Easy, breezy, beautiful ...

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

Leave a comment below if you wish.

A Stylists Home

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

Home report : Jenna Lyons

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 Domino

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