like. Lastly, spreadsheets are provided where the furniture costs are laid out and calculated for the client so review.

We wish we had final photos for you to see... but the room is still in progress.

Making an Entrance

What does your entry say about your home? Is it welcoming? Is it charming? Does it make you want to peek in the sidelights just to get a glimpse of what's to come? Hopefully it leaves you wanting more. At Alice Lane we love to create inviting porches and entryways. Here are a few necessary ingredients in warming up the thresholds:

- A great outdoor rug that compliments the style of your home. The rug should have an abrasive surface to keep the outdoor elements from entering the interior spaces.

- An entry rug as large as the space will allow. bigger is always better. It makes the space feel larger and allows the guest plenty of room to enter onto and slip off their shoes while standing on the rug. A large entry rug makes the entry feel like a room instead of a corridor. The entry rug sets the signature for the rest of the home.

For help on your entrance, measure your space and pop by the store to talk to any of our designers about the right rug for your indoor and outdoor spaces. You are always welcome to try a few on approval!

Giveaway Winner

Thanks for all of your lovely comments!

We're Obsessed - Zippy Patterns

Ahhhh! The energy a zippy pattern will add to a room...

It just ignites a space. It's contagious. If something is missing from your room... Consider adding pattern! If you're traditional, a stripe, herringbone, or houndstooth may satisfy you.

I love a good graphic motif with plenty of repeat. It's organized, but packs a punch. Suzanni's and Ikat's are a favorite if you like a little Tribal influence, that says "I've traveled. I've seen many wonders this land has to offer and my room has something to say! I am not afraid. Hear me roar!" (Throw in a little animal print with it all.)

See (and feel) the energy of layering some of these organized and organic patterns. You can see that one pattern may not be enough. Go for it!

If you enjoy and embrace this spirit of design, you are sure to enjoy Jonathan Adler's work and attitude on life. Check out his Manifesto: (I can't read it without smiling!) http://www.jonathanadler.com/shop/manifesto.php

Invite some pattern into your home. Here are some zippy motifs we have available in the store right now!

Here are some fabulous rooms that are patterned quite successfully:

Giveaway

Thanks for all of your support and all of the beautiful comments that you've left us! To show our appreciation we want to do another giveaway. Since it was such a success for our first giveaway, we thought we would do another $100 gift certificate to our store. For those of you out of state here is a sampling of what we have in the store!  You can also see other items throughout our past blog entries. Enter to win by following these rules:

• - Follow this blog and leave us a comment.
• - For an extra entry, post this giveaway on your blog, Facebook, Twitter, etc. Just copy the link into your comment on this post so that we can see it and your name will be entered twice.

Giveaway ends Tuesday, March 9th, the winner will be chosen at random and announced on Wednesday, March 10th. Please leave your email address so that we can contact you! Good luck!

Snow and Graham Notecubes $16.50, Coasters $3

Horses $195 for set of 2, Birdcage $22, Votive $7, Metal Bird $16, Birds $24 each

Fish $28, Metal Cake Plate $80, Photo Frame $36

White Urns $71 - $94, Artichoke $35, Chubby Horse $100

Diffusers $50, Small Bowl $80, White Urns $26 & $40, Mercury Glass Votive Holders $26

Butterfly Prints $20, Antlers $257

Recycled Rubber Frames $35, Small Wooden Frame $28

Fish Vases $165 & $36, Barnacle $16

Globe $63, Jars $165 & $230, Trays $60, Magnifying Glass $19

Pink and Orange Vases $172 for a set of two, Photo Frame $39

Large Bowl $165, Blue and White Balls $6

Chair Dishes $5

Candlesticks $57 - $308, Candles $7 - $23

Insect Prints $17, Red Baskets $16

Hurricane and Urns $32 - $40, White Fruit $4 - $7, Salt and Pepper Shakers $22, White and Gold Gourds $62 for a set of 3

We're Obsessed with Texture

Textures are imperative to our work. They are the story tellers. An entire room can be pulled together in a simple color palate, with the right depth of character. Each piece must have something unique about it. The textures must talk to each other.

There are plenty of inexpensive answers in furnishing a home. I'm okay with inexpensive, I'm not okay with sacrificing detail and quality. For instance, one of my favorite designer moves is using real hair-on-hide throw pillows. Plenty of people use animal prints that are printed on fabric - but here's what they are missing: the texture, character, depth, quality, authenticity, the store... You get the contrast, and that's it!

Note the photos below: We've grouped texture stories together to give you an idea of how to invite more texture into your home. I want to run my hand over everything!

BLUE is What's in Store

Blue... We're seeing it everywhere! And I'm not just talking the tranquil sun-drenched washed out blue-grays. We're talking straight up Indigo! It's on the cover of this month's issue of Elle Decor and in the pages of the House Beautiful March 2010, 'All About Blue Issue'...

We plastered our primary wall in the store with indigo about eight months ago to get a better grasp on designing with the bold, undeniable strength, yet calm of indigo. We noticed that every vignette comes to life when placed in front of that blue wall! It's a cool, sophisticated space! It feels original and traveled! Blue is so versatile it can be Traditional, Tribal, Oriental, Americana, French... and among so many of your favorite today, Coastal/Nantucket. We get asked about once a month to recreate the feeling in that home from the "Something's Gotta Give" home. Well, indigo is a must if you're going to pull off that crisp casual feel in your space. "Blue is the most versatile color out there. It's subtle, it's strong. It's warm, it's cool, it's neutral. It says a lot in a quiet sort of way. Blue never shouts." - Kristen Panitch, House Beautiful, March 2010

Opthema Trio Pheromone by Christopher Marley

Eterusia Column Pheromone by Christopher Marley

Pillows from front to back Suzani Blue Pillow $124 Blue Resist Pillow $80 Jonathan Adler Joy Pillow $165

Shine Home - Boro Series I, Silk Ikat Series I and Swarovski Series I, Lola Sofa, Topaz Lamps and Indigo I & II Artwork

Shine Home - Edinburgh Chaise, Silk Ikat Series I Pillow, Ikat Turquoise Silk Throw, Empire Table Lamp in Turquoise Glaze

Shine Home - Crane, Waterfall & Dragon Ceramic Pots

Market Watch

At market a lot of furniture vendors will show their silhouettes in white on their showrooms. It allows us to focus on the shapes and detail of the furniture. It's something to take note of when introducing this new wave of fresh design. Pay attention to the forms that you're using. There is discipline to using white. You can't play tricks with bold contrasts to occupy and entertain the eye. You must use quality materials. Decorating with white makes you rely heavily on textures to tell the story. Varying tones of off-white and a selection of neutral tones will set off the whites and make them sing.

The feeling as you can see  - is peaceful, serene, and almost simple - in a sophisticated way. It's exciting to see the focus in interiors changing from dark heavily decorated rooms to clean, fresh spaces.

"Within white, shapes start to form and we glimpse an illusion of breathtaking beauty. White is the attainment of the highest vibration, the sum of all colours." - 18 Karat

We are excited about the addition of our new line, 18 Karat. It should arrive any day now! White serene shapes and forms. Textural and artistic. So beautiful it belongs in a gallery. Handcrafted, one at a time. Just you wait...

18 Karat accessories

18 Karat - Campanula & Honey Vases

Jessica and Susan Ortiz, Founder of Shine Home

Shine Home - Verona Chairs, Milan Buffet & Jasper Lamp with Cockatoo artwork

Shine Home - Shanghai Console, Sofia Stool & Drake Floor Lamp with Vintage Rose artwork

Shine Home - Brussels Coffee Table

Shine Home - Grace Ottoman

Who wouldn't want to come home to this?

Giveaway Winner

Thanks to everyone who participated in our first giveaway!

To Market We Go...

With spring almost upon us we are ready to bring on the color! Shed our heavy winter layers and freshen up the place. At market we saw a lot of white and a lot of bold punchy colors! We said, “Bring it on…”

Shine Home - White Laquer Errol Console, Masters Chair & Ibiza Bed

Shine Home - Pair of Empire Table Lamps in Yellow Glaze & Gabrielle Chair

Shine Home - Masters Chaise, Rumba Table Lamp, Sofia Stool, Casablanca 3-Drawer Chest in White, Pillows and Throw from the Silk Ikat Series

See examples below of successful ways to incorporate strong saturated hues.

Stay tuned for our white hot post on Saturday...

Clearance Items

We're making room for amazing new inventory.  Look at what's on clearance!

Clearance Price - $775 Regular Price - $1,547

Clearance Price - $850 Regular Price - $1,730

Clearance Price - $250 each Regular Price - $720 each Quantity - 4

Clearance Price - $595 Regular Price - $1,850

Bold and punchy color brightens up any space. To quote the great Charlotte Moss, "Every room needs a little chinoiserie." Place this beauty in an entry, as a bedside table, in a living room with a fine piece of art above or in a dining room stacked high with cake plates and filled with linens. She's a style star. Brittany Commode Clearance Price - $695 Regular Price - $1,890

This modern classic is a great piece for any room. Comfortable with a tight, clean aesthetic that gets along with any sofa.  This chair is a favorite of our male clientele. Oly Studio - Gabriel Chair Clearance Price - $1,305 Regular Price - $3,625

The graceful sloping arm detail lends itself well to any sitting area. Small enough to tuck into a corner and versatile coloring makes this agreeable in any surrounding. Palisades Petite Chair Price does not include pillow Clearance Price - $695 Regular Price - $1,615

Beautiful open shelving to display all of your keepsakes. Contemporary styling with the black edge detail keeps lines sharp. A great transitional piece that can compliment contemporary or traditional decor. Benedict Canyon Etagere 45"W x 18.5"D x 84"H Clearance Price - $599 Regular Price - $1,710

A charming little side table with French details in black with pomegranate trim and a hidden drawer front and bottom tray table. Looks smart piled high with books. Louis XV Side Table Clearance Price - $285 Regular Price - $612.50

A contemporary file cabinet disguised as an end table. Dolomite Chest Clearance Price - $498 Regular Price - $1,100

Photos by Ashlee Raubach