Mother's Day Gift Guide: The Gourmet Chef Mom

/

1. Table Runner & Oven Mit  - Add some pizazz to your cooking routine and dress the table with that same colorful pattern! - $47.50 & $22.502. Elephant Butter Dish - A perfect touch of whimsy for any tabletop. - $12 3. Lidded Compote  - A lovely little serving dish that will keep your food warm. - $75 4. Pitcher  - Bring a French Country touch to your breakfasts. - $62 5. Tasting Spoons  - Perfect for cooking or just for a little countertop accessory. - $47.50 6. Bowls - Perfect bowls for cereal or ice cream. - $50

The Guerrero Residence

/

Occasionally, you get a client who walks in the door and knows exactly what they want. Alicia Guerrero was this client! They moved into an existing home in Alpine five years ago and have loved the location, but the interior never reflected the heart of her family. Every time they returned from their Manhattan Beach residence, things felt heavy, cramped and didn't feel like their home yet. When they decided to remodel, Alicia brought Benjamin Blackwelder, a close friend and insanely talented carpenter to come design the kitchen and fireplace. The before pictures are mind-boggling after you see what the space has evolved into! Light and breezy with layers of refinement was our goal and I do declare that we've succeeded!

Once the demo took place, we had to make sure every function was met. That meant we needed to give them a place to watch TV, dine, prepare and serve food. Not to mention, a quiet spot for Alicia and her husband to sip tea in the morning!

Once we started to design, everything seemed to fall into place. The hand-knotted Oushak rug felt like you were walking on water. The Elizabeth armoire from Oly Studio was a natural fit and mirrored the marble chest oh-so nicely. Not to mention the Moonz sofa filled with down feather goodness!

The dining space and small keeping room of the kitchen are precious! We had the table built by a local craftsman and the figured ash feels like small rivers and streams running through the room. Luckily we had a small pocket where we could place a settee and a high directoire table for Alicia and her husband to sit, sip tea and write thank you notes. Every day should start in a space like this!

[photos by Meikel Reece]

April Showers Bring May Flowers

/

Although the weather is not cooperating with our wants of warmer temperatures and sunny days, keep in mind that April showers bring May flowers. Add a pop of color somewhere in your home to brighten your day... And we just got some new fun accents!

1. Photo Frames - $25 - $40 2. Sari Blankets - $195 3. Outdoor Mats - $41 4. Lemon Trees - $43 5. Note Cubes - $17 6. Aprons - $28 - $41 7. Candles - $24 8. Trays - $23

Once Upon a Time... Jack Harlie's Nursery

/

I've always loved children's literature! Perhaps it's the simple vocabulary that most often rhymes, but mostly because of the pictures! It charms and enlightens immediately! Have you ever read a Dr. Seuss book that starts out dull before the plot thickens?!? Neither have I. Books written for children have to make an impact at the beginning or the kid will move on to something else fairly quickly. And for this reason, we used books and fantasy as our springboard for a nursery. A nursery for a boy named Jack. Jack Harlie to be exact.

Origami cranes out of pages form old novels make a charming mobile.

An ibex, monograms, and majestic horse drawings... what a sophisticated babe!

Take a look at the snake fabric that was made into the Roman shades... looks like something that came straight from a childhood storybook.

[photos by Meikel Reece]

Inspiration in Unusual Places: Children's Spring Collection

/

Pastels are not only for the young at heart... J.Crew's crewcuts Spring Collection for girls is full of airy pastels. But adults fret not, incorporate these color palettes into your interiors for that youthful and whimsical feeling! Purples and pale peaches with a few ruffles and a bit of shimmer make up this outfit. Adding this palette into a Master Bedroom makes the room feminine and soft. A light coral, chambray and other shimmery pastels from yellows to blues with a surprise pop of magenta make a perfect match. The rooms can be feminine and light or bold and colorful.

A laid back sweatshirt or a silky ruffled skirt in shades of coral make this outfit laid back yet girly. Add a bit of tufting and nailheads to dress an ottoman and a structured sectional to give this room the same feeling.

What's in Store: New Accessories!

/

So... it's what you have all been waiting for... we have a whole slew of new accessories! Just in time to freshen things up for Spring. Add some bright colors or a touch of greenery!!!

Add a pretty flowered sculptural frame to your entry table or some pretty glass candlesticks to your mantle.

Isn't this little elephant stool the most fantastic thing you have ever seen?

So many new picture frames!!!

Some lovely silver is a nice touch to any table or cabinet.

So many fun new options for Spring! Stop by and check them out! And don't forget about our Rug Sale also going on now.

Market Watch: Persimmon

/

While at Market, a few of the showrooms featured the color persimmon. The first encounter, Oly Studio showroom. We loved this lovely pop of color!

We are seeing this orangey-red shade in interiors and fashion. Isn't this bold, graphic rug by Thom Filicia great?

1.  Marilyn Side Chair - $875 2.  Tangelo Ball Pillow - $225 3.  Thomas Paul Daisy Pillow - $138 4.  Thom Filicia Durston Rug 6'x9' - $375

[photos from TradHome & J.Crew]

Market Watch: Annie Selke

/

We love Annie Selke at Alice Lane. She is known for her charismatic color, comfort and approachable elegance. That's a great way to live. We don't believe in suffering for beauty, and with Annie's products you don't have to. They are bright - in in so many ways. Inspiring silhouettes offered in a kaleidoscope of colors, most of which are 100% cotton!

Annie and I, last week, at the Spring Furniture Show - Showcasing all the latest silhouettes, fabrics and casegoods available soon!

Here are a few of her new introductions from this market!

Gaga for this bamboo based ottoman. Oh the fabric! I love a wild pattern - tufted. Featuring this years hottest colors - lavender, silver, olive and chartreuse! Put this in a room full of safe neutrals, and boom! You'll look like a style maker!

Also, look forward to her new book coming out this August - Fresh American Spaces. A great tool for individual self-expression featuring five distinctly American decorating styles.

You can also follow her year long renovation in House Beautiful's feature, "Makeover: Annie Selke".

Market Watch: Thomas O'Brien

/

We love his rugs and his lighting... Take a look at his gorgeous furniture! Loving the pattern on this dresser! Isn't it fabulous?

He is sooo good at art and display! The layering and stacking are amazing! See how he even has artwork leaning against the wall on the floor? Talk about using the most of every space!

These beautiful peonies were everywhere! A perfect way to add a bright splash of color and bring the outdoors in!

And look how lucky Jessica was! She got to meet Mr. O'Brien AND Suzanne Kasler!

Market Watch: Thom Filicia

/

We always have a love for Thom Filicia's work... and this time at Market he has incorporated one of our favorite topics here at Alice Lane. PINK!!! The print on this chair is amazing and the pink just livens things up even more!

Loving the big pink blossoms in this dining table with the long willowy branches. Perfect for spring!

Keep watching to find out what else is hot at Market!