Yesterday's clever office tucked into a closet got me thinking, {above is another great version! via} why not convert a standard closet for other uses? My talented uncle once transformed his coat closet into a bar and I just love this idea! Here are a few more inspirations for how to make a regular closet into a charming, unique space! 

Another home office - the curtain is a great way to save room and soften the space too! {via Apartment Therapy}

Love this bar! the closet looks so luxe fitted out with custom walnut shelving and drawers! {via Houzz}

A country chic bar - the towel hooks on the inside of the doors are a great idea too! {via Real Simple}

Or how about a little seating nook - mudroom in your entry closet? We all need a place so sit and tie our shoes {via Little-Inspirations}

I thought this one was especially lovely! that little bit of striped fabric makes it! {via Poppytalk}

xo Allison

Old World Glamour: William + Kate!

Ok, I know everyone is blogging about the royal wedding! So I won't gush for too long, but just to say I loved her dress, I adored the lush indoor forest of 20 foot high trees, but mostly I loved the old world charm of the day! Being in Asia I was lucky enough to watch the wedding at a lovely hour, 6 pm and I was stuck at the timeless glamour of the whole event. I hope you got to enjoy it too! 

I also love this print from Taylors Type on Etsy! Great way to commemorate the day! 

xo Allison

Spicer + Bank

Small Office Genius!

I LOVE this idea! Turn a standard closet into a home office. The best part is you can shut the closet doors and hide any 'work in progress' when guests stop over. Really genius if you ask me - plus I love the turquoise accents. 

So pretty and practical!

This is certainly going in my Inspiration Files for future use!

{via My First Little Place}

Chic Extravagance: The Iconic Hermes Throw!

I am usually of the mind that great design does not need to be super expensive but some pieces are just so iconic that they are exception to the rule! Sometimes a fantastic splurge can make a space and allow you to save more in other areas - I think the key is the mix of the high and low. I have always coveted these Hermes throw blankets - at about $950 the cost is so extravagant but oh, they are so beautiful! Here are few of my favorite interiors featuring these fantastic throws. 

(I love the classic burnt orange and ivory combo above!)

The throw just makes the whole room -  perfect against the charcoal painted walls! Featured in Elle Decor {via Kindarwaza}

Refined but so chic! Designed by Trip Haenisch, featured in Lonny's January 2011 issue.

I love how youthful and lively this girl's bedroom is! {via Mallie Plus Posh}

An elegant but welcoming living room by Healing Brasanti - how amazing is that custom greek key ottoman?!  {House Beautiful, photo by Douglas Friedman}

I adore the mirror and the leopard carpet too! {via The Decorista}

Even perfect in a boys room! Leave it Kelly Wearstler to have the most incredible room for her son! Love the fresh color combo of lime and aqua {via Elements of Style}

And one more, from designer Trip Haenisch - so simple but so lovely! {Lonny January 2011}

So beautiful! Maybe one day! 

xo Allison 

Dreamy Interior of the Day: The Manly Lounge

I am totally crazy for this masculine lounge area by Diego Ladino. It is refined and manly but also so beautiful and a bit quirky! 

Why Does it Work?

1) A great combo of materials and finishes: natural wood, heathered wool fabric, glossy black lampshades, marble

2) Lots of symmetry! {See my previous post on the art of pairing} 

3) Rich but refined colors! Cool neutrals, grays and black with a little bit of red in the cactus pot and the stack of books.

{Image via Desire to Inspire} 

Gwyneth's Easter Lunch for Remodelista

Gwyneth is amazing - actress, singer, mommy, cook and elegant hostess! Wow! I just love the feature Remodelista did with the actress at her London home. A fresh and informal take on the traditional Easter lunch. I especially adore the antique blue and white porcelain and the mix of yellow and cream tall taper candles - just lovely. 

Photographs by Simon Bevan. 

The contrast of the elegant silver and glassware against the rustic worn table top is simply perfect! Read the whole story here! 

Jim Thompson's Thai Silk & Mystery

While in Bangkok we were able to visit the beautiful home of Jim Thompson. The American born businessman, merchant, one-time spy, antiques collector, gardener, and designer was born in 1906 and worked as an architect in New York before heading to South East Asia during WWII. His fascination with Thai silk brought the material to the forefront of fashion and interior design in the 1950s and 1960s and his legacy continues with the lovely fabrics and furniture at Jim Thompson showrooms all over the country. 


He is credited with reviving the vibrant jewel toned colors so associated with Thai silk today and was an advocate for cottage industry as a way to help local communities thrive. His disappearance while on a walk in the Malaysian jungle in 1967 only adds to the mystique and drama of his amazing life! 

Thompson designed his home by combining six traditional teak Thai style houses into one complex and added elegant touches like Italian marble floors and Belgian crystal chandeliers - the fusion is so beautiful and I just loved the tropical breeziness and old world elegance his interiors captured! 

The gardens, also designed by Thompson were so lush and lovely! 

Thompson at work with local craftsmen {via}

Three fabrics from the modern Jim Thompson line - such rich color and pattern! From top: Eclipse silk-cotton blend; Solar silk-linen blend; and Crystalline silk fabric.

A Michel Smith living room featuring deep sofas in berry colored Jim Thompson silk {via Elle Decor} The slight sheen of the silk adds just enough glamour to the informal space.

Designer Miles Redd chose a vibrant aqua Jim Thompson silk for the curtains - I adore the combination of vibrancy and tradition here! {via Elle Decor}

Jim Thompson at home {via}

xo Allison

Spicer + Bank

Back In Singapore!

I am back in Singapore after an awesome week in Thailand with my parents and husband! So much great thai inspiration to share! I love this shot of the new skyline in Singapore featuring the Marina Bay Sands hotel - the bar on the 57th floor has unreal views! 

xoxo Allison

Dutch Tulip-Mania

I can never get enough of the Dutch tulip fields. They are modern art, a great stripped fabric, and a lush bed of flowers all at once! 

These are especially for my wonderful sister who was born in Holland during the tulip season! Happy Birthday, Jess - I love you! 

Happy Birthday Jess! 

{Images via 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 }

xo Allison

Spicer + Bank

Happy Easter & Happy Spring!

{via Charlotta Ward}

Whether you celebrate Easter or not, I hope you are all having a beautiful Sunday with family and friends!

Pastel but certainly not washed out! Love this interior by designer Cathy Triant Buxton {via Elle Decor, photo by William Waldron}

Lovely simplicity! {via Honey Kennedy}

{via}

Perfectly pale and beautiful {via Grace and Ivy}

West Elm recycled bud vases.

{via Rue magazine!}

Love the cameos and how they used the picture rail to hang everything! {via The Decorista}

{via The Decorista}

White chocolate bark! mmm! {via Such Pretty Things}

xo Allison

Spicer + Bank