Book Review - "Living with What You Love"

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When I spotted Living With What You Love at Alice Lane, I started thumbing through the pages and immediately fell in love with the Monica Kosann’s fresh angle on incorporating family heirlooms. Though it can be tricky, displaying precious family heirlooms and collectibles in the home allows them to serve as reminders of your past, your cherished memories, and the life you hope to create.

"Some people seem to avoid bringing out heirlooms for fear that they turn a home into an historical museum or a gallery. It doesn't have to be that way. Create a space that you want to live in. You can bring memories alive and create a sense of family history..."

One of my favorite ideas Kosann suggests is to avoid hiding family heirlooms away in a cupboard or closet. She encourages us to create more special occasions to use those cherished table settings, to take advantage of the opportunity to tell the stories of the heirlooms in your home. Since I was a little girl, I have admired many beautiful and colorful china sets through the closed glass-doored cabinets in my grandmother's home. Each set a lovely little piece of art—and history. As I grew up, I learned the stories of those pieces and the remarkable women who owned them. Now, each time my grandmother uses a certain china set at dinner, I feel a connection with my heritage and ancestry.

“A bowl, even a beautiful bowl, is just a serving piece. But the bowl that a grandmother brought over from Ireland? Or the bowl that your aunt Teresa—who was already such a wonderful cook—wanted you to have someday? That’s quite a different story.”

The strategies to incorporate heirlooms, antiques, and memorabilia are countless, and this quick-read is bursting with ideas on mixing the old with the new, choosing framing, and how to help a wall or a vignette “tell a story”. Ultimately, the key is to follow your instincts and do it in way that is all your own.

“Just as no family is quite like mine or yours, there’s really no such thing as a recipe for the way you express yourself in the domain of your own home. The space you occupy deserves to be filled with its own images, echoes, and signing. Your home is like no other; why not fill every turn of it with reminders that this is so.”

- Eliesa

[photos from Living with What You Love]

Private Residence Dining Room - Before and After

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As fall tempts us with its metamorphic mountains and brisk morning air I can’t help but crave the holidays!  I am a girl of seasons and anticipate the upcoming events far before they happen which is why I’d like to talk with you about Dining Rooms, home of fabulous food and family!  Specifically giving your current dining room a facelift before the holidays land in your lap!  

 

We just finished up a dining room remodel and I was amazed at what a little paint, reupholstery and lighting did for this once very dark and closed in space!  I present to you a very dramatic “Before” and “After”!

When we walked into this dining room initially, there was a large disconnect with the homeowner and the space!  She is all things charming and gracious and the space she entertained in so often didn’t reflect any of these traits!   The existing dining chairs were beautifully crafted and just needed some new skin.  The dining table was the perfect size but the design was ho-hum, nothing that couldn’t be dressed up and the lighting just wasn’t special enough for this jewel box!  So we rolled up our sleeves and got to work!  The cranberry paint color on the walls was a big factor in how the room felt and was replaced with a watery color that brought the temperature down.  Immediately the space was more relaxed and approachable…..just like our client!  As many of you know, we start from the ground up when designing a space which leads me to our rug!  The rug that was in the space before wasn’t broken but was not an ideal size nor color for this square room.  We opted with custom sisal with a diamond design and metallic binding.  Again, the natural fibers and the non-descript color was exactly what the space needed especially when we combined it with the aqua and red table covering our client picked up in Turkey.

The sconces were designed by Suzanne Kasler (a personal hero) and are such a necessary detail the room didn’t have before!  When lit they look like diamonds in the sky!  And the chandelier is a gold leafed flower of a thing that gives back a lot of whimsy to the dining room!

The dining chair upholstery needed to be something that was interesting, textural and gorgeous of course!  This faux bois number was just the ticket ad gave such an update to these very traditional chairs!

Everybody, go right now and look in your cupboards and unveil your favorite china, pewter, candlesticks, whatever it is!  Display it!  Nobody hides Baby in the corner and you shouldn’t hide your favorite things behind closed doors!  Our beautiful client had so much fabulousness tucked away in her cupboards and we found it blasphemous NOT to display it for the world to see!  (We added the crystal ooey gooey candlesticks to add some glam to the arrangement but other than that,these were all things in her house!)

- Suzanne

Trends for Fall

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I get emails daily filling my inbox from all my favorite clothing manufacturers and department stores, telling me what is on-trend and what the MUST HAVES for the season are. Each one different than the next. Everyone has their  own spin on how the interpreted New York Fashion Week. Fall fashion has to be the biggest launch of fashion of all the seasons.We are all just perched on the edge of our seats to launch into it - boots, layers, scarves, hates, jackets, wool, deeper tones, and more texture!

How does all of this equate to the home? We can't update our home with new looks every season. Or can we? My thought is, just warm it up. I change things up a bit, only twice a year.

It might be a difference of putting away the lightweight spring/summer pillows and bringing out the fall/winter ones. I do it for my sofas and my bed. I swap out the blooms for branches in my large jars and vases.

I'll change up what's on the dining table for a more seasonal effect, add votives or large pillar candles in hurricanes. This is not just a "look". This is a lifestyle. You must light your candles. You can't just pretend to live this way. You've really got enjoy the magic dance that comes from fire when you're eating or entertaining. I add a neatly folded throw to the back of a chair or arm of a sofa in each room.

Simple ideas, but they will allow you to interpret the fall loks you're loving in fashion, in your home. If you're loving purples and raisin tones, tweeds and wools, leather, and furs - all of those can be added with tailored pillows, throws, and table runners!

Don't be afraid to add more metals and mercury glass to your scheme too. They add sophistication and glimmer. Who doesn't need more of that? Stop by and see what's in store for fall at Alice Lane.

- Jessica

[photo 1, 2, 3, & 4 by Meikel Reece]

And don't forget about our Fall Special Order Plus Event - Save 20% on all Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams special order items now through October 8th.

Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams Special Order Event

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This is one of our most favorite times of the year. The air is getting cooler, it's about time to break out the sweaters and boots, and it's our Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams Special Order Event! These are just a few of our favorite pieces:

This beauty is the London Chaise in a pretty steely blue velvet. You've seen the London Sofa on our floor before - but here she is all dolled up and perfect for a Master Bedroom.

We always have a love for the Marlena Chairs - pictured on the right. They sit well and look so sophisticated upholstered in that linen. That  hair on hide ottoman is the Winston - perfect as a cocktail table, just add a tray at the end of a bed. See that leather chair on the left? That's the Draper Chair, you know - like Don Draper? Mad Men? It definitely has a 1960's feel.

The Odette Sofette has always been one of our favorites. Seen here in a Charcoal linen.

These handsome exposed wood frame chairs are the Blakely's. Sophisticated and smart - these would make great lounge chairs in an office.

And last but certainly not least is our pretty mint green leather Tobi Chair paired with the velvet clad Rocco Ottoman.

Stop by and see our Fall Collection in person and place your order today!

Hello, Fall!

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Mmm, fall…can you smell it in the air? We sure can here at Alice Lane! We’ve just unboxed hundreds of new accessories and off-loaded some really big trucks filled with our new fall line-up of furniture- trust me when I say that you are gonna wanna see this!

Stop by and pet the newest velvets and leathers upholstered on our favorite furniture silhouettes.

Get inspired to throw your own fall party with our new creepy-chic tableware, or come sink deep into one of the down-filled linen sofas we have on the floor that are just begging to be sat in.

With so many reasons to pop by, why not put on your favorite cardigan and join us?

- Jessica

[photos by Meikel Reece]

What We Love About September

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1.   "Cozy sweaters, boots, and lots of layers." - Christy 2.   "Bonfires in the canyon. Crisp, cool air mixed with the smell of campfire." - Holly 3.   "Sundance summers are fun but Sundance in the fall is everything! The smells, The Foundry, the General Store, the whole place exudes warmth and feels like home." - Suzanne 4.   "The return of caramel apples and everything pumpkin - bread, cookies, drinks, and more!" - Natalie 5.   "Time for a new candle - Break out the fall smells." - Jessica 6.   "Warm, gooey colors." - Jessica 7.   "Tailored jackets and plaid scarves." - Kristina 8.   "Good TV. All of our favorite shows are back on!" - Jessica 9.   "Getting to sleep with the windows open." - Megan 10. "New school supplies. Nothing I love more than a fresh notebook." - Eliesa

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What's in Store - Rebecca Chairs

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School has started back up, the nights are getting cooler, and the leaves are just barely starting to change colors in the mountains - Fall is in the air. With fall comes sweaters, a great scented candle, a thick knitted throw and a cozy living room. What better way to make it feel like fall than to add fall colors. Add a chair with a warmer yellow or orange.

A classic way to do this is with a beautiful mustardy yellow like these Rebeca chairs. They make a perfect pair and could mix with a number of colors and so many textures.

Rebecca Chairs $2,307.50 each

Stop by and see them today!

[Top photo from Elle Decor]

Book Review "The Perfectly Imperfect Home"

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Lately, my favorite design book is “The Perfectly Imperfect Home” by Deborah Needleman, the former editor of Domino. I’ve been reading it chapter by chapter and taking notes, soaking in all the great tips and advice for making your home a beautiful reflection of you. The watercolor illustrations are equally captivating. To me they are reminiscent of Mark Hampton’s book “On Decorating.” (Another book I highly recommend!) They are a perfect companion to Deborah’s stylish wisdom.

 

“The Perfectly Imperfect Home” is a wonderful book for the individual looking to personalize their home, to make each space meaningful, functional, and lovely. Not only do you get the “hows” of decorating, but you get the “whys” and “whats” as well. She gives advice for decorating each room and element of your home. From the entry to the bedroom to adding the finishing touches. It’s like a list of stylish secrets from her to you of how to embrace your home and its imperfections.

My favorite chapter is about adding personality and a bit of “quirk” to your home. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mean to say your home should be goofy, but that it should have spirit and life. It’s about the objects that make your space special and humanizing.

 

“An element of quirkiness in your decor shows that you do not take decorating or, by extension, yourself too seriously. A room that is decorated within an inch of its life feels self-important and static. Style ought to be loose and easygoing; capacious and expansive! A little something unexpected makes us comfortable. Quirkiness and its sidekick, charm, represent the lighthearted humanity of your home.”

She suggests:

- Using pictures by your children mixed in with real art

- Incorporating “jollifiers,” sentimental treasures that spread joy every time you look at them

- Small animals, like a nice inanimate pet. Whether a small stuffed animal on , a painted dog on your bookshelf, or a stately horse on your mantle

- Adding an odd chair to the sidelines of a room

- Including something unexpected with color, art or scale

“Decoration can be life-enhancing. It can make dinner parties more fun, kids happier, relaxing easier, talks more intimate, guests at ease. And to think decorating is often considered frivolous. Making a charmed and happy home is a noble endeavor. The simple secret is making sure that every decorating decision contributes to the creation of beauty and comfort.“

- Kristina

[photos from "The Perfectly Imperfect Home"]