Instant Interiors Inspiration

Show off your Closet

2013-02-23T16:57:00.002-05:00

Spring is coming....you know what that means...new wardrobe pieces! Make room for your new fashion finds by cleaning out your closet and donating what you haven't worn in a year! Doesn't it feel good to open up your closet door and have everything hanging in order? I love when I can actually see everything I own without struggling through the hangers! Keep only those pieces that you love! Toss those items that still have a tag on them from two years ago -someone else will love to wear them and you get more square footage in your closet!

Tory Burch

This oversized closet has geometrical pattern appeal!

These closet doors are lined inside with fabric. Use

a coordinating fabric from your bedroom to pull it

all together.

via fashion-plate

A large mirror is a must!

If you have a spare room in your home, why

not convert it into your own closet sanctuary?

House & Home

Beautiful idea to paint the drawers with a pop of color!

No room for doors to swing out? Use curtains on a

curtain rod to hide the closet. With these great drawers

I would show it off!

via pinterest

This color combo of black, white and silver is trés chic!

jennifer staedt

Add some fun in your closet by wallpapering it!

HGTV

Love this tailored closet with a pocket door.

If you own a walk in closet this is how it

could look like with custom cabinetry.

Don't forget to add some bling with the chandelier!

via theaestate

Strips of wallpaper on bifold closet doors make them seem

like a million dollars! Don't you agree?

via Mary McGee

This closet has a place for everything and

everything is in its place (except the growing

shoe collection!)

Color coding your t-shirts and sweaters makes

it easy to get ready in the morning.

Add a chair or ottoman to put your shoes on.

Get inspired and get going! Need help redecorating your closet?
Contact me to make an appointment.
Be ready for spring!

Happy decorating!
Ana Alicia

Tangerine Tango - Color for 2012

2012-01-06T13:13:00.000-05:00

via Designsponge

I am so excited that the Pantone Color Institute has named Tangerine Tango - color of the year 2012! (Pantone organizes and names every single color.) Orange is such a great choice! It can be paired with almost any color, it's vibrant, cheerful, and gives a pop of color wherever you need it.

Here is what Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute had to say about this color: “Sophisticated but at the same time dramatic and seductive, Tangerine Tango is an orange with a lot of depth to it. Reminiscent of the radiant shadings of a sunset, Tangerine Tango marries the vivaciousness and adrenaline rush of red with the friendliness and warmth of yellow, to form a high-visibility, magnetic hue that emanates heat and energy. This luscious reddish orange adds sensuality to fashion, flair to accessories, verve to cosmetics, and lively luxury to interior surfaces and appointments. "

I couldn't agree more! I am sure you have already seen orange make it's way onto fashion, cosmetics and anything sellable. Pantone's predictions influence most consumer products and you will see this color everywhere this year! Go ahead and paint, upholster, acquire, wear something with this energizing hue. Ready to Tango?

Washingtonian.com

This is how I decorated my upstairs landing with Tangerine Tango:

I paired orange, turquoise, grey and white together.
The bench gives the landing a purpose, while orange and
turquoise give it a much needed pop of color!

Closeup of the fabrics. I used a bold and a subtle graphic
as well as a floral. It all works well together and most
importantly it makes me smile when I go up the stairs.

papersource

blog.hgtv.com

koyalwholesale.com

via simplyfiedbee.blogspot.com

profurniture.info

via Pantone

cloth and kind

What will you do with this color in your home?

Happy New Year 2012

Happy Decorating,
Ana Alicia

Luminary New Years Eve

2011-12-31T00:33:00.000-05:00

Every year for over twelve years our neighborhood has held a LUMINARY NIGHT the weekend before Christmas. This year I volunteered with my kids to organize and carry out this wonderful evening. It's a feast for the senses, it gets the neighborhood in the Holiday Spirit, and it encourages neighbors to mingle with each other over hot cocoa and Christmas cookies. I know, I know, Christmas has come and gone......but New Year's Eve is on the horizon.

My family and I will light a few luminaries on New Years Eve. We will display them right outside our dining room window at dinner time and let them burn through the night. (Our votives last 10 hours). The luminaries will add a romantic and festive feel to the evening. I encourage you to buy a few votives and white paper bags, cuff them, and fill them with sand from the sandbox (one of my neighbors used kitty litter one year, use what you have) and light a few luminaries outside where you can enjoy them from inside of your home. Just make sure you don't place them near anything flammable like a pile of leaves. Light the luminaries and enjoy entering the New Year with a festive bang!

Line luminaries down a pathway.
Look how festive it looks!

Luminary: a cuffed white paper bag with
scoops of sand and a lit votive

Aerial view of a lit luminary

Our street lit up by luminaries this year.
It's a wonderful spectacle to see street after
street lit up by candle light.

In order to get the tree ready for
New Years Eve, I took all the
ornaments off and only hung some
glittery white snowflakes on it. Then I
draped a silver ribbon around the tree.

This will be our New Year's Eve
tablescape: silver and white are the
predominant colors. Just add a
scrumptious feast!

Thank you very much to all my readers, you are the reason I post!
I wish you and your family a wonderful entrance into 2012!

CHEERS!

Happy Decorating!
Ana Alicia

Holiday Wreath

2011-12-21T09:45:00.000-05:00

Wreaths have been around for centuries and symbolize growth and everlasting life. They are hung on doors, over the mantle, in windows and set on tables as centerpieces. Most wreaths are made of evergreens such as pine, fir, or holly. You know which ones I am talking about......but there are other materials you can use such as moss, pinecones, flowers, candy.....and the list goes on. Today I want to show you how to craft a coffee filter wreath. Yes, everyday coffee filters can be turned into a Holiday wreath! It looks amazingly delicate and christmassy, especially after you sprinkle some glitter onto it! Let it snow...let it snow...let it snow!

The Nesting Place

Martha Stewart

Love Sweet Love

Fleurish Studio

I encourage you to click on Martha Stewart's video (below) if you are considering making this wreath. Your kids can help too, but I advise parental supervision with the glue gun. It's simple and it's easy, so have fun! Coffee Filter Wreath how-to video

Tools and Materials for the Coffee Filter Wreath

Stiff paper plate (large for a coffee filter wreath, small for a cupcake liner wreath)
Scissors
Screw punch or small hole punch
Short length of ribbon
Coffee filters or cupcake liners
Hot-glue gun and hot-glue sticks

White craft glue
Stiff paintbrush
Glitter
Bow or ribbon (optional)

Coffee Filter Wreath How-To by Martha Stewart1. Cut a circle from the inside of a stiff paper plate, leaving a ring.

2. Punch two holes next to each other in ring and thread a ribbon through holes from back to front; tie ribbon in front and trim ends.

3. Stack one coffee filter on top of another. Pinch bottom in center and fold in half. Continue pinching filter with one hand, and encircle edges around center with other hand. Draw hand from bottom to top to bunch into a blossom; squeeze at pinched point to hold shape.

Note:For a smaller wreath use cupcake liners, use same method, but use only one liner.

4. Glue pinched ends of filters or liners side by side around ring with hot glue, with blossoms pointing outward; add another set of blossoms to ring, pointing toward center. Fill in with more blossoms, staggering to fill out wreath.

5. Brush watered-down craft glue onto wreath with a stiff brush; sprinkle with glitter. Use hot glue to attach a bow to wreath, if desired.

I hope you found this wreath a fun and easy project to do. I think the end result is stunning!

Happy Holiday Season and Happy Decorating!

Ana Alicia

Make your own Gingerbread House

2011-12-19T14:44:00.000-05:00

......OK, we cheat a little bit.....we buy a pre-made Gingerbread House Kit......but it it's still all good! The kids LOVE to make one every year..... and what is the best part? Decorating! Well, no......for the kids it's eating candy while they are decorating! And for me, it's witnessing their anticipation, spending quality time with them, and then producing a beautiful centerpiece to cherish until it's eaten up right after Christmas! This year we went for the Gingerbread village. The kit comes with several little houses, so each boy had more than one to decorate.

Start with your pre-baked gingerbread house pieces (store bought
or home made). Buy different Christmas candy (the candy
provided in the kits are never enough!) and put each kind in
a bowl for easy access to decorate......and to nibble on! Have a color
scheme in mind. We use the traditional red and green colors.
Also provide LOTS of icing. You can make your own or buy ready
made icing in a bag in your local supermarket. I always provide
one icing bag per person.

If you have little kids, I have found out it's easier for
them to decorate with the gingerbread pieces laying flat.
Let them have fun......!

After they finish decorating just let the icing dry
and then "glue" the house(s) together with icing. Use a
cardboard as a base, it is soooooo much easier this way
to stabilize all the parts while you assemble every
piece. Be sure to spread some icing on the
cardboard to secure your pieces. One more piece of
advice: Don't attempt to assemble the house unless
the icing is dry.... the gravitational force will
pull all your candy down.....and you will end up
with a sad and droopy Gingerbread House!

To make a centerpiece, lay the Gingerbread
House(s) in a tray. Make snow with different size
marshmallows and lay chestnuts for rocks. Then
cut a few sprigs off of your Christmas tree or wreath
to make little trees in your scenery. You are done!
One word of caution: Snow mysteriously starts
"melting" with the passing of time.......and the
colorful roof tops tend to disappear as well....
hhmmmm.....

Look at some other Gingerbread houses my

family has created in the past:

We added Gingerbread men....

We used Shredded Wheat for a snowed roof top effect....

We added whimsical characters out of candy....

The kids will be out of school this week, so go ahead and make a one-of-a-kind Gingerbread House, make memories, and start a new tradition! Oh, and don't forget to put on the Christmas music!

Happy Holidays and Happy Decorating!

Ana Alicia

Christmas Greenery

2011-12-15T19:58:00.000-05:00

Can you believe it? Christmas is around the corner! Is your home ready for the Holidays?

The smell of authentic greenery sets me in the mood for Christmas, no matter what else is going on in my life. The distinct scent transports me right into childhood when I used to believe in Santa. I LOVE it! Nowadays there are beautiful wreath, tree and greenery reproductions that look similar to the real thing but you can't replicate the scent! I tell my clients to have some natural greenery at least in the main rooms (living room, dining room) just for the scent. I too have fake greenery around the house, but then I layer it with the real thing. When you combine the fake and the real greenery it's hard to tell them apart, it looks natural, and you have the unmistakeable scent of Christmas.

Martha Stewart

Traditional Home

House Beautiful

Traditional Home

House Beautiful

Put some green in your Holiday decorations, pour yourself a glass of wine and smell the scent of the Holidays....Cheers!

Happy Holiday Season and Happy Decorating!

Ana Alicia

Ghostly Dinners!

2011-10-29T14:04:00.003-04:00

I just came back from Sarasota, Florida from the annual Interior Redecorators Network conference. I had a great time, got inspired with the wonderful seminars offered and did not want to leave. I have made wonderful friendships with other designers throughout the years and it's always a blast!

My kids welcomed me with open arms, but one thing was on their mind: Halloween! What are we going to wear? We need to buy candy......Mom, let's get the spiders out! For decorating inspiration I turned to last years pictures.

Below you can see how I decorated my dining room. I pitched up a tent and hung black draperies on each side as walls. Next I draped mosquito nets throughout the inside mimicking spider webs. Little lights were strung all over and little ghosts, pumpkins, and witches were hung inside the tent. We made ghoulish food and ate at the table under the bewitched tent! My kids and their friends ate in this tent all month long!

Outside we greeted trick or treaters with fog, a self-made witch, lots of candy, and eyes lurked from the windows........eeeerrriieeee!!!

My dining table under a scary tent.....great for
ghostly dinners

Table is set for kids to celebrate!

On the menu: A green brain, a bloody heart and eyeballs

Getting the entryway ready for Halloween

Trick or Treaters....beware!
(use a fog machine for special effects)

We are watching you....!!
(Flashing eyes are stuck to the window panes with suction cups)

Trick or Treat! Did you get inspired? Please comment on your own Halloween decor!

Happy Decorating,
Ana Alicia

ABC 123

2011-08-06T21:51:00.000-04:00

Typography has been very trendy in the home this year! Graphic letters, vintage numbers and symbols add a bold decorative punch to any space. In small doses it adds charisma to any home. Spell something, or just add an oversized letter or number in your living room, bedroom or bathroom today. Frame a word written in a special font to add a little interest to your wall. With texting and tweeting being so popular today, no wonder we are very fond of characters! I have a big A on a shelf in my office and am always tempted to buy pillows that spell something quirky. Come on, go to the flea market and buy some vintage numbers or letters, display them together....there is strength in numbers!

via West Elm

Hillary Petrie

Etsy.com via OldNewAgain

Lucas Allen Photography

Jonathan Adler via House Beautiful

via Remodelista.com

via RealSimple.com

Anthropology.com

Dana Tanamachi

Birdsquare Carpentry

via Houzz.com

mothology.com

Add instant appeal with typography! It's as easy as 123!

Happy Decorating!

Ana Alicia

Charming Andalusian Rural Hotels

2011-07-26T19:10:00.000-04:00

Andalucia, a southern spanish region is close to my heart. Since I can remember, every summer my family and I would vacation on the Mediterranean sea in the province of Malaga. In those days it would take ten hours to get from Madrid to our vacation spot. Nowadays the time on the road is slashed in half due to road improvements over the years (Hallelujah!). My parents loved the south so much they retired there. Now I take my own family to vacation in the south of Spain and stay at my parents home. I feel fortunate to be able to continue to soak up the Mediterranean light and enjoy the vistas, people, food, decor and culture!

If you ever feel inclined to travel to Andalucia I would definitely suggest staying at a rural hotel. They are quaint and designed in a traditional southern way. Take a look at three different rural hotels in Malaga:

via Casa y Campo

Hope you can visit the south of Spain, it's worth it! (I am not biased....LOL!)
Which hotel did you like best?

Happy Decorating!
Ana Alicia

Andalusian Home

2011-07-05T12:00:00.000-04:00

First I want to apologize to my followers for not posting in the month of June. Various factors contributed to my inability to blog. For those of you who have kids, you know how hectic the last weeks of school can be with award ceremonies, school projects, exams, summer camp registration......the days didn´t seem to have enough hours to write about interior design! :( Then my kids and I went to Spain to visit family. Before we even arrived to our final destination my backpack was stolen.....my computer, my Ipad and my camera.....from one moment to the other....GONE! Indispensable materials for my work! To make matters worse, my father lives in a remote mountain with unreliable internet access...(you have to drive through winding dirt roads inhabited with herds of goats to arrive to his house)...it´s paradise, but a blogger´s nightmare! I hope you accept my most sincere apologies for leaving you without Instant Interiors Inspiration for such a long time!

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The following home via Casa & Campo is situated in the mountains very close to where my father lives. It´s a little peak into a rural spanish home in the south of Spain by the Costa del Sol. It´s a traditional andalusian home with clay tile, wood, and lots of white.

Enjoy your summer! More about Spain to come....

Happy decorating,

Ana Alicia

Designer : Vicente Wolf

2011-05-26T01:16:00.000-04:00

I love Vicente Wolf's work! He serves as an inspiration when I am looking to decorate rooms in shades of white. His relaxing spaces with clean white lines, subdued colors and plenty of light feel like eye candy to me. His rooms feel airy and eclectic, upscale and luxurious. He does not use bold colors, but his white rooms are bold statements in their own right. Take a look:

Dreamy bathroom! I love the contrast of the old
wood table vanity with the
stainless steel sink and modern chair.

The white bed seems to float in the
middle of the room, like floating on
a white cloud.

The art collection becomes a focal point by
having white as a backdrop.

Love the white floors!

The simplicity of this rooms is striking!

This is a perfect conversation spot! A huge
white sectional surrounded by art, an old rustic
table, some candles,flowers and a few books.
What more can you ask for?.....Well, maybe
a cup of coffee please....with milk and sugar.

The wood acts as a sculpture in a
sea of white! Notice how the paintings are "sitting"
on different types of chairs.

White and gray is one of my favorite
color combinations lately. It's simple, yet
sophisticated.

The oversized ottoman is brilliant! Everyone
can put their feet up, be comfortable and
and social at the same time. The oversized
lampshade is barely there despite its size.

Two tables nesting at the side of the bed act
as a nightstand. The tables are each of a different
era, yet they complement eachother.

The architecture of the windows is stunning!
I love using different types of chairs at the
dining table. It makes the space more
interesting.

Do you find white rooms boring or full of life? Do tell. I happen to find them

very alluring. The color can come from accessories and art. The use of wood

also makes a white room come alive. A white room is like a blank canvas and

anything goes, really.

Happy Decorating!
Ana Alicia

Easy, breezy, beautiful ...

2011-05-11T13:21:00.000-04:00

This Shelter Island beach house caught my attention because of its simplicity, the washed wood in every room, the Scandinavian vibe and the uncomplicated, summery mood it gives its owners on vacation. All the colors are muted and interconnect throughout the bright rooms. I can see myself picking out a great book and lounging around on the white sofa with a cup of ice tea. There is a carefree atmosphere you can almost touch. Isn't that what we want on vacation? That's definitely what I look for in a beach house! Easy, breezy, beautiful.....

It also has a wood stove for cozy winter evenings.....which
is a plus...this house can be used year round...
(Notice the hand stamped tile on the wall)

It all feels casual and lived in...

Windows are open, the breeze is coming
right in....the bed is not perfectly made...

An organic bath experience at the end of
a sun-sand-wind filled day...

Casual get togethers with friends and family...

A place to relax....and have a siesta...

Just leave the office behind....

Harriet Maxwell Macdonald and Andrew Carrie

I wish it were a rental... I could spend a week in this beach house! Those floors are begging my feet to walk barefoot on them...the sandier the better! I do hope it has a beautiful outdoor space as well!

Happy Decorating!

Ana Alicia

Worldly Walls

2011-04-30T18:08:00.001-04:00

I have always had an atlas of the world with me. Whether I went off to college in Europe or moved away to the North American continent, an atlas has always been my companion. I just love to flip the pages of an atlas and go around the world. Even so I can't say I am particularly great in geography, but I have always loved to travel and daydream about far away places. Different cultures, different people, different ways of living have always been a source of interest to me. In my home I have an old heirloom atlas which I proudly display open on my dining room buffet. I turn the pages every now and then and always admire the organic lines and colors. One day I am going to cut out the pages and frame them.....I just have not mustered up the courage yet!

Decorating with maps has been around for centuries. Maps can be used in any interior, be it modern or traditional; be it in the living room or kids room. They are very versatile, beautiful, can spice up any room, and are great conversational pieces. There are vintage maps, modern versions, collectors editions, whimsical ones, even wallpaper maps and map decals..... they all add great decorative appeal on your walls. You can frame a big map as one art piece, or cut the map into fragments and frame them into a cohesive grouping. Maps come in all shapes, sizes and colors. Sepia versions add an archival subdued sense to your interior while a bold colored map adds a splash of color. Any way you display a map it adds an artistic touch and draws the onlooker in to look at all the detail, revealing a new world!

Harriet Maxwell Macdonald and Andrew Carrie

Elle Decor

Emily Henderson

Daniel Sachs

DTI

Anthony Todd

Steven Gambrel

Elle Decor

___________________________________________________________________________________

Maps through the Internet

Urban Outfitters (Tapestry $39)

Pottery Barn (Map decal $199)

Summerbelle (whimsical maps starting at $80)

Ballard Designs (Glicee $299)

National Geographic (Europe map $10.95)

Are you ready to add the world to your home?

Happy Decorating!
Ana Alicia

Eggstraordinary Easter Decor!

2011-04-23T16:39:00.001-04:00

Tomorrow is Easter sunday.....did it creep up on you too? I was just arranging a centerpiece for my table when it dawned on me that you might be thinking about how to make your table festive too. Whether you are hosting a brunch for twelve with your finest china or having lunch with your family on the patio, a beautiful set table is very welcoming no matter how formal or how casual you are celebrating Easter. I always love to use natural elements in my tablescapes. It's simple and on hand most of the time. Most easters my family and I fill a cute basket with colorful dyed eggs, surround the basket with petite flower vases with bright pink azaleas (they are in bloom all over my yard this time of year, choose what you have blooming near you) and then we prop some cute hand painted bunnies from years past on the dyed eggs and around the table. It's easy, effective and the kids love it! Do you want to know my favorite though? I get a big vase, stick a big branch or two in it (I use dogwood branches from our yard) and hang hand painted eggs by my kids from the branches. It's very showy and gives the occasion a personal touch. The most important ingredient however, is to have fun preparing your beautiful table this Easter. It does not have to be complicated. Use what you have around you. With a little bit of imagination you can turn an ordinary table setting into an "eggstraordinary" tablescape!

Photographs via HGTV, Martha Stewart and Better Homes & Gardens

Happy Easter!
Ana Alicia

Versatility at its best!

2011-04-16T10:31:00.000-04:00

I am always on the hunt for a great buy. Lately I am looking out for yet another Chinese garden stool....we have six inside our home! I am a firm believer you can't have too many! Garden stools are the "superhero" of interior design...they have endless possibilities and with their short stature can be tucked into any space. Garden stools come in a variety of hues, styles and textures, making it one of the most versatile pieces I know of. Take a look at what I mean:

David Tsay Photography

Chinese garden stools originated during the Ming

Dynasty more than 1000 years ago. Once only for

outdoor use it has been welcomed in any

interior space as well.

This dreamy patio forgoes the use

of a coffee table for a fire pit and two garden stools.

Houzz.com

When there is no room for a coffee table

a garden stool adds visual

interest and functionality.

Decorpad

At the bottom of these stairs a little reading nook

is complete with a white ceramic stool.

Houzz.com

A modern bathroom welcomes a traditional

garden stool as a side table.

Decorpad

A punch of yellow is added with

a garden stool.

via Atlanta Homes Magazine

What a dream to bathe in this gorgeous
freestanding bathtub! Just within reach
you can have a cup of tea and a book....that's
a great beginning of a weekend!

Martensen

Having a party? Just bring those garden stools out

for extra seating!

Elle Decor

These garden stools add another layer of texture.

Notice that they are placed slightly to the left, not

centered with the sofa.

House Beautiful

These copper colored stools act as a bench at the

foot of this master bedroom. The metallic color

adds sparkle to the room.

Elle Decor

This entry hall would be too crowded with

two chairs and too sparse with only the

table. Two black stools do the trick!

Wisteria.com

Although this is a catalogue picture one can see

how silver stools can add some bling to any room!

I have one and adore it!

Do you have garden stools in your home decor?

If you don't, I know you have room for at least one!

Garden stools are fit for any decor, be it modern,

traditional, transitional or country...go ahead try one out!

Happy Decorating,

Ana Alicia

Working spaces

2011-04-08T01:01:00.000-04:00

I have always loved a big, gianourmous, white desk to work on. I work on different projects at once and have the need to spread out (ask my husband, I occupy any vacant surface...) I need room for creativity! I had a 35x75 inch desk made to fit in a big nook. I love it! I absolutely do! There is something liberating to having space. When I sit at my desk things happen with gusto!

Take a look at these fabulous offices and get inspired to create a place to work, to create, or just to simply pay the bills.

Thomas O'Brian

This office is home to two photographers, hence all the little boxes.
It is very well organized and looks very functional.
I could use both of those desks!

via House Beautiful

Black, silver, white, orange, cream...I like this
color combination. Love the shiny silver pendant
light over the desk. I also have white frames with
photographs in my office. It adds
an element of decor, of art and a source of
inspiration.

Ellen O'Neill

Office of a fashion designer.
Black and white is very classic.

T. Keller Donovan

This office would work for me. I like the tulip table, the chairs and bench.
Here again, pictures in white frames or shadowboxes
add visual interest and inspiration.
It's all very fresh.

Nate Berkus and Natalie Coyle

The best thing about this office is the
giant mood board!

photograph by Ellen McDermott

This office feels very personal.

via House Beautiful

Can you guess what my favorite element is?
Yes, you guessed it....the enormous white table! It's
actually a dining room table where
different people can gather to read, paint or
browse on the computer.

Simply Seleta

The red typewriter feels so nostalgic! I typed my college
papers on one....oops....I am revealing my age here....
my friend had an electronic typewriter and I
would pay her to type my papers on hers as it
could erase.....thank goodness for
computers! I love the organization
of this office.

Elisabeth Dinkel

Built in desks on the periphery of the room and
a glass table in the middle....my kinda' room! You
really can spread out in here!

via Elle Decor

That looks like my desk, but in black!
(I think mine is bigger!...yes, size does matter!)
Love the feeling this space evokes. The old
compartmentalized drawers and vintage chairs and
suitcases give it an air of times past. I could definitely
see myself working in this office.

What office was your favorite? Where do you see yourself working?
Please comment on the box below, would love to hear from you.

Happy Decorating,
Ana Alicia

Doggone hip!

2011-04-01T12:50:00.000-04:00

This is a sad week for my family. My husband and I had to put our beloved 14 year old golden retriever Paco to sleep as he could not walk anymore. He was our first "baby boy"! Then we had two boys of our own and the three of them have had a blast in the back yard! Paco has been a loyal, sweet, cute, loving dog until the end. We rescued him alongside a highway and lived with him in a small apartment while he was still a young, lively puppy. Yes, many of my favorite shoes became his favorite toys! We did not have a crate for him, so the entire apartment was his domain! For those of you with dogs who would like to keep your stilettos intact, look below for some stylish crate choices for your home! We all know pets become part of the family, yet their spaces are often afterthoughts. Their beds and dishes are often in the way, and are unfit for your home decor. Why live with an eyesore in the middle of your living room? There are many choices out there to fit your design needs and your pet needs. Yes, you can have a pet friendly AND stylish home. Here are some examples for crates, beds and dishes.

You have heard of built-in bookshelves....these

are built-in dog crates. Love, love this idea!
Think about your entertainment center, your
existing bookshelves, kitchen cabinets....you
might be able to configure them so your dog
can have a place of his own inside of them!

I have never liked the typical plastic dog crate

as it is not very pleasing to the eye. These on

the other hand are very chic, are part of the

decor and are out of the way! All of you crate

users, you need to put this one on your

honey-do -list!

Elle Decor - Megan Mullally's home via Cocozy.com

This is an eiCrate, retailing for $199. It's a modern

domed crate, great for any room. It has wonderful

design appeal, it's airy and fresh, and looks like

a sculpture in the living room!

via Hoechstetterinteriors.com

If you already own a plastic crate, you can hide it under a
table. Be sure to drape the table with a floor length
tablecloth. Out of sight, out of mind!

via PetSugar.com

This Pottery Barn dog bed and storage

shelving fits beautifully in this entryway.

It's very neat and handy. Great for big dogs!

Meade Design Group via Apartment therapy

Rattan hanging chairs for humans and dogs alike. Why not?

via Etsy.com

Very mod! But is it really practical to have a

two-piece sofa sectional dog bed? Maybe if

you own two small dogs.......this would

definitely not be my first choice!

Pousse Creative

Have you ever seen a pet planter? How long will
the plants stay put? I think filling up the top bowl with
food or water would make more sense.....but adding
some green makes more design sense for any
room in the house. I can see this pet planter in
a corner near a window.

Pawsitively Modern

This is mid century modern design for dogs! Included is
a plush sheepskin or a smart suede mattress. $275
Do they make one in my size?
(Sorry Paco, didnt think of getting this
comfy sheepskin for you....)
For the DIYer, it would be a great
weekend project!

Frontgate

Blue Blood pet beds, starting at $76. These are
great prints, choose the one that fits your decor!

Pet Interiors

Leather Cube Bed...beacoup $$$, but very stylish!

This one is for the rich and famous, retailing

at around $1900...

Frontgate

Outdoor/ indoor bed for dogs. This keeps your

dog elevated from the cold. Great for older dogs.

Paco had an elevated bed in the garage, but

sadly, not this stylish.

Country Living

What to do with their water and food dishes?

How about a pantry or coat closet converted

into a dog station? I would lay the

dog bed in there too.

PetsbyCSN.com

If your pet dish is visible in the house, try to find one

that coordinates with your home. Imagine this one next to

a taller umbrella stand by the entry.... wouldn't look

too bad, would it!

via Hoechstetterinteriors.com

When designing your new kitchen, think
about adding a slide out drawer to
hold your pets dishes.

Frontgate

Bellaire Pet feeder. These bowls have great
design sense and would fit with most decors.

Doca Pet

Wire and Dine pet bowls. Elevated pet bowls
are ergonomic and wonderful for aging dogs.
Paco had one and loved it!

I hope you were able to get some new ideas and inspiration to

achieve a "doggone hip" interior while living with your pet.

Happy Decorating!

Ana Alicia

Paco, my dear friend, you have left paw prints in

all of our hearts!

Paco
1997 - 2011

Dark drama

2011-03-27T17:56:00.002-04:00

Black walls are positively bewitching! They make a striking statement and add drama to any room. I love a black accent wall with crisp white walls and earthy orange pops of color. It's a beautiful combination for any room, be it a hallway, living room, den, dining room, bedroom or study. If you need some drama in your home this might be just what you were looking for!

Betty Burguess

This look is so clean, dramatic and chic!

Feirstein and Beckman
I love the aqua-green garden stool. It adds an
unexpected fourth color to this bathroom. The
pattern in the towels add even more interest. I could
see myself getting ready in this bathroom in the
mornings...

Michael Graydon
The headboard is fabricated with old grain or coffee sacks,
a clever idea. Brass elements such as the mirror and
table lamp give this bedroom a finishing touch.

Westbrooks Interiors

Love, love this dining room, it's ebony walls just give it a

dressed-up chic! I would change the beige rug to a muted

orange patterned rug though. Look at the beautiful

kitchen at the end.... great entertaining spaces!

Black and Poole
Love the rug! The designers made great use of
the tiny space. It's very cozy!

via decorpad
This TV room is wonderful! Two chaise longue each with
pillows and a blanket, are beckoning for someone to
get comfy and watch a great movie! The great thing is
you hardly see the TV hung on the black wall.

Are you ready to make a striking statement in your home?

Would love to hear from you, please comment in the box

below.

Have a bewitching sunday evening!

Happy Decorating!

Ana Alicia

A Stylists Home

2011-03-21T00:20:00.000-04:00

A New York based stylist, Thea Beasley let's us take a peek
into her charming urban home in the Lower East Side.....a
historic building rich with patina and European allure.

Love the African hats (I know they have an appealing, funny
name....but just can't think of it right now.... is it a jujuhat?...)
Anyway, they add texture to the walls.The entire room is
monochromatic, but has enough appeal through different
materials, shapes and patterns. The seating is formal, yet
with the ethnic touches it is toned down.
I have a feeling people put their feet up on this table!

Look at the patina on these walls!
I like the visual aspect of the french cafe chairs.....however,
they are not conducive to lingering after dinner.....that is too bad,
because the fireplace in the back is very cozy! I could
see myself sitting in this room for hours with friends...only
if I am sitting on the cushioned bamboo chairs!
Sometimes aesthetics doesn't win over function!

The lucite coffee table is invisible, but present at the same time.
Great mood wall in the far right hand corner.

This is a bedroom I can dream in. All different whites and creams,
wood and a touch of black, gold and bronze.
Sweet dreams!

Hope you enjoyed the tour of this home!

Happy Decorating!

Ana Alicia

Green can get tricky!

2011-03-17T08:00:00.000-04:00

Today everyone is wearing green! My kids tried to pinch me this
morning until I flashed them with my green watch which was
hiding under my sleeve....they were disappointed!

As it's a "green national holiday" what better than to post a few
rooms painted green? Green is synonymous with nature. It's
refreshing, calming, relaxing and revitalizing, all dependent on
the hue. It evokes a natural environment, a green environment
if you will.

Green paint is notorious for being difficult! Green can have

undertones of yellow, blue, gray or brown which will play tricks

with you depending on where the light hits. My recommendation

always is to paint big swatches in different parts of the room;

where the sun hits it and where it's shady. Then look at it at

broad daylight and again at night under artificial light. (You should

do this with any color, not just green.) When working with

green, it's especially helpful to have a vision of the other

elements in the room. Pull it all together, so you will get the

best gauge on how well all the furnishings and accessories

work with each other. You need to see the whole picture

of the room when painting with green. Only then, run for

the brush! Green really can be a tricky color!

via Modresdes.com

Bold green walls are balanced by a lot of white elsewhere.
I like the protruding wall with a niche for all your little
bathing necessities. Notice the little flower vase hanging.
This green is very vibrant and refreshing!

via Better Homes and Gardens

Sage walls contrast against the white mantel.

This room has a calmness to it.

via Modresdes.com

An office in green, white and black.
It's a vibrant work space. Love the Panton chair!

It gives a feminine quality to this otherwise
square and boxy space. Great curves!

Deborah Whitlaw Llewellyn; styling by Brian Carter
Again, green paired with white and black, but this

time red is in the mix.

Red makes the entire room more vibrant!

via Houzz.com

This living room has a very earthy green. It's effects

are calming and relaxing. (I feel like striking a yoga pose!)

The whitewashed beams above add architectural

interest and balance. If you have noticed, all of these rooms pair

green with white to balance the color palette.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

Ana Alicia

Birch tree wallpaper

2011-03-14T00:54:00.003-04:00

There has been a resurgence in wallpaper. You can see it in residences, hotels, shops.... everywhere now. Eight years ago my husband and I remodeled our home and had all the orange and yellow and pink floral wallpaper stripped from the walls. In fact it was one of the first things on our list, as we could not stand looking at it anymore. We could not wait to have all the walls painted! Well now, I am contemplating at all these cool, new modern wallpapers and I have to tell you, I am having second thoughts.....it is textural, fun, adds a whimsical touch.....so, where does my home need a piece of unexpected personality? While I am pondering on this idea, please check out my top pick for today: "Woods wallpaper" by Cole & Son. It's a forest of bare birch woods. It mixes white and black to excellent effect, don't you think? I say it injects a shot of "nostalgic modernism."

via Apartmentherapy

via Houzz.com

I could see myself sleeping in this enchanted forest.

Your eye is brought up and the space seems to grow.

via Houzz.com

The birch trees act as a backdrop to the

crib in this baby girls bedroom.

Jay Jeffers via Metropolitan Home

A small bathroom sparks interest with the

long, narrow birch trees. The trees act as stripes,

visually expanding the space.

via Houzz.com

Can't commit to wallpapering an entire wall?

Make a big statement as art!

via Nibsblog

This narrow space is enhanced by a splash

of personality with this wallpaper.

via cole & son

A kitchen backsplash, what a great idea!

PHOTO BY PETER MURDOCK VIA ELLE DECOR

My favorite: wallpapering a kitchen island!
There is a lot of texture in this monochromatic kitchen.
The wallpaper softens the industrial look.
Calcutta marble, Cherner chairs, crystal beaded pendant lamps (by Chimera),

Would you hang this woodsy wallpaper in your home?

Would love to hear from you.

Please comment in the box below.

Happy Decorating!

Ana Alicia

Japan's Tsunami

2011-03-12T17:00:00.002-05:00

My post today is a little different than my previous posts.....today I was thinking about the disaster in Japan....the effects it must have on the families in need. What are they going through when everything as they knew it has been wiped away? How are they coping without a home?

My home is my sanctuary, my cocoon. I feel secure in it. But what would happen if I would loose my home and my belongings to a natural disaster and wouldn't have a place to call my own, a place to feel secure in, a place to shelter my family and myself from the elements? How would I feel then? I most likely would feel stripped from everything I know. I would definitely be out of my comfort zone. Survival mode would kick in.
(How would I survive not having a place to decorate? That's the designer in me talking! I said it before....I decorate, therefore I am!)

There is a nonprofit organization I favor, Shelterboxusa.org, because they have this little green box that contains a tent for 10, blankets, pots, tools....anything to provide shelter, warmth, and comfort. (mmmh....I also like to provide warmth and comfort to my clients "shelter".....) A tent would be a welcoming gift to anyone facing homelessness. A tent would symbolize hope, would keep a family together, it would be a place to sleep in, a place that provides shelter from the cold, wind and rain. (The tents have been tested against harsh conditions...even 100 km per hour winds.)

So today, in pondering what I could do for the victims of Japan's Tsunami, it was a no brainer for me. I decided to donate to ShelterBox USA as I have in the past. I would have wanted someone to help me out with a tent (with my own portable "home") if I was facing homelessness with my family. You can help provide a tent too. Or you can choose your own charity to donate to. As individuals or small businesses we can make a difference for somebody. We just have to take action from our nice and cozy homes or offices.

I love my home, but I take my home for granted. Today I am grateful for my home, all my memories in it, my belongings, and the security it provides for my family. (And a place to take out my decorating urges!)

Please take the time to watch the video on the efforts of ShelterBox USA below. It's truly amazing what a little green box can do for a family or individuals in difficult times. (I am not advertising this organization and am not getting paid to feature it on my blog. It is merely a suggestion for us to give in some way, to this organization or to your charity of choice.)

Have a great weekend! From my home to your home.

Sincerely,
Ana Alicia

PS: If you are new to my blog, please look at my previous posts.
All of them have great pictures for inspiration.
Today, blogging about Japan seemed more fitting.
Happy Decorating!

Yellow pops of color

2011-03-10T18:18:00.002-05:00

Today nature has inspired me to write about yellow pops of color.

The sky is greyish-blue and it's raining. My Forsithias are in full

bloom, adding a beautiful pop of yellow color to the landscape.

Even though it's gloomy outside, the small doses of yellow have a

a feel-good factor to them. It's eye-candy to my senses. Yellow

traditionally signifies optimism and it's symbolic of the sun.

No sun today for me, but I definitely feel a surge of energy and

a desire to look at different yellows in interior design. Look at
the diverse applications of yellow in these spaces. Some are

pale and some are bright, some are just accents others are

dominating the room, but they all inject positive energy to

the space.

Yellow paired with white is my favorite combination

to introduce yellow in a space.

Yellow, cream and gray is a great combination.
The yellow walls act as a back drop to this contemporary art
piece. I love to pair traditional and modern for
an up to date look.

This art piece says: "Here I am!" Paired with a cobalt blue lamp
and pink accessories this entrance pops with color!
How cute is the cat?!

The yellow ceiling paint adds dimension to this serene bedroom.

Notice the inside of the curtains....yes they are pale yellow.

It's in the details where a room goes from OK to great!

This color scheme pairs plum and soft teal, cream and of

course yellow. Think outside the box for a great

combination of colors. You will be surprised!

A modern arching reading lamp adds a

contemporary feel and a big statement. Not crazy

about the red chair, but like the contrast of the

red, black and yellow against an otherwise white room.

Notice the acrylic magazine bin?

A white kitchen with a yellow pottery collection. Paired with this

gorgeous wood and iron table it projects a nostalgic sentiment

of times past.

These yellow chairs add personality to this outdoor space.

Wouldn't you want to spend an afternoon with friends

drinking lemonade and having lunch at this table?

White and yellow bedroom. It's calm, it's serene and it's playful.

Notice the interior of the lampshade.

It shimmers in golden tones.

A colorful children's room with yellow as its dominant color.

There are many different patterns and different colors,

but the white walls calm the tone down. In my time,

children's rooms were mostly......mmmh....plain. There

was no real style. Nowadays there are so many choices

for the little ones! Look at the tiger striped toy bins!

Love the rug!

The two islands brighten this white kitchen.

The rug adds playfulness and unifies the space.

Not crazy about the pink, but pink is in and this

homeowner is trendy for 2011!

Remember Jenna Lyons home? I just discovered this

picture of her living room. One yellow sofa gives

this room a dose of color against grey walls.

I could use her rug.

By framing wallpaper as art you don't commit to

painting or wallpapering the entire wall yellow.

When you get tired of this pattern you can change it.

Brown and yellow make a good a pair.

One yellow bamboo chair cheers up this entrance.

Soothing. Someone likes aviation in this home. I wonder if this
is a guest bedroom. It would also be a great boys room.

A dramatic statement! I don't know if I could live with this chair.
I like the form, but it's too bold of a color for me.
Love the tulip side table!

Yellow, gold, silver, copper, white, wood....it all adds dimension
and layers to this kitchen. Wow, look at this stove. There must be
some serious cooking going on in here! Look at the spice
rack.....mine has never looked so organized!
I could cook in this kitchen!

Budget friendly idea for art: paint different shaped ceiling
medallions in various yellow hues and hang on your wall.

Blue and yellow, a classic combination. I like the
pattern on the fabric. The dhurrie rug? Love it!

Want to be trendy this year with honeysuckle pink?
It works wonderfully with yellow. Although I wouldn't
decorate my home in these colors, it does have
a fresh appeal to it.

Photographs provided by:

Atlanta Home Magazine, Elle Decor, House Beautiful, Sally Seponkus, Simply Seleta, Michelle Adams,

Tricia Huntley of Huntley and Co., Design Sponge and Decor Pad.

I hope you got some inspiration from these photographs. Yellow is

here to stay as long as the sun shines outside our window. I see it

peeking out of the clouds now! I might have some sun after all!

Have a sunny day!

Please feel free to comment bellow.

Happy decorating,

Ana Alicia

If you are new to my blog, please check out older posts. :)

Home report : Jenna Lyons

2011-03-04T13:10:00.002-05:00

I miss Domino magazine. I was obsessed with it, and when the short-lived magazine had to close its doors I was traumatized! Where was I going to get my inspirational monthly read? Well, I obviously found other sources of inspiration, but I kept all my issues of Domino. I was flipping through them last night when I came across Jenna Lyons home. Black and white at its BEST! It was featured in the September 2009 issue. Jenna Lyons is is still J. Crew's creative director and lives in a Brooklyn brownstone. Many of you have seen these photographs, but I wanted to bring them back today for inspiration. Her house was also featured in UK's Livingetc magazine and her architect also had a picture I am featuring here. I hope you enjoy!

via Levenson McDavid Architects

I love the identical crystal chandeliers for the living room

and the dining room. It adds sparkle to the large space.

I love the simplicity of the rooms.There isn't any clutter

in these spaces, yet its not minimalistic either.

via Livingetc

via Domino

via Livingetc

I find the dark walls to be beautiful and rich.

via Livingetc

Great architecture!

via Domino
A black tub, black walls and brass fixtures,
stunning combination! See the herringbone
pattern on the hardwood floors. (Great for a
couple, but a disaster if a toddler is
splashing around!)

via Domino

Who wouldn't want an entire room devoted for getting dressed
in the morning? A french settee in the middle of the dressing
room looks inviting and you can collapse in it after the mental
anguish of figuring out what to wear! You know a creative
director for J.Crew fashion has to have a ton of clothes!
I just watched Jenna Lyons on a youtube video commenting on
how she picks her outfit in the morning. Her three year old son
chooses her shoes for her every morning and from that selection
she creates her outfit for the day. With all these pretty shoes it
would be overwhelming to pick out a pair! I'm just jealous!

via Domino

This baby room (now the baby is a toddler) is

a fashion exclamation! How trendy is it to have

black walls, yellow and white stripes on the

ceiling, a gorgeous fireplace (I hope it's baby

proofed now) and a cowhide rug! Too cute!

via Domino

A cowhide rug is an excellent choice for a

baby room as it is soft and easy to clean,

what a great idea!

Jenna Lyons home gets a thumbs up from me. She uses black and white throughout her house unifying every space with this color combination. It's not overwhelming, or too dark. The dose is just right! I could live in there.

What did you think about this black and white brownstone?

I will be featuring black walls later on. I think they are gorgeous if used right.

Please comment if you wish!

Happy Decorating!

Ana Alicia

Glossy Blue

2011-03-03T01:31:00.001-05:00

Do you have an appetite for something bold? Look no further, high gloss blue walls will give you a dramatic effect in any room! This is not for everybody. You have to be a risk taker! The gloss reflects light beautifully but you also have to have beautiful walls to begin with. What do I mean by that? Your walls must be pristine, blemish-free and straight to pull this look off, otherwise you will end up with a cheap and tacky paint job nowhere near glamorous and elegant!

Windsor Smith for Elle Decor
Look at these glossy blue walls and painted kitchen cabinets. Paired with
hexagon white carrara marble tiled floor it's quite stunning! A rustic
farmhouse table and a slipcovered wingback chair sets the mood for a
nice relaxing dinner with friends.

Todd Romano for Architectural Digest

Glossy blue walls and a blue velvet sectional
merge together for a dramatic effect.

Miles Redd for House Beautiful

Painting bookshelves in a high gloss color is
an alternative to painting walls. Here
it adds drama to this library.

Will you play it safe or take a risk next time you plan to paint your walls?

Do tell.

Happy Decorating,

Ana Alicia