Show N' Tell - Solameer Townhome

Small space living doesn't mean you're limited on design. In fact, condos and townhomes have become increasingly more custom, making stylish and affordable lifestyles more accessible. We recently joined forces with Garbett Homes designing their Solameer Townhome model at Herriman Towne Center. Our goal for this space was to maximize the square footage and match the modern lifestyle the townhome offers. We kept the interior finishes of the home neutral and brought in light furnishings with crisp modern lines to give the home a bright and airy feel. The mix of natural woods and metals really pop against the white background. It's our favorite element of this design. Pops of color were used throughout the space to add personality and prevent the space from looking stale. We love how it turned out and how the living spaces easily flow from one room to the next.

If you'd like to go see this design in person the model home is now open! Go check it out! We loved working on this project to reaffirm the fact that compact living can be beautiful, functional, comfortable, and stylish!

Designer: Shelby Castleton Jr. Designer: Lorri Cerva & Griffin McCabe Photos by: Lindsay Salazaar

5 Simple Ways To Accessorize Your Kitchen

Whether you are a cook or not, the kitchen is always the busiest room in the house. In order to maintain the chaos, the space needs to be functional, and if it can look stylish at the same time...even better! Some people want clean and simple while others say more is more! Either way, here are five easy ways to keep things tidy and looking good: 1. Function is Key – Style your kitchen with things you use on a weekly basis. Use decorative glass canisters with metal scoops filled with flour and sugar to add some interest and make baking easier. Fill up a decorative jar with mixing spoons, spatulas, and whisks for easy access. Why not take out a metal serving tray from your storage and proudly lean it up against your backsplash with a decorative wood cutting board for more texture. They will look like pieces of art and be right at your fingertips!

2. Open Things Up – Try installing some open shelves instead of closed upper cabinets. This will make your kitchen feel bigger and give you the opportunity to show off some cool serving pieces. Even stacks of everyday plates and bowls can look nice while being easily accessible.

3. Bring in Some Life – The kitchen is made up of hard surfaces. Break it up by bringing in something organic. A simple plant, some fresh flowers, or an assortment of fruit in a cool container will add a new life to the space.

4. The Island – Don’t make your island feel deserted and lifeless. Add some accessories to not make it feel so vast! Decorative color glass jars with some blooming or leafy branches will add interest and bring some of the outside in. Or, keep a serving board on the island so it's ready for that afternoon snack of crackers and cheese.

5. Surround Yourself with Things You Love – Seeing that you will spend a lot of time in the kitchen why not surround yourself with things you love. Whether it is fresh flowers with fragrant scents on your island, your grandma’s tea kettle placed on an open shelf, or a framed picture of your kids on the window sill by the sink. I believe that tedious tasks like washing the dishes or cleaning the kitchen will be much more enjoyable when memories are sparked or a day is brightened by a simple object.

Alright, so go to your kitchen and see which of your accessories are working and which ones are not. Reinvent a few items that are tucked in the cabinets, make your kitchen more functional while still being beautiful, and create some new memories while being surround by the things you love.

Lakeside Loft Parade Home

White ship lap walls, large grid windows, reclaimed wood accents...that's what we picture when dreaming of a lake house. It's not everyday you get the chance to design such a home here in the Salt Lake Valley. So, you can imagine our excitement when we received the opportunity to not only design a home along the beautiful shores of Oquirrh Lake in Daybreak, UT, but also a home that would be featured in this years 2015 Salt Lake Parade of Homes. A rare and exciting opportunity indeed! Just weeks away from its debut, Destination Homes is working hard to bring our designs to life! While you wait in anticipation, we want to share with you some of our inspiration and what you can expect to see and feel in the Lakeside Loft.

We want people to feel like they're in a space where they can relax and really take in the amazing lake views that this loft has to offer. When you walk through the front doors, you'll feel a peaceful energy in the home. We've designed the entrance to be light, bright, and airy. White ship laps walls will surround the entryway and move up the stairway into the loft's living space. Needless to say, it will be a staple in this lake house design.

We'll extend that light color palette throughout the home to help achieve that lake-side feel we're looking for. It's always a good idea to keep the bones of the home neutral. This allows for the rest of your furnishings and accessories to really pop and make your space your own. One design trick we'll be using in this home is to float the furniture away from the walls, giving the illusion that the loft is much larger than it actually is.

From the very beginning of the design process, we made sure to make the lake the focal point in the home. The lake is so beautiful and really gives that feeling of relaxation that those feelings should extend into the home as well. We've brought a lot of greenery into our design to achieve this. You'll seamlessly be able to flow from the outdoors to indoors. Are you getting excited yet?

Stay tuned for more updates and sneak peeks of the Lakeside Loft over the next few weeks! We can't wait to show you how our vision comes to life! You can also find out more about the Lakeside Loft here.

Holly's Pick - Wallace Sofa

If you are having a hard time deciding which of the amazing new sofas to get at Wonderland I highly recommend the Wallace sofa. This sofa looks great in any space. I really love the tufted cushions, which adds striking detail to its square back. The sofa is not only beautiful, but comfortable as well. When paired with some great pillows, everyone will be asking about your new sofa!

You'd never guess it has a price tag as low as $1,430.00 either. So come check out the Wallace and all of our other new sofas here at Wonderland.

Show N' Tell - Cottonwood Craftsman

We recently completed a beautiful home renovation for a client and after much anticipation we're thrilled to finally show you the transformation! Looking at it now, it's hard to believe that this home started out with dark interior walls, deep stained wood finishes, and heavy Victorian furnishings. The home is now bright and inviting, which is exactly what our client was looking for! While there was quite a bit of demolition involved throughout the house, we were able to keep a lot of the home's original mill work by simply giving it a face lift with a new coat of paint and adding new finishes. We hope you enjoy this before/after transformation of the Cottonwood Craftsman!

Before:

After:

Gray Kitchen Cabinets: Benjamin Moore Dolphin | Counter Tops: Delicatus Granite Kitchen Back Splash: White Cliffs Random by Daltile | Walls: Benjamin Moore Pashmina Nursery Wallpaper: Hicks Grand Grey | Girls Bedroom Walls: Benjamin Moore Gray Owl Craft Room Wallpaper: Kelly Wearstler Crescent Lake Cream

- Natalie Ellis & Kristina Kellet

Photos by Eliesa Findleis Built by Upland Development

Rugs 101: Rug Design

Now that you're up to speed on the different types of rugs and where to use them throughout your home (check out that post here if you missed it), let's talk a little bit about rug design. If you have a room that's ready for a redo this summer, consider starting "from the ground up!" You might be surprised to learn that rugs are often times the jumping off point for us. Just as we dress the walls with art to establish the personality of a room, rugs are a piece of art on the floor that can inspire a complete design. Here are a few things you should consider when selecting a rug design for your space: 1) COLOR Select a colored rug that speaks to you and repeats your favorite hues throughout the design, or choose a dramatic rug and let it be the colorful statement piece in a neutral room.

2) MOOD Your rug can dictate the mood of your space. For example, a traditional or structured print feels more formal,  a loose and abstract pattern will evoke a light and airy feeling, and a neutral rug with a relaxed stripe can create a more casual atmosphere.

3) STYLE Maybe you’ve fallen in love with a gorgeous oriental rug or are inspired by beautiful geometric Navajo and Aztec prints. If that’s the case, go with it! Let your rug determine the design style in your room. For instance, with a Southwest rug, simply add some woven baskets and repeat geometric shapes throughout the space and you will have a cohesive design.

As we always say, your home should be your favorite place on earth! Keep that in mind when selecting your next rug and choose something that you will love now and for years to come! Because the best design is one you love.

Susan's Pick - Cutting Boards

There's nothing more stylish and versatile in your kitchen than a great wooden cutting board. At our new store, Wonderland by Alice Lane, cutting boards come in many shapes, sizes, colors and with a price point between $15 to $86 they fit into any budget.

Use it for cutting and chopping to your hearts content or to serve up your favorite cheeses and accouterments. Sound fancy? It can be, but it's also hardworking, beautiful and down to earth. Just like you.

Did I mention they also make the perfect house-warming or hostess gift? It just so happens I have a dozen other perfect gifts in mind that you'll find at Wonderland. Curious what they are? Come check out our new store and I'll show you!

Lamp Sale - 20% Off In-Store Lamps

Need something to light up your Monday? Lucky you, our Lamp Sale is starting today! Get 20% off in-store table lamps and floor lamps now through July 4th. Sounds like a "bright" idea to me! Come see us and shop our large selection of lamps today.

Rugs 101: Types of Rugs

I love rugs! The right rug can really change the feel of a space, ground a furniture arrangement, create intimate settings out of one large space, and when selected properly - they just look goooood! However, understanding the world of rugs is really like learning a whole new language. Rug terminology can be tricky. Tufted, flat weave, hand-knotted, machine made...what does it all mean?! To help, keep these brief descriptions in mind the next time you go rug shopping: Flat Weave:  No pile, usually reversible, made of natural (cotton jute, wool) or synthetic fibers, comes in almost any color and pattern, are reasonably priced, and easy to clean. These rugs are excellent to use in your dining room or outdoor living spaces.

Hand-Knotted: Low to medium pile, extremely durable, generally made of wool, cotton (as a base only) and silk and no glues are used. This is the highest quality of rug you can buy and if made well they are great for high traffic areas.

Tufted: Low to medium pile. These have glue on the back to hold things in place and often times when you look at the back you can see the grid that the rug was tufted to. They are good for medium traffic areas. 

Power Loomed:  Machine made, have a latex/synthetic backing with glue sprayed on it, can be any length of pile, any color or pattern, and are generally the most reasonably priced.

When selecting a rug, make sure to consider the space it will be in.  Does it need to clear a door way? Use a no/low pile rug that has durability. Is it the first thing your feet touch when you get out of bed in the morning? Try using a high pile rug made with silk/viscose for extra softness. Do you need it to outlast your rambunctious kids while still making a statement?  Go for a durable hand-knotted beauty.  Let the construction and materials be your guide.  Also don’t forget the rug pad! This will reduce slippage and hold the rug in place, as well as add years to the life of your rug. And of course, if you have questions, our store stylists are always available to help guide you through the process.

Lauren's Pick - Park Avenue Bed @ Wonderland

We're excited to showcase some of our favorite items from our new store, Wonderland by Alice Lane. With so many beautiful new things to pick from, it's hard to pick a favorite! So let’s start by talking beds. The classic and elegant Park Avenue Bed recently made an appearance in our French Moderne Manor parade home, and we have been drooling over it!

The classic tufting, sophisticated lines and attention grabbing scale make it an irresistible focal point in any bedroom.

The best thing about the Park Avenue is its style versatility. Dress it up, or dress it down for a sophisticated yet comfortable look. Make sure to stop into Wonderland to see this superstar currently selling for $1,167.50. And stay tuned over the next few weeks as we showcase some more of our favorite finds from Wonderland!

Closet Styling Tips & Tricks

In our recent reveal of Cara Loren's fashion-forward closet (check it out here if you missed it!) I shared some tips on how we made her closet work perfectly for her. While you may not have the same luxury of converting an entire 11' x 11' room into your own personal closet, there are a few styling tricks you can do to help make your closet look just as fabulous! First things first...organize! A closet can look pretty blasé when it's crammed full of nothing but clothes, shoes, and accessories. I know, I know...where else are you supposed to put it all!? Start by sorting through your pieces and putting like things together. Whether you sort by colors or styles, grouping like things together gives your closet a more cohesive look! If you're really shy on space, a great trick is to switch out your clothes seasonally and put those bulky winter items away in storage for a few months.

Okay...now that you're organized, the real fun can begin! Even if you have the most beautiful clothes in the world, it's the accessorizing that makes or breaks a closet. My first tip -- use coffee table fashion books! They're perfect to lay flat and stack shoes on top of, lean them against a shelf wall, or push them to the back so everything in front can support that look. A beautiful book cover with interesting photography can make any of your shoes or purses seem like runway fashion!

Next, pull in sculptural objects to give your eye somewhere to rest in between all the purses and shoes. Objects don't take up a lot of space, but they complete the look. You can even make them useful by draping necklaces or hats on them.

Trays are by far the most beautiful and functional way to group small collections of lipsticks, jewelry, or clutches together. Everything looks less random when it's housed in a beautiful way.

A favorite trick of mine when styling any type of shelving is to push a piece of art or photography against the back wall (or cubby in the case of your closet). It gives your eye something to read and makes everything up front look dressed up.

If you have windows in your closet...don't forget window treatments! Window treatments can help stabilize your space. Go all out with a bold and fashionable print like we did for Cara. Whatever you do, make it you!

Now you know all the tips and tricks! Have fun styling your closet like you would any of your daily outfits! Who knows, maybe afterward you'll even feel inspired to start your own fashion blog!

 Photo Credit: Nicole Gerulat

Cara Loren on Alice Lane: The Reveal

The art of closet design is like a strategic puzzle -- in order for it to work and be beautiful, everything must fit! When it comes to Cara Loren's closet...there are a lot of shoes to fill! Both literally and figuratively. It’s not just a place for Cara to hang her clothes at the end of the day. You see, Cara’s clothes are her job! Her closet serves as both an office, set design for tutorials, and houses the volumes of clothes, clutches, coats, and jewelry that she pulls from to create her looks. Now if you ask me, that’s a big job for an 11' x 11' room.

With the right design though, the last puzzle piece fits and the final result is picturesque! We hope you’ll enjoy some of the highlights below and reading our thoughts on what made her closet both successful and beautiful!

Island: Her closet island is the perfect height (36”) to stand and fold clothes on, prep outfits, and even pack for trips. Plus it’s loaded with drawers! Twenty-two drawers to be exact. Each are filled with its own specific item: socks, slips, bras, tights, pants, or jewelry. You name it, its got a drawer. The island top has 4 beveled glass panels that allow you to view the jewelry in the top drawers, like a jewelry case. Oh! And we made all of the interiors of the drawers pink! Ever noticed how everyone and everything looks good in pink!?

Built-Ins: Grouping like colors and styles together help tell a story. Each little scene has a cohesive look; whether it be party brights, neutrals and metallic, black and white, etc. The upper cubbies are a good place for this type of styling. It’s not everyday useful stuff, but the eye loves all of these beautiful moments. We kept all of the items Cara uses and needs most within reach and at eye level or lower to the ground.

Finishes: While it’s a large closet, we had no trouble filling up the shelves! So knowing where to pull a punch or where to keep things visually quiet was key to not overwhelming the eye. We did this by keeping contrast at a minimum, using dark tones instead of the traditional white closet interiors. The closet has 3 large windows that filter in a lot of natural sunlight, so we felt good about using our smokey tones, black carpet, and cerused black island. We mirrored the backs of all the open shelving to give some sparkle, reflect light, and add depth. Mirrors are a great space-expanding trick! The upper cubbies, however, we painted the same color as the ceiling to give it that "hat box" effect. I love how the upper vignettes look styled inside those dark shells! It’s so sophisticated, and makes it look like everything is on stage!

Function: Heel toe, Heel toe… light to dark, short to long. After arranging hundreds of clothes and shoes it became quite the song and dance! We grouped like items together which resulted in a more cohesive finished look (and less like a garage sale), and also makes things easier to find. One type of hanger was used throughout. Cara opted for the thinner space-saving black velour hangers. They play the perfect supporting role! Everything in the closet serves a purpose, even that lamp does it’s job to not just give off light but to also hold necklaces!

Cara’s fashion sense always seems to put a twist on a trend. She’s constantly surprising, inspiring, and challenging us to think outside the fashion box. Her ability to combine things in unusual ways to get a “look” that isn’t ordinary is what I love about her style! Working with Cara on her closet was a joy.

She’s every girl…easy, approachable, kind, and real. But she just happens to be extraordinarily beautiful and great at what she does, too!

Designers: Stacie Graves & Jessica Bennett Photo Credit: Nicole Gerulat

Parade of Homes - French Moderne Manor

The Utah Valley Parade of Homes has begun and we're honored to be a part of it this year! The parade is known for showcasing some of the most beautifully designed homes in the valley. Our project, of course, is of no exception! In collaboration with McEwan Custom Homes, we designed and furnished the most beautiful modern French-style home in the hills of Highland, UT. Appropriately named the French Moderne Manor.

If you plan on attending the 2015 Utah Valley Parde of Homes, you definitely need to add this home to your "must see" list (home #25). The parade runs through June 20 and you can tour the home Tuesday - Saturday from noon to 5:00 p.m. You can buy tickets online at uvparade.com.

For those of you unable to attend, don't worry...we'll be giving you a virtual tour of the home on the blog over the next several weeks, so stay tuned! In the meantime, here are a few sneak peeks to get your heart racing...

Wonderland - Stylish & Afforable

Hopefully by now you've heard our exciting news - We've rebranded our Orem store to Wonderland by Alice Lane! It's an entirely new concept store by Alice Lane Home with all new product lines and vendors. It offers stylish and affordable home furnishings, accessories, and gifts and has something for everyone to love! Thanks to our amazing customers, both loyal and new, Wonderland is off to exciting start!

So why the rebrand, you ask? The answer - you asked for it! We have so many admirers of our store and this was an opportunity for us to be more inclusive and make that Alice Lane look accessible to everyone. What seemed impossible at first has quickly become our reality! After months of searching and planning, our talented team hand picked these stylish and affordable pieces for our Wonderland collection, just for you.

Offering more than just home furnishings and accessories, our Orem store is full of the best gifts too! There's everything from aromatic candles to gold dipped jewelry and even hand made clutches and purses.

 

Be sure to follow @wonderlandbyalicelane on instagram for new product finds and store happenings. Wonderland is located in our original Orem location at 1350 S. State State, so come stop by and get lost in Wonderland! And for those who want to continue to shop our original Alice Lane Home Collection, you will still find us at Trolley Square in Salt Lake City.

Debi's Pick - Large Art

I like big art and I cannot lie! OK...enough of the Sir Mix A Lot parodies, but really...there's nothing that transforms a room more than an over sized piece of art.

The size makes every subject more graphic, and it both elevates and grounds the room at the same time.

Whether colorful or neutral, photographic or just graphic, hung or propped, a large piece of art makes a statement that is both confident and fresh! So, when you're looking for that special something to take your room to the next level...Go big! We always have a variety of large art pieces throughout the store, so come stop by and get some inspiration or find that perfect piece that will give your room some back!

Kiana's Pick - Temple Jars

Temple Jars are a staple accessory at Alice Lane! We love using them in so many different settings. I especially love them for the spring and summer months to display live blooms or branches.

Use multiple sizes and styles to make it even more interesting. They look great in a grouping as a centerpiece on your dining table. Or, style a collection of a few jars together on a mantle, console table, or dresser.

A single large jar with full branches looks great on an entry table. You can’t go wrong with these bad boys! It's not wonder they're a favorite!

We just got a large shipment of temple jars in, so come stop by and pick out your very own temple jar to style in your home.

Side Table Stardom

And the Best Supporting Side Table Goes To….! When we begin designing a room, we typically start by casting major pieces first, or what we like to call the star of the space. In a living room, this is likely to be an amazing rug, the main statement-making sofa, a super stylish cocktail table, or a unique chair. Then we fill in the space with supporting actors, like side tables, lamps, decorative pillows and accents. Just as in the big blockbuster movies we love to rush out and see opening weekend, the best spaces employ a mix of shining stars and strong supporting pieces.

When selecting your Best Supporting Side Table – here are some directors’ cues:

1. Make sure the scale of the table is appropriate to the room and to the adjoining upholstery pieces. Larger spaces can handle tables that are both wide and deep, but a smaller room might need something that feels more open – try a leggy table with a low shelf or a Lucite side table to take up minimal visual weight.

2. Try using side tables that will provide juxtaposition to your cocktail table – for example, if your cocktail table is leggy and glass, use a wood side table with some closed storage. If your space is small and you want both pieces to feel light, try mixing up the shape with a round side table or one with angular legs.

3. A pair of side tables flanking a sofa creates a great formal look, but if your space calls for a second style of table, make sure your choices complement one another without matching exactly. A mix of styles creates depth and will elevate your design performance to Oscar worthy, while a matching set tends to look like student work.

So when you’re looking for your Mammy to go with your Scarlett O’Hara (link: Movies Where Both Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress Won Oscars) don’t just throw any old side table into the mix. Make sure you get that Best Supporting Side Table trophy! Plus it's always nice when you can achieve stardom at a discount. Through the rest this week get 20% off any side table during The Very Best Sale. All upholstery and casegoods included. Now go break a leg!

(images via Elle Décor, Veranda)

Our Secret Revealed...Wonderland by Alice Lane!

 

Andrea's Pick - Jet Set Curio

From the first time I laid eyes on the Jet Set Curio, I knew I’d never be the same. This piece strikes the perfect balance of modern and glamour. I can definitely see myself in it...literally!

Between the clean lines of the silhouette and paneled doors, combined with the mirrors and hammered gold hardware, I say this cabinet can do no wrong. The Jet Set Curio Cabinet is sophisticated, yet versatile enough to work in many spaces.

Whether you find it a home in your dining room or bedroom, it will make a striking statement! She's 20% off right now during The Very Best Sale, which has been extended through May 16. Come in today and see for yourself just how good you'll look in it!

Book Shelf Styling

Styling a bookcase can be a tricky thing if you don’t have enough books to fill all of the spaces on the shelf. They can easily become very busy and cluttered if they’re not well planned out. I’d love to share a few of my favorite tips and tricks to help you find success when styling your shelves.

I love neutrals, so naturally my heart loves a white clean book shelf to start with. Using multiple pieces and books that are white, gray, or black are a sure fire way to keep your shelves looking clean, and not overly cluttered (even if you do have a lot on them). I always like to layer in some warmer pieces as well with either wood sculptures, woven baskets, or greenery to make sure it doesn't pull on the side of too cold or stark. Using lighter looking pieces like glass bottles on the top shelves helps you steer clear from making the shelf appear top heavy.

Layering art inside your book shelf is an excellent trick that I feel is sometimes over looked. It’s an opportunity to be reminded of some of your favorite memories with family or friends and can serve as conversation starters when entertaining. Art gives your shelving a custom look that is specific to only you. So even if your neighbor has the same bookcase, layering in your own art can make it look like a completely different piece.

Art is not only good on the inside of your shelving, but if you have built-ins, take the opportunity to layer art over your shelf too. It will make the space feel more collected and also cover up some space that you may have trouble filling otherwise. My biggest tip that I feel is most important when styling your shelves (especially if they’re large) is to use the largest pieces that you can.  They can stand on their own, acting as beautiful sculptures, and will keep you from over styling your shelves.

Keep it clean, keep it collected, and use art and sculptural pieces to make your shelving your very own. Our Very Best Sale has been extended (20% off!) so come to one of our two locations in Orem or Salt lake to find a shelf that will be the perfect fit for your home!