Dear Alice | How to Style When You Have Conflicting Tastes

This week’s episode is all about how to make your home cohesive when you have different tastes! Whether you’re building a home or putting on the finishing styling touches, it’s hard to navigate how to design your home when you have a spouse with different tastes. This week’s episode can be found on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or Google Podcast.

We can design with any beloved and conflicting styles by creating a North Star for all of our clients- they’re collected images (a lot of the time from Pinterest) that express what your vision is and keep you on a clear path of your style of home. It’s so important because most people can’t communicate what they’re drawn to or don’t understand exactly what a design term actually means. Of course, everyone that’s going to live in your home needs to be reflected in the North Star. You can do it virtually, physically with papers, or on Pinterest boards- you just need to see what you like and don’t like. Go on dates with your spouse and pick out your favorite paint colors, finishes and pieces- it makes for a really fun date night! Don’t assume your spouse doesn’t care about your home- ask their opinion and try to find common ground.

You should never hate anything in your home- you might not like it but as long as you can compromise, you’ll have a happy home. Passion is infectious, especially in your spouse so ask them and yourself why they love or hate something in a space so you’ll understand the why. Mix mastering is realizing that new styles are often a reaction to a different style and as long as you know the specifics of what draws you and your spouse, you both can find pieces of certain styles of design to incorporate into your home in order to compromise.

Consider who is using which rooms; if your spouse is going to primarily use the office, let them design the office. If your family loves to cook together, involve your family in the process. Prioritize your spaces- the others might not be the hill for you to die on. Pay attention to the little things- the details might be really important to them and make them feel wildly involved. No couples come to us with the same taste so be ready to make some adjustments. Generally speaking, men typically like simple and contemporary designs, women want cozy and lived in; a builder told us recently that older folks want contemporary homes and young folks want traditional homes so of course there’s lots of life experience that come into play when picking and designing your home.

Pay attention to the way you and your spouse react to pieces or the visuals when designing your home- that’ll tell you all you need to know. Any questions or podcast ideas? Email us at dearalice@alicelanehome.com

Dear Alice | Make a Rental Feel like a Home

This week’s episode is about how to make your rental feel cozy and chic! It’s no secret that renting can be restrictive but that’s no excuse to not make it a beautiful home. This week’s episode can be found on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or Google Podcast.

Renting is a fantastic time to start your collections- the longer you live in a rental, the more you’ll know about what you want in a home and what speaks to you.

Some landlords might not let you hang art because of holes in the wall but it’s important to have art up. OOK has brass hooks to hold artwork with tiny nails that are easy to fill. You need to go big in your scale- nothing feels more awkward than a small piece of artwork on an empty wall.

Invest in those rugs because you can hide the rental carpet and hardwood. Rugs can be expensive but you’ll take them into your new home and have them around for years.

Drapery rods (not Romans) are something to invest in- you might need to get new drapes when moving to your home to fit the space but you can take rods anywhere. You can use sheers to hide an ugly view while still letting the sun come through. Unclip those vertical drapes, hide them in a closet and put up some chic drapery- it’ll make the room 20 years younger.

You might be able to paint or replace hardware- talk with your landlord and let them know you’re trying to update the space by giving them a vision board. Replacing hardware can make a kitchen feel more authentic to you and give it character but make sure to measure correctly so you don’t end up needing to redrill.

No Ikea furniture unless you can’t afford anything else. Cheap furniture can make your entire place look dated and you might as well get the pieces you’ll be putting into your home without having to purchase two sets and donating or tossing the first set.

Get ride of that boob light (flush mount) as soon as you can; get great lamps that are at least 30” tall that you’ll take to your home! Get them in pairs and don’t get the daylight bulbs because you’ll look blue.

Bring in the green! We want a big ‘ole tree- not a little baby succulent. You can go to a nursery or to places like Lowes or Home Depot. We love that they soften corners, are sculptural while being asymmetrical and brings the eye up. We love olives, fiddle leafs, palms, and birds of paradise. If you put a tree, you’ll get an endless amount of compliments. You could also do cute branches or dried florals.

Sconces are great to put around a staircase, near a piano, or on your side of the bed if you don’t have a night stand.

When you’ve got interesting things to look at, all the things you don’t like about the rental will float away. We just want you to live in your spaces to the fullest and to remember that just because your rental may not be “a house you bought” doesn’t mean it’s not a home. Any questions or podcast ideas? Email us at dearalice@alicelanehome.com

Dear Alice | Buy, Build or Remodel

This week’s episode is about how to figure out if buying, building or remodeling is right for you! There’s many paths to take when you’re deciding on your dream home and the “right” path completely depends on who you are as a person and what your family is prepared for. This week’s episode can be found on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or Google Podcast.

If you’re not good at making decisions, don’t like that people have lived their previously, or need the quickest and cheapest option- you’re probably already have a feeling of what is best for you.

You are good candidate for a remodel if you like an old home and charming neighborhood. Just because it’s not new doesn’t mean it’s cheap because you don’t know what’s going on behind walls and with plumbing so you’ll need a fluid budget for wild things to happen. If you’re thinking about remodeling out an area of an home, consider tearing it out and building because it might be cheaper over time. A good and bad thing is that it can go on forever because there’s always room for improvement so if you love to renovate, it may never end. They’re wonderful because there’s room to dream about how to give it new life and because you can live with it while you’re chipping away at it.

A new build is good for someone who knows what they want and have the vision- if you’ve done the prep work and already know what you want, the less stressful it’ll be. It can take over your life so if you need help, hire your designer- don’t ask your friends. We like to get started on design details 6 months before breaking ground. There’s a lot of city fees so know your limit and make sure your architect knows that so they respect it and you have money for landscaping and random expenses. Strangely, appliances are months out right now so buy them as soon as you break ground so you hopefully won’t have to live without them. It’s very helpful to live in a rental home beforehand to know what you want when you build- new homes are such a big responsibility because a well built home can be around for hundreds of years so make sure to do right by them.

If you don’t love waiting or makes decisions- buy a finished home so you are ready to move in from the get go while slowly swapping out pieces that feel like yours. Building and designing are not the same thing so you can just buy a walk in ready home and get it styled by an interior designer.

You know yourself best so be honest with yourself and follow your heart. Any questions or podcast ideas? Email us at dearalice@alicelanehome.com

Dear Alice | Staircases

This week’s episode is all about everything staircases! There’s so many things that go into creating the grandest of staircases; they’re truly something to boast in your home so you have to make sure you’re doing it right! This week’s episode can be found on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or Google Podcast.

An old staircase can really date a home- don’t try to rescue it if you don’t love it; tear it out and do it right. The anatomy of a staircase includes; balusters, treads, and handrails.

Treads are the spot you step on. End caps on them are an eyesore so make sure to do solid wood tread with a carpeted runner over them. Surge the sides and bottoms and use stair runner rods to feel really expensive and tailored. If you have a curved staircase, stay away from any geometric patterns and lines so it doesn’t end up looking goofy. If you are choosing between wooden or carpeted staircases, choose wood and save up for the runner which generally tend to be $1,400-$3,500. Use an engineered wood floor and leave 4-6 inches of wood on each side of your runner to really make the most of it.

Dramatic newel posts aren’t as important anymore- balusters are taking over and are more graceful. There are so many options to use for balustrades that’ll instantly give your home so much personality - iron is trending (use natural and not powder coated) but wood can be so charming. You can go custom or look at different pre-manufactured ones but as long as you keep them refined and timeless, you’ll be good to go.

We’ll do paneled handrail and almost always take out a pony wall if there is one. If you’re going to keep it, you should panel it or chop it down- it closes off your home and make it feel cold.

Wood handrail mixed with iron rails are find to do; you can mix or go all in on one material although of course using all one looks more uniform.

To finish it all off, we will do paneling and put sconces on the wall along the staircase to make it feel really regal!

The balusters and runners are most important so make sure you’re doing those right! Any questions or podcast ideas? Email us at dearalice@alicelanehome.com

Dear Alice | Accent Pieces

This week’s episode is about accent pieces! We’re obsessed with accent pieces because they can be the finishing touch to make a house feel like a home. This week’s episode can be found on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or Google Podcast.

Accent pieces are the things that tells your story and has an opinion; it contradicts the ordinary. If you’re hunting for more, look over the pieces you already have and make sure you’re displaying them; the wilder the pieces, the better! Pieces with character are going to be way more interesting. If there’s a style you love that you feel is lacking, inject it in your accent pieces. When you travel, look through antique stores and find those hidden gems!

If it’s an important piece, invest in pedestals or glass boxes to show them off. Sculptures and busts are so stately and demand attention- put them on a pedestal to celebrate them; it gives your pieces immediate importance. Park your pedestal in between two windows and notice how quickly they become the center of attention.

Quirky accent chairs don’t have to be the main seating- think of it more like an art piece, especially because they don’t have to match. Three dimensional art that lifts off of a wall will liven up your room; we also use rugs as wall art as well (we put nails right through the rug into the wall)!

Teak root balls are so beautiful and instantly warm up a room and make it feel more organic.

Fun lamps with goofy shades are incredible and one of a kind.

Table torches are so unique and fun.

Railing is such a good way to switch it up and make a home feel like a completely different.

Bar carts are made to be filled with treasures; wether you fill them with fun beverages or put one in a bathroom filled with bath bombs- they can do no wrong.

At the end of the day, it’s all in the details so make sure those pieces speak to who you truly are. Any questions or podcast ideas? Email us at dearalice@alicelanehome.com

Dear Alice | Countertops

This week’s episode is about everything countertops! We’re really passionate about natural materials because they always draw us in and give good energy back to us so investing in a quality countertop is a must! This week’s episode can be found on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or Google Podcast.

Quartzite is beautiful and really tough so it’ll withstand the test of time because it has the same qualities of marble without being absorbent. Because it’s harder than marble, it’s nice for places that have more wear and tear to them like a kitchen. You can get them in light colors with veining so the world is truly your oyster when it comes to quartzite. We use the Macaubas and Taj Mahal stone a lot! Quarts is man-made so you can’t put a hot items on it because they’re ground up and mixed so just invest in a quartzite- you’ll thank us later!

A fireplace might call more for a marble because you can sculpt ornate details into it easier. Bathroom and showers are a nice place to use marble; you can use it in a kitchen but you’ll have to be okay with the character that comes with it. Ask your slab yard people for the best way to upkeep it- it might be expensive but it’s very worth it. Marble is very rich and timeless- it can be more charming the more it gets lived in. Be aware of acidic items on it though because they can get etched onto it, you’ll have to get it buffed and resealed every few years.

When we typically think of granite, we think of gross speckle-y brown stone- we won’t typically use granite but we don’t write it off completely. We only use a super white granite so make sure you’re aware of what you are drawn to so you can find it. There are different grades of granite and can have sweeping veins in it so there are options out there if you’re passionate about it!

Concrete is another option. We don’t use it often because it’s really porous, can chip, crumble and crack. It’s nice if you are drawn to styles that are very casual and industrial. It might be nice maybe in a garage but in general, it’s not as practical. If you have wooden cabinets, they might shift around so keep that in mind. Don’t use it outdoors if you’re in a climate that’s prone to freezing and thawing because it will crack- use a natural stone that can uphold a shift in temperature.

Soapstone is a softer stone; it’s a living material that can go from light grey to dark grey because you can to oil it to get to the tone you want it to be. There’s a quartzite that looks like soapstone if you’re looking for a stone that’s more durable with the same look. It’s very organic looking and like concrete, feels more industrial and casual. You’ll see stones that lean more blue, green or grey so get a tone that fits your home.

Wood/ butcher block is nice to break it up. We’ve done islands that are half butcher block for prep. It has a culinary casualness and artisan feel to it. The end grain of butcher block absorbs the least amount of moisture (although all wood will be absorbent to some degree) and it feels really special with the checkerboard pattern. You have to treat and coat it fairly often so be aware of the upkeep to it. We probably wouldn’t do an entire kitchen in wood but we primarily use it for work surfaces- you don’t want too much of a good thing.

We’ll use a large slab and reuse parts of it throughout the house to be economical- bathroom vanities, shower seats, mantle surrounds or even as artwork; be creative!

It’s fun to go to a slab bone yard and see all wild pieces that might be there! Ask the people at the slab yard to see what nobody buys- it such an enjoyable experience! We don’t make decisions on the slab until we get there; picking out your slab is like buying artwork- you can have an emotional reaction to it and be completely taken back by what you end up loving. Be flexible and keep in mind the practicality of the stone for your lifestyle.

At the end of the day, everyone should go to a slab yard on a date! If you’re shopping for stone, keep in mind the practicality of what you need and let your perfect slab find you. Any questions or podcast ideas? Email us at dearalice@alicelanehome.com

Dear Alice | Carpet 101

First of all- we are so excited to let you know we’re ranked the second podcast for Apple's US interior design podcasts- thank you so much for getting us there; we quite literally couldn’t do it without you! We interviewed some of our favorite people within the world of carpet for everything hot and best practices in carpet and we can’t wait to share what we’ve learned! Ten years ago hardwood floors were only 10% of the home where now it’s 50% hardwood so carpet has taken a backseat but is still very charming and worthwhile in our opinion! This week’s episode can be found on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or Google Podcast.

Carpet is usually sold per square yard so keep that in mind when buying carpet. Also make sure to factor in installation to your budget as well! $60 a yard for carpet including install is where we usually end up at.

Carpets in bedrooms are lovely; waking up and feeling cozy when you’re stepping out of bed is unmatched and is much quieter. One thing we always think about- do you want to vacuum or mop your room; it feels wrong to mop it!

Closets also could use some carpet because it’s very nice and cozy. You don’t want to mop a closet when there’s fallen lint or fibers. The same carpet that’s in your room will be the same in your closet unless it’s separated by a bathroom and you want to do an accent carpet.

Stairs are lovely to put carpet on or at least a runner so you don’t slip down and it makes them much more interesting. It adds a lot of personality and is replaceable without being extremely expensive.

Basements are another good place to put them- they can be colder and is a great way to warm the space up. If you have a kitchenette, you can tile around that!

Your carpets will mostly be uniform throughout your home unless it’s a runner or accent carpet!

Don’t put carpet in the bathroom!! You don’t want it to get moldy and it especially should never go around the toilet. Do tile or some other hard surfaces in your bathrooms. You can have removable mats that are washable but nothing permanent and fiberous. 

Don’t put clipped/in set carpet in rooms- run the hard surfaces right to the mantle and corners of the room; it’s not the same thing as a rug. There should be no angles created by carpet! Boardroom carpet goes from wall to wall and is the only way to carpet a room in our opinion!

Accent carpet is more expensive than general carpet but very worth investing in because it’s the pocket square of your home. Stark carpet is great- we used it on Rachel Parcell’s runner and they’ve got a lower end line called Prestige which has a lot of the same carpets for much cheaper so do your research because they come from the same mill. Rosecore also has a lot of beautiful options! 

No carpet in dining rooms- it goes without saying but you don’t want to spill drinks or food and have it stain. It’s a great area for a rug thought if you’d like one!

We generally go for as light as we can while it still feels natural for the space while not being white or leaning yellow or grey- so think of your buff and oatmeal colors.

When shopping for carpet- polyester is generally cheaper, has a great range of color and is good to get stains out of although it has a lower melting point so if you clean it too hot when steaming it, you can melt it. It has a 7-10 year lifespan and most homes have polyester because of how budget friendly it is so don’t feel guilty about ripping it out. It’s generally around $18-$50/yard.

Nylon is a step up; some brands are pet friendly so it doesn’t stain as easily. It doesn’t have as many colors although for carpets we don’t look for crazy colors so it’s fine by us. Nylon has a 10-20 year lifespan and you can steam clean it so the performance is fantastic. It’s generally $40-$75/yard.

Wool is the best! It’s low luster so no shiny materials pop through and it’s a natural material that feels like it gives you energy back. We typically use this in our projects. It’s thick and dense with undyed fibers. It’s more difficult to clean so test clean it first and make sure to be delicate- you don’t want to get it too wet so use dry cleaning type products. It has a 12-25 year lifespan so it’s a worthwhile investment. You can ask the vendor if they can find a nylon that looks like a wool if wool isn’t in your budget!

Loop cut loop (or LCL ) are loops and tip of the carpet, is a mixed construction and is really trending right now. Low pile is best because you’ll want to put rugs on top of your carpet without it being floppy and will show those vacuum lines less. It’ll show off the rugs in a much more true way without shifting around. Don’t get cut pile; it’s having a bad hair day everyday and is high maintenance. Dig you finger in and see if you can find the spine- if you move it around and can see the spine, it might not be that great quality of carpet so keep looking!

Invest in your pads for longevity so your carpet doesn’t feel wave-y because of the pad. A half inch thick pad is best so it won’t break down before your carpet does. The higher the density number, the more dense it’ll be, the lower the number, the more squishy and comfortable it’ll be. Get one that’ll fit your lifestyle- if you’re wrestling kids, a squishy one might be better suited for you.  

Nothing will drive you crazier than walking over carpet you hate for years so make sure to get it right! Any questions or podcast ideas? Email us at dearalice@alicelanehome.com

Dear Alice | Outdoor Spaces and Fireplaces

In this week’s podcast, we’re chatting about outdoor spaces and fireplaces! Over the past year, we’ve learned how incredibly important our outdoor spaces are- especially if you’ve got a cozy fireplace to hang out around with all of your favorite people. This week’s episode can be found on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or Google Podcast.

We love a good deck, patio or a pool- you can never go wrong! Conversation and s’mores are such a dream and days last longer when you’re around an inviting fireplace. Rather than winding down in the evening, an outdoor experience will bring you so much joy and want to bring people over. It’s both therapeutic and poetic. 

Don’t put stone benches around the fire; be nice to your guests and get comfy seating- if you build it they will come. In desert/dry climates, stick to high quality metals in your furniture so they stand the test of time because outdoor furniture isn’t cheap. Like we always say- buy once, cry once! If a piece looks uncomfortable, it probably is. Make sure to space plan seating so the seating is the perfect distance away from the fire without being too hot or too far away. By a pool house is such a fun area to add a fireplace because of all the fun elements coming together. Make sure there’s a stool or smaller accent table so it’s functional and can be used to place things on. The pandemic taught us that we only want spaces that are functional, beautiful and comfortable so really invest in them!

Some people may recommend using a wood burning fireplace for s’mores and cooking food but we wouldn't worry about it tasting like gas if you buy a gas fireplace. Smoke travels so thats a win for gas and it has a more authentic feel. The fireplace table is very resort and fun to put your feet on although it’s not the best to warm yourself unless you’re super close to it so weight out those pros and cons.

Space is more usable when it’s shaded and not overbearingly hot so it might be nice to have a pergola, umbrella or shade cover.

Consider how to winterize your pieces; you’ll need to find out whether you’ll have covers or put them in storage.

Have fun with your outdoor lighting- use sconces or globe lights to really create an ambiance and help people find your home if they need to go to the bathroom. Landscaper can help with lighting most of the time!

The floor of your outdoor spaces don’t have to be concrete; you can use limestone, pavers (are so dang charming!), blue stone, concrete in large squares with turf in between, or pebble gravel (not fun to walk in heels over or barefoot)- the possibilities are truly endless!

Bring attitude to the space with accent pieces- generous planters, teak root balls, and fun side tables. Be cautious when working with a landscaper to make sure that they don’t attract bees and wasps but check if you could put an aromatic, cutting or vegetable garden. You could have vegetables or herbs growing around your spaces.

All in all, we’re just excited that these spaces are being brought to the forefront as important spaces to invest and spend time in! This simmer is going to be the best one yet! Any questions or podcast ideas? Email us at dearalice@alicelanehome.com

Dear Alice | Textures

In this week’s podcast, we’re talking texture! Texture might be the most neglected aspect of interior design which is so unfortunate because of how quickly they can change the feel of a room when utilized to its fullest potential! This week’s episode can be found on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or Google Podcast.

First and foremost, use different textures to bring interest into a space! Offset hard surfaces like dining tables and islands by bringing in some softness to make it really dynamic. We’re also always going to use different scaled textures like faux fur, velvets, leather, woven fabrics, sherpa, etc. You know when you’ve been in a home where people use just one textures; all leather, cherrywood or shiplap- just use a texture it in a or two spaces because there really is such thing as too much of a good thing. You don’t want to end up looking like you live in an old cabin by an excessive amount of one texture. Texture is great if you don’t want to use a lot of color and also if you’re into a specific color and need to break it up a bit more. If you’re going to lean more into neutrals and whites- get more high textured pieces. Make sure to use fun or easier to clean textures on your accent pieces like fur, sherpa and leather compared to different woven fabrics for bigger pieces of furniture like your sofas.

Not having any sheen in a fabric makes it more dry; think of your linen or woven textures. You can add more wet finishes to balance it out as if you were getting dressed for the day. If you’re room isn’t feeling right, try playing with those wet and dry textures. Get some skin in the game- leather, fur or animal print hide; it can feel really well traveled.

Don’t do matching loveseats or accent chairs with a sofa. A good change in texture and color would be nice to add some interest; having a complimentary pillow story will be the icing on the cake. No matter what, you’ll be starting in with your rug so you can get dimensional inspiration from it. Most people want to look “expensive” so you’ll want to invest in dense textures and scale although it doesn’t inherently mean it’ll be the most expensive fabric!

Some people can’t stand certain textures like velvet so make sure that what you choose will fit in in perfectly to you and your family’s life.

Lastly, think of your pets- you might not want to get a looped pattern if you have cats so they don’t claw them up and get their nails stuck in them.

And if you take anything from this episode- never order a bunch of fabric without getting a sample first; you’ll thank us later! Any questions or podcast ideas? Email us at dearalice@alicelanehome.com

Dear Alice | Pool Houses

In this week’s podcast, we’re chatting about pool houses! While they are a luxury as is, we have some tips and tricks to help take yours up a notch and feel like you’re living everyday at the most beautiful resort! This week’s episode can be found on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or Google Podcast.

A landscape architect will really come in handy when building your pool house. Think about the orientation- you want to be in a prime location so all of your guests don’t roast in the sun.

The exterior of your pool house should mimic the exterior of your home so there’s cohesiveness but the interior is where you can really let loose and go wild! In a perfect world, you should put in a bathroom, dressing area and a stacking washer and dryer so no one has to wait in line while being sopping wet- besides, what’s better than a warm towel? An outdoor shower would also be wonderful; you can put in a tile pad and privacy panels. We love wallpapering or painting fun colors and murals in the bathroom in the pool house- you only see it when it’s warm out (if you live in a place with actual seasons) so you won’t get sick of it. Consider what’s happening in the house and continue it outside so it looks unified and not like goofy patchwork. You want your pool house to feel so lively that it make you want to get off your couch and throw all the best parties!

Grilling is really big and deserves its own area- you should have enough prep space and cabinetry if you plan to be hosting and dining a ton. If you’re smoking meats, you want proper ventilation so you don’t run everyone out while making them smell like charcoal. You’ll want room for platters to hold food, spaces to hide serving ware and as a pro tip- have a silverware caddy ready to go so you’re not flustered and spilling them everywhere. Go all out if you can and get a snow cone machine or something just as memorable that your family loves! Most importantly, have big enough trashcans so everyone isn’t awkwardly holding onto their trash or putting them into overflowing tiny bathroom waste bins.

Get furniture that’s made specifically for the outdoors that can withstand the sun and weather because if not it’ll fade within the year. Fabrics that are UV protectant are important so your furniture doesn’t get sun rot. Space planning is also super important because outdoor furniture is expensive and you’ll want to get it right the first time around. Lead times are something to be aware of; if you want things around May, place your order in January. The pool house should effortlessly flow to the pool, wether it be with lounging or dining spaces. Teak is a no go and doesn’t fare well in places with desert climates like in Utah, Colorado and Nevada. Keep an eye on any iron frames you may have- like we always say; buy once, cry once! Look into those warranties and buy covers if you don’t have the space to store those larger pieces. Keep your furniture matching and cohesive so it feels really resort! TV’s are fun, especially when it gets dark out- get cozy and have fun watching your favorite shows while your guests are still swimming.

Outdoor drapery is so beautiful and elegant around a pergola; you can also get timed shades to really set a mood! Woven fabrics are really dreamy when sun comes through them as well so there’s no bad choices! 

Make sure the tile you choose is okay to use in your climate so won’t burn the bottom of your feet when you’re walking on it!

Most importantly, create your incredible pool party playlist now and bust out the heavy duty speakers because no pool house is ready for entertaining without some good tunes to set the vibe! Any questions or podcast ideas? Email us at dearalice@alicelanehome.com

Dear Alice | Trend Forecast

In this week’s podcast, we’re chatting about our trend forecast! While having a timeless home is important, incorporating some trendy elements into your come can freshen it up and be really fun! This week’s episode can be found on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or Google Podcast.

Green is the new black!

Desert tones for the win!

Understanding who you are and what you love is the most important when thinking about interior design because while trends are fun, you shouldn’t be throwing away money on things you’ll quickly get rid of. Don’t be afraid to be opinionated; at the end of the day just because your neighbor might be obsessed with a trend doesn’t mean you have to be too; if it’s not authentic to you, it won’t work. Don’t hop on trends when everyone is doing the same thing- at that point the train has left the station. Now it’s time to go through the list!

1. We’re leaning more towards sculptural than structural ; curved sofas, arms, chairs, tables, cabinetry, bullnose countertops, and softness in fireplaces. There’s not a lot of high contrast in a space. Kelly Wearstler described it as 80’s Italian; it’s simple and soft.

2. Fluting and reeding have our hearts. They are classical textures that we’re obsessed with! Tables have roundedness which is nice so everyone is equal distance away from each other.

3. Bold pops of colors with neutrals create a nice and interesting balance! Public spaces are neutral but bathrooms and formal areas are more fun with color blocking and wallpaper. It’s also nice when you have a huge piece of art with a strong color in a neutral room; it’s very gallery and makes you seem very cool. 

4. High styling accessories. Authentic accessories are better when you use them so just make sure they fit into your life. They’re high quality pieces you’ve invested in. Knowing when to pull back is important if you’re feeling cluttered so get rid of stuff that’s not functional, authentic, beautiful, meaningful.

5. Functionality and duality is in. Get rid of uncomfortable or unused items! Don’t “save for the best”; live beautifully like everyday is your favorite holiday!

6. Lux minimalism is very simple with a pure palette. It’s simple in color but big in scale and elegant texture.

7. The color of green is everything! Blue has been extremely popular but it’s shifting; we love the warmth in different green tones. There’s also a lot of influence from landscapes. Rust tones, nudes, desert tones are very big right now. 

8. We’re moving towards more casual design rather than grand. We’re inspired by your landscapes and outdoor spaces because being outdoors is better for the soul! Windows are getting much larger than ever before and we put them everywhere because everything looks better in natural light.

9. Entertainment spaces are a must; staying in is the new going out! We want to utilize your spaces to the max. Our homes reflect who we are and what we love to do!

Stay away from highly trendy things because at the end of the day, we want to invest in beautiful pieces that’ll look nice in your home longer than a couple of months! Any questions or podcast ideas? Email us at dearalice@alicelanehome.com

Dear Alice | Past Cool Unique Spaces

In this week’s podcast, we’re reminiscing about past spaces we’re still swooning over! When designing spaces that are 10,000-44,000 square feet, that leaves us a lot of room to have fun and design some really wild spaces. This week’s episode can be found on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or Google Podcast.

A landscape architect for our Garden Cottage project suggested building a thunder shack for the apple orchard so they wouldn’t get caught up in the rain which connected to the cottage and a little patio with a fireplace. Truly so perfect for showers, parties and as a guest house. It was another really romantic concept. There’s so many swings on their apple trees- does it get dreamier than that?

Another home we’re infatuated with is for the sweetest Sikh family. They make a lot of incredible Indian food so we made an aromatic kitchen off of their show kitchen which was very romantic to create. There were lots of space to store food and we to make sure that their countertops wouldn’t get stained by turmeric or any other colorful spices. Their dining room was to fit 20 people because they do host a lot of guests and put together incredible parties. They had a stunning prayer room with no furniture room so everyone could sit on the floor on the same level with a stunning stained glass window overlooking their garden. They also are designing in a special shoe storage by the foyer behind finished doors so all their guests can take their shoes off- not to protect the floors but to welcome their guests to their home and show that there’s intention and space for all of them. 

In Dallas we have a remodel that previously had a bigger formal dining room and a smaller kitchen but we knew we were going to open up the kitchen to make it larger and so we made a really charming keeping room that had a beautiful rounded window with a big tree outside. It’s a wonderful area for mom to hop on her laptop and do some work or have breakfast in peace while being baked in some sun. Sign up for our newsletter if you want to see the floor plan!  

There was a Hobbit house that connected their theater room with a tunnel. The tunnel is covered in sticks and all kins of fun natural elements and it ended at a big round door like in the Hobbit. The exterior door connects you to the backyard and there are 5 in-ground different sized trampolines. It was on four acres so there was enough room to play and get creative. Home overall is grand but those spaces made the feel of the home really joyous.

Glam rooms are getting more popular! They can be in a bathroom or in closets which can be as big as kitchens. They can have room for hair and make up artists and room for more if they want their kids in there or a film crew. Of course there’s lots of drawers and shelves for makeup and they’re all decked out with natural and artificial light. It’s quite lovely to have a beautiful dedicated space to the ritual of getting ready.

We had a client ask for a tatami room which is a traditional ritual room for relaxation and way of life. H lived in Japan and wanted to incorporate that into his home. He was a successful businessman with investors from Japan and all other parts of the world so it was a nice way to welcome and meet with his guests.

Basketball courts are getting more common for homes with 10,000+ sq ft. It doesn’t have to be a full court but no matter what, they are so fun! Clients can get tactem panels to help with acoustics and can stencil fun things onto the floor to make it the court of their dreams.

Not all closets are created equally! Tan France’s closet was such a dream. His home is a smaller older home filled with big designs. We renovated his attic into a beautiful closet with tons of vaults and steep pitches. Striped wallpaper followed the pitches, there was a huge mirrored wall and beautiful staircase leading into it. We’re building out a crazy closet for an influencer- a “His and Her’s” two story closet. He’s a sneaker head and she’s very glamorous so they need all the space they can get. For a different influencer, we used the closet for him and pushed out a wall for her and used an office with bay windows for her closet. We use our closets everyday so might as well dream big!

We designed a game room with stunning purple velvet walls for an NBA player. Game rooms are very common among professional players for their off time so we want them to be really relaxing but super fun spaces. Our client specifically wanted it to feel exotic so it was very regal with the velvet and there are fiberglass panels so there won't be any sound coming out from that room. 

Commercial work is fun because they’re looking to be very eye catching within a first impression. In Stix, we had artwork blown up along an entire wall- it was really striking and beautiful. We’ve done an ad agency, software company, chocolate shop, cabinet shop, recording studio, and excitingly, we’re working on our own building! It's 20,000 sq ft on the main level and it’s got an upstairs level so people can shop and we can have all our employees there.  We’re so excited to design it and share more as it comes together!

You can make any space memorable by being authentic to who you are- just remember to have fun while bringing it together. Any questions or podcast ideas? Email us at dearalice@alicelanehome.com