Monday, November 30, 2009

Daily Design Inspiration - Holiday Decor

I'll be bringing you holiday-themed Daily Design Inspiration from now until Christmas.  Enjoy!



Photo Love


The Design Boards Gift Guides

Good morning everyone!  I hope you all had a wonderful long weekend and a great turkey day.  Mike and I went to get our Christmas tree and we've been doing some decorating already.  This is my absolute favorite time of year.  That being said, I am very excited to announce the first annual Design Boards Gift Guides.  Over the next few weeks I will be featuring gift ideas for all the people on your list this year.  Today's gift guide is for co-workers, there are lots of great, budget-friendly ideas so be sure to head over to the Gift Guides and check it out!


Thursday, November 26, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving

Have a wonderful holiday everyone! I'll be back Monday with lots of inspiration for you!


Photos: Dwell Studio, Sunday Suppers , Sunday Suppers , Martha Stewart 

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Photo Love


Daily Design Inspiration - Marie Claire Maison

Today I thought I would bring in a little inspiration from one of my all time favorite sources, Marie Claire Maison . Not anywhere, are there more exquisite interiors than those featured on the Marie Claire Maison website. They provide such a constant source of simple, chic, modern yet rustic, beautiful interiors. Here are some of my favorites...








Monday, November 23, 2009

Daily Design Inspiration

Photo Love

Flower Shop

Good morning! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. I thought we would start off the day with a little flower inspiration.

Ever since my wedding I've been kind of obsessed with flowers. We did all the flower arrangements for the event, we didn't hire a florist at all and the end result was amazing (photos coming soon!) so that is the inspiration behind today's post...

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Daily Design Inspiration

Photo Love

Thanksgiving Tablescapes

In all of the excitement of the wedding and honeymoon would you believe that I have almost completely let the quickly approaching holidays pass by. I had no idea that Thanksgiving was next week!!

How are you planning on decorating your table this year? If you are like me and let the holiday sneak up on you unexpectedly, hopefully these will provide you with some great inspiration for next weeks table decor.





Monday, November 16, 2009

I'm Back

Hello everyone!  I'm back, from a perfect wedding and honeymoon.  It's going to take me a couple of days to adjust back to normal life and then I promise to continue with a more normal posting schedule.  I have a lot of fun ideas that I am really looking forward to sharing with you all!   

I will have lots of wedding photos to share soon. I actually haven't even seen any of the photos yet, I have to hunt down all the pics my family and friends took.  The photographer will have his prints ready in about 4-6 weeks, I can't wait to see how they turned out, he was such an awesome guy, I highly recommend him!!! 

Monday, November 9, 2009

Daily Design Inspiration - Romantic Spaces

Inspired by my recent nuptials, this week will be filled with daily design inspirations that are romantic spaces. Intimate and cozy little spaces for just you and that special someone....Enjoy!

Friday, November 6, 2009

I'm Getting Married!

The big day has arrived, after tomorrow I will officially be a wife! I'm off to a pampering session with my bridal party before the rehearsal dinner tonight. Have a wonderful weekend, I know I will!

I have a very light posting schedule in place for next week while I'm on my honeymoon in Costa Rica! I will be back the following week with lots of pics and stories to share.

Monday, November 2, 2009

Daily Design Inspiration

Behind the Design - A Alicia

Good morning everyone! I hope you all had a fabulous weekend. When I say all, I mean those who are sticking through the rather dull posts lately until my wedding is over and I am back to my more creative and inspired self again!

This week we have a Behind the Design feature with Anna from A Alicia, creator of beautiful, handmade fashion accessories.

Where does your inspiration come from?
I studied Art History, so of course that's been a huge influence. Japanese craft in particular inspires my work - particularly the level of skill and detail, combined with a kind of pared down simplicity, visible in so many of the Japanese crafts.


Do you have a spot you like to go that helps you feel creative?
The bath (I don't actually work there, but I find it's a good place for thinking!)


Where do you do most of your work?
The sofa. I do have a studio room, but the sofa tends to be more comfy for hours and hours of sewing!


How did you come up with the name for your business?
It's a variation of my first and middle name (Anna Alicia) - I've always liked my middle name, but never had much of a use for it, now I do!


Your favorite thing to make?
New experiments

What is your all time favorite design from past or current collections?
Hmm, that's tricky....I think overall it would be the Pale Gold Mix Corsage Brooch. I love those classic colours like pale beige, black or navy, and especially when combined with a bit of shimmer. Plus for some reason it makes me think of Christmas!


You couldn't run your business without _______?
Digital camera/laptop/good scissors

What advice do you wish someone had given you when you first started your business?
Don't use your middle name as the company name because everyone will think it's your first name!

Coffee or tea?
Green tea

Favorite magazine/blog/daily read?

If you could follow one person around for a day, who would it be?
That's really tough...Maybe an accessories buyer for an amazing shop (like Liberty, London), so I can see where they hang out and then leave a few strategically placed brooches around the place.

Do you have any hobbies or creative outlets other than your work?
I don't have time!

If you could travel anywhere in the world, money and time being no object, where would you go and why?
Is time-travel also no object? If so, I'd like to revisit the Florida of a childhood summer holiday - it was the late 80's and everything was neon (my t-shirts, sunglasses, flip-flops, etc), I even remember the sunsets in neon, and all I remember eating was donuts and ice cream, and I hung out every day in the pool. Coming from dull suburban South East England, that trip had a huge influence on me.

If you had to spend one year on a deserted island, what 5 things would you take with you?
Is there internet? I guess probably not. In that case, scissors, needle, thread, fabric, a copy of War and Peace. I'd make the most amazingly intricate embroidery about my life on the island. I love reading, but I know I'll never ordinarily get round to the whole War and Peace, so seems like a good opportunity for that.

Thank you Anna for participating in this week's Behind the Design.

Photos courtesy of Anna

Anna can be found at:
Etsy shop
Big Cartel shop
Wedding shop