12 Days of Gifting

It's that time of year—to splurge on those you love. We've compiled a festive gift guide to aid you in your quest to gift just the right thing to everyone on your list (especially if that list includes you)!

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On the first day of Christmas ... say yes to carbs.

On the second day of Christmas ... cuddle up with pure merino wool.

On the third day of Christmas ... keep things fancy with gold-filled arches.

On the fourth day of Christmas ... make bon appétit a reality.

On the fifth day of Christmas ... wash up with lavender, jasmine or anise.

On the sixth day of Christmas ... pair this runner with your table for a match made in Heaven.

On the seventh day of Christmas ... say hello to our rainbow compacts, the perfect mate for touch-ups on the go.

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On the eighth day of Christmas ... stash your beauty essentials in style.

On the ninth day of Christmas ... bookend your collection with rose quartz.

On the tenth day of Christmas ... add charm to your tabletop.

On the eleventh day of Christmas ... keep things classy with smoke glass decanters.

On the twelfth day of Christmas ... plop your roses in a new, marbleized garden.

Disclaimer to the happy shopper: Order items no later than December 10th to get them by Christmas.

Show N' Tell - Emily Jackson's Family Room

Say hello to stylish, opinionated and cozy. We believe that great design is functional, fits the way you live, and is a reflection of you. When we set to work on Emily Jackson’s family room, we wanted to accomplish just that. We spent months designing a space that matched her fashionable flair with comfort, function and ease.

To begin the process, we sat down with Emily to discuss her vision. We weren’t surprised when she gave us her simple criteria for the space: comfortable, chic and kid-friendly. Although Emily is a fashion blogger and devotes a good portion of her time surrounded by the dernier cri, her dream was to create a family room with usable space—space for games, toys and fun. A gathering space for her entire family.

We approached the room with both her kids and key fashion-forward pieces in mind. Other than over-scaled built-ins, the space was a blank canvas. We thought of the built-ins as light blue denim and asked ourselves: What might Emily pair with light denim jeans?

Maybe an acid wash jacket and vintage purse?

Easy enough.

We searched for a rug with an acid wash feel to it. When designing, we always start from the ground up so it was important for us to find a rug that stayed true to Emily’s contemporary taste. We splurged on a hand-knotted, soft-like-silk, 10-by-14 foot stunner that wasn't too young, too trendy or too obvious. It was perfect.

From there, we lent our time to upholstery. We wanted to find fabrics with a vintage flair that paired well with the color of the rug. We found our happy place in '70s-inspired hues, including brown sugar swivel chairs—the supernovas of the space—and a biscuit-colored sofa.

Due to the space’s large footprint, we knew we had to scale the sofa perfectly for it not to look like dollhouse furniture. We pushed together two sectional halves to create a super sofa—more than 13 feet of paradise. It’s deep and designed with enough room for her entire family to curl up on.

The volume of Emily’s family room is double story, meaning we needed to tone down the grandeur and let every piece hang out at a lower altitude. We kept all the furniture at a lower height—the sofa, ottomans, side table, consoles and cocktail table—so one piece isn’t more proud than the other. Our takeaway? You don’t need to do tall, grand things in tall, grand spaces in order to create a wow moment.

Once we had the groundwork laid with the right furniture, we began layering—what fashion is all about. It’s no different for a room.

We topped Emily’s side tables with fashionable accessories and earthy-toned lamps; filled her consoles with books on fashion and hidden storage for kid’s books and toys; mixed up the sofa and chairs with a different texture and pattern on every pillow; adorned her mantel with fun artwork, brass rings and a massive faux horn mirror that took three men and plenty of elbow grease to install. We made everything count.

We love taking someone’s needs and transforming them into a beautiful space with layers of practicality. The ultimate goal was to create a family room that accommodated Emily’s entire family and still felt leisurely, off-duty chic. What’s your favorite aspect of the space?

Design Principal Jessica Bennett and Emily Jackson

Kristina Kellett, Emily Jackson, Jessica Bennett

Shop Emily's family room here and hop on over to read Emily's take on the space here.

We’ll be delving into the details of Emily’s family room over the next few weeks! See you back here next week!

Show N' Tell - Modern Glass House

Well, it's been a few weeks since we've posted here on the blog, and what better way to say hello again than to share one of our most recent projects. We actually wrapped this project up earlier this year, but it's been under wraps until it's recent debut in Utah Style & Design magazine's Fall issue. We were thrilled to have it featured there this month! But in case you missed it (or maybe you just want a another look!), we'll be revealing the whole project today on the blog. It's very rare when a husband and wife have the same exact taste and want the same exact things. This was not one of those rare moments! In fact, the homeowners of this warm contemporary home were quite the opposite in their styles. He wanted minimalist modern. She wanted classic and cozy. They entrusted us to help them find the perfect mix. And that we did! We used a warm walnut throughout the home to keep the rest of the homes stark cool tones in check. Large paneled walls brought depth and interest, but by reversing the moldings it gave it a contemporary spin. Little ying and yang tricks like this made it all possible!

Thanks to the homes genius layout, the entire backside of the home is nearly floor to ceiling windows. And while the pictures don't do it justice, the view of the valley outback is amazing! We really want to highlight that feature and make sure our designs didn't obstruct that view. Upon entering the home you find yourself staring at a large open staircase. You can almost see right through those floating runs and open railing...refocusing you back on the incredible views.

While we typically would say a home's entry sets the tone for the rest of the house, we must say this one gives you a bit of a surprise upon entering the living spaces. The real "wow" factor comes when you see the massive 20 foot wall of marble surrounding the asymmetrical fireplace. It's not until that moment that you reeeeally get it. We chose a combination of modern and classic silhouettes to furnish this space, giving you all the comfort and visual interest you could ask for.

One of our favorite design features in the kitchen is how the oak hardwood floors ricochet off the kitchen island. It's a bit of an optical illusion really, but smart and well played. Again, we combined both modern and classic styles in the kitchen, with the grain-matched cabinets and the massive porcelain onyx hood surround. They just work so well together!

The mural wall was a special request from our client. The wife is a photographer and has a love for abstract photography. We loved the idea of turning that wall into vortex or sorts...making that TV almost completely disappears!

The master bedroom is definitely a slice of heaven. It's cool, crisp, and refreshing AND it's practically drowning in sunlight. So that's a win! We opted for simple window treatments here and throughout the home to once again highlight the views and minimize any obstructions. Don't be fooled by their simplicity though...each window is cased in walnut making them just as thoughtful and important.

Be sure to check out our online shop for many of our favorite pieces that we used throughout this home!

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photos by Lindsay Salazar Photography

Show N' Tell - A Neutral Nursery

Usually the first thing we ask our clients when designing a nursery is, "Are you having a boy? Or a girl?". So when our dear friend and client Natalie Hill Jensen told us she wasn't going to find out we were floored! How do you not find out!? We soon realized though that this nursery would be a special retreat for the mamma, and regardless of what gender the baby was this space was really designed for her! We started by picking gender neutral furnishings and finishes that could later be pulled in either direction once the baby was born. After the arrival of sweet little Lucie, we threw in a few extra pink accessories that easily tipped the scales for the perfect little girls room!

Natalie had just a few requests for us, one of them being she wanted items that could easily transition from one phase of life to the next. She also wanted a hint of a moroccan flare, a rocking chair that would work with both her short petite frame and her husband 6'8" build, AND a place to display her growing collection of children's book.

We selected this exquisite wood and bone inlay chest (our Everly Dresser) for the changing table. It's the perfect height and added that eclectic moroccan vibe she was looking for. We topped it off by adding some perfectly pink accessories where Natalie could stash her everyday baby essentials. Those blooms really gave this space a feminine touch!

The rug played a major role in the design. It's subtle rainbow of blue and pink was exactly what we needed! It could easily go either way, by playing up the blues or choosing to enhance the pink. It was fun to see the pink really come to life once we added all the extra accessories into the room. And of course, another moroccan touch with that nude leather pouf!

We kept the walls their original greige and then painted the ceiling a pale blue/gray. It's the perfect "lid on top" to the whole design. And don't you just LOVE this chandelier. Natalie instantly fell in love with it because it reminded her of the dressing room lights from of her Broadway days in NYC.

For this project, we reached out to our friends at Oilo Studio to help us find the perfect crib bedding. We selected their charcoal and gray linen bumper and Finn crib skirt because it was perfectly neutral! With the rug and the art already adding so much color and movement, we wanted the bedding to be soft and relaxing on the eyes. It's exactly what we needed.

This wall of books really acts as a piece of art! Seriously...they make the cutest children's books these days, and Natalie owns all of them! This is definitely the happiest little corner in the whole room with its vibrant colors and playful imagery. It always works out so well when you incorporate everyday objects into design.

We're not sure what it is, but there's something extra special about working on miniature spaces for miniature humans that get's us all gooey inside. It was a real treat to work on this sweet little space for Natalie and baby Lucie, and we can't wait to see how it grows with her in time!

SHOP THIS COLLECTION HERE

photos by nicole gerulat

The Very Best Sale starts now!

We're going from one of our biggest sales to our absolute BEST sale in one week flat! And this time...it's even online! Starting today, shop in-store and online and get 20% off ALL furniture. ALL. MONTH. LONG. After all...this is The Very Best Sale! Use promo code "TVBS20" at checkout!

Alice Lane Pick: Tibetan Fur Bench

The world is on a craze for Tibetan Fur, and we're no exception here at Alice Lane. We love it for a few reasons: it's beautiful, it's incredibly soft, and it's animal friendly. Cool fact: Tibetan fur is simply made from the long wool hair that is shaved off of Tibetan or Mongolian sheep when it comes time for a haircut. We love the natural curl of the wool and how it adds an incredible organic feel to any room. We've rounded up some of our favorite Tibetan fur benches (that you can now buy online!). With splayed wood legs and a Tibetan wool seat, our Otto bench is versatile as well as comfortable. It fits great in a bedroom, living room, or entry. Also available in a cube size, it fits perfectly under a console (a great trick for storing extra seating!) and is an aesthetically pleasing height.

The Bette ottoman really steps things up with it's sleek acrylic base. Seriously...does wool get any more glamorous?! We love to use this bench tucked under a vanity, or next to a buffet for extra seating. So tell us, what is your favorite Tibetan fur bench?

1. Bette Ottoman | 2. Otto Cube | 3. Otto Bench

Our BIGGEST Tent Sale Ever!

People! This is a big deal! For months and months we've been preparing for this most amazing show event. We've been purging our warehouse, pulling product, marking it down, then marking it down even more (because why not), and gathering it all together under the Big Top! That's right...it's time for another Tent Sale! This time, we're offering our lowest and best discounts right out of the gate on Alice Lane Home Collection and Wonderland by Alice Lane products. Some are still even in their boxes! So when we say it's our biggest Tent Sale yet, we really mean it. Mark your calendars and join us at our Orem location (look for the big white tent on the corner of State Street and University Parkway!) this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. First come, first serve. No holds. You're gonna want to be first!

Show N' Tell - Emily Jackson's Entry

Good morning and hellooooooo beautiful! We're thrilled to show you another chapter (and shop-able collection!) that we've been working on with the stylish Emily Jackson from The Ivory Lane. Her entry way! As you well know by now, we've been helping Emily put all of the final touches together in her new home (check out her kitchen and closet here). A home's entrance is so important because it gives you just a taste of what is to come. A bit of an appetizer, if you will. It should set the stage and give your guests that "wow" feeling that will make them want to see more. And since we believe you should always put your best foot forward, that's exactly what we did in Emily's entry. It's warm and welcoming, but still says "I'm bold and chic, and you're going to love me."

We chose to incorporate this modern art to add a bit of contrast to the space, and because we loved how it played so well with the curved paneling in our Elisabeth Buffet. It also brought out that bit of "edge" that we see in Emily's own personal style from time to time. So chic!

This subtle snake-skin rug was the perfect fit for her entry. We needed something large and with impact to help fill in the space between her front door and staircase, and we knew this would do just the trick. We love how this space turned out, and so does Emily! No doubt her guests will love it just as much from the second they walk in.

SHOP COLLECTION

Our Five Favorite House Plants

Earlier this month we had the opportunity to visit Studio 5 again and share some design tips with their viewers. They asked us to talk about a current trending topic: House Plants! Oddly enough, we've become quite the experts in this field (is "plant lady" a term?) as we've done our fair share of exploring the best plants for your home. In case you missed that segment, we thought we'd share a little bit more about that here on the blog today. So...here are our top 5 favorite house plants and what makes them so great!

1. Fiddle Leaf Fig - It's the current trend setter of the plant world and it's not hard to see why. Even if it is a little high-maintenance (needs a lot of indirect sunlight!), it's definitely high-style! Perfect for adding a little height to your space and bringing in that breath of fresh air.

2. Citrus Tree - When you need a little color, a citrus tree is the perfect plant. It bares bright fruit that is sure to make you smile, and it’s a perfectly functional plant too! You literally get to enjoy the fruits of your labor with this one.

3. Black Olive Tree - If you're looking for a tree with a more familiar silhouette, the olive tree is the one for you! It's the perfect in-door plant to match your transitional style, and out beats that dusty old ficus any day. It needs plenty of overhead space to grow, making it great to use in rooms with vaulted ceilings.

4. Orchid - It’s classic and timeless. If you’re one that enjoys blooms over leafy greens, the orchid is the perfect house plant for you. Its low maintenance nature (plop in 2 ice cubes once a week!) and small size makes it’s the perfect plant for your bathroom, kitchen, or entry.

5. Fern - Another classic, but this time with a facelift! Plant it in a bold stylish vase for a fresh look that won’t look like your grandmother’s fern. They're inexpensive, low-maintenance, and can be found just about anywhere. Can't go wrong!

Show N' Tell - Emily Jackson's Closet

As it turns out...we really love designing closets! Especially in the homes of high-end fashion bloggers such as Emily Jackson from The Ivory Lane. We've been working with Emily ever since she finished building her new home last year, when she asked us to help add all the finishing touches that would transform her house into a home. We started with her kitchen and dining area (see that post here) and then moved into one of the most important rooms in her house...the closet! When your job is to dress up in gorgeous clothes every day and take beautiful pictures, a well designed closet is a must! Emily had the bones of her closet in place, but felt it lacked that "fashion forward edge" that matched her own personal style. It's always fun to design for someone who's already so well immersed in fashion and design. It allows us to really push the envelope and be bold in our design choices. Luckily for us, Emily was all in and loved that we chose to enhanced her moody undertones into a full blown fashion-forward closet.

The new island is a major focal point in this design. Emily needed to the functionality of a large storage solution in her closet, but we made sure it packed just as much style as it did space. A-symmetrical drawers, mismatched hardware, vintage modern millwork, and the most gorgeous inset marble counter tops you ever did see! This baby is a show-stopper! Really, everything else sort of fell into place once we had the island design squared away.

Now...who wouldn't love a whole shoe wall! That is, as long as you have a few pair of Valentino heels to show off. We felt like this space needed to be more than just a place for Emily to stash her shoes...those puppies were practically begging for a little spotlight! We lined the backs of the shelves with some metallic cork wallpaper and now every shoe looks like it's on its own personal runway. Our Piper Stool was the perfect addition to this shoe corner. A place where Emily could quickly sit to put on her shoes and complete her outfit for the day. Just check out her Instagram feed...she really does use it!

Emily was so trusting of us, and that really makes the design process so much easier. Our creativity can just flow when there are no restrictions or hesitations, but it's always good to get a list of some "must haves" from our clients. For Emily, her "must haves" were privacy and a working space. Although that beautiful bay of large windows brings in the most gorgeous natural light (perfect for selfies), it also posed a little bit of a privacy issue. We had some custom designed roman shades made to fit inside each window. The marble-like veins on that fabric is our absolute favorite! As for the "working space"... it might seem odd to the rest of the world that you would put your office inside your closet, but when you're a fashion blogger it's practically perfect. In every way! We butted our Sofia Desk right up against those beautiful large windows, making it the perfect spot to work with a view.

We say it all the time, but pay day really comes when we see our clients living in and enjoying the spaces we design. With Emily, we get the chance to see it on the daily! We certainly hope you've enjoyed touring our latest closet design as well. Be sure to check out Emily's blog for more on this project and how she's utilizing her newly designed space. Also, be sure to check out our online shop where you can shop this entire collection!

SHOP EMILY JACKSON'S CLOSET COLLECTION

photos by Lindsay Salazar

Emily Jackson's Closet Design

We've been working on another exciting project with fashion blogger Emily Jackson of The Ivory Lane....her closet! We've designed a few fashion blogger's closets here at Alice Lane, and each time we're amazed at how unique each of their own personal styles are. The end result of each of our designs is proof of that...always entirely new and different from the last. While we won't be revealing the final pictures of Emily Jackson's closet today (watch for that tomorrow!), we wanted to give you a little sneak peek into the design process!

Just like we do with every design closet, we met with Emily in her home to really get a sense for what she was needing. When you're fashion blogger like Emily Jackson, a well designed closet plays a critical role in your day to day life. From storing and displaying her plethora of handbags and high heels to being the perfect back drop for taking a selfie, every inch of this closet needed to be worthy of the spotlight. While Emily already had the bones of her closet in place, we were able to design all of the finishing touches that made the space unique to her. We always like to provide our clients with these hand-drawn sketches of their design so they can begin to visualize their space. Sometimes we even surprise ourselves with how much they look like the real thing!

It's fun to design a space that entirely centered around one person...no need to restrain or take multiple people's tastes into consideration. Emily's personal style is soft and elegant, but there's always an underlying sense of "edge" to each of her ensembles. We wanted to enhance that, while also pulling inspiration from some of Emily's favorite designers like Kate Spade and Kelly Wearstler; which resulted in a fantastically moody combination! We can't wait to show you how this design came to life in tomorrow's reveal. The entire collection will be shopable on our website too! So keep an eye for it, it's going to be a good one!

Show N' Tell - Historic Ivy Flat Remodel

When a client comes to you and says they want to remodel their historic 20th century condominium in the heart of downtown Salt Lake City, you jump at the opportunity! That cliche saying of "they don't make 'em like they used to" became all too true when we first visited this home, with its large ornate moldings, arched doorways, and paned glass windows. Our client's main request was to keep the original charm and historic elements of the condo intact, while modernizing the space with better design and function. You'll notice from this "Before & After" that we kept most of the original finish work in the home - because how could we not! From the vintage tiles on the fireplace surround to the beautifully aged oak floors, this little flat had a lot going for it. But we must say...the "afters" will certainly make you fall in love with the space even more.

BEFORE: AFTER: 

While the kitchen needed a full overhaul, we kept the layout and design of the space true to its time and brought in some of those same historic elements, like the aged brass hardware, classic white subway tiles, and lamp shade chandelier. We LOVE the way this quaint dining space turned out, and we're all heart eyes for those moody teal blue cabinets.

This teeny-tiny room was the perfect place to let loose and pull out the blush pink paint! Often times are clients are dumbfounded with what to do with these quirky little spaces in their home (and historic houses are notorious for having plenty of them!), but you'll find that if you work with them, instead of against them, they can turn into something really special. Turns out this one makes the perfect little office...a place where creativity can flow and inspiration comes from every turn.

We're leaning more and more toward designing spaces with high contrast, and this bedroom is the perfect example of why this look works so well! Even though it's a small space, the deep navy walls make everything in this room pop! Softened with a vintage inspired rug and plush white linens, it became the perfect retreat for this historic home.

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